Rentometer and Zillow Rent Estimate are two popular tools designed to help you evaluate rental prices. If you ever wonder whether you’re charging too much or too little for your rental property, these two services can help you compare your rates to other properties and decide on a competitive price for your rental. 

In this guide, we’ll compare Rentometer and Zillow Rent Estimate, exploring their key features and weighing their pros and cons. We’ll also share the benefits of choosing a third option, Stessa Rent Estimate reports, to determine a specific asking rent. Based on current listings from your competition, Stessa Rent Estimates provide you with recent rent comps, market trends, and neighborhood demographics.

With this knowledge, you’ll gain clarity into which tool might be the best fit for your portfolio.

Rentometer overview

Rentometer is a fast and effective solution for conducting rent comparisons throughout the United States. Cutting-edge technology coupled with refined data handling methods give you extensive rent comparison analyses for most U.S. rental property addresses. For professionals seeking more comprehensive features, Rentometer also offers premium subscription packages.

Pricing*

Free

• $0 for 7 days of access
• QuickViews rent price summary
• 5 Pro Reports with a complete rent analysis

Basic

• $79/year
• QuickViews rent price summary
• 5 Pro Reports with a complete rent analysis

Monthly

• $29/month
• QuickViews rent price summary
• 10 Pro Reports with a complete rent analysis

Pro

• $199/year
• QuickViews rent price summary
• 200 Pro Reports with complete rent analysis

Pro plan tools and API Access:

• Rentometer Tools
  • Batch Processor
  • Rent Comp Report
  • Report Branding
  • Lead Generation
• Rentometer API
• 1,000 free credits for API and tools

Subscribers can purchase additional Pro Reports starting at $29 for 10 reports for all pricing plans.

*Pricing does not reflect current Rentometer pricing promotions.

Report features

QuickViews

• Input the property’s location, existing or anticipated rent, and number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Choose your preferred historical data period, geographical range, and type of building.
• The report then returns the mean and median rent values recorded during the past year within a 3-mile radius.
• You’ll also see rental prices in the lower 25th percentile and upper 75th percentile, along with a map pinpointing the locations of comparable rentals.

Pro Reports 

• Get all the QuickViews features along with data specific to your neighborhood, zip code, and city.

Zillow Rent Estimate overview

Zillow Rent Estimate, commonly known as Rent Zestimate, is a tool that offers an estimated monthly rent price for a specific property. It generates the estimate using a proprietary formula that includes several factors, such as public data on the property and information from similar local properties currently listed for rent.

Pricing

Zillow Rent Estimate is a free tool from Zillow and part of their suite of services. It has no additional costs or hidden fees.

Features

• Get an estimated monthly rental price for a specific property that accounts for factors like the physical characteristics and amenities of the home, rental comps in the area, and additional information provided by the homeowner or public sources.
• Access Rent Range, a feature offering a high and low estimate of what an apartment or home could rent for.
• Secure up-to-date and accurate estimates based on a large set of underlying market data.

The tool is designed to help landlords, property owners, and managers determine the potential rental income of a property. However, Zillow recommends supplementing the results with personal research and professional advice for an even more accurate rental price determination.

Rentometer vs. Zillow Rent Estimate

Rentometer and Zillow Rent Estimate each offer different approaches to rent comparison and analysis. Rentometer focuses on comprehensive rent data and analysis, while Zillow Rent Estimate utilizes algorithms and public data to estimate rent prices. Choosing between the two services depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Data sources and accuracy

Rentometer uses advanced technology and data management techniques for gathering comprehensive rent comparison analyses. It collects data from various sources, considering factors like property address, current or projected rent, number of beds and baths, look-back period, radius, and building type. Its accuracy depends on the quality and availability of collected data for each market.

On the other hand, Zillow Rent Estimate uses algorithms that factor in your property’s physical characteristics, rental comps in the area, and additional information provided by homeowners or public sources. It calculates a rent range and provides an estimated rent. The accuracy can vary based on the data collected for each market and may not accurately assess the impact of modifications or renovations on the property’s value.

Rent analysis and reports

Rentometer offers QuickViews, a rent price summary that includes average and median rent data within a specified radius. The tool’s Pro Reports deliver more in-depth rent analysis at the neighborhood, zip code, and city levels.

Zillow’s Rent Zestimate provides an estimated monthly rent price for a specific property with a Rent Range showing high and low rent estimates. Additionally, historic Rent Zestimates let users see how a property’s rent estimate has changed over time.

Additional features and tools

Rentometer users on the Pro plan can access additional tools like their Batch Processor, Rent Comp Report, Report Branding, Lead Generation, and Rentometer API.

