Property Management & Operations
Zillow Rental Manager Alternatives to Try | Best Apps
Platuni
10 January, 2026
10 mins read

Millions of landlords and property managers today look for tools that make renting easier and faster. Zillow Rental Manager is one of the most popular options, helping users list properties, screen tenants, and collect rent in one place with access to Zillow’s massive audience of renters. Still, many landlords want features beyond what Zillow Rental Manager offers, such as deeper maintenance tracking, tenant communication tools, and better shared-living support that helps them grow their rental business more efficiently.
So, if you feel stuck with limited tools, or wonder if another app could boost your rental workflow? See some common questions landlords and managers ask below which we have answered herein:
- Which apps work better than Zillow Rental Manager for full property management tasks?
- What tools help with tenant communication, maintenance requests, leasing, and rent collection in one place?
- Can I find alternatives that fit larger portfolios or shared-living properties?
- Is there a website better than Zillow?
Hence, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through the best Zillow Rental Manager alternatives, showing apps and platforms that help you manage rentals smarter and faster. We break down options that fit different goals, whether you need better automation, improved tenant engagement, or tools designed for growing property portfolios. Let Platuni help you find the ideal solution to streamline your rental management and improve your landlord experience across the board.
Also See: Boosting Tips For Overworked Landlords | Landlord Productivity Hacks
What is Zillow Rental Manager, and is there a website better than Zillow?

Zillow Rental Manager is an online tool created by Zillow to help landlords list rental properties, find tenants, screen applicants, collect rent, and manage basic lease tasks. It connects directly to Zillow’s large renter marketplace, which makes it easy for property owners to get visibility quickly. Many landlords use Zillow Rental Manager as a starting point, especially when managing one or two rental units.
However, Zillow Rental Manager is not always the best fit for every landlord or property manager. As rental portfolios grow or shift toward shared living, student housing, or co-living spaces, some users begin to look for platforms that offer deeper management tools, better tenant coordination, and more flexibility. Features such as advanced communication tools, shared-living organization, and workflow optimization are often limited within Zillow Rental Manager.
This is where platforms like Platuni stand out as strong alternatives. Platuni does not replace Zillow’s listing power, but it goes further by helping landlords and rental managers organize tenants, improve communication, and manage shared housing more efficiently. For property owners who want more control, a better tenant experience, and tools designed for modern rental living, Platuni can be a better website to support long-term growth without compromising what Zillow does well.
Zillow Rental Manager vs Platuni: Pricing and Value Comparison
Zillow Rental Manager Pricing Overview
Zillow Rental Manager helps landlords list properties and manage basic rental tasks such as tenant screening, rent collection, and digital leases. A standard rental listing is free, which makes it attractive for landlords testing the platform or managing one property. Extra costs apply when landlords want more visibility or advanced usage, and these fees can increase as property count grows.
Also Check Out: Landlord Section 8 Requirements | Complete Compliance Guide
Platuni Pricing Overview
Platuni is a modern shared-living and property management platform built for landlords, property managers, and growing rental portfolios. Pricing is flexible and designed to scale based on usage and business needs. Platuni focuses on full operational workflows, automation, tenant engagement, and communication tools, helping managers reduce manual work and manage properties more efficiently. Full pricing details are available at https://www.platuni.com/enterprise/pricing
Try Downloading the Platuni Property Manager App Today!
Pricing & Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Zillow Rental Manager | Platuni |
|---|---|---|
| Property listing | Free basic listing | Included in platform plans |
| Premium visibility | $29.99 per listing (90 days) | No paid listing boosts needed |
| Tenant screening | About $29 per applicant | Included or bundled based on plan |
| Rent collection (ACH) | Free | Free |
| Rent collection (card payments) | 2.95% credit card fee | Transparent pricing, no surprise fee |
| Debit card payments | $9.95 per transaction | Platform-based pricing |
| Property scale support | Best for small portfolios | Built for small to enterprise portfolios |
| Automation & workflows | Limited | Advanced automation and workflows |
| Tenant communication tools | Basic | Centralized and optimized |
| Shared-living support | Limited | Core focus |
Key Differences to Know
Zillow Rental Manager works well for landlords who want free listings and basic tools, especially for one or two properties. Costs can grow over time when premium listings, screening fees, and payment charges are added across multiple units.
Platuni focuses on long-term efficiency, offering stronger workflows, better tenant coordination, and automation tools that support modern rental and shared-living models. This makes Platuni a stronger option for landlords and property managers who want to scale operations without growing complexity.
Also Read: Landlord Bookkeeping Software: How to Track Rental Income and Expenses
Top 10 Zillow Rental Manager Alternatives
#1. Platuni

Platuni is a modern platform built for landlords and property managers who want more than what Zillow Rental Manager offers. While Zillow Rental Manager focuses mainly on listings and rent collection, Platuni goes deeper into tenant coordination, communication, shared-living management, and automation. Property managers use Platuni to organize tenants, manage workflows, reduce manual tasks, and improve the rental experience across multiple units. The platform is handy for shared housing, student housing, and growing portfolios where structure and clarity matter. Platuni helps managers save time, reduce tenant issues, and scale operations with confidence.
Try Downloading the Platuni Property Manager App Today!
#2. Buildium

