Over the last few years, rent payment apps have evolved from simple bill-pay tools into powerful loyalty drivers. Tenants no longer see rent as just an unavoidable expense—they expect value in return. That’s why platforms like Bilt Rewards gained popularity: by turning rent payments into points, Bilt created a way for residents to earn rewards without changing their monthly habits.
But as the market grows, many property managers, real estate firms, and even industries beyond housing are asking the same question: Is Bilt the only option?
The short answer is no. While Bilt was one of the first to connect rent payments to rewards, its model comes with limitations—especially for businesses looking to strengthen resident engagement or create long-term loyalty. That’s where Paylode comes in.
Paylode takes the concept of “rent to rewards” and expands it. Instead of limiting members to points or narrow redemption options, Paylode gives property managers and businesses the ability to deliver custom perks, exclusive offers, and scalable engagement programs across industries. Whether you’re in residential real estate, telecom, financial services, ISPs, or digital health, Paylode transforms payments into a loyalty engine that goes beyond transactions.
Why do people look for Bilt alternatives?
While Bilt Rewards has helped popularize the idea of turning rent payments into points, it isn’t the perfect fit for everyone. Both residents and property managers often run into challenges that push them to explore alternatives.
Here are the most common reasons:
1. Limited flexibility in rewards
Bilt members primarily earn points that can be redeemed with select partners. While that’s appealing for travelers or brand-loyal customers, it leaves out renters who prefer cashback, retail perks, or everyday lifestyle benefits. For many, points don’t feel as rewarding as tangible perks.
2. Credit card dependency
To maximize rewards, many residents need to pair their rent payments with the Bilt Mastercard. That creates a barrier for people who don’t want—or can’t qualify for—another credit card. Alternatives that don’t tie rewards to credit cards are more inclusive and accessible.
3. Limited resident engagement
Earning points each month is transactional. Outside of that, there’s very little interaction between Bilt and the renter. Property managers seeking deeper engagement, retention, and emotional loyalty often require a platform that offers more than just monthly incentives.
4. Lack of customization for landlords and property managers
Bilt is consumer-facing and works well for renters. Still, property owners and managers have little control over what rewards are offered, how engagement is driven, or how loyalty data is shared. In contrast, businesses often want a white-label solution that they can tailor to their audience.
5. Narrow industry focus
Bilt’s design centers almost exclusively around residential rent. But loyalty programs powered by recurring payments are relevant to telecom providers, internet service providers, financial institutions, and even digital health companies. This is where Paylode steps in—offering broader applications across industries.
đź’ˇ Takeaway: Renters and businesses love the idea of rewarding payments, but they want more flexibility, more choice, and more control than Bilt provides.
The rise of rent payment & reward apps
The idea of rewarding recurring payments isn’t new. Credit card companies have been offering cashback and travel points for decades. But what’s changed in the last few years is the shift in how consumers expect rewards to work in everyday life.
From bills to benefits
For most people, rent or housing costs are their single biggest monthly expense. Yet until recently, that money was simply gone at the end of the month. Apps like Piñata and Bilt changed the game by introducing a simple but powerful idea: your rent can give back.
Instead of being just another bill, rent payments became a way to earn perks—whether that’s discounts, retail gift cards, or points toward travel. This model quickly caught on with residents because it turns a non-negotiable expense into a value-add experience.
Beyond transactional loyalty
But the evolution doesn’t stop at rent. Businesses across industries are realizing that loyalty is no longer about discounts or transactional points. Customers expect brands to create emotional connections through recognition, personalization, and lifestyle perks.
- Telecom providers use rewards to reduce churn and keep customers from switching carriers.
- ISPs add perks to encourage customers to upgrade or stick with their service.
- Financial services build trust and loyalty through rewards that reinforce financial wellness.
- Digital health apps encourage users to stay consistent with wellness goals by rewarding healthy behaviors.
The loyalty evolution
We can think of loyalty as a triangle:
- Transactional loyalty (base): Discounts, coupons, cashback.
- Behavioral loyalty (middle): Convenience, habit-driven actions (e.g., paying rent on time).
- Emotional loyalty (top): A sense of belonging, recognition, and ongoing lifestyle rewards.
Bilt sits in the behavioral loyalty tier—it incentivizes renters to pay on time. Paylode, on the other hand, helps businesses move up to emotional loyalty by offering personalized perks that make people feel valued, not just rewarded.
Top Bilt alternatives in 2025
As renters and property managers look beyond Bilt, several platforms have emerged to offer different takes on rent payments and rewards. While each has its own strengths, Paylode stands out as the most comprehensive alternative—built to scale across industries and deliver more than just points.
