Rentec Direct vs Rent Manager

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Rentec Direct vs Rent Manager based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Property Management Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Designed for landlords and property managers, Rentec Direct is a web-based software for property marketing, maintenance and accounting. It helps create customized websites, manage online payments, publish vacancies online and store or share lease agreements, photos and more.

It offers nuanced features for property accounting like trust accounting and 1099-MISC eFiling. The vendor provides a two-week free trial and customizes packages based on the number of units to be managed.
read more...
Rent Manager is a web-based platform for landlords and property managers to handle marketing, leasing, maintenance, accounting and reporting tasks. It helps collect rent, communicate with tenants and staff, manage workflows, create maintenance checklists, assign tasks, track inventory, and integrate work orders with bills.

Its Make Ready board helps record service tasks, standardize inspection processes and monitor utility consumption history. Tenants get online portals to submit applications, manage leases, pay rent and request maintenance.

It offers a rmAppSuite Pro mobile app for iOS and Android. It also provides open API access and built-in integrations with AmRent, AvidXchange, Safeguard, Zego, Opinion and more.

Pros
  • Cloud-based, accessible
  • Strong accounting tools
  • Tenant screening options
  • Marketing & advertising
  • Maintenance request tools
Cons
  • Learning curve
read more...
$45 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$1/Unit, Monthly
Free Trial is unavailable →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Improve Portfolio Visibility: Market properties on multiple listing channels and design websites without coding expertise. Create postings and maintain a consistent brand experience across channels using templates. 
  • Minimize Costs: Take more bookings and applications directly from the business website and avoid the costs of third-party listing channels. Club tenant screening cost with the application fee to remove another business expenditure. 
  • Promote Remote Workflows: Offers three different mobile apps for residents, owners and managers to access the platform. Managers can perform remote property inspections via a partnership with zInspector. 
  • Flexible Rent Collection: Tenants can pay rent via debit cards, ACH, bank transfers and credit cards. Charges a 2.75% fee for credit card transactions and delegates it to tenants. Supports cash payments through a partnership with PayNearMe. 
  • Transparent Communications: Improve accountability and perform quick audits by creating a central repository of every document and interaction with tenants, owners and vendors. Track work orders, assign vendors and attach bids and invoices. 
  • Easy Bookkeeping: Leverage unique automations through a trust accounting-certified platform to eliminate triple or more entries for basic transactions. 
read more...
  • Fill Vacancies Faster: Reach more audience and reduce vacancy periods by designing property websites and publishing information directly on popular internet listing services (ILS). 
  • Simplify Day-to-Day Operations: Onboard team members, control each member’s access level and role, design personalized workflows, track work progress and maintain inventory from a unified platform. Simplify team interaction using a mobile app that supports VoIP calls, texting, web chat and broadcast messages. 
  • Streamline Maintenance: Access work order management, invoicing, mobile property inspections, metered utility tracking and billing capabilities. 
  • Easy Bookkeeping: Automatically record transactions and maintain property-specific ledgers using the doubly-entry accounting module. Automate bank reconciliations and bills receivables and payables based on user-defined rules. 
  • Identify Opportunities: Generate in-depth reports with a few clicks using a rich templates library. Design custom reports through a report writing module. Provides automation for periodic reporting. 
  • Customize To Fit Needs: Tailor the software according to business requirements using an open-source API. Connect with partnered third-party solutions and add unique features like delinquency management, leasing, tenant insurance, business analytics and more by accessing the marketplace. 
read more...
  • Property Marketing: Fill up vacancies faster, increase inventory visibility and boost occupancy rate with marketing tools: 
    • Customizable Listings: Create personalized listings mentioning amenities and rules and regulations, and automatically syndicate them on industry-leading listing websites like Trulia, Zillow, HotPads and more. 
    • Personal Website: Build a custom website to showcase listings and accept online applications and fees. Customize the website with HTML or CSS coding to promote the brand and company. Free web hosting on vendor servers is included with the Pro and PM plans.
    • Lead Tracking: Track leads and automatically match prospective tenants with vacant units based on their interests and rental preferences. Tenants can save their preferences and get email notifications about suitable vacant properties. 
  • Rental Applications: Choose the best applicants based on personalized parameters with a customizable online rental application form. Accept applications and screening fees online. Store applicants’ data online and notify them upon selection. 
  • Tenant Screening: Identify the best applicants through screening for various parameters like background check, minimum credit score, national eviction searches, SSN validation and more. 
