A-du vs Hemlane
How A-du and Hemlane compare for ADU landlords. Hemlane pairs software with a local service network; A-du is ADU-specific and adds pre-approved plans and permit tools before the listing.
A-du and Hemlane are both landlord platforms, but A-du is specialized for Accessory Dwelling Units from plan to rental, while Hemlane pairs general management software with a nationwide local service network.
Hemlane is strongest for off-site owners who need local help; A-du is strongest at everything specific to creating and renting an ADU.
The short version
Hemlane’s differentiator is service: a 50-state network of local agents and vendors, delinquency management, and pre-eviction coordination layered on top of management software. For an owner of scattered rentals who cannot be on-site, that network is genuinely valuable.
A-du is built for one specific kind of rental, the Accessory Dwelling Unit, and for the steps Hemlane never touches. Before the unit exists, A-du offers pre-approved ADU plans, permit-fee calculators, GIS lot lookup, and a directory of contractors and trades you hire directly. After it is built, A-du adds identity-verified screening, e-signed leases, rent collection (free to list, with 0% landlord service fee for the first 15 published listings and a 3% platform service fee on rent collected through A-du after that), and a property-manager marketplace for hands-off operation.
Feature comparison
| Feature | A-du | Hemlane |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purposeWhat the product is actually built to do. | ADU marketplace: plans, permit tools, rentals, and management | Remote management with a local service network |
| Best fit | ADU owners & small landlordsIn served markets (LA County, NYC) | Off-site ownersOf scattered single-family rentals nationwide |
| Pricing model | Free to listLandlord: 0% for the first 15 listings, then 3% of rent collected through A-du. Tenant: free by bank transfer, 2.99% credit card surcharge when offered, or check at no charge | Base + per-unit + tiersFrom roughly $40/mo plus per unit, scaling with service tiers |
| ADU plan marketplace & pre-approved plansHelp before the unit exists. | YesPlan marketplace incl. LADBS Standard Plan | No |
| Permitting tools | YesLA County + NYC permit-fee calculators, GIS lot lookup | No |
| Local service networkWhere Hemlane is strong. | ADU-focusedLocal property managers + services marketplace | Broad50-state agent/vendor network, delinquency & pre-eviction help |
| Tenant screening | FCRA-compliantPass/fail, adverse-action workflow, landlord pays, applicants pay nothing | YesBuilt-in screening |
| Local ADU specialization | DeepADU rules, permit data & renter audience | General-purpose |
| Bottom line | An ADU-specific marketplace with pre-approved plans, permit tools, leasing, and rent collection, plus a property-manager marketplace for hands-off owners. | A half-software, half-service platform with a 50-state local agent and vendor network, but general-purpose and starting at the listing. |
How to think about it
Both go beyond bare software. Hemlane’s edge is a broad nationwide service network for any rental. A-du’s edge is depth in one vertical: it helps you create the ADU, knows the local rules, and offers ADU-focused management help in the markets it serves.
Next steps: See how A-du works, browse ADU managers, or review pricing.
Related: vs DoorLoop · vs Buildium · vs AppFolio · Best PM software.
Frequently asked questions
- How is A-du different from Hemlane?
- Hemlane blends software with a 50-state network of local agents and vendors, plus delinquency and pre-eviction help, which makes it popular with off-site owners of scattered single-family homes. It is general-purpose and begins at the listing. A-du is built specifically for Accessory Dwelling Units and adds the pre-rental side Hemlane lacks: pre-approved plans, permit-fee calculators, GIS lot lookup, and a directory of contractors and trades you hire directly. A-du also offers a property-manager marketplace and a services marketplace for hands-off ADU operation.
- Hemlane has a local agent network. Does A-du?
- A-du has a property-manager marketplace for owners who want their ADU run for them, plus a services marketplace of local providers. The difference is focus: A-du’s marketplaces and tooling are built around ADUs in the markets it serves, while Hemlane’s network is general-purpose and nationwide.
- Does Hemlane help build or permit an ADU?
- No. Hemlane manages and leases existing rentals. It has no ADU plan catalog, permit-fee tools, or GIS lot lookup. Those pre-rental tools are what A-du is built for, in addition to leasing and rent collection.
- Which should I choose?
- If you own scattered single-family homes across states and want a local service network behind your software, Hemlane is a strong fit. If your rental is an ADU, or you are building one, in a market A-du serves, A-du adds the plan and permit tools Hemlane lacks and offers ADU-focused management help.
Comparison reflects publicly available product information as of 2026 and A-du features at time of writing. Competitor pricing and capabilities change; confirm current details with each provider.