Landlory
Rentec Direct vs Zillow Rental Manager
In short.
Pick Rentec Direct if you run property management companies;
pick Zillow Rental Manager if you run DIY & small landlords.
Rentec Direct starts at $45/mo,
Zillow Rental Manager free.
Established, no-contract PM software with strong trust accounting.
- Best forProperty management companies
- Starts at$45/mo
- Free optionFree trial
- Mobile appYes
Free listings and light rental tools backed by Zillow's traffic.
- Best forDIY & small landlords
- Starts atFree
- Free optionFree plan
- Mobile appLimited
Feature comparison
Rentec Direct |
Zillow Rental Manager |
|
|---|---|---|
| Online rent collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tenant screening | ✓ | ✓ |
| Listing syndication | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online applications | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lease management | ✓ | Partial |
| Maintenance requests | ✓ | ✕ |
| Accounting | ✓ | ✕ |
| Expense tracking | ✓ | ✕ |
| Owner portal | ✓ | ✕ |
| Tenant portal | ✓ | ✕ |
| Document storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reporting | ✓ | ✕ |
| Bank integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Renters insurance | ✕ | ✕ |
| AI features | ✕ | ✕ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | Partial |
Pricing
Rentec Direct
| Rentec Profor landlords · billed annually ($50/mo monthly) · scales with units | $45/mo |
|---|---|
| Rentec PMfor property managers · usage-based · scales with units | $50/mo |
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Zillow Rental Manager
| Freefree listings + basic tools | Free |
|---|---|
| Premium listing90-day boost · varies by market | $39.99unverified |
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Pros & cons
Rentec Direct
Pros
- Strong trust accounting for PM companies
- No contracts or setup fees; responsive US-based support
- Recurring affiliate (25% for 12 months)
Cons
- Dated UI versus DoorLoop/AppFolio
- Fewer modern AI features
Zillow Rental Manager
Pros
- Massive listing reach and traffic
- Free and simple for 1–few units
Cons
- Shallow — no accounting, owner portal or maintenance
- Listing fees introduced in some markets; not a true PM system
FAQ
What is the difference between Rentec Direct and Zillow Rental Manager?
Rentec Direct is best for property management companies, while Zillow Rental Manager is best for DIY & small landlords.
Is Rentec Direct or Zillow Rental Manager cheaper?
Rentec Direct is the cheaper option — it starts at $45/mo.
Which is better for property management companies?
For property management companies, Rentec Direct rates slightly higher (4.5★ on Capterra).