Apartments.com Rental Manager

Overview

The service covers listings, tenant screening, rent and deposit collection, maintenance requests, and expense tracking. Listings appear across Apartments.com Network websites, and the maker says published rentals also appear on Homes.com. That breadth makes it a practical fit for landlords who want advertising and routine rental administration together, rather than a standalone listing tool.

The Basic listing provides 21 days of standard visibility and a standard-sized ad. That is a limited window, so owners who need more exposure or richer media will need to consider Premium.

Key features

Listings and leasing

Basic listings appear on six Apartments.com Network websites. Premium, for properties with 1–4 units, adds a larger ad, increased visibility, Matterport 3D tours, and up to six videos totaling 1GB. Those upgrades can help owners present a property with more visual detail, but the variable price makes it harder to judge the added exposure’s value before activation.

Messages provides a central leasing inbox with auto-replies, AI-powered response assistance, and the option to invite renters to apply from a chat. This keeps inquiry handling connected to the listing process.

Screening and rent collection

Screening includes eviction and criminal history, summarized credit risk, and a TransUnion ResidentScore. Applicants pay $32.00 + tax for an application and reports; they can share them for 30 days with up to 10 participating landlords. The sharing window and landlord limit may be useful to renters applying to several properties, while the fee is a real cost to factor into the application process.

Landlords can collect rent and security deposits online, automate reminders and late fees, and access tax documents. Renters pay by checking account for free, or can use a debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay for a 2.75% fee. Eligible established renters in good standing who use ACH can get funds a day sooner through free Express Pay.

Pricing

Rental Manager uses a freemium model:

• Free — free: A Basic listing with 21 days of standard visibility, a standard-sized ad, and placement on six Apartments.com Network websites. It suits owners testing the service or advertising a vacancy without paying for upgraded placement, but does not include Premium’s larger ad, increased visibility, or richer media.
• Premium listing — custom pricing: For properties with 1–4 units, it adds Matterport 3D tours, up to six videos (1GB), a larger ad, and increased visibility. Pricing varies by state and market; a curated price is shown when the feature is activated.

Applicants pay $32.00 + tax for screening. Checking-account rent payments are free for renters; card and wallet payments incur a 2.75% fee.

Platforms

Rental Manager is available on Android, iOS, and the web. Property managers and owners must use a mobile web browser to manage listings; the Apartments.com mobile app cannot perform that task. That browser requirement is an important limitation for owners who expect to manage listings entirely in an app.

Who it's for

It is a strong fit for small landlords who want network listing distribution, applicant screening, and online rent collection under one roof, especially if a free standard listing meets their needs. Owners who need more than 21 days of standard visibility should compare Premium’s market-dependent price with the exposure they expect to gain. Those who prioritize app-based listing management should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free Basic listings reach six network websites for 21 days, giving owners a no-cost way to advertise.
• Pros: Screening, payment collection, reminders, maintenance requests, and expense tracking cover multiple stages of managing a rental.
• Pros: Applicants can share screening reports with up to 10 landlords for 30 days, and renters can pay by checking account without a fee.
• Cons: Basic visibility ends after 21 days, while Premium pricing varies by market and appears only when activated.
• Cons: Applicants pay $32.00 + tax for screening, and card or wallet rent payments cost renters 2.75%.
• Cons: Owners cannot manage listings in the Apartments.com mobile app and must use a mobile browser instead.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Rental Property Listing Software.

• You Got Listings is worth considering if free listing entry and unlimited listing entry matter more than Apartments.com’s bundled screening and rent tools; its free Owners & Managers plan is limited to one state per account.
• Rental Beast offers a free Apply Now plan for owners, managers, and real estate professionals, though renter application fees vary by market ($20–$49 per applicant).
• Reallyo may suit landlords looking for AI marketing tools: its free plan supports one active listing and includes video, website, social, and email marketing.
• TurboTenant is another free option for listing and marketing rentals, screening applicants, and collecting rent online, with Android and iOS apps.
• Revun may appeal to self-managing owners with 1–2 units seeking a free plan that includes leasing, showings, applications, ACH rent collection, and maintenance request intake.
• Rentberry offers a free tenant plan with rent negotiation, maintenance requests, property tour requests, eSign, and cloud data storage.
• RentEngine is a paid alternative.
• Rhenti is a paid alternative available on the web.

Verdict

Apartments.com Rental Manager is a sensible choice for small landlords who want network listings and core screening and payment tools together, with a free Basic option to get started. The main reasons to look elsewhere are the short standard-visibility period, market-dependent Premium cost, renter fees, and the need to use a browser for mobile listing management.