Capabilities
Buyer comparison
Best Student Housing Software in 2026
Student housing software spans university halls, private PBSA, and HMO-style student lets. The right platform depends on whether you run academic-year cycles, accept university nominations, and need guarantor and parent flows.
| Platform | Academic-year leasing | Guarantor portal | Room allocation | Resident app | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JumboTiger | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Custom | Private student-housing operators |
| StarRez | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Enterprise | University halls |
| Entrata | Yes | Limited | Limited | No | Per unit | US student housing |
| AppFolio | Yes | No | No | Limited | Per unit | Mixed residential + student |
| Kinetic Solutions | Yes | Limited | Limited | No | Enterprise | UK universities |
The platforms in detail
1. JumboTiger
CustomAcademic-year lease products, guarantor + parent portals, room/bed allocation, and a branded resident app. Best for private operators wanting a tailored fit.
Best for: Private student-housing operators
See the platform →2. StarRez
EnterpriseDominant in university-owned halls. Deep allocation + conduct features, enterprise pricing.
Best for: University halls
3. Entrata
Per unitUS student-housing platform with strong leasing automation. UK fit is limited.
Best for: US student housing
4. AppFolio
Per unitResidential PMS with a student-housing add-on. Good accounting, lighter on academic cycles.
Best for: Mixed residential + student
5. Kinetic Solutions
EnterpriseUK halls + conferencing. Strong for universities, dated interface.
Best for: UK universities
The verdict
Universities running their own halls usually pick StarRez or Kx. Private student-housing operators wanting modern UX, guarantor flows, and faster deployment should shortlist a configurable platform like JumboTiger.
See where JumboTiger fits for student housing
Book a 30-minute call. We'll tell you honestly whether JumboTiger is the right fit, or point you to the alternative that suits your operation better.