Apartments.com
Apartments.com is a major online rental-listing marketplace, powered by CoStar Group, Inc., offering renters access to more than one million units across apartments, houses, condos and townhomes. It also provides property owners and managers with tools to advertise, manage listings, screen tenants, collect rent and handle maintenance. The platform emphasises high-quality data verification (photos, floor plans, virtual tours) and advanced search features.
Features for renters
Renters using Apartments.com can search by property type, number of bedrooms, neighbourhood, commute time, price range, amenities and more. The platform supports drawing custom search areas on the map and a “Travel Time” filter to find rentals within a certain commute. Listings typically include high-resolution photos, 3D walkthroughs or floor plans, availability status and neighbourhood information. The mobile apps (iOS and Android) allow users to save favourites, set alerts, view listings on the go, and contact landlords or leasing offices directly. They also include a cost calculator and alert functions.
Features for owners and managers
For property owners and managers, Apartments.com offers the “Rental Manager” suite: tools for listing properties, managing applications, screening tenants, collecting rent online (including faster payout options), managing maintenance and reviewing rent-comparable reports. This positions the platform not just as a listing site but a full-service property-management ecosystem.
Geographic coverage & Canada presence
Although Apartments.com is U.S.-origin and primarily serves the U.S. market, the platform’s Canadian portal confirms listings in major Canadian cities and provinces including Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa), British Columbia (Vancouver), Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton) and more. That means Canadian users (renters or landlords) may access the platform though the volume and depth of Canadian listings may lag U.S. markets.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths:
- Extensive listing volume and strong brand in North America.
- Advanced search filters and mobile-app support facilitate user convenience.
- Verified data processes and quality imagery enhance trust.
- Tools not just for seekers but also for property managers, offering end-to-end workflow.
Limitations / considerations:
- Because its origin and largest user-base are in the U.S., Canadian coverage may not be as rich in all local markets.
- Even with verification efforts, users still need to practice due diligence as listings may become outdated or availability may change rapidly. Some reviews highlight the presence of outdated listings.
- Competitive rental markets (e.g., Vancouver, Toronto) may require use of multiple platforms in parallel to maximise success.
Use-case summary
If you are a renter in Canada or the U.S., Apartments.com is a strong choice for starting your search thanks to its broad inventory, mobile apps and convenient tools. If you’re a landlord or manager, the platform offers listings plus management tools, which can streamline operations. For best results in Canada, treat it as part of a multi-channel strategy: combine with local portals, verify listings in person, and monitor listing freshness.
Final remarks
Overall, Apartments.com stands out as a robust, full-featured rental-listing and property-management platform. Its scale, tool-suite and cross-device support are real advantages. At the same time, users should remain aware of its U.S.-centric origin, exercise standard rental-market caution (visit in person, verify landlord/manager, watch for fees, etc.), and evaluate how rich listings are in their specific Canadian city or area.

