15 Zillow Alternative Options for Renters and Landlords

Are you looking to buy, sell, or rent a home? While Zillow is one of the most popular real estate sites, it's not the only game in town. In this article, we'll look at some of the top alternatives to Zillow and what makes them different.

Whether you're a home seller, renter, or real estate agent, plenty of sites can help connect you to the right properties. We'll cover the unique features, specialties, and strengths of each.

The world of real estate tech is constantly evolving. While Zillow has been a go-to for many home buyers and sellers, it's a good idea to explore all your options. Let's dive in and find the Zillow alternative that works best for you!

Our top 15 alternatives to Zillow

Zillow does a lot, from estimating home values, sharing listings for sale and rent, agent matchmaking, and more. However, real estate professionals, buyers, or renters focused on specific needs, have many quality alternatives worth checking out.

This list of 15 real estate websites that each cater to specific users and features will show you what options are out there are highlight the best and worst of each to help you determine which website fits your needs.

1. Apartments.com

If you're searching for a rental, Apartments.com is a viable option. This online real estate platform exclusively lists rentals in large apartment and condo communities rather than from private landlords. The site also tends to be focused on larger cities and urban areas. Their focused inventory helps renters find their ideal building based on amenities, policies, and reviews.

Pros:

• Specialized search filters allow renters to narrow options to apartment/condo buildings instead of private rentals, making it easier to the type of home you're looking for.
• Extensive filtering capabilities for amenities like gym, pool, parking garage, and more help renters find buildings matching their lifestyle.
• Ratings and reviews from current and past residents provide useful insights into maintenance, management responsiveness, noise levels, and policy enforcement.
• Their rent affordability calculator shows you whether listings fall within your budget, given income and monthly expenses.
• Price and availability tracking over time can identify trends and help you negotiate if rates decrease.

Cons:

• Limited primarily to large, professionally-managed multifamily buildings, with very few single-family homes or rooms for rent.
• Inventory focuses on urban cores and mid-to-large metro areas, with few listings in small towns or rural regions.
• Not all communities actively list updated rental vacancies on the platform.
• Some outdated legacy rental listings may still show, requiring a cross-checking of availability.
• The site features advertisements and sponsored listings, which users must distinguish from actual apartment information.

2. Eppraisal

For investors that have rental properties they want to sell or for which they want to keep track of values, Eppraisal offers one of the best alternatives to Zillow's Zestimates feature. The site claims greater accuracy than Zillow by leveraging non-public licensed appraiser data and public Multiple Listing Service (MLS) records.

This proprietary information allows Eppraisal to leverage more algorithms that account for hyper-local trends. The site also has an interesting feature that provides ideas on property renovation or upgrades to increase ROI.

Pros:

• Value estimates incorporate restricted appraisal data not available to Zillow for enhanced precision.
• Advanced AI models thoroughly analyze minute details like bathroom finishes, landscaping, and renovations to determine impacts on home value.
• Weekly updates are provided on any listed home's estimate to track even small changes over time.
• Customizable estimate methodology allows users to focus on recent sales, appraiser data, or specific home aspects.

Cons:

• The site focuses exclusively on valuations, lacking the integrated home search functionality found on Zillow.
• Currently, there is limited estimation coverage, as the site doesn't cover all the homes in the U.S.

3. Foreclosure.com

Real estate investors operate by the mantra, “You make money when you buy.” For those looking to invest in rental properties, finding a good deal is key. That's where Foreclosure.com comes in. The site exclusively lists distressed properties — foreclosures, short sales, and bank-owned homes.

For real estate investors focused on cash flow through rentals, Foreclosure.com is a listing site that aligns with the strategy of buying low and renting higher.

Pros:

• Specialized search filters quickly surface foreclosures, pre-foreclosures, auction listings, and REO (bank-owned) deals.
• Lists upcoming live and online foreclosure auction platforms to uncover properties before hitting the MLS.
• Alerts notify investors of new distressed property listings matching saved searches so you can act fast.
• They provide advice that guides buyers through the unique process of purchasing a foreclosed home.
• Some listings allow buyers to directly bid on and buy properties through the site with accompanying paperwork.

Cons:

• Distressed and abandoned homes for sale lack regular market sale comparisons, so you don't always know if you're getting a good deal.
• They have a lack of geographic diversity, since the largest inventories are in markets hardest hit by waves of foreclosures.

4. FSBO.com

FSBO.com lists for-sale-by-owner properties where sellers represent themselves without an agent, potentially allowing buyers to save on commissions. For investors, these homes can benefit your real estate business, since you may get great deals or be able to leverage creative financing. But for sellers, this do-it-yourself approach requires caution to navigate safely without a real estate agent to guide you.

Pros:

• Contact and transact directly with private sellers instead of agents, streamlining communication and the overall process.
• Highly motivated sellers may be able to sell for less since they don't have to pay for real estate broker advertising and commissions.
• The site provides tips, legal documents, and resources to help buyers safely navigate the complex FSBO process.