Here’s a breakdown of the top alternatives:
1. Paylode – the best alternative to Bilt
Paylode isn’t just another rent rewards app—it’s a loyalty infrastructure platform. Instead of locking users into a single type of reward, Paylode offers a custom perks marketplace where residents and customers can choose the benefits that matter most to them.
- Flexible rewards: From retail gift cards to lifestyle perks and exclusive deals
- Multi-industry relevance: Works across telecom, ISPs, real estate, financial services, and digital health
- Resident & business benefits: Renters enjoy perks, while property managers gain retention, engagement, and loyalty data
- Emotional loyalty: Goes beyond transactions to build long-term trust and connection
👉 If you’re looking for a Bilt alternative that combines flexibility, scalability, and personalization, Paylode is the clear winner.
2. Piñata App
One of the first rent rewards apps to gain traction, Piñata allows residents to earn points for on-time payments. Points can be redeemed for gift cards and discounts. While it’s a good starter app, it lacks the enterprise-grade flexibility and white-labeling that Paylode provides.
3. Zumper Rewards
Zumper, primarily known as a rental marketplace, has experimented with rewards to attract and retain renters. However, rewards are tied to platform use, and it doesn’t offer a comprehensive loyalty solution for property managers.
4. Credit card rewards programs
Some renters rely on cashback or travel cards to make their rent “rewarding.” While effective for individuals, these programs don’t create engagement or loyalty between residents and property managers—making them less useful for businesses that want to retain tenants.
5. Property manager perks programs
Some landlords or real estate companies create in-house perks (e.g., discounts with local businesses). While thoughtful, these programs are often manual, inconsistent, and hard to scale. Paylode, by contrast, automates and scales a professional perks marketplace that works seamlessly across properties.
đź’ˇ Key insight: Bilt may have pioneered the concept, but Paylode has perfected it. It delivers choice for renters, control for property managers, and scalability for industries far beyond housing.
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Deep dive: Paylode vs Bilt
Bilt has been a strong player in the rent rewards space, but when we compare it side-by-side with Paylode, the differences become clear. Paylode is built for flexibility, scalability, and long-term loyalty, while Bilt remains limited in scope.
6.1 Flexibility of rewards
- Bilt: Rewards are limited to points that can be redeemed with select partners—mainly travel, dining, and retail.
- Paylode: Offers a custom perks marketplace, giving residents the freedom to choose perks they actually want—retail, groceries, lifestyle, digital services, and more.
6.2 Industries supported
- Bilt: Focused primarily on residential real estate.
- Paylode: Works across multiple industries: telecom, ISPs, financial services, digital health, and residential real estate.
6.3 Engagement & emotional loyalty
- Bilt: Rewards are transactional—pay rent, earn points. Beyond that, engagement is minimal.
- Paylode: Creates ongoing engagement through perks, personalized offers, and loyalty experiences that drive emotional loyalty and retention.
6.4 Scalability & integration
- Bilt: Closed ecosystem; property managers have little control and few customization options.
- Paylode: Flexible, easy integrations and white-labeling so businesses can design a loyalty experience that feels like their own.
6.5 Business perspective
- Bilt: Appeals to consumers but limits control for landlords or companies. Data insights are restricted.
- Paylode: Gives property managers and businesses full ownership of the loyalty experience—with data, analytics, and tools to drive retention.
Comparison Table: Bilt vs Paylode
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The verdict:
Bilt is a good start for residents who want points, but Paylode is the best choice for businesses and property managers who need a scalable, customizable loyalty platform. It doesn’t just reward rent payments—it builds lasting loyalty across multiple industries.
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Why Paylode is the best Bilt alternative
When you compare features, flexibility, and long-term value, it’s clear: Paylode isn’t just an alternative to Bilt—it’s the smarter, future-ready solution.
Here’s why Paylode stands out:
1. A tailored perks marketplace
Unlike Bilt’s one-size-fits-all points system, Paylode gives users access to a perks marketplace filled with rewards they actually care about. Whether it’s retail gift cards, grocery savings, entertainment deals, or wellness perks, Paylode ensures every renter feels valued.
2. Multi-industry relevance
Bilt works only in residential real estate. Paylode goes further—powering loyalty for telecom, ISPs, financial services, digital health, and real estate. Wherever recurring payments exist, Paylode can turn them into rewards.
3. Emotional loyalty, not just points
Paylode is designed to create lasting emotional connections. Instead of transactional points, residents and customers enjoy personalized rewards that build trust and satisfaction—making them far less likely to switch to a competitor.
