Comparison
CertRent vs Boom for Chicago renters
Chicago has no rent-reporting mandate — reporting is entirely opt-in, whichever service you choose. Boom is a dedicated reporting service with a past-rent lookback; here is how it compares to CertRent.
| CertRent | Boom | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A verified renter profile + rent-history platform, in Chicago | A dedicated rent-reporting service |
| Bureaus reported to | Tri-bureau (planned) | All three (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) |
| Bank-verified | Yes (Plaid) | Yes |
| Reports past rent (lookback) | No | Yes, as an add-on |
| Shareable profile a landlord can view | Yes, that's the core product | No — reporting only shows on your credit file |
| Ownership-checked landlord references | Yes, against Cook County records | No — not part of the product |
When Boom makes sense
If you specifically want a lookback on rent you already paid, Boom does that and CertRent does not.
Where CertRent is the better fit
If you want your ongoing rent verified and a real profile a Chicago landlord can view before you apply, CertRent builds that from the same bank connection, plus a rent certificate and ownership-checked references.