Buildium is a popular property management software often chosen as an alternative to Zillow Rental Manager. It supports rent collection, tenant screening, accounting, and maintenance tracking in one system. Buildium works well for landlords managing multiple properties who want stronger financial tools than Zillow Rental Manager provides. The platform is commonly used by residential property managers and associations that need structured reporting and payment tracking. Visit for more details.
#3. AppFolio Property Manager

AppFolio Property Manager is an all-in-one rental management platform designed for professional property managers. It offers features such as leasing, rent payments, maintenance requests, and reporting. Compared to Zillow Rental Manager, AppFolio focuses more on full property operations rather than just listings. Many mid-to-large property management companies choose AppFolio for its automation and mobile access.
Also See: Best Rental Software for Equipment: Managing Billing and Inventory
#4. DoorLoop

DoorLoop is a cloud-based property management software built for small and mid-size portfolios. It includes tools for rent collection, tenant screening, maintenance management, and accounting. Landlords who outgrow Zillow Rental Manager often consider DoorLoop when they need more structure without a complex setup. The platform is easy to use and designed for managers who want quick onboarding and clear dashboards.
#5. Avail

Avail is a landlord-focused platform that helps with listings, tenant screening, online leases, and rent collection. It feels familiar to users of Zillow Rental Manager but offers more control over lease documents and tenant management. Avail is commonly used by independent landlords managing a few properties who want a simple upgrade from basic listing tools.
#6. RentRedi

RentRedi is a mobile-friendly rental management app designed for landlords who want to manage rentals from their phone. It supports rent collection, tenant screening, maintenance requests, and basic lease tools. Compared to Zillow Rental Manager, RentRedi gives landlords more flexibility in managing tenants after move-in. Many small landlords use it for its ease of use and app-first experience. RentRedi works well for simple portfolios, while platforms like Platuni go further with deeper tenant coordination and shared-living tools.
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#7. TenantCloud

TenantCloud is a property management platform that offers free and paid plans for landlords and managers. It includes tools for listings, rent collection, accounting, and tenant communication. Landlords who move away from Zillow Rental Manager often choose TenantCloud when they want a low-cost system with more management features. The platform supports basic operations, although growing portfolios may later need more advanced workflow and automation tools like those offered by Platuni.
#8. Propertyware

Propertyware is an enterprise-level rental management solution built for large portfolios, especially single-family rentals. It offers advanced tools for accounting, maintenance, inspections, and reporting. Property managers who outgrow Zillow Rental Manager often consider Propertyware for its depth and scalability. The platform suits experienced operators managing many units, while newer managers may prefer more flexible and people-focused platforms like Platuni.
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#9. Yardi Breeze

Yardi Breeze is a simplified property management software backed by the larger Yardi ecosystem. It supports rent payments, tenant records, maintenance tracking, and reporting. Landlords switching from Zillow Rental Manager often like Yardi Breeze for its clean interface and structured tools. It works well for residential and small commercial properties, although shared-living coordination and tenant engagement are stronger on platforms built specifically for modern rental experiences like Platuni.
#10. Hemlane

Hemlane combines rental management software with optional local agent support. It helps landlords with listings, tenant placement, rent collection, and coordination. Some landlords choose Hemlane after Zillow Rental Manager when they want partial hands-on help without hiring a full property manager. The hybrid model works for remote owners, while platforms like Platuni focus more on technology-driven efficiency and tenant collaboration.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zillow Rental Manager Alternatives to Try
What does “Zillow Rental Manager alternative” mean?
A Zillow Rental Manager alternative is any tool or platform that helps landlords and property managers list rentals, screen tenants, collect rent, track maintenance, or communicate with tenants, similar to what Zillow Rental Manager offers but with different features, pricing, or strengths.
Why would someone choose an alternative to Zillow Rental Manager?
Some landlords and property managers want features that go beyond basic listings and rent collection. This includes better tenant communication, shared-living support, automation, maintenance workflows, and advanced reporting. Alternatives often provide more comprehensive tools for growing portfolios.
Can Platuni replace Zillow Rental Manager?
Platuni is not a direct replacement for Zillow’s listing audience, but it is an excellent alternative for managing rentals once your properties are listed. Platuni enhances tenant coordination, communication, shared-living management, and automation, helping landlords streamline operations and improve tenant experience.
Which Zillow Rental Manager alternatives are best for small landlords?
Platforms like Platuni, RentRedi, Avail, and TenantCloud are great for small landlords or first-time property owners. These tools balance simplicity with useful features like rent collection and tenant screening.
Do Zillow Rental Manager alternatives include tenant screening?
Yes. Most alternatives offer tenant screening tools that let landlords check credit, rental history, and background reports. Screening may be included or offered as an add-on service depending on the platform.
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