TransUnion SmartMove has long served as a go-to standalone tenant screening service, providing credit reports, criminal background checks, and eviction history through TransUnion's data network. However, landlords and real estate investors managing multiple properties often need more than screening alone. Many are looking for platforms that combine tenant screening with banking, bookkeeping, or rent collection in a single workflow. This guide examines eight alternatives that address different landlord needs, from integrated financial platforms to specialized property management tools.

Key takeaways

• Integrated platforms combine screening with other workflows: Baselane pairs tenant screening with property-specific banking and automated bookkeeping, while other alternatives focus on leasing, rent collection, or accounting.
• Screening report components vary by provider: Credit reports come from different bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, or via third parties like RentPrep), and income verification methods range from credit-based estimates to bank-verified transaction data.
• ID verification depth differs significantly: Some platforms offer basic identity checks, while Baselane provides 3-way ID verification combining database checks, document scanning, and facial recognition.
• Pricing structures range from pay-per-report to bundled subscriptions: SmartMove charges $25 to $49 per screening with no monthly fees, while platform-based alternatives may include screening within monthly subscription costs.
• Report delivery speed affects leasing timelines: Most automated screening services deliver reports in minutes, though manual FCRA-certified reviews may take 24 to 48 hours.

Why landlords need reliable tenant screening services

Tenant screening serves as the first line of defense against rental income loss, property damage, and costly eviction proceedings. A thorough screening process helps landlords verify applicant identity, assess creditworthiness, review rental history, and confirm income sufficiency before signing a lease.

What a complete tenant screening report includes

Effective tenant screening typically combines multiple data sources:

• Credit reports: Payment history, outstanding debts, bankruptcies, and credit utilization from major bureaus
• Criminal background checks: Records from county, state, and federal databases covering convictions and pending cases
• Eviction history: Prior eviction filings and judgments from housing court records
• Income verification: Employment confirmation and income documentation to assess ability to pay rent
• Identity verification: Confirmation that the applicant is who they claim to be

The depth and accuracy of each component varies by screening provider, which is why landlords should evaluate alternatives based on their specific risk tolerance and portfolio needs.

Key features to look for in tenant screening services

When evaluating SmartMove alternatives, consider these factors:

• Data sources and bureau access: Which credit bureau provides reports (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) and how comprehensive are criminal and eviction databases
• Income verification method: Credit-based estimates versus actual bank transaction verification
• ID verification depth: Basic database checks versus document scanning and biometric confirmation
• Report delivery speed: Instant results versus manual review timelines
• Integration with other tools: Standalone screening versus integration with banking, rent collection, or bookkeeping
• Pricing model: Per-report fees versus subscription-based access
• Who pays: Landlord-paid versus applicant-paid fee structures

Quick overview: TransUnion SmartMove alternatives

1. Baselane: Banking and bookkeeping platform with comprehensive tenant screening

Baselane combines property-specific banking and bookkeeping for landlords and real estate investors, with tenant screening built into the same platform. Rather than using separate tools for screening, banking, and bookkeeping, Baselane centralizes these workflows in one system.

Tenant screening capabilities

Baselane's tenant screening service includes several components that address common fraud concerns:

• Full Equifax credit report: Complete credit history including payment patterns, outstanding debts, and credit utilization
• 3-way ID verification: Combines database checks, government document scanning, and facial recognition biometrics to confirm applicant identity across 16,000+ ID types and 200+ countries
• Criminal background check: Searches 1.8 billion records across 2,500+ jurisdictions
• Eviction history: Pulls from the largest U.S. housing court database with daily updates
• Bank-verified income: Uses Plaid integration to verify actual bank transaction data rather than relying on self-reported pay stubs or credit-based estimates

Reports are delivered in under 5 minutes, and landlords pay nothing for screening since applicants cover the fees.

Screening pricing structure

• Basic Report ($24.99): Rental application, ID verification, full Equifax credit report
• Criminal background check add-on ($5): Access to 1.8 billion criminal records
• Eviction history add-on ($10): Comprehensive housing court database search
• Income verification add-on ($10): Bank and payroll data validation through Plaid

Beyond screening: integrated banking and bookkeeping

What distinguishes Baselane from standalone screening services is its combination with landlord banking and bookkeeping:

• Property-specific accounts: Baselane allows investors to open unlimited checking and savings accounts organized by property, entity, security deposit, or operating reserve with no monthly account maintenance fees
• Automated transaction categorization: Transactions are automatically assigned to each property, entity, and tax category using 120+ real-estate-specific categories (available with Baselane Smart)
• High-yield savings: Savings accounts earn up to [v="apyvalue"] APY², with deposits FDIC-insured up to [v="fdic_long"]¹ through Thread Bank's sweep program
• Rent collection integration: Receive payments directly into property-specific accounts with automated invoicing, payment reminders, and late fee tracking
• Schedule E tax reports: Generate IRS Schedule E reports organized by property and entity for tax preparation

