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If you run a rental property, then you know how important it is to only lease to a qualified prospective tenant.

This is why your tenant screening process is so important and the reason that many property owners today use tenant screening software.  

Rentec Direct's tenant screening has been a popular choice for screening services for several years.

But is it right for you?

Or could you be better served by a more current, comprehensive, and customizable software like DoorLoop?

We’ve put together a full comparison to help you figure that out.

Keep reading to learn how Rentec Direct's tenant screening compares to DoorLoop's comprehensive tenant screening services.  

Why tenant screening matters

Which tenant screening tool is best for your business?

When choosing between tenant screening service software, it’s important to use a holistic approach. 

There are many factors that can impact the value you get from this technology, so you’ll want to look at all of these before choosing, including:  

  • Included features
  • Ease of use
  • Customer service
  • Pricing
  • Additional features and integrations

We’ll take an in-depth look at how Rentec Direct and DoorLoop compare in each of these categories throughout the rest of the article, so keep reading to learn more.

Rentec Direct vs. DoorLoop screening tools: Features

Here’s how DoorLoop stacks up as a Rentec Direct alternative in terms of features:

Rentec

Rentec Direct

With Rentec, you’ll get tenant screening reports that include most of the data you need to make a decision about a potential tenant. This includes:

  • Nationwide criminal search
  • TransUnion credit report
  • Nationwide eviction search
  • Social security verification

You also get the option to pay more to include extra information in your reports. For example, premium plans will search the National Sex Offender Registry for you and can even generate an income verification report so that you don’t have to do it manually.

Rentec Direct also has some decent automation features that can make the process easier.

DoorLoop

DoorLoop property management software

DoorLoop provides all of the information you get from Rentec Direct, along with some additional features to help bring more value to the tenant screening process.

For example, you’ll be able to customize your tenant screening form with as many fields of additional information as you want.

Whether that means looking up county-specific criminal histories or conducting a more thorough prior address search, you can do it with DoorLoop.

Another nice feature is that each credit report will come with a TransUnion MySmartMove score. These are up to 15% more effective than traditional credit scores at reducing eviction risk.

It’s also important to keep in mind that there are fair housing laws you need to follow to avoid financial liability from a lawsuit.

DoorLoop makes it easier to keep track of applications so that you can verify that you’re always in full compliance before rejecting a potential tenant.

Overall, DoorLoop gives you the same in-depth information that Rentec Direct offers while also bringing added value to the table to help you get more out of the tenant screening process.

DoorLoop vs. Rentec: Ease of Use

You need tenant screening software that’s easy for your entire team to use. Otherwise, it's just going to become a point of frustration as opposed to an asset.

With that in mind, here’s how each stack ups in ease of use:

Rentec

Ease of use is one of the main categories where Rentec Direct struggles. 

It's made some progress in recent years in the area by rolling out mobile apps and minor cosmetic upgrades. However, Rentec was founded in 2007, and you can feel that while using it.

Verified reviewers on sites like Capterra have complained that Rentec is hard to use on mobile devices and too basic to provide real value.

It also doesn’t have a good system for keeping track of tenant applications, which could make compliance a challenge.

DoorLoop

DoorLoop is built on the newest infrastructure and you can feel that when you use it.

You can get up and running within just an hour or two of basic training and get anything you need done in minutes with ease.

The platform is easy to use across all device types and gives you the ability to completely customize your tenant screening process based on your specifications.

This ensures that you’re able to get maximum value out of the software no matter what that means to you.

DoorLoop also has much more robust application tracking and storage features, which makes it a vastly superior option for compliance purposes.

DoorLoop vs. Rentec: Customer Service and Training

If something goes wrong, you need reliable help in the format you prefer to receive it.

Here’s how Rentec and DoorLoop compare when it comes to customer service and training.

Rentec

Rentec makes it relatively easy to get support from trained service professionals, regardless of whether you prefer to do so by:

  • Live chat
  • Phone call
  • Email/help desk
  • Forum/FAQs
  • Online knowledge base

The company also offers several ways to train your team to use its product.

