Self-storage software pricing is deliberately hard to compare. Some vendors charge per unit, some per facility, some hide the number behind a "book a demo" button. Here's how the models actually work — and what a small operator should expect to pay.
The three pricing models
| Model | How it works | Who it favors |
|---|---|---|
| Per unit | A monthly fee for every unit you manage — your bill rises as you grow. | The vendor. Costs climb with your success. |
| Per facility / flat | One monthly price per facility (often with a unit band). | Small and mid operators — predictable, doesn't punish growth. |
| "Call for pricing" | No public number; price is set in a sales call. | The vendor. Small operators have the least leverage and pay the most. |
How per-unit fees add up
Say a platform charges a modest sounding amount per unit each month. On a 100-unit facility that's a bill that scales straight up with your door count — and it grows every time you add units. A flat price of $99/mo for 100 units is often a fraction of that, and it doesn't change when you fill up or expand. Run your own numbers with our savings calculator.
The costs that aren't on the price page
- Forced tenant insurance. Some "cheap" platforms make their real money by pushing insurance your tenants must opt out of. It doesn't show on your invoice — it shows on theirs.
- Payment markups. Ask who the merchant of record is and what the card fee is. With a pass-through model you set the fee and it can go to the tenant, so payments don't eat your rent.
- Setup and onboarding fees. One-time charges to import your data or "activate" features.
- Contract lock-in. Annual commitments that cost you if the tool doesn't work out.
What a small operator should pay
For a single facility under ~100 units, a fair, transparent number is a flat monthly price in the low hundreds — with no per-unit creep, no forced insurance, and no contract. If a vendor won't show you a number, that's your answer.
Stowlane is flat and public: $99/mo for your first 100 units, unlimited locations, month-to-month, with card and bank payments where you set the fee. New to running the numbers? See how to price your units.