Pricing structure

• Baselane (free tier): Unlimited banking accounts, basic bookkeeping, rent collection, 5-day rent deposits, Schedule E reports, tenant screening (applicant-paid)
• Baselane Smart ($20/month when billed annually): Adds 2-day rent deposits, AI auto-tagging, advanced categorization rules, auto-receipt matching, cost segregation tracking, shared access with role-based permissions

What sets Baselane apart for landlords seeking SmartMove alternatives

For landlords who want screening plus financial management in one platform, Baselane addresses several pain points that standalone screening services cannot:

• Fraud prevention through bank-verified income: Unlike credit-based income estimates, Plaid integration shows actual cash flow patterns, helping identify applicants who may have inflated income on applications
• Layered ID verification: Database checks, document scanning, and facial recognition create multiple checkpoints against identity fraud
• No separate bank logins or apps: Banking, bookkeeping, screening, and rent collection operate within a single platform rather than spreading financial information across multiple systems

Baselane serves over 50,000 real estate investors and is the official banking partner of BiggerPockets.

2. Avail

Avail, now part of Realtor.com, provides property management tools for independent landlords with a focus on the leasing workflow from listing through move-in.

Tenant screening capabilities

• TransUnion credit reports: Full credit history with TransUnion ResidentScore, a rental-specific credit scoring model
• Criminal and eviction checks: National criminal background search and eviction history through TransUnion data
• Automated landlord references: System automatically contacts previous landlords for reference verification
• Income verification workflow: Document upload and verification process for income confirmation

Screening reports cost approximately $55 for a full package, with applicants typically covering the fees.

Additional platform features

• Listing syndication: Distribution through Realtor.com's rental network
• State-specific lease templates: Lawyer-reviewed lease agreements for all 50 states
• Online rent collection: ACH payment processing with autopay options
• Maintenance tracking: Request management and communication tools

Pricing structure

• Free tier: Basic listing, screening, and rent collection features
• Unlimited Plus ($9/unit/month): Enhanced features including expedited rent payments

Organizational fit

Avail works well for landlords who want integration with Realtor.com's listing ecosystem and prefer TransUnion's ResidentScore for rental-specific credit assessment. The per-unit pricing may become costly for larger portfolios.

3. Stessa

Stessa, part of Roofstock, emphasizes rental property accounting and portfolio analytics, with tenant screening available through a RentPrep integration rather than built-in screening tools.

Tenant screening capabilities

• RentPrep screening: Credit-only and background-only reports cost $29 each, while the Complete Screening Package costs $49
• FCRA-certified background review: Credit reports can generate within minutes after applicant verification, while background checks are typically processed within 1 to 2 business hours
• TransUnion credit data: Credit reports pulled through the RentPrep partnership

Additional platform features

• Portfolio analytics: NOI calculations, cash flow tracking, and property performance dashboards
• Schedule E reports: Tax-ready categorization (available on Manage tier and above)
• Cash Management accounts: Optional cash management functionality alongside accounting tools
• Vacancy marketing: Listing syndication to rental marketplaces
• Mobile apps: Full-featured iOS and Android applications

Pricing structure

• Essentials (free): Unlimited properties in 1 portfolio, basic reports, rent collection, 5 receipt scans per month
• Manage ($12/month annual): Schedule E reports, maintenance tracking, accelerated rent deposits
• Pro ($28/month annual): Unlimited portfolios, unlimited receipt scanning, priority phone support

Organizational fit

Stessa fits investors who prioritize portfolio-level financial analytics and want screening as an available add-on rather than a core feature. The RentPrep integration provides FCRA-certified screening but with longer delivery times than automated alternatives.

4. TenantCloud

TenantCloud positions itself as a comprehensive property management platform covering the full rental lifecycle from marketing through accounting.

Tenant screening capabilities

• Full Check screening: $40 TransUnion-powered package with credit, criminal, eviction, identity, and address-history data
• Premium coverage: Optional $5 upgrade for expanded screening coverage
• Income verification: Available as a $10 add-on

Additional platform features

• Listing syndication: Distribution to multiple rental marketplaces
• Lease management: Digital lease creation and e-signatures
• Rent collection: Online payment processing
• Maintenance tracking: Advanced maintenance request workflows
• Tenant portal: Self-service portal for tenant communications

Pricing structure

• 14-day free trial: Available for paid plans
• Starter ($15/month billed annually): Core property management features
• Growth ($29.17/month billed annually): Enhanced organization and tenant tools
• Pro ($50/month billed annually): Advanced financial and reporting features

Organizational fit

TenantCloud serves landlords seeking a single platform for all property management tasks. The tiered pricing provides flexibility, though screening costs vary based on the specific reports selected.

5. Hemlane

Hemlane targets landlords managing properties from a distance by combining screening with local service provider coordination and maintenance dispatch.