You can access Rentec training via webinars, on-demand videos, online documentation, and live online support from a professional. 

DoorLoop

DoorLoop matches Rentec step-for-step with its customer service offerings.

It gives you access to all of the same support and training resources along with an award-winning support team with lightning-fast response times.

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This is a big reason why, according to Capterra, more than 95% of customers would recommend DoorLoop to a colleague.

The bottom line in this category is that both DoorLoop and Rentec Direct offer excellent customer service and training, with DoorLoop coming out on top due to faster response times and higher satisfaction ratings.

DoorLoop vs. Rentec: Pricing

The best features are worth paying for, but it all depends on your budget.

Here’s what you need to know about pricing for Rentec and Doorlop.

Rentec

Rentec Direct pricing

Rentec Direct’s prices begin at $55/month for up to 20 units. The more units you manage, the higher your price will be.

In addition to this, you will have to pay between $7 and $15+ for each tenant screening that you conduct. Although, you do have the option of passing this fee on to your applicants.

The company also has a package for property managers, which is intended for owners of properties that also manage them. This plan starts at $55 and scales up from there.

You can sign up for a free two-week trial of Rentec Direct, but the company doesn’t offer a free version of its tenant screening software.

DoorLoop

DoorLoop’s plans come in just under Rentec, starting at just $49 per month for up to 20 units.

For less than the price of Rentec, you get access to an entire suite of property management tools, such as:

  • Payment collection
  • Maintenance management
  • Online communication portal
  • Bank account reconciliation features
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Accounting and financial assistance

Tenant screening costs $39.99 through DoorLoop, which you're able to charge directly to the applicant. So, you won’t have to worry about paying it yourself unless you choose to do so as an incentive to your potential tenants.

DoorLoop vs. Rentec: Integrations and Other Features

Here’s a look at some of the integrations and features you’ll want to consider before choosing which software to go with.

Rentec

Rentec offers many integrations with its property management software, including companies that provide:

  • Rental insurance
  • Pet screening
  • Document signing
  • Tax support
  • Online payments
  • Tenant communication

The platform also integrates with many online apartment listing websites, such as Apartments.com and Apartment Finder. However, its website doesn’t note an integration option for Zillow, which may be a problem for some landlords.

DoorLoop

DoorLoop is an all-in-one property management tool that makes it easier to oversee your properties and tenants in every way you need to.

This includes:

  • Online payment processing
  • Tenant screening
  • Tenant communication portal
  • Maintenance request management
  • Compliance support
  • Automations
  • Detailed insights into your finances
  • And so much more

With that in mind, DoorLoop also integrates with every major rental service provider and apartment listing website. It also offers a convenient QuickBooks Online integration.

This makes it incredibly easy to use DoorLoop in combination with the other services that you leverage to manage your properties.

The bottom line is that DoorLoop is a convenient, all-in-one platform that takes the hard work out of managing your rental units with its comprehensive suite of offerings.

Who comes out on top?

When you put all of these factors together, DoorLoop comes out as the clear winner.

It’s the number one Rentec Direct alternative for several reasons, including:

  • Comprehensive tenant screening tools
  • Ease of use
  • Customizability
  • Award-winning customer service and training options
  • Lightning-fast response times
  • Pricing flexibility
  • Other amazing features, tools, and integrations
  • And much more

You can use DoorLoop to easily manage your entire rental portfolio at an affordable price, in addition to tenant screening.

DoorLoop features

Rentec Direct does some things well, but it’s not comprehensive enough or nearly as easy to use.

But we don’t just expect you to take us at our word– we want you to see what DoorLoop’s tenant screening tools and other great features can do for yourself.

So, request a free demo of DoorLoop today to learn why more property managers and landlords are choosing DoorLoop.

Want to compare more property management software systems? Download this free whitepaper to get the inside scoop on the most popular picks!

David is the co-founder & CMO of DoorLoop, a best-selling author, legal CLE speaker, and real estate investor. When he's not hanging with his three children, he's writing articles here!

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