Zillow vs Rightmove: Key Differences for Property Buyers and Renters
When you're searching for a home, Zillow, a U.S.-based online real estate marketplace that lists homes for sale and rent, with estimated values and neighborhood data. Also known as the largest property database in the U.S., it's the go-to tool for millions of buyers and renters looking for transparency in pricing and listings. Across the Atlantic, Rightmove, the UK's dominant property portal that aggregates listings from estate agents and provides detailed property data, including price trends and virtual tours. Often called the British equivalent of Zillow, it’s where most home hunters in England and Wales start their search. Both platforms look similar on the surface — maps, photos, filters — but they operate in completely different markets with different rules, data sources, and user expectations.
One big difference? Ownership. Zillow doesn’t just list homes — it sometimes buys them itself through its Zillow Offers program, acting as a direct seller. Rightmove never owns property. It’s purely a listing aggregator, meaning every home you see on Rightmove comes from a local estate agent. That affects how fast listings update, how accurate prices are, and whether you’re dealing with a real person or an algorithm. In the U.S., Zillow’s automated valuations (Zestimates) can be wildly off — sometimes by tens of thousands — because they rely on public records and algorithms, not physical inspections. In the UK, Rightmove doesn’t guess values; it shows what agents are actually asking for, and buyers expect those prices to be realistic. If a property is overpriced on Rightmove, it sits unsold. On Zillow, a house might still get 500 views even if it’s priced 30% above market.
Another key contrast: access. In the U.S., Zillow gives you direct contact with agents — but you often get flooded with calls from multiple agents trying to win your business. In the UK, Rightmove connects you to one agent per property, and it’s usually the same agent who listed it. There’s less noise, but also less competition among agents to serve you. And while Zillow pushes rental listings hard — including apartments, condos, and even mobile homes — Rightmove focuses almost entirely on sales, with rentals handled separately on platforms like Zoopla. If you’re renting in London, you’re better off using a broker or checking LettingWeb. If you’re buying in Austin, Zillow’s mortgage calculator and neighborhood safety scores might actually help you decide.
Neither platform is perfect. Zillow’s data can be outdated or incomplete in rural areas. Rightmove doesn’t show new builds until they’re officially on the market. But both are essential tools — just not interchangeable. Understanding how they work in their own markets saves you time, money, and frustration. Whether you’re looking at a 2-room flexi apartment in Singapore or a villa in Virginia, the right platform makes all the difference. Below, you’ll find real-world guides on rental agreements, property taxes, apartment sizes, and investment trends — all shaped by the same platforms you use to find your next home.
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- December 5 2025
- Archer Hollings
- 0 Comments