Self-Storage Software Without Payment Processing Lock-In
Most self-storage platforms take a cut of every payment. How the processing lock-in model works, what it costs, and which platforms let you use Stripe directly.
By Brynlock
How Self-Storage Platforms Make Money on Your Payments
The most profitable part of self-storage software isn't the subscription fee. It's the payment processing markup. Platforms that control the payment layer can add 0.5–1.5% to every tenant transaction invisibly, generating more revenue than the subscription itself.
The Payfac Model
Payment facilitators (Payfacs) operate by aggregating merchants under their master Stripe or Braintree account. They pay Stripe's published rate (2.9% + $0.30) and charge operators more, keeping the spread. The operator never sees a separate Stripe dashboard, never receives funds directly, and has no leverage to negotiate.
SiteLink/Storable uses this model via Storable Payments. OpenUnit operates as a "free" platform funded almost entirely by processing revenue. 6Storage routes payments through Fortis, Priority, and other processors; its markup is not publicly disclosed.
The True Cost at Different Facility Sizes
| Facility Size | Avg Monthly Rent Collected | 1% Processing Markup Cost/Year |
|---|---|---|
| 60 units | ~$5,400 | ~$648/yr |
| 150 units | ~$14,000 | ~$1,680/yr |
| 300 units | ~$28,000 | ~$3,360/yr |
| 500 units | ~$47,000 | ~$5,640/yr |
At a 300-unit facility, a 1% processing markup costs more than $3,300/year, on top of the subscription fee. Over 5 years, that's $16,800 in extra costs from the payment processing model alone.
What Stripe Direct Looks Like
Platforms that connect your own Stripe account give you:
- Funds deposited directly to your bank account, not through a platform intermediary
- Full Stripe dashboard access: dispute management, refunds, reporting
- Published Stripe rates: 2.9% + $0.30 per card, 0.8% per ACH (capped at $5)
- No platform markup on payment volume
For ACH bank transfers, the savings are even more dramatic. Stripe's 0.8% ACH rate vs. a platform's 2.9% card-only processing adds up to hundreds of dollars per month for facilities with high ACH enrollment.
Questions to Ask Before Signing Up
Before committing to a self-storage platform, ask:
- Do I connect my own Stripe account, or does processing go through your platform?
- What are the exact processing rates, including all surcharges?
- Can I see the full rate card in writing before signing up?
- If I cancel, do I still have access to my Stripe account and payment history?
If the answer to question 1 is "our platform handles payments," ask question 2 and 3 carefully. Processing revenue is often the primary reason some platforms offer low or zero subscription fees.
Which Platforms Use Stripe Direct?
Brynlock connects directly to your Stripe account via OAuth. You see all payments in your own Stripe dashboard, funds land directly in your bank account, and Brynlock has no visibility into or control over your payment data after setup.
The subscription fee of $0.50/unit/month is the only revenue Brynlock collects from your account. There is no processing markup and no platform surcharge.
Automate your lien tracking and billing
Brynlock calculates lien deadlines, sends notices automatically, and runs autopay on the 1st. $0.50/unit/month — every feature included.