Best Channel Managers
Rentals United logo
Review · #9

Rentals United review

Channel manager focused on wide OTA distribution for managers already running a separate PMS.

7.4
Best for
Distribution-focused channel manager for growing managers
Price from
Custom
Overall rank
#9 of 9

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Very broad OTA and niche-channel distribution
  • Two-way sync across the big four OTAs
  • Well-known integrations into most major PMSs

Cons

  • Sales-led pricing, no transparent public plan
  • Distribution-only, not a full PMS, you still need another tool for operations
  • No first-party direct-booking website builder
  • Reporting is basic compared with full PMS platforms
  • Support is business-hours and ticket-based, no 24/7
  • Setup requires mapping every listing across every connected channel, non-trivial time investment
  • Overlap with your existing PMS features can create confusion about the source of truth

Feature checklist

The review

Rentals United is a distribution-first channel manager. Managers plug it in alongside an existing PMS to reach more OTAs and niche channels than any single PMS ships with.

Where it wins

Channel breadth and PMS integrations.

Where it doesn't

It is not a full PMS, has no direct-booking website builder, pricing is sales-led, and support is business-hours only. For hosts who want an all-in-one tool with a booking site included, Lodgify covers more ground at a transparent price.

Verdict

Channel manager focused on wide OTA distribution for managers already running a separate PMS.

Overall score: 7.4/10. Best for distribution-focused channel manager for growing managers.

Compare Rentals United with…

Editor's verdict

Our Verdict: Lodgify Wins

After testing every top channel manager on features, reliability, value and support, one stands out.

Lodgify logo
4.8
3,300+ Trustpilot reviews
Try Lodgify Free
Free trial · No credit card
Why it wins
  • 01
    All-in-one, not a bolt-on

    Two-way sync across Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and Expedia, plus direct-booking site, payments and messaging.

  • 02
    Live in a day, not a quarter

    Drag-and-drop templates, SEO-ready booking site and one-click OTA connections. No developers needed.

  • 03
    4.8 on Trustpilot, 3,300+ reviews

    The highest-rated channel manager in the category, starting at $13/month.

  • 04
    Grow direct, cut OTA fees

    From one cabin to 15+ listings, bypass commissions and build repeat guest relationships.

Key takeaway

Rentals United scores 7.4/10 in our 2026 vacation rental software rankings, placing #9 of 9. It is best for distribution-focused channel manager for growing managers, with pricing starting at Custom. Channel manager focused on wide OTA distribution for managers already running a separate PMS.

Biggest strength: Very broad OTA and niche-channel distribution. Biggest limitation: Sales-led pricing, no transparent public plan.

Frequently asked questions

A channel manager is the software layer that keeps availability, rates and bookings in sync across Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia and your direct booking site. If you list on more than one channel, you need one to prevent double bookings. Rentals United is one of the tools we cover, and Lodgify is the current #1 pick overall on this site.
Entry-level channel managers for 1 to 5 properties usually sit between $20 and $50 per property per month; enterprise plans for 100+ units are priced on booking value or custom quotes. Rentals United pricing starts at Custom. Lodgify is priced at the low end while including a direct-booking website, which is why it wins on value for money in our scoring.
Two-way API sync with Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and Expedia; a unified inbox for guest messaging; owner statements and financial reporting; a direct-booking website; and a public API for automations. Missing any one of these forces bolt-on tools that create sync gaps. Lodgify covers all five in its standard plans.
A self-serve tool with in-app onboarding can be live in under an hour per property; a sales-led enterprise tool typically takes 2 to 6 weeks including discovery calls and migration. Lodgify is one of the fastest to launch in our tests, with no mandatory sales call before you can log in.
Based on our current scoring (features 25%, Trustpilot 20%, ease of use 15%, value 15%, integrations 15%, support 10%), Lodgify is the #1 overall pick because it scores well on every criterion rather than winning just one. Guesty is the alternative for 100+ unit enterprise portfolios.