4. Lower barriers for residents
With Paylode, rewards aren’t tied to credit cards or restrictive systems. Renters and customers can enjoy perks without needing to sign up for another financial product.
5. Empowering property managers & businesses
While Bilt keeps control in its own ecosystem, Paylode puts businesses in the driver’s seat. Property managers can:
- White-label the platform for a branded experience
- Access loyalty data and analytics to track engagement
- Scale perks programs seamlessly across properties or customer bases
6. Built for growth
Paylode integrates easily with existing systems and scales with your business. Whether you manage one building, a nationwide real estate portfolio, or an entirely different industry, Paylode adapts to your needs.
👉 In short:
- For residents: More choice, more value, more lifestyle rewards
- For businesses: More control, deeper engagement, better retention
That’s why Paylode is the best Bilt alternative for 2025 and beyond.
Case studies & examples
To understand why Paylode is the best alternative to Bilt, let’s look at how it transforms the resident experience and helps property managers improve retention.
Case study 1: Increasing resident retention
A large property management company noticed that residents were moving out at the end of their first lease cycle—even when satisfied with the property. They introduced Paylode’s perks marketplace to offer renters rewards such as retail discounts, grocery savings, and exclusive lifestyle deals just for staying engaged.
Result: Renewal rates increased significantly because residents now associated their housing experience with added value and personalized perks, not just rent.
Case study 2: Reducing rent payment delays
Late rent payments are a major headache for landlords. By introducing Paylode, property managers incentivized on-time payments with meaningful perks. Instead of earning points that renters might not use, residents were rewarded with perks they could redeem instantly.
Result: On-time rent payments increased, helping property managers stabilize cash flow and reduce administrative overhead.
Case study 3: Building emotional loyalty
Residents often view rent as just a transaction. With Paylode, property managers shifted the dynamic—rent became an opportunity to unlock rewards. From local deals to lifestyle perks, residents felt recognized and appreciated, fostering emotional loyalty.
Result: Residents stayed longer, gave positive reviews online, and recommended the property to friends—helping the community grow organically.
đź’ˇ Key takeaway: Paylode turns rent payments into a win-win. Residents enjoy perks that feel personal and valuable, while property managers benefit from retention, better payment behavior, and stronger community satisfaction.
Conclusion
Bilt helped prove that rent doesn’t have to feel like a dead-end expense. By transforming monthly rent payments into points, it showed renters that loyalty programs could extend beyond shopping and travel. But as the market evolved, so did renter expectations—and the needs of property managers.
Today, renters don’t just want points. They want choice, personalization, and real-life perks they can use every day. Property managers don’t just want a rewards app—they want a loyalty platform that helps them retain residents, encourage on-time payments, and strengthen community satisfaction.
That’s why Paylode is the best alternative to Bilt.
- For renters: A flexible perks marketplace filled with rewards that matter
- For property managers: Tools to engage, retain, and scale loyalty programs effortlessly
- For the future: A loyalty engine that works across industries and adapts to changing resident expectations
If you’re exploring Bilt alternatives, Paylode isn’t just an option—it’s the upgrade.
FAQs
1. What is Bilt and how does it work?
Bilt is a rewards program that allows renters to earn points when they pay rent through the Bilt platform. Points can be redeemed for travel, dining, or retail partners. While it was one of the first apps to make rent payments rewarding, it comes with limitations like restricted reward options and limited flexibility for property managers.
2. Why do renters look for Bilt alternatives?
Many renters find Bilt’s rewards too narrow—points are only valuable if you use their travel and retail partners. Others don’t want the added step of signing up for the Bilt Mastercard. Renters are increasingly looking for alternatives that offer more choices, easier access, and lifestyle perks they can use every day.
3. Is Paylode better than Bilt for property managers?
Yes. Unlike Bilt, which mainly serves renters, Paylode empowers property managers with tools to own the loyalty experience. Managers can offer residents a customizable perks marketplace, track engagement, and improve retention—all within a platform that scales easily.
4. Can Paylode integrate with existing rent payment systems?
Absolutely. Paylode is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, so property managers don’t need to overhaul their operations. Residents continue paying rent as usual, but now those payments unlock perks and rewards that enhance the housing experience.
5. What makes Paylode the best Bilt alternative?
Paylode offers:
- A custom perks marketplace instead of fixed points
- No credit card dependency
- White-label options for property managers
- Analytics & engagement tools for businesses
- Scalable solutions that grow with your portfolio
In short, Paylode transforms rent payments into a powerful loyalty engine for both renters and property managers—something Bilt simply doesn’t provide.
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