SiteLink, now part of Storable, is the dominant self-storage platform globally. Stora is a Belfast-based challenger built specifically for the UK and European market. Both serve UK operators, but they come from very different starting points. This article compares them on the things that actually matter to UK independents: pricing, payment integration, access control, online booking, and whether either platform fits operators with non-standard requirements.
SiteLink has been in the self-storage market for over three decades. It was acquired by Storable, a US-based company that bundles SiteLink with other storage industry tools (insurance, marketing, payments). SiteLink's core strength is its maturity: deep reporting, proven reliability, and a feature set built from decades of operator feedback. It is the default choice for large US operators and has a substantial presence in the UK, particularly among multi-site chains.
The platform is cloud-based (SiteLink Web Edition) and includes facility management, tenant management, billing, payment processing, and access control integration. It does not include a website builder or automated online move-in as standard features.
Stora was founded in Belfast and built from the ground up for the UK and European market. It is a newer platform (founded 2019) that takes a modern, automation-first approach. Stora includes a website builder, online booking with automated move-in, integrated payment processing through Stripe and GoCardless, and access control integration. It is designed to let operators run a facility with minimal manual intervention.
Stora has grown rapidly in the UK market. According to the company's published figures, more than 25% of UK self-storage facilities now run on Stora, and the platform processed 70% of UK online self-storage rentals in 2024.
| Feature | SiteLink (Storable) | Stora |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per-facility subscription (from ~$50/mo per user) | Tiered plans (from ~$83/mo) |
| UK payment integration | Multiple gateways; confirm GoCardless/UK DD support | Native Stripe and GoCardless (UK Direct Debit) |
| Website builder | No (third-party website required) | Yes, included in platform |
| Online booking | Available via integrations | Built-in, fully automated |
| Automated move-in | Limited; often requires manual steps | Fully automated (ID verification, e-sign, payment, access code) |
| Access control | Deep integration with multiple providers | Integrated smart access (Noke, others) |
| Revenue management | Available (rate optimisation tools) | Built-in automated pricing and yield management |
| Reporting | Advanced, highly configurable | Growing; less comprehensive than SiteLink |
| Multi-site management | Strong corporate control centre | Supported, improving |
| Setup and onboarding | One-time fee; established onboarding process | Guided onboarding; some migration support |
| Contract | Monthly, cancel anytime | Monthly or annual billing |
| UK support | Global support (US-headquartered) | UK-based team (Belfast) |
Speak to us about self-storage software · +44 7494 618 651 · Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm
Neither platform makes pricing fully transparent, but here is what is publicly available.
SiteLink charges a one-time setup fee plus a monthly subscription per facility. Published estimates suggest approximately $50/month (around £40) for a single user, scaling to $150/month for 10 users. All features and upgrades are included. There are no per-unit charges. Payment processing fees are additional and depend on the gateway you choose.
Stora starts from approximately $83/month (around £65). Pricing scales with facility size and features. Payment processing runs through Stripe and GoCardless, with transaction fees passed through to the operator. Stora lists all potential charges on its pricing page, including processing fees, so there are fewer hidden costs.
This is where the US-vs-UK origin matters most. UK self-storage tenants expect to pay by Direct Debit (GoCardless), card (Stripe), or bank transfer. The payment landscape in the UK is different from the US, where ACH and credit cards dominate.
Stora was built for this. GoCardless integration is native, meaning tenants can set up Direct Debit mandates during the online booking process without manual intervention. Stripe handles card payments. Both are first-class integrations, not bolted-on afterthoughts.
SiteLink supports multiple payment processors globally, but its payment integration was designed primarily for the US market. UK operators should confirm directly with Storable which UK payment gateways are currently supported and whether GoCardless integration is available in their region. Some UK SiteLink users have reported needing workarounds for Direct Debit collection.
Both platforms integrate with access control systems, but the approach differs.
SiteLink has the deeper integration ecosystem. It works with a wide range of gate and door access providers, including PTI, OpenTech, Noke, and others. If you have existing access control hardware, SiteLink is more likely to support it natively. This matters for established facilities that are switching software but keeping their existing gates and locks.
Stora integrates with smart access systems (notably Noke) and is expanding its access control partnerships. The integration is designed for fully automated move-in: the tenant books online, verifies their identity, signs the agreement, pays, and receives an access code, all without staff involvement. This is compelling for unmanned or lightly-staffed facilities.
This is Stora's strongest differentiator. The platform offers a complete online move-in journey: the prospective tenant visits your website (built on Stora), selects a unit, verifies their identity, signs the tenancy agreement electronically, sets up payment by Direct Debit or card, and receives their access code. The entire process can happen at 2am on a Sunday with no staff involvement.
SiteLink offers online reservations and payment collection, but the move-in process typically involves more manual steps. Some SiteLink operators use third-party tools to bridge this gap, but the experience is rarely as seamless as Stora's integrated approach.
For operators who want to run a low-overhead, automation-first facility, this is a significant factor. For operators who prefer high-touch customer interaction and have staff on site during business hours, the automated move-in may be less important.
For operators whose requirements do not fit neatly into either platform, a bespoke self-storage management system is worth considering. A bespoke build costs £12,000 to £25,000 as a one-off investment and gives you:
Bespoke is not for everyone. If your facility runs standard self-storage units with standard pricing and standard tenancies, Stora or SiteLink will serve you well at lower initial cost. But if you find yourself constantly working around platform limitations, the bespoke route pays for itself within three to five years through eliminated subscription fees and reduced operational friction.
Speak to us about self-storage software · +44 7494 618 651 · Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm