Zillow's Biggest Competitor: Who Really Challenges the Market Giant?

Zillow's Biggest Competitor: Who Really Challenges the Market Giant?

Jumping into the world of online home shopping isn’t just about cruising through endless photos of dream houses. There’s real money—and stress—on the line. The spot at the top has been Zillow’s for years, but things are getting interesting. Who’s really putting the pressure on Zillow’s throne?

If you think Redfin, you'd be on the right track. Redfin isn’t just another listing site. Their approach to commissions, in-house agents, and smooth tech features make the home buying and selling process hit different. Over the last year, some buyers have even found that listings show up on Redfin before they pop up on Zillow. Little surprises like that can make a big difference.

Looking for the best bang for your buck? It's smart to compare how these giants stack up—especially when it comes to things like listing speed, accuracy, fees, and the all-important mobile app experience. You don’t want to miss out on your dream home because your app is clunky or behind the times. Luckily, it’s easier now than ever to switch between apps, compare listings, and get a real feel for what each platform offers.

The Rise of Online Real Estate

Trying to buy or sell a house used to mean chasing down newspaper ads, calling agents, and driving around for open houses. Now, with platforms like Zillow and Redfin, you can shop for homes or list your place from the couch—no hard pants required.

Things started to shift in the mid-2000s when Zillow launched and gave everyone access to free home value estimates, photos, and property details. Suddenly, buyers didn’t need to be real estate insiders to see what was out there. Redfin soon followed, pushing boundaries with its own twist: lower commissions and in-house real estate agents who could guide buyers and sellers through the whole process.

By 2023, over 97% of home buyers used the internet as part of their search, according to the National Association of Realtors. That’s just wild compared to even ten years ago. People are hooked on home-value calculators, 3D tours, pin-drop maps, and one-click contacting with real estate agents. The biggest platforms now compete to give the fastest updates and slickest user experiences.

PlatformYear LaunchedMonthly Visitors (2024)
Zillow2006220 million
Redfin200454 million

What makes these sites stand out isn’t just listings—it’s their extra tools: mortgage calculators, market trend dashboards, price-history graphs, and even reviews on agents. There’s a reason the first step most people take when they want to move is opening a buy property online app—there’s just so much you can do before you ever step foot in a house.

Certain neighborhoods now even see homes spending less time on the market because smart buyers get instant notifications the moment a new listing pops up. The rise of online real estate isn’t slowing down. If anything, the big platforms are just getting started, rolling out new tech and deals year after year to win over the next round of buyers and sellers.

Who’s Going Head-to-Head with Zillow?

Everyone’s heard of Zillow, but lately, Redfin has been grabbing headlines and market share. If you’re searching for a place to buy online, you’ll see Redfin popping up more and more. It’s not just a copycat—it’s a real rival with a different playbook.

One thing that sets Redfin apart? They actually employ their own agents, which is a rare move in the online real estate world. That means you can use their tech and have direct support from in-house professionals. Zillow, on the other hand, works more like a massive digital bulletin board, relying mostly on third-party agents paying for leads.

Redfin has also been rolling out things like 1% listing fees for sellers in select markets, undercutting the usual Zillow partner agent commission. Users rave about Redfin’s precise scheduling tools for home tours—a headache-saver if you’re trying to land viewings fast. Their algorithms update property statuses in near real-time, so if a home goes off-market, you’re less likely to fall in love with something that’s already gone.

Here’s a quick snapshot of how the two stack up in a few key areas:

Feature Zillow Redfin
Number of Listings (2025) Over 135 million ~100 million
In-House Agents No Yes
Average Listing Fee for Sellers 2.5%-3% 1%-1.5%
App Ratings (April 2025) 4.7 stars 4.8 stars

There are other sites out there—like Realtor.com, Trulia (which is actually owned by Zillow), and Homes.com—but Redfin vs Zillow is usually the main debate for most online home buyers in the US. Searching for that hidden gem or a smoother transaction? Redfin’s growth, lower seller costs, and their laser-focus tech are making this showdown anything but boring.

Comparing Key Features

Comparing Key Features

Let’s get practical and break down what really sets Zillow and Redfin apart. Both are huge when it comes to buy property online options, but they don’t play by the exact same rules.

Zillow competitor talk always circles right back to Redfin’s technology and policies. For example, Redfin hires its own agents instead of relying on outside realtors. That means you can find a home and start the buying process right in their app, dealing directly with Redfin employees. Zillow, on the other hand, is more like a giant marketplace: they list properties and send you off to partner agents.

Feature Zillow Redfin
Home Listings Huge database, third-party input from agents Slightly fewer listings, but more up-to-date in big cities
Agent Model Connects users with external agents Uses Redfin-employed agents, lower commission fees
App Experience Easy search, lots of pics, Zestimate tool Speedy updates, good school/neighborhood data
Commission Savings Standard rates, varies by agent Average seller saves up to $7,500 on fees*
iBuying Paused as of late 2023 Limited pilot program only, not nationwide

*Redfin claims average seller savings, actual savings depend on location and sale price.

Redfin users often rave about the real-time updates—which can be huge if you’re house-hunting in a fast-moving market. You’ll sometimes get notifications before listings even appear on Zillow. Redfin’s "Hot Home" feature shines a light on listings that are likely to sell quickly, helping you avoid missing out in a bidding war.

Meanwhile, Zillow swings back with the Zestimate tool. This tool lets you see the estimated worth of almost any house in the U.S., regardless of whether it’s for sale. It’s a big draw for folks wanting to track home values or planning their next move.

When it comes to searching, both offer solid filters—by price, square footage, lot size, year built, and even neighborhood vibe. But if you like a more direct, hands-on experience, Redfin’s team of full-time agents and built-in scheduling takes out a lot of the guesswork.

The bottom line? Both platforms cover the basics of buying and selling homes online, but their approaches and strengths are pretty different. Stack the features side-by-side before you dive in, and you’ll make a smarter pick for your next move.

Tips for Choosing the Right Platform

Picking the best place to search for homes online isn’t just about brand recognition. Real differences can change your experience and even your wallet. Here’s what you need to focus on when deciding between Zillow competitor platforms like Redfin and Zillow.

  • Listing Speed and Accuracy: Sometimes, Redfin posts listings faster—by as much as 24 to 48 hours compared to Zillow in some markets. Actual availability varies by region, but getting that jump can mean snagging a home before anyone else.
  • Fees and Agent Service: Redfin tries to win buyers with lower commissions (often around 1–1.5% for sellers vs. the standard 2.5–3% on Zillow-connected agents). Redfin also has staff agents, while Zillow connects you with outside agents. If you want someone truly from the company, Redfin is your pick; if variety matters, give Zillow a shot.
  • Mobile App Experience: Both have strong mobile apps, but users often find Redfin’s app to be more direct, less cluttered, and easier when booking tours. Zillow loads up on features, which can sometimes feel overwhelming if you just want the basics fast.
  • Extra Tools: Zillow leans heavy on data—things like their Zestimate and rich neighborhood insights. Want to research price trends, school ratings, or value estimates without leaving the app? Zillow serves that up. Redfin isn’t far behind, but Zillow’s database is just bigger.
  • Coverage Area: If you’re shopping in smaller towns or rural areas, Zillow tends to cover more ground. Redfin’s strength is in bigger cities and suburbs. Always punch in your zip code and check which platform spits out more—and better—results for your target area.
Feature Zillow Redfin
Listing Updates Slower in some regions Often faster, especially in big cities
Commission Rates (Sellers) 2.5%–3% 1%–1.5%
Agent Model Third-party agents In-house, Redfin agents
Market Coverage Extensive across US Strong in urban areas

Quick tip: Use both platforms when you’re just starting. It’s not cheating. You’ll spot differences right away—sometimes the same house appears with different photos, open house details, or price changes. Make side-by-side comparisons until you get a feel for which app matches your speed and style.

And if you hate phone calls, both apps now let you book tours with hardly any human contact—pretty handy if you just want to see a place without commitment. Bottom line: what works for your buddy might not fit you. Test both Zillow and Redfin vs Zillow in real time to see which gets you closer to closing a deal.

What the Future Looks Like

What the Future Looks Like

Things in online real estate are moving fast. Both Zillow and Redfin keep adding new features that change how people buy property online. iBuyers—companies that make instant offers on homes—are a big sign of where things are headed. Zillow tried this game with Zillow Offers but ended up shutting it down in 2021 because it was riskier than they hoped. Redfin hit pause on its own version, called RedfinNow, in late 2022. But the idea isn’t dead—other companies are still trying it, and these big guys could jump back in when the timing is right.

AI-powered home value estimates are leveling up, too. Redfin’s "Redfin Estimate" and Zillow’s well-known "Zestimate" are getting smarter, thanks to bigger data pools and better algorithms. Since 2023, these systems have become much more accurate, with median errors on home values dropping below 2.5% for cities like Seattle and Austin. In other words, buyers and sellers get pricing info that’s much closer to what the market says, which helps with negotiation and planning.

Both companies are also beefing up their apps. Features like virtual tours, 3D walkthroughs, and improved search filters make it easier to check out homes from your couch. Mobile traffic keeps rising—Redfin says almost 60% of its users now browse for homes on their phones. So, expect more innovations focused on mobile in the next couple of years.

If you like seeing apples-to-apples, here’s how Zillow and Redfin are known to stack up as of early 2025:

FeatureZillowRedfin
Active Listings (US)125 million+110 million+
Median Error (Home Value Estimate)~2.5%~2.3%
Virtual ToursYesYes
In-house AgentsNoYes
Mobile App Ratings (iOS)4.8/54.7/5

As AI gets smarter and user expectations rise, both companies will chase features that make the process quicker, easier, and less stressful. If you want to stay ahead, keep checking out updates from both platforms. Being an early adopter often means you get the newest tools before everyone else.

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