

The self-storage app market is crowded. Every vendor promises simplicity, automation, and growth. Few are actually delivering all three.
We talk to operators who feel more frustrated than empowered after switching to new apps. Many discover that the tools they chose actually added complexity instead of removing it.
When looking at your own facility’s technology stack, there are five types of apps you want to avoid:
Here’s what operators really want: a facility app stack that makes daily life simpler for their team and smoother for their tenants.
Fortunately, with so many options available, this is now achievable (if you pick the right apps).
We believe that starts with steering clear of apps that add unnecessary complexity to your team’s workflow and looking for solutions that simplify processes, save time, and help your team stay focused on the needle-moving activities at your facility that really matter.
Below, we’ve rounded up the must-have self-storage apps of 2026 based on what operators are actually using in the field. This is self-storage technology that’s proving its worth.
Sure, we’re a little biased, but this is the one platform every operator is talking about. swivl gives facilities the ability to automate their most important conversations with prospective and existing tenants. It helps teams handle billing questions, gate access, and booking inquiries instantly.

Facility operators tell us that tenants appreciate quick answers at any time of day, and swivl delivers this. The difference shows in both occupancy rates and staff morale. Communication starts running on autopilot, and the team stays focused on expansion rather than inbox triage.
swivl works quietly in the background while your facility stays responsive around the clock.
spot.is simplifies communication for facilities that rely on multiple touchpoints with tenants.
It’s like Linktree for self-storage operators, but far smarter.
When linking to a page with swivlAutomation, your swivlBot opens to continue the conversation. And, tracking is built in, so you can keep tabs on how many people are using these links and which ones are the most popular.

Here’s how it works:
It’s essentially a dashboard for tenants that keeps all important links in one place.
Oh, and it’s completely free, which surprises a lot of facility teams.
StoreEase lets operators manage properties remotely without compromising oversight. This is ideal for operators working toward having unmanned facilities.
The platform replaces traditional on-site supervision with virtual technology that handles everything from security monitoring to tenant interaction.
Facility teams also gain room to experiment with new pricing strategies while maintaining visibility from a distance.
StoreEase gives facility owners the freedom to scale without being physically tied to each site.
Stora is all about automating stages of the tenant journey, including:
The software gives tenants the ability to reserve and move in within minutes, while staff track everything through a unified dashboard.
It’s a clean system that doesn’t overcomplicate what should be simple.
SiteLink is regarded as one of the most trusted management solutions in the industry. The software takes care of everything from reporting to payment collection to rental administration.
We partnered with SiteLink a few years ago to integrate swivl with their cloud-based management software. This gives prospective tenants more visibility into an operator’s available inventory, prices, and available discounts.
Operators can build their own workflows using its open API, and align it with other systems in their stack. It works equally well for single-site facilities and large regional portfolios.
Cubby Storage focuses on data-driven management. Teams use the platform’s analytics to test pricing models, track conversions, and improve facility efficiency.
Facilities using Cubby gain better visibility into how prospective tenants move from inquiry to booking. They find that this helps with strategic planning and marketing alignment.
We know that facility teams are hungry for actionable data, and Cubby is another example of a platform that unlocks a treasure trove of tenant insights.
If you read our weekly email newsletter, Lab Notes, you’ll know that we frequently reference articles on self-storage website design from StoragePug.
When the StoragePug team is not writing excellent articles on website design and SEO, they’re delivering fully functional websites for facilities.
Operators get custom-built sites designed to convert visitors into tenants.
With swivl integration, StoragePug can turn your website into a convenient, 24/7 checkout counter.
We’ve seen facilities using StoragePug report faster lead conversions and better search performance. It’s not a complicated platform, but it executes the fundamentals very well.
Storagely helps operators modernize underperforming websites. It transforms them into lead-generating assets with built-in marketing and SEO capabilities.
In 2024, swivl and Storagely teamed up to launch Unit Connect. This is a breakthrough feature designed to make renting a storage unit faster and more intuitive.
Unit Connect is available to any Storagely customer at the professional tier and above.
Storagely can also integrate with tools like SiteLink and storEDGE.
Virtual tours, gated content, and conversion tracking make it ideal for operators who want to increase visibility without hiring a marketing team.
Storagely acts like a performance upgrade for your online presence.
Storage Commander is a self-storage management system that’s engineered for facility growth.
Operators can view charts, reports, and performance insights without sifting through endless tabs.
The system’s multi-facility reporting feature saves time for operators managing several locations. Everything syncs across sites, and backups mean you’ll always maintain full control of your data.
Tenant Inc. is a self-storage business platform with property management, e-commerce, and automation tools under one umbrella.
Facility teams value the customization features that let them align their digital storefront with brand identity.
This brings cohesion to facilities aiming for complete digital control.
We know that app fatigue is real, and too many options can lead to paralysis.
The best solutions are those that:
We believe swivl sits firmly at the center of this approach. It unifies communication and automation without creating unnecessary complexity. When integrated with some of the other applications mentioned in this article, it unlocks the kind of operational efficiency most facilities have been chasing for years.
Book a demo of swivl and find out how facility teams are using conversational AI as part of their technology stack to improve tenant experiences.