  • E-leasing: Create and store unlimited custom leases with specific clauses and obligations; invite renters to sign them virtually. 
  • Property Maintenance: Receive maintenance requests and assign work orders. Residents automatically receive email notifications upon work completion. Conduct virtual property inspections with the mobile application, powered by ZInspector. 
  • Online Portals: Save time and reduce confusion with a single platform for communication between property managers, owners and residents. The individual portals offer a few extra benefits: 
    • Tenant Portal: Residents can pay rent and ancillary charges, view statements, purchase insurance and submit maintenance requests. They can also receive announcements and notifications via this portal. 
    • Owner Portal: Owners can track property performance, occupancy rates, cash flows and notices. Download statements and reports. 
  • Payment: Receive and pay rent via online bank transfers, credit or debit cards or eChecks. Residents can also directly pay rent via cash by depositing the money at any of the 20,000 cash payment locations provided. They can also set up monthly recurring payment schedules. 
  • Accounting: Review, edit and print ledgers for every property, owner and bank account managed. Electronically file 1099-MISC tax forms with assistance from Nelco Solutions. Save time and reduce human error by automating double or triple entries through the QuickBooks integration. 
  • Reporting: Quickly view, analyze and drill down on specific items with a robust reporting system. Email, print or export reports as PDF or Excel files. 
read more...
  • Marketing: Fill vacancies faster with the following strategic and automated marketing tools: 
    • Prospect Manager: Create branded application portals and allow prospects to apply for tenancy. The system helps you compare prospects and send personalized direct messages and unit letters. 
    • Website Development: Connect the system to an existing website or design a new one from scratch using customizable templates. Alternatively, get assistance from the rmWebPro team for advanced website building. 
    • Guest Cards: Prospects can answer personalized questions while browsing the site and fill out tailored cards. Automatically generate potential client profiles and store them in the database. 
    • Automatic Listing Syndication: Increase inventory visibility by pushing units and property information onto various popular ILS. The system automatically updates ILS postings for every database update. 
  • Tenant Screening: Choose the most suitable tenant by screening the income history, accumulated debt, and criminal and eviction history of each applicant. 
  • Leasing: Digitize the leasing and renewal processes, eliminating the hassle of handling paperwork. Create custom leases with personalized clauses and have clients sign them electronically. 
  • Communication: Interact with employees, owners and renters via VOIP phone calls, custom text messages, voicemail broadcasts and web chat. Offer 24/7 comprehensive maintenance support via its call center, powered by Anequim. 
  • Mobile App: Communicate with renters, owners and managers, receive rental payments, submit inspection reports to maintenance techs and issue work orders. Address rule violations and bill residents for utilities from any Android or iOS device. 
  • Payments: Accept payments in cash, credit and debit cards, check scans, and ACH transfers. The system automatically updates concerned ledgers after every transaction. 
  • Project Management: Customize workflows and automate recurring tasks and data entry. Track and manage inventory to update status and quantities in real-time. Reduce turnover periods for units by creating task lists via Make Ready boards. Delegate duties to associates and receive notifications upon completion. 
  • Property Management: Perform inspections and issue service orders. Track task progress and automate work orders for recurring maintenance activities. Simplify payables by integrating billable expenses into work orders and delegating chargeback costs to owners or tenants at a markup. 
  • Prospect and Tenant Portals: Create branded portals to accept applications and guide prospects through the screening and leasing process. Tenants get unique portals to manage important documents, pay rent, track utility consumption and request maintenance. 
  • Reporting: Gain actionable insights to make informed decisions with over 450 built-in state-specific reports. Alternatively, use drag-and-drop tools to craft personalized reports tracking custom metrics. Define rules to automate timely report generation and sharing with owners or team members. 
  • Accounting: Record company financials, maintain a general ledger, automate receivable and payable entries, manage and track bills, and create budgets using intuitive accounting tools. The system automatically imports bank statements along with reconciliation statements to avoid cross-checking and eliminate errors. 
read more...

Product Ranking

#15

among all
Property Management Software

#17

among all
Property Management Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

73
85
71
84
39
57
84
98
Show More Show More
Leasing
Maintenance
Dashboards and Reporting
Platform Capabilities
Marketing

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Rentec Direct
Rent Manager
+ Add Product + Add Product
Accounting & Financial Management Business Operations Dashboards And Reporting Leasing Maintenance Marketing Platform Capabilities 71 39 84 87 48 81 80 84 57 98 79 100 89 93 0 25 50 75 100
73%
0%
27%
85%
0%
15%
43%
0%
57%
43%
0%
57%
86%
0%
14%
100%
0%
0%
88%
0%
12%
75%
0%
25%
43%
0%
57%
100%
0%
0%
83%
0%
17%
83%
0%
17%
73%
0%
27%
93%
0%
7%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

