RentMouse vs Avail
Both platforms help landlords manage properties, but RentMouse offers more features in the free tier and full Canada support. See the detailed comparison below.
Pricing Comparison
See how much you can save with RentMouse
RentMouse
Avail
Save $540/year with RentMouse
Based on 10 units compared to Avail Unlimited Plus
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RentMouse | Avail |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | First unit free forever | Free with limits |
| Paid Plan Pricing | $5/unit/month | $9/unit/month |
| ACH Payment Fee | 0.8% (max $5) | $2.50 flat |
| Card Payment Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.5% |
| Rent Collection | ACH & card payments | ACH & card payments |
| Tenant Screening | Credit, criminal, eviction | Credit, criminal, eviction |
| E-Signatures | Unlimited included | Unlimited included |
| Maintenance Tracking | Full workflow + photos | Basic tracking |
| Accounting & Reports | Built-in financials | Basic reports |
| Mobile App | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Canada Support | Full US & Canada | US only |
| Customer Support | Email + chat + AI | Email only (free tier) |
What is Avail?
Avail (now part of Realtor.com) is a property management platform designed for DIY landlords in the United States. Founded in 2012, Avail offers tools for rent collection, tenant screening, lease management, and maintenance tracking. The platform is popular among landlords with 1-10 units who want a straightforward solution for managing their rentals.
Avail's free tier includes basic features like rent collection and lease templates, but many advanced features require their Unlimited Plus plan at $9/unit/month. Their tenant screening reports range from $30-55 depending on the package selected.
While Avail is a solid choice for US-based landlords, it lacks international support and charges higher per-unit fees compared to alternatives like RentMouse.
What is RentMouse?
RentMouse is a modern property management platform built specifically for independent landlords in the United States and Canada. With a focus on simplicity and affordability, RentMouse offers comprehensive tools for rent collection, tenant screening, lease management, maintenance tracking, and financial reporting.
What sets RentMouse apart is its generous free tier — your first unit is free forever with no credit card required. Additional units are just $5/month each, making it one of the most affordable options on the market. The platform also includes built-in AI assistance to help landlords navigate common questions and tasks.
For Canadian landlords, RentMouse offers provincial lease templates (Ontario LTB, BC RTB, Alberta RTDRS), CRA-compliant tax reports, and Interac e-Transfer support — features that most US-focused competitors lack entirely.
Why Landlords Choose RentMouse Over Avail
Better Free Tier
RentMouse includes maintenance tracking, accounting reports, and more features in the free plan. You can manage your first unit completely free, forever.
US & Canada Support
Manage properties in both countries with localized forms, notices, and tax documents. Avail only works in the United States.
Built-in Financials
Track income, expenses, and generate reports without external spreadsheets. Get a clear picture of your rental business profitability.
Lower Per-Unit Pricing
At $5/unit vs $9/unit, RentMouse saves you 44% on subscription costs. For a 10-unit portfolio, that's $540/year in savings.
AI-Powered Assistance
Get instant answers to landlord questions, help drafting notices, and guidance on tenant issues with built-in AI chat support.
Transparent Payment Fees
RentMouse passes processor fees through at cost with no markup. Your tenants pay less on every ACH and card payment.
When Avail Might Be the Right Choice
We believe in helping you make the right decision, even if that means choosing a competitor. Avail might be a better fit if:
- You're already deeply integrated with Realtor.com's ecosystem for listings
- You need their specific FastPay feature for landlords who want faster ACH deposits
- You prefer a platform backed by a large real estate company (Realtor.com/News Corp)
Rent Collection: RentMouse vs Avail
Both platforms offer ACH bank transfers and credit/debit card payments for rent collection. However, the fee structures differ significantly. Avail charges tenants a flat $2.50 per ACH payment and 3.5% for card payments. RentMouse passes through processor fees at cost: 0.8% for ACH (capped at $5) and 2.9% + $0.30 for cards.
For a typical $1,500 rent payment via ACH, an Avail tenant pays $2.50 while a RentMouse tenant pays just $5 (the cap). For card payments, Avail charges $52.50 (3.5%) while RentMouse charges $43.80 (2.9% + $0.30) — saving your tenant nearly $9 per payment.
Both platforms support automatic recurring payments, payment reminders, and late fee automation. RentMouse also offers AI-powered payment insights to help you identify payment patterns and potential issues before they become problems.
Tenant Screening Comparison
Tenant screening is crucial for protecting your investment. Both RentMouse and Avail offer comprehensive screening reports including credit checks, criminal background checks, and eviction history. Pricing is comparable at $35-55 per screening depending on the report package.
RentMouse adds AI-powered application analysis that helps you quickly identify red flags and compare applicants side-by-side. Both platforms allow you to share screening costs with applicants or cover them yourself.
Maintenance Tracking
Avail offers basic maintenance request tracking in their free tier, allowing tenants to submit requests and landlords to track their status. However, their maintenance features are relatively simple compared to RentMouse's full workflow system.
RentMouse includes photo/video attachments, vendor assignment, cost tracking, recurring maintenance schedules, and complete work order management. You can track the full lifecycle of every maintenance issue from initial request to completion, including all costs and communications.
Ready to Switch from Avail?
Import your properties and start managing with RentMouse. First unit is free forever.