The best Zillow alternatives are other home search apps that show homes for sale, rentals and auctions, often with different listings, filters and agent tools. Rental apps suit renters, while brokerage apps suit buyers who want an agent. Use more than one app, and treat any online home value as a starting point, not an appraisal.
House hunting has moved almost entirely onto our phones. Whether you're buying your first home, renting a flat or getting to know a new town, you'll probably use more than one app before you find the right place.
Here are ten Zillow alternatives, listed in no particular order and sorted alphabetically. Some cover homes for sale across the country, some focus on rentals, and a couple specialise in auctions or one region.
Each app draws on listing data in its own way and offers different filters, alerts and tools. That's why the same search can turn up a home on one app before another.
Before you lean on any app's estimate of what a home is worth, read the next section. It's the part that matters most when you make an offer.
Zillow alternatives at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's store listing shows it as a free download. Plenty of free apps carry ads or offer in-app upgrades, and the store labels tell you which, so check them before you install.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartments.com | Rental search app | Apartments and rental homes | Yes |
| Auction.com | Home auction platform | Foreclosure and bank-owned auctions | Yes |
| Compass | Real estate brokerage app | Listings from a large brokerage | Yes |
| HAR.com | Regional home search app | Texas homes and rentals | Yes |
| Homes.com | Home search app | Homes for sale and rent | Yes |
| Movoto | Home search site and app | Homes for sale with market data | Yes |
| Realtor.com | Home search app | Homes for sale and rent | Yes |
| Redfin | Real estate brokerage app | Homes for sale with agent tours | Yes |
| Xome | Home auction and sale platform | Auction homes and listings | Yes |
| Zumper | Rental search app | Rentals with quick applications | Yes |
Ten home and rental search apps to try
Apartments.com
Best for: Renters searching for apartments with detailed filters and floor plans.
Auction.com
Best for: Buyers and investors interested in foreclosure and bank-owned home auctions.
Compass
Best for: Buyers who want to search listings and work with a brokerage's agents.
HAR.com
Best for: Buyers and renters searching in Texas who want local listing detail.
Homes.com
Best for: Buyers who want neighbourhood details alongside each listing.
Movoto
Best for: Buyers who like browsing homes with local market information.
Realtor.com
Best for: Buyers and renters who want a big national listings app.
Redfin
Best for: Buyers who want to book home tours with an agent from the app.
Xome
Best for: Buyers looking at auction properties as well as regular listings.
Zumper
Best for: Renters who want to search and apply for rentals quickly.
What an online home value can't do
Here's the detail many buyers and sellers miss. Online home values are estimates made by a computer model, not a valuation by a person who has walked through the house. Zillow's own Zestimate page says it's a starting point and that it isn't an appraisal and can't be used in place of an appraisal.
The same caution applies to estimates on any home search app. Use them to get a feel for a neighbourhood, then rely on recent sales, an agent's comparison and, when you're buying with a mortgage, the lender's appraisal before you decide what to offer.
Choosing the right home search app
- Renting: rental apps have the best filters for pets, parking and lease terms.
- Buying with an agent: brokerage apps let you book tours directly.
- Auctions: auction platforms list foreclosure and bank-owned homes.
- One region: local apps can have more detail for their area.
- Alerts: set alerts on two apps so you hear about new homes fast.
Searching smarter for a home
- Decide your must-haves and your nice-to-haves.
- Set the same search on two or three apps.
- Turn on instant alerts for new listings.
- Check recent sales nearby before you view.
- Visit in person before you make any decision.
Keep a simple note of every home you view, with the address, what you liked and what worried you. After a few viewings they blur together, and those notes make the final decision much easier.
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Thinking about your next move
If you're weighing up whether to buy an existing home or start from scratch, here's how to compare building and buying a house.
And if you're house hunting as a couple, here are a few apartment hunting suggestions for newlyweds that apply to any first home together.
Do you make home search or rental apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on Zillow alternatives
Use two or three apps at once, because listings and alerts don't always appear everywhere at the same time. Pick one for renting or buying and one that covers your area in depth.
And never let an online estimate set your offer. Treat it as a rough guide, then rely on recent sales and a full appraisal before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Zillow?
It depends on whether you're buying, renting or looking at auctions. Many people use two or three apps.
Do all home search apps show the same listings?
Not always. Listings and updates can appear on one app before another.
Is an online home value accurate?
It's an estimate from a model, not an appraisal, so use it as a starting point.
Can I use a home value estimate instead of an appraisal?
No. A lender's appraisal is still needed when you buy with a mortgage.
Which apps are best for renting?
Rental-focused apps have filters for pets, parking and lease length.
Can I buy a home at auction through an app?
Yes. Auction platforms list foreclosure and bank-owned homes.
Should I use more than one home search app?
Yes. It helps you see new listings sooner.
Can I book a home tour from an app?
Some brokerage apps let you request tours with an agent.
How do I hear about new listings quickly?
Turn on instant alerts for your saved searches.
Are local home search sites better?
They can have more detail for their area, so they're worth adding.
What should I check before viewing a home?
Recent sales nearby, the neighbourhood and how long it's been listed.
Do I need an agent to buy a home?
Not always, but many buyers find an agent helpful with offers and paperwork.