Tenant screening capabilities

• TransUnion data: Credit reports and criminal background checks through TransUnion
• Applicant recommendations: Soft recommendations based on application data, TransUnion screening results, and landlord-defined income and credit criteria
• Eviction history: Eviction data is included in the TransUnion screening report
• Tenant-paid screening: Comprehensive screening costs $40 and is paid by the prospective tenant

Additional platform features

• Local agent network: Coordination with property managers and maintenance providers
• 24/7 maintenance dispatch: Automated service request routing (on higher tiers)
• Tenant communication portal: Centralized messaging
• Listing syndication: Vacancy marketing tools
• Rent collection: Online payment processing (additional fees on some tiers)

Pricing structure

• Starter ($0/month): Advertising, screening, and basic accounting tools
• Basic ($28 platform fee + $2/unit/month): Core management features
• Essential ($28 platform fee + $20/unit/month): Enhanced features with rent collection
• Complete ($28 platform fee + $58/unit/month): Full-service coordination

Organizational fit

Hemlane suits out-of-state landlords who need help coordinating local services. The higher-tier pricing reflects human support elements that self-managing landlords may not need.

6. Landlord Studio

Landlord Studio centers on expense tracking, receipt capture, and mileage logging, with tenant screening available through TransUnion SmartMove.

Tenant screening capabilities

• TransUnion SmartMove screening: Reports include credit, ResidentScore, criminal, eviction, identity, and bankruptcy data
• Pay-per-report pricing: Reports cost $45 on Pro or $55 on Go and can be paid by the landlord or applicant
• Report delivery: Screening reports can be available in as little as 30 minutes

Additional platform features

• Receipt capture: Mobile scanning and storage for expense documentation
• Mileage logging: Automatic tracking for property visits
• Expense categorization: Organization for rental property expenses
• Financial reports: Income statements and cash flow analysis
• Rent collection: Basic online payment processing

Pricing structure

• Free tier: Limited features for up to 3 units
• Pro (from $12/month billed annually): Includes 3 units, with additional-unit pricing for larger portfolios, plus automated bank feeds and tax-ready reporting

Organizational fit

Landlord Studio works for investors who prioritize detailed expense documentation and mobile accessibility. The platform focuses on bookkeeping workflows, with screening available as an add-on service.

7. RentRedi

RentRedi emphasizes mobile accessibility with native apps for both landlords and tenants, plus built-in accounting and reporting features.

Tenant screening capabilities

• TransUnion reports: Credit reports with rental-specific scoring
• Prequalification tools: Preliminary screening before full applications
• Criminal and eviction checks: Standard background screening components
• Mobile-optimized workflow: Screening requests and reviews through native apps

Additional platform features

• Native iOS and Android apps: Full functionality on mobile devices
• Built-in accounting: P&L statements, Schedule E reports, income and expense tracking
• Rent collection: Tenants can pay by ACH, debit or credit card, or cash through supported Chime deposit workflows
• Maintenance coordination: Request tracking and vendor management
• REI Hub integration: Optional advanced accounting integration available

Pricing structure

One feature set with three billing options:

• $29.95/month billed monthly
• $20/month billed every six months
• $12/month billed annually

Organizational fit

RentRedi serves landlords who primarily manage properties from mobile devices and want accounting built into the same platform as screening and rent collection.

8. TurboTenant

TurboTenant emphasizes marketing vacant units and screening tenants, positioning the platform around the leasing workflow.

Tenant screening capabilities

• TransUnion credit reports: Full credit history with TransUnion data
• Criminal background checks: National database searches
• Eviction history: Prior eviction filings and judgments
• Free tier screening access: Basic screening available without subscription

Additional platform features

• Listing syndication: Distribution to Apartments.com, Realtor.com, Redfin, Rent.com, and other partner marketplaces
• Digital leases: Lease creation and e-signature tools
• Rent collection: ACH and card payment processing
• Maintenance requests: Tenant communication portal
• Landlord forms library: Templates for common landlord documents

Pricing structure

• Free tier: Basic listing, screening, and rent collection
• Essentials ($149–$349/year): Annual pricing varies by the number of units managed
• Pro ($199–$999/year): Annual pricing varies by the number of units managed and adds advanced management and accounting tools

Organizational fit

TurboTenant works for landlords focused on filling vacancies efficiently. The platform emphasizes tenant acquisition workflows over financial management depth.

When to choose Baselane for tenant screening

For landlords and real estate investors who want tenant screening integrated with banking and bookkeeping, Baselane provides a structured approach to property-level financial organization alongside fraud-prevention screening features.

Baselane addresses several workflows in one platform:

• Bank-verified income verification: Plaid integration analyzes actual bank transaction data rather than relying on potentially falsified pay stubs or credit-based estimates
• 3-way ID verification: Database checks, document scanning, and facial recognition create multiple verification layers against identity fraud
• Property-specific banking: Open unlimited checking and savings accounts organized by property and entity with no monthly account maintenance fees
• Automated bookkeeping: Transactions are automatically assigned to each property, entity, and tax category (with Baselane Smart)
• Rent collection integration: Payments flow directly into property-specific accounts with automated tracking

Consider Baselane when you:

• Want to consolidate screening, banking, bookkeeping, and rent collection into one platform
• Need bank-verified income data to catch applicants inflating income
• Manage multiple properties or entities and want clean financial separation
• Prefer automated transaction categorization for tax preparation
• Want high-yield savings on operating reserves (up to [v="apyvalue"] APY²)