The Best Self Storage Software
Move beyond paper records and spreadsheets with software designed to streamline facility operations and tenant communications. We assessed the top platforms for features like easy payment processing and tenant management tools.
- Available for mobile use anywhere
- Cuts down on time-consuming tasks
- Integrated property management and accounting
- Effective tenant tracking
- Extensive billing features
- Instant move-in and online rental capabilities
- 24/7 customer support
- Customizable tenant portal
- Interactive sitemaps for viewing and managing units
We evaluated these solutions for a variety of facilities, from smaller self-storage to remote operations. Our review considers features like automated billing and pricing structures that adapt to operational needs.
- Yardi Breeze: Best for Mid-Sized Facilities
- StorEDGE: Best for Remote Facilities
- 6Storage: Best for Small Facilities
Yardi Breeze - Best for Mid-Sized Facilities
Yardi Breeze provides automated marketing tools, helping larger self-storage companies manage multiple listings across platforms. You can access all your unit listings from a single interface; when you make price adjustments or other changes, this system automatically adjusts listings across all connected ILS platforms and sites, like StorageCafe.com.
Additionally, you can customize your listings extensively. Write descriptions highlighting sizes and any amenities offered. Upload multiple images and define custom attributes for each unit, including security measures, climate control, or accessibility features. Last, set promotional offerings and competitive pricing and let the software adjust rates dynamically based on market conditions.
After syndication, Yardi Breeze analyzes listing performance so you can track views and leads. This gives you insights into shaping your future advertising strategies. Track key performance metrics:
- Lead Generation: Monitor the number of inquiries different listing platforms generate to determine which sites are most effective in attracting tenants.
- Marketing Campaign Performance: Assess the effectiveness of different marketing campaigns to get a clear overview of ROI and refine your efforts.
- Conversion Rates: See how many leads convert to actual rentals so you can pinpoint potential bottlenecks in your marketing funnel.
Yardi Breeze starts at a minimum of $400 per month when billed annually. The actual cost varies based on the number of units you manage and any specific services you require.
StorEDGE - Best for Remote Facilities
StorEDGE includes a strong customer relationship management system, ideal for managing remote or semi-manned facilities. This system reduces the need for on-site employees, allowing you to communicate with tenants and collect payments from a centralized platform.
The CRM tool includes automated messaging triggered by newly-signed leases, rent-due alerts, and delinquency warnings. You can even configure these based on your preferences, like using email for policy changes or SMS for overdue payment notices. Additionally, tenants can reply directly to SMS communications with two-way texting. The software automatically records these responses, so you can respond to questions or requests and manage them right from the CRM dashboard.
StorEDGE provides comprehensive tenant interaction logging for other activities, such as rate adjustments, notices, and failed payments. Set up automated delinquency notices and reminders for missed payments. The system records each interaction, creating a reliable history for each tenant and making it easier for remote facilities to manage efficiently.
6Storage - Best for Small Facilities
6Storage is a cost-effective option, starting at $39.99 per month with a charge of $0.40 for each storage unit. This pricing structure is designed for smaller business budgets. A one-time setup fee of $275 gives you access to features that can boost your operations without adding to administrative tasks, like an online rental system.
The software includes a user-friendly interface for potential tenants; you can customize the portal with messaging, branding, and your preferred payment options, like Stripe, eMerchant, or ACH. Customers can filter storage units by desired size, location, and monthly rate. From there, they can confirm their move-in date and invoice period, whether on a monthly or annual basis.
6Storage automatically generates a lease agreement with your customer’s personal information, identity verification, and any unit specifics. Your tenants can sign and pay for the lease online, saving your company time and effort in managing paperwork and correcting errors. From that point on, the portal serves as a personal dashboard for your tenants, where they can view lease agreements and update their personal info.
While the portal features a mobile-first design, 6Storage does not have a dedicated mobile app. This may limit on-the-go access for some facility managers, though 6Storage does have a responsive web design accessible via mobile browsers.
What is Self-Storage Software?
Self-storage software allows facility managers to track vacant and occupied storage units, monitor facility access, and automate invoicing. These systems often feature interactive facility maps that show the status of each storage unit—whether it’s vacant, has overdue rental payments, or is occupied and in good standing. The unit status is shown in real time, so you always know the current status for marketing or payment collection purposes.