75%
0%
25%
75%
0%
25%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 360 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 489 reviews
92%
of users recommend this product

Rentec Direct has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 360 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

91%
of users recommend this product

Rent Manager has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 91% when considering 489 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (2)
4.6 (14)
4.5 (4)
4.6 (167)
4.62 (179)
4.5 (304)
4.6 (175)
n/a
n/a
4.0 (4)

Awards

Rentec Direct stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Rent Manager and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Maintenance. Rent Manager stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Maintenance Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Tenant Portal: Tenants can pay rent and submit maintenance requests online, which can save property managers time and hassle.
QuickBooks Integration: Rentec Direct can be integrated with QuickBooks, which can make accounting easier for property managers.
Good Customer Support: Many users report that Rentec Direct has good customer support, which can be helpful if property managers have any questions or problems.
Customizable: Rentec Direct is customizable, so property managers can tailor it to their specific needs.
Mobile App: Rentec Direct has a mobile app, which can be convenient for property managers who are on the go.
Show more
Robust reporting & analytics: Users appreciate the detailed reports on income, expenses, vacancies and tenant data, enabling data-driven decision-making for improved property management.
Streamlined operations & automation: Automating tasks like rent collection, maintenance requests and accounting saves time and effort, freeing managers to focus on strategic tasks.
Improved tenant communication: The online tenant portal facilitates easy rent payments, maintenance requests and communication, enhancing resident satisfaction and reducing the communication burden.
Marketing & advertising tools: Simplifying advertising vacant units and attracting new tenants through online listings and marketing automation saves time and effort, potentially increasing occupancy rates.
Scalability & adaptability: Rent Manager caters to various property sizes and types, offering flexible plans and features that adapt to growing needs.
Show more
Limited Accounting Features: The platform lacks robust accounting functionalities, such as generating a balance sheet or tracking depreciation, which are essential for comprehensive financial management.
Customer Support Challenges: Obtaining timely and effective assistance from Rentec Direct's customer support can be difficult, leading to frustration and delays in resolving issues.
Mobile App Limitations: The mobile app's functionality is restricted compared to the web version, hindering on-the-go property management tasks.
Show more
Learning curve & complexity: The interface can be challenging for beginners, requiring significant time and effort to learn and navigate effectively, especially for those unfamiliar with property management software.
Pricing concerns: Additional fees beyond the monthly subscription can add up, making it potentially more expensive than competitors for certain users, especially those with smaller property portfolios or limited budgets.
Show more

Stepping into the realm of property management software, Rentec Direct emerges as a prominent contender, capturing the attention of landlords and property managers seeking efficient solutions. User feedback from the past year sheds light on the platform's strengths, weaknesses, and unique attributes, painting a comprehensive picture of its capabilities and suitability for various needs. Rentec Direct receives consistent praise for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive suite of features. The platform simplifies tasks such as rent collection, tenant screening, maintenance requests, and lease management, streamlining operations for property management professionals. Users appreciate the affordability of Rentec Direct, especially when compared to competitors like AppFolio and Buildium, which often come with higher price tags. However, some users have expressed concerns regarding the responsiveness of customer support, highlighting the need for improvement in this area. The ability to access the software from any device with an internet connection is a significant advantage, providing flexibility and convenience for users on the go. Rentec Direct caters to a diverse range of property management needs, making it suitable for both individual landlords and larger property management companies. Its scalability and affordability make it an attractive option for those starting or expanding their portfolios. The platform's comprehensive feature set ensures that users have the tools necessary to manage their properties effectively, from tenant communication to financial tracking. While Rentec Direct may not be the perfect fit for every user, its combination of affordability, user-friendliness, and comprehensive features positions it as a valuable tool for those seeking to optimize their property management processes.

Show more

Rent Manager garners mixed reviews from property managers. Users praise its ability to streamline operations, automate tasks, and provide robust reporting and analytics for informed decision-making. The online tenant portal enhances communication and resident satisfaction by facilitating rent payments, maintenance requests and communication.However, the platform faces criticism for its steep learning curve and complexity, particularly for users new to property management software.Ultimately, the decision to choose Rent Manager depends on individual needs and priorities. It’s a top solution for rent collection, automation, marketing and accounting. However, if user-friendliness and a robust mobile app are high on your requirements list, you’d be better off considering alternative options.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Property Management Software


AppFolio

Buildium

DoorLoop

Hemlane

Innago

MRI Software

Propertyware

Re-Leased

RealPage

Rent Manager

ResMan

SimplifyEm

Tenant Cloud

Yardi Voyager

Related Categories

Head-to-Head Comparison

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings