Landlory
Stessa vs Zillow Rental Manager
In short.
Both Stessa and Zillow Rental Manager target DIY & small landlords, so it comes down to price and fit.
Stessa starts free,
Zillow Rental Manager free.
Free asset-management and accounting platform for rental investors.
- Best forDIY & small landlords
- Starts atFree
- Free optionFree plan
- 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
Stessa |
Zillow Rental Manager |
|
|---|---|---|
| Online rent collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tenant screening | Partial | ✓ |
| 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 | Partial | ✕ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | Partial |
Pricing
Stessa
| Essentialsunlimited properties, free forever | Free |
|---|---|
| Managepaid annually | $12/mo |
| Propaid annually | $28/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
Stessa
Pros
- Best-in-class free financial tracking and dashboards for investors
- Automated bookkeeping and tax-ready reports
- Affiliate with a 2-year earning window
Cons
- Not a full PM tool (limited leasing/maintenance/tenant portal)
- Rent collection less robust than dedicated PM apps
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 Stessa and Zillow Rental Manager?
Both target DIY & small landlords. Stessa is free asset-management and accounting platform for rental investors, while Zillow Rental Manager is free listings and light rental tools backed by Zillow's traffic.
Is Stessa or Zillow Rental Manager cheaper?
Zillow Rental Manager is the cheaper option — it offers a free plan.
Which is better for DIY & small landlords?
For DIY & small landlords, Stessa rates slightly higher (4.4★ on Capterra).