You could always sign up for a trial account for 30 days to try it for yourself.

I wouldn't focus on how much money you are giving up in the partnership (honestly if structured correctly you would actually make more than you would by not partnering) rather focus on learning how to do the business faster which will make you exponentially more money in the long run than you would if you tried to go the long route by learning through trial and error. 

I have decided to use Propstream (because during my dealmachine trial I was unable to access the website on a desktop for three consecutive days...), and would like to know suggestions on good skip tracing service and direct mail service.2.

Airdna has some trial free tools that you could use for the time being and there is Rabbu.

@Michael Weidler getting your first property is huge, and sort of a trial by fire.  

They let you do a one month trial.

I'd like to start with service on my 4-unit as a trial and then likely expand to services for all my current and future properties (goal of 1 acquisition per year). 

The trial is making sure the trial doesn't cost very much and that we have at least 50% of the current tenants agreeing if not definitely not worth it.

I heard for the online versions that xero is the cheaper of the two when you have multiple entities, so I am in the process of trying xero free trial for thirty days.

The other type 2 tenants, through trial and error, we managed for about 3 years on average.