Cons:

• Far lower for-sale inventory than full MLS databases, since most still use agents.
• No professional representation or guidance during the buying process to advocate your interests.
• Many private sellers lack pricing expertise and negotiation skills compared to brokers.
• Heightened risk of inaccurate listings, properties already under contract, and scams.

5. FurnishedFinder

FurnishedFinder is a matchmaking site for the mid-term rental spaces. It exclusively lists fully furnished rentals catering to travelers, temporary workers, and others needing turnkey housing on a temporary basis.

Pros:

• Browse completely furnished homes, apartments, and condos ready to move into.
• Filter listings by your specific length of stay needs, from a week to a year.
• No shared property listings — the listing platform only includes whole rental units.

Cons:

• Limited property locations concentrated mostly in major cities.
• Minimal tools, data, and support for owners listing units on the platform.

6. HomeLight

For agents wanting to get connected to home buyers and sellers, HomeLight competes with Zillow Premier Agents. It's not a listing site but rather a referral service that can be helpful for investors looking to find experienced real estate agents.

Pros:

• Search and review detailed agent profiles highlighting experience, recent sales, specialty areas, commissions, and past client reviews.
• HomeLight Trade-In provides instant all-cash offers and fast sales for those wanting to sell quickly.
• Concierge assistance coordinating staging, repairs, photography, listings, and showings.
• Free service for buyers and sellers — agents pay HomeLight, not the clients.

Cons:

• No direct MLS home listings database, since it's an agent marketplace.
• Caters much more to home sellers than buyers in terms of services.

7. Clever Real Estate

Clever Real Estate is also a referral service that connects sellers and buyers with top real estate agents. This online real estate platform promises savings on commissions through a 1.5% listing fee and potential cash back for buyers. It emphasizes a no-obligation, free matching service with agents from major brands and brokerages, aiming to provide full-service experiences at reduced costs.

Pros:

• Pre-vetted local agents based on responsiveness, expertise, and customer service.
• No sponsored listings or ads, which makes it easier to find and vet qualified agents.

Cons:

• Limitations in agent selection due to Clever's curated network.
• Offers and agents vary greatly based on your region.

8. Homes for Heroes

Homes for Heroes provides exclusive real estate savings and rebates for specific groups like military members, first responders, healthcare workers, and teachers. As an alternative to Zillow, it specifically connects these buyers with agents and lenders ready to provide specialized discounts and savings.

Pros:

• Access a nationwide network of real estate agents offering rebates and discounts to qualified buyers.
• Customized real estate advice and resources tailored to service members.

Cons:

• Discounts and rebates are only available to buyers and sellers in eligible employment fields.

9. Homes.com

Homes.com offers an alternative real estate search platform to Zillow for listing and finding homes or apartments for purchase or rent. Users can apply criteria to property searches and access market data, information on neighborhood amenities, and environmental details.

The site aims to provide buyers and renters with inventory matching their needs as well as tools to evaluate options based on personalized preferences.

Pros:

• Request showings and instantly connect with agent profiles from every listing.
• New for-sale listings are updated faster than some competing sites.
• Marketing and contact management tools for subscribing agents.
• Built-in mortgage calculators and affordability tools for buyers.

Cons:

• Heavier focuses on promoting agent relationships over unbiased property data.
• Less robust automated home value estimates compared to Zillow.
• Primarily a lead generation source for paying agent subscribers.

10. NeighborhoodScout

NeighborhoodScout centers on real estate data, catering to investors, appraisers, and finance professionals. Most of the granular housing market insights and analytics require purchasing reports, which makes the site valuable as a due diligence tool.

Pros:

• Housing market, rental market, and neighborhood-specific cost data.
• Detailed crime rates, trends, and safety insights down to the neighborhood block group level.
• Hyperlocal drill-downs showing household income, home values, predominant occupations, and recent changes.

Cons:

• The data and reports require purchase.
• Cannot list or search properties.

11. Redfin

Redfin is a full-featured online real estate portal alternative to Zillow. Renters and buyers can use it to search for properties, and you can see estimates and data. The site also helps connect you with agents.

Pros:

• The Redfin Estimate provides automated home valuation estimates.
• Buyers can easily schedule home tours, open houses, and agent consultations online.
• The Redfin real estate agent provides full representation for buyers and sellers, handling negotiations.
• They offer a wide array of insights into neighborhood demographics, school ratings, market trends, and price histories.

Cons:

• Redfin offers lower commission rates through its agents, but this could mean that agents are less motivated to negotiate the best price for buyers or sellers.
• The accuracy of Redfin's home value estimates, like any automated valuation model, can vary.

12. Realtor.com

Another complete alternative to Zillow is Realtor.com. The site features active real estate listings directly from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) MLS database. You can use this site to find properties for sale or rent, see valuation estimates, and get connected with an agent.

