Buyer guide
How much does self storage software cost?
Some vendors charge per unit, some per facility, and plenty won't tell you until you've sat through a sales call. Here's how the pricing works, the extras that catch operators out, and what we'd ask before signing anything.
Roughly what you'll pay
For one facility with 50 to 150 units, the software itself usually runs from about a hundred to a few hundred dollars a month.
That's rarely the full bill, though. Card fees, setup, gate integration and a booking website can add up to more than the subscription, so total them before you compare vendors.
A lot of vendors don't publish prices at all. If there's no price list on the website, you'll need a quote before you can compare them properly.
How vendors charge
There are four common models, and each one behaves differently as your facility grows. In each chart below, cost goes up the side and units go along the bottom.
Per unit
By unit band
Per facility
Quote only
- Per unit. A set amount for every unit on the books, rented or not. Simple to work out, but empty units still cost you.
- By unit band. One fixed monthly price for a range, say up to 150 units. You pay the same whether you're full or half empty, so the bill is easy to budget for.
- Per facility. One price per site, often with basic and premium versions. The cheapest version often leaves out automatic invoicing or reminders.
- Quote only. No price on the website, usually the bigger platforms that bundle in hardware or call centres. Ask for the quote broken down line by line.
Extra costs to ask about
These are the ones that usually aren't in the headline price.
- Setup and onboarding. Is there a one-off fee? Does it cover loading your units, tenants and balances, or is that extra?
- Payment processing. What you pay per card or direct debit payment, and whether the vendor adds their own cut on top.
- Gate and access control. Will it work with the gate system you already have, and is there a monthly charge for that?
- Website and online booking. Is online booking included, or is it a separate add-on?
- Text reminders. Are payment reminders included, or charged per text?
- Accounting integration. Is the Xero or QuickBooks connection included? Does it bring payments back in, or only send invoices out?
- Users and sites. Do extra staff logins or a second site cost more?
- Contract and exit. How long you're locked in, how much notice you have to give, and whether you can take all your data with you.
What spreadsheets really cost
A spreadsheet has no monthly fee, but someone still has to send the invoices, chase late payers and type everything into Xero. Owner-operators we talk to often spend ten hours a week or more on that.
If software saves you even half that time, it's paid for itself, and that's before counting the invoices that never got sent. There's more on this in spreadsheet vs software.
What UnitsHQ costs
Our prices are on the website. You pay a fixed monthly amount based on how many units you have, in your own currency, and you can try it free for 14 days.
| Starter (0-150 units) | Scale (151-999 units) | Custom (1000+ units) |
|---|---|---|
| $99 / month | $489 / month | Custom |
Prices in USD.
Every plan includes the two-way Xero integration, the tenant portal and automatic invoicing. Full details are on the pricing page.
What to ask before you sign
- What will I pay each month for my number of units, including card fees?
- Is there a setup fee, and what does it cover?
- What happens to the price if I add units or open a second site?
- What's missing from the cheapest plan?
- Is there a minimum contract, and can I take my data if I leave?
- Will payments made in Xero show up in your system, or will I be reconciling by hand?
For a longer checklist, see how to choose self storage software.