Many self-storage software vendors also offer website design services. Their websites are designed to integrate with their software solutions, which allows self-storage facility owners to accept online applications and electronic signatures and collect payments. A tenant portal is often included for tenants to view their account information and set up recurring payments.
The software often integrates with various types of hardware and software to help you manage all of your self-storage operations. Some common integrations include:
- Gate Control Systems
- Accounting Software like QuickBooks
- Credit Card Processors
- Driver’s License Scanners
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Online Payment Processing | Accept tenant payments via ACH bank account transfers or credit cards. Tenants can setup recurring payments to be made to avoid late fees. |
| Online Reservations | Give tenants access to real-time storage unit availability and reserve their unit online. Collect electronic signatures for facility contracts. |
| Invoicing | Automatically send invoices via paper mail or email. Set a schedule for recurring invoices to be sent out at specific times. |
| Auction Manager | Track the number of days the rent is past due and flag the unit for auction after a set amount of time. Send warnings about late payments, market upcoming auctions, and schedule the auctions. |
| Facility Maps | Create interactive facility maps that show you the locations, specifications, and availability of your storage units. |
| Customer Relationship Management (CRM) | Maintain tenant contact and payment information and signed contracts, as well as contact information for new leads. Communicate with tenants via automated emails and text messaging. |
Benefits
Some of the benefits of implementing a self-storage solution include:
Reduced Overhead with Online Applications and Payment Processing
Self-storage management systems make it easy for tenants and new leads to submit their information online. Automating payment and application processes allows you to save time on unnecessary paperwork.
Existing tenants can sign up for access to the tenant portal, where they can make payments or update their contact information. Tenants can also set automatic recurring payments so they won’t have to worry about them down the road.
Self-storage systems process payments from various methods, including credit cards, electronic checks, and more. Some software solutions integrate with other payment processors, like PayPal, giving your tenants another secure way to pay their bills.
The software will automatically notify your tenants when a payment is due or late. The system can also automatically add late fees as needed.
New customers can apply for a storage unit through your website. The software will collect all information from the potential tenant including residence information and contact information. The applicant can also add driver’s license numbers for a background check. Potential tenants can choose their own move-in date and pick out a unit based on the website’s availability list. The system also collects electronic signatures for the lease contracts.
Better Access Control for Your Storage Facilities
Self-storage facility management software integrates with gate systems, allowing you to control access to the facility. PINs or passcodes can be set up to allow tenants access to the facility without the assistance of an employee. Cloud access control systems allow you to change a tenant’s permissions from anywhere. If a tenant is late on payments, the system can temporarily deny them access to the storage facility.
Self-storage software also provides you with data about who accessed the gate and when they accessed it. This allows you to monitor who is going in and out to ensure that only authorized personnel are using the facility.
Improved Insight into Unit Status with Interactive Facility Maps
The facility maps in self-storage software provide property managers with a detailed view of the facility layout and status of each storage unit. These maps are often color-coded to show whether a storage unit is in good standing, vacant, has past-due invoices, or has a lien. Being able to clearly see available and unavailable units makes it easy to assign vacant units to new customers. Units with overdue rental payments can have notifications sent to the customer automatically to prevent the unit from being auctioned off.
These interactive maps typically provide more information when a specific storage unit is selected. They provide information such as the tenant’s name and contact information, the price of the storage unit, and its dimensions.
Pricing
Self-storage software starts around $30/month and goes over $100/month. The majority of software solutions for the self-storage industry are built on a SaaS model that charges on a monthly or yearly basis. Pricing is also often affected by the number of self-storage facilities or storage units you manage. Some solutions have a minimum requirement for the number of units, so the advertised starting price may look a lot lower than it really is.
You should also be aware of credit card processing fees. If you allow tenants to pay by credit card, the software you use may charge a small percentage of the rental payment.
Many vendors offer free demos or trial periods for their software. If you’d like to test out a self-storage management system before purchasing, you can set this up with the vendor. Trial periods depend on the vendor’s policies but typically last around 30 days.**