Pros:

• Listings come directly from the authoritative NAR MLS system used by industry professionals.
• The site updates frequently, offering updates in as little as 15 minutes when adding new properties.
• In-depth local market insights, projections, and neighborhood-level details.
• Customizable alerts for saved searches to notify users of new matches.

Cons:

• Limited to only NAR MLS listings — no FSBO or non-MLS properties are included.
• Less robust automated home valuation data compared to Zillow's Zestimates.
• Advertisements and featured listings favor paying advertiser agents.

13. Rentler

Rentler connects landlords and renters. Landlords can list and manage their properties, and renters can easily filter, compare, and apply for rental homes and apartments. Private landlords and property managers list homes and apartments on this platform.

Pros:

• Granular filters to search by customized price range, location, square footage, and other features.
• Apartment research tools and cost of living comparison calculators.
• Renters' rights support resources.

Cons:

• Inventory is concentrated mainly in urban areas and mid-sized metro regions.
• Many features are free, but capabilities like applications, previous rental history, and ratings have a cost.

14. Xome

Xome operates as an "iBuyer," which is a company that buys homes from sellers who want fast cash offers and closing. From there, the company sells renovated listings to buyers.

Pros:

• Sellers receive an all-cash offer on their property within a few days of applying.
• No lengthy showings or open houses are required; just select your preferred closing date.
• Buyers can tour digitally and buy listings directly on Xome's site.

Cons:

• Only operates in select major metro real estate markets.
• The home condition must meet certain age, size, and repair guidelines to qualify.
• Higher fees than most traditional brokered home sales.
• Minimal resale inventory for buyers compared to broader MLS.

15. Zumper

Zumper specializes in rental listings of all types, such as houses, apartments, rooms, and sublets.

Its tailored tools for filtering, applying, and comparing rentals provide a streamlined alternative to Zillow's combined home search.

Pros:

• Customized search for specific rental types like mother-in-law units and cottages.
• Numerous filters for commuting distance, allowing pets, parking, amenities, and 100+ more.
• The rent cost comparison tool shows averages across neighborhoods.
• Detailed insights and price trends for local rental markets.

Cons:

• Strictly rental listings only, no for-sale property listings on the site.
• Most urban rentals are concentrated in cities, offering fewer options in rural small towns.
• The site doesn't vet or verify landlord listings, increasing the potential for scams.

About Zillow

Zillow is the country's largest real estate search engine database, providing information on more than 110 million homes. Its Zestimate tool uses advanced algorithms and big data to estimate home values.

Zillow makes money in several ways:

• Premier Agent advertising: Real estate agents and brokers can pay to promote themselves as "Premier Agents" on listing pages in their area. This lets agents get their branding and contact information in front of interested home buyers.
• Mortgage advertising: Lenders and banks pay Zillow to advertise mortgage rates, refinancing, and more. This allows financial institutions to connect with consumers when they're actively thinking about real estate financing.
• Display advertising: Zillow sells online banners and display ads across its sites and apps. Advertisers range from real estate professionals to insurance and home service providers.

Does Zillow own Trulia?

Zillow purchased Trulia in 2015 after years of competition between the two. The merger consolidated them under The Zillow Group, creating a dominant online market player.

Zillow decided to continue operating Trulia as a separate, standalone site with its listings database, search tools, mobile apps, and user accounts. The two brands continue to operate separately, even though they're owned by the same parent company.

Each site has its strengths: Zillow provides a more integrated home shopping experience with mortgage services and its Zestimates home valuation tool, while Trulia focuses more exclusively on a hyper-local listing search.

Deciding between alternatives to Zillow

As you can see, there is no shortage of alternative options for the diverse range of home buyers, sellers, landlords, and real estate professionals currently relying on an expansive platform like Zillow.

Some alternatives mimic aspects of the Zillow model with similar search functionalities and data tailored to different business focuses. Others fulfill specialized needs like providing real estate leads for agents and mortgage lenders.

Ultimately, with the rapid evolution of online real estate tech, the ideal platform for each real estate investor comes down to individual factors and the search tools and property data you find most useful across various stages of your buying, selling, and renting journeys.

Knowing the alternatives and how each serves distinct audience needs, you can find sites aligned to your goals.

Zillow alternatives FAQs

Who is the biggest competitor of Zillow?

Zillow's biggest competitor is Redfin, an online real estate brokerage that provides home value estimates and other tools for home buyers and sellers.

It seeks to disrupt traditional brokerages like Zillow's Premier Agent and Broker advertising services.

Is MLS more accurate than Zillow?

Yes, MLS data directly from real estate agents tends to be more accurate and up-to-date, unlike Zillow Zestimates.

Zestimates are automated valuations based on public data, while MLS listings have precise sale prices and the latest property details from brokerages.

Which real estate app is the most accurate?

Many people view Realtor.com as having the most accurate real estate listings compared to Zillow and other apps.

It has listing data directly from brokerages rather than estimated valuations.

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