Zillow’s extra features include the ability to update your property’s facts, potentially affecting the Rent Zestimate. Users are encouraged to supplement Zillow’s information by doing additional research, consulting local real estate agents or property managers, and comparing active rental listings on Zillow.

Pricing and subscription options

Rentometer offers different pricing options, from a free plan with limited access to premium subscription packages. The paid plans include QuickViews rent price summaries, Pro Reports with complete rent analysis, and additional tools and API access.

In contrast, Zillow’s Rent Zestimate is free, with no subscription options or additional fees.

How does Stessa Rent Estimates compare to Rentometer and Zillow Rent Estimate?

Stessa Rent Estimates, Rentometer, and Zillow are all dynamic tools that help landlords effectively set rent prices for their properties. Each platform brings unique attributes to the table and differs in its approach, features, and pricing models.

Rentometer, known for its detailed rent comparison analyses, bases its assessments on factors like location, property type, and the current market. Zillow Rent Estimate combines proprietary algorithms and public data to provide an estimated rental price range.

However, Stessa Rent Estimate reports stand out by providing a specific asking rent recommendation based on an in-depth analysis of current listings, recent rent comps, market trends, and neighborhood demographics.

For a one-time fee of $19.99, Stessa Rent Estimate users receive a detailed 4-page report. This report includes rental unit comps by address, a complete map view of all comps in the area, median rental analysis across the local market, and trend data for 1- to 4-bedroom units over the past 5 years.

Additionally, Stessa Rent Estimates show changes in median rents for the zip code, city, county, and state over 1, 3, and 12-month periods, giving you a comprehensive view of your area’s rental landscape and how asking rents have changed over time.

Maximizing your property investment returns with Stessa

With a growing community of over 200,000 users and an impressive ranking as the top app for landlords (based on App Store ratings and total number of reviews, as of February 2024), Stessa is the go-to solution for new investors and seasoned property professionals. Users report an average annual savings of up to $4,000 and more than 100 hours, positioning Stessa as a prime choice for efficient property management.

Designed to maximize your returns and simplify overseeing your investments, Stessa offers a wide range of valuable features including a detailed, real-time financial snapshot of each property and overall portfolio. The software intuitively categorizes income and expense transactions in compliance with IRS Schedule E, letting you generate unlimited financial reports, reducing your reliance on paperwork and data entry, and making tax time a breeze.

Additionally, with Stessa Cash Management, users can open deposit accounts for each property. These accounts boast interest rates significantly higher than the national average of 0.07% listed by the FDIC as of January 2024.

Compatible with iOS and Android platforms, Stessa’s mobile applications can give you instant access to your portfolio from virtually anywhere. You can use the app’s automatic receipt scanning feature to upload and categorize receipts and invoices for tax season, which makes ongoing financial tracking and management even easier.

Pricing

Stessa’s tiered pricing structure is crafted with care to accommodate the diverse requirements and budgets of owners of residential rental properties. That means any landlord can benefit from its many features, no matter the size of their portfolio.  

Here’s a breakdown of features offered in various Stessa plans:

More ways Stessa boosts your business

In addition to its fundamental features, Stessa offers additional services that can elevate your property business. 

The Real Estate CPA

Countless tax resources, courtesy of The Real Estate CPA, help you navigate the complicated world of real estate taxes when April rolls around. Your personalized Stessa Tax Package includes an income statement, net cash flow report, and a ZIP file – all packaged up in a single email that you can share with your CPA if desired.

Property management software integration

Stessa seamlessly integrates with some property management reporting software, simplifying the process of monitoring and managing your investments.

Vibrant online community

More than just a tool, Stessa offers a lively, engaged community. Users can connect, exchange ideas, and foster relationships via the dynamic community forum. Whether you’re keen on learning from others’ experiences or willing to share your knowledge, the Stessa community can be a priceless resource.

Harness the power of Stessa for rent estimates and property management

Rentometer and Zillow Rent Estimate are reliable resources for landlords seeking to gauge local rent prices. With Rentometer’s extensive rent comparison analyses and Zillow Rent Estimate’s algorithm-based predictions, these tools provide a solid foundation for rent estimation.

However, Stessa is a robust, full-featured software that caters to various aspects of rental property management. The platform also offers more comprehensive rental calculations— including insights into current listings, recent rent comps, market trends, and neighborhood demographics.

From automated accounting and financial reporting to efficient tenant screening and lease management, Stessa may be the optimal choice if you’re seeking to maximize potential returns and minimize manual work. Check out Stessa and discover how it can optimize your time, maximize your savings, and simplify your property management operations.

*Stessa is not a bank. Stessa is a financial technology company. Terms and conditions, features, and pricing are subject to change. This article, and the Stessa Blog in general, is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is not investment, tax, financial planning, financial, legal, or real estate advice.