How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Searching and contacting landlords is free on the major rental apps, while application and screening fees are where renters pay.
- Zillow stands out for a reusable application that can cover many participating rentals for 30 days after one fee.
- Apartments.com, Realtor.com, and Trulia differ mainly in filters, neighborhood data, and tour options, so trying two or three together works well.
- Always confirm the exact unit, total move-in cost, and lease terms in writing before paying any fee or deposit.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Zillow | Broad house rental search and reusable applications | Free to search | Yes |
 Apartments.com | Detailed listings with tours and online leasing | Free to search | Yes |
 Realtor.com | Agent-linked rentals and neighborhood data | Free to search | Yes |
 Trulia | Neighborhood insight and resident reviews | Free to search | Yes |
 Rent.com | Guided search and moving help | Free to search | Yes |
 Redfin | House rentals with sale and value context | Free to search | Yes |
 HotPads | Map-based rental search | Free to search | Yes |
 Roommates.com | Finding roommates and shared houses | Free to search | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best apps for renting houses
#1
Zillow
Best for: Broad house rental search and reusable applications
Visit zillow.com
Starting priceFree to search
Free planYes
Zillow is often the first app renters open because its inventory covers houses, apartments, condos, and townhomes across the United States. Filters for price, bedrooms, pet policy, and commute help narrow a long list fast, and saved searches send alerts when a match appears. Rent estimates and neighborhood pages add context before a tour, which helps when comparing houses in different areas.
The application side is where Zillow stands apart. A renter pays about $35 for an application and screening report that can be reused for participating rentals for 30 days, rather than paying a fresh fee for every landlord on the platform. That only helps with participating properties, and landlords outside Zillow may still charge their own fee. Renters should also verify availability directly, because a listing can stay visible after a home is already leased.
What we like- Very large rental inventory
- Saved searches and alerts
- Reusable application for participating rentals
Watch out for- Application fee applies
- Some listings go stale
- Landlord fees vary by property
#2Apartments.com
Best for: Detailed listings with tours and online leasing4.1/5 on
G2 (32 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit apartments.com
Starting priceFree to search
Free planYes
Apartments.com covers houses as well as apartments, and its listing pages often include photos, floor plans, fees, and pet policies in one place. Matterport 3D tours on many properties let renters check layout and light without driving across town for every viewing. For homes managed through the platform, renters can apply, sign a lease, and pay rent online, which cuts paperwork.
The trade-off is uneven coverage. Apartment-heavy cities look strong, while single-family houses in smaller markets may be fewer than on Zillow or Realtor.com. Screening costs depend on the property and the screening setup, so renters should read the fee screen before submitting. Used alongside a second search app, Apartments.com is a solid main tool for organized renters.
What we like- Large listing set
- 3D tours on many homes
- Online applications and rent payment
Watch out for- Screening fees vary
- Some areas have thinner house inventory
- Account setup takes time
Starting priceFree to search
Free planYes
Realtor.com is best known for homes for sale, but its rental section is useful for houses because many listings come through agents and brokers. That link can speed up questions about availability, showing times, and lease terms, especially for houses that are not in large apartment complexes. Neighborhood pages, school information, and commute tools help renters weigh a house against daily travel.
Rental inventory is not as deep as the sale side in every market, and the same house may appear on several apps at once. Alerts help, but broad alerts can flood an inbox, so setting price, bedroom, and area limits matters. For renters who want an agent contact and local context, Realtor.com earns a place in the search routine.
What we like- Agent contacts on many listings
- School and commute data
- Strong house inventory
Watch out for- Rental focus is smaller than its sale side
- Some listings duplicate other sites
- Alerts need tuning
Starting priceFree to search
Free planYes
Trulia focuses on what a neighborhood feels like, with maps, resident reviews, and local insights alongside house listings. Filters cover price, size, pet policy, and keywords, and the map view makes it easy to compare streets rather than just zip codes. For renters moving to a new city, that local color can prevent a costly mistake.
Overlap is the main weakness. Trulia and Zillow share a parent company, so many listings appear on both, and a renter using both may see the same houses twice. Listings can also stay up after a home is taken, so a quick message to the landlord remains essential. As a second view on neighborhoods, Trulia adds value that a plain list cannot.
What we like- Neighborhood maps and reviews
- Many filters
- Clear listing photos
Watch out for- Owned by the same group as Zillow, so overlap is high
- Some listings are dated
Starting priceFree to search
Free planYes
Rent.com keeps the search flow simple, with clear filters and guides for renters who are new to the process. Its articles and moving checklists help with timing, deposits, and what to ask at a viewing. Contact tools let renters message landlords without sharing a personal phone number at first.
Inventory is the limit. In large cities the choice is good, but in smaller towns or for single-family houses, renters may find fewer options than on the biggest platforms. Rent.com works best as a companion app for guidance and for catching listings that do not appear elsewhere. Pairing it with Zillow covers most gaps.
What we like- Simple search flow
- Moving guides
- Landlord contact tools
Watch out for- Smaller inventory than Zillow
- Fewer house-specific filters in some markets
Starting priceFree to search
Free planYes
Redfin brings sale data into the rental search, which helps renters judge whether a rent price looks fair for a house and area. Sale history, value estimates, and nearby comparable homes give context that a rent-only listing often lacks. The map and filter tools are clean, and agent support is available in many markets.
Rentals are a smaller part of Redfin than sales, so house hunters in smaller markets may see limited choice. The app is still worth checking for houses in major metros, especially when a renter wants to understand a property history before applying. Use it to cross-check prices found on larger rental platforms.
What we like- Home value and sale history context
- Clean maps
- Agent support
Watch out for- Rental inventory is thinner
- Best coverage is in major metros
Starting priceFree to search
Free planYes
HotPads, part of the Zillow group, is built around map search. Renters can draw an area, set a price range, and scan houses street by street, which suits people who care more about location than about a specific building. Alerts for a drawn area catch new houses fast, and the interface stays simple on mobile.
Detail is thinner than on Apartments.com or Realtor.com. Some listings have few photos, and fee, pet, and utility details may require a landlord message. HotPads is therefore best for discovery and for spotting houses in a target area, with a second app used to verify details before a tour or application.
What we like- Strong map search
- Good for browsing by area
- Simple alerts
Watch out for- Fewer detailed filters
- Some listings lack photos or fee details
Starting priceFree to search
Free planYes
Roommates.com solves a different problem: finding people to share a house, or finding a room inside a house that is already rented. Profiles, preferences, and room listings help renters match on budget, schedule, and lifestyle before meeting in person. For students, young workers, and anyone splitting a house, that matching step saves time and awkward conversations.
It is not a replacement for a full rental marketplace. Whole-house listings are limited, and full messaging features may require payment depending on the plan. Renters who want an entire house should search the larger platforms first, then use Roommates.com when sharing is part of the plan.
What we like- Roommate matching
- Shared house listings
- Room-focused search
Watch out for- Not a full house rental marketplace
- Paid features for full messaging in some cases
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and we checked inventory, filters, tours, alerts, and application costs. We favored apps that are still maintained, that serve US renters, and that list houses rather than only apartments. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we left out apps with dead listings, unclear fees, or no house rental focus.
How to search without wasting application fees
Start with two or three apps and one saved search each, rather than ten apps with the same alert. Set a firm price ceiling that includes parking, pets, and utilities where you can find them, because a low rent with high fees is not a bargain. Tour in person or by live video when possible, and ask for the exact unit, not just a model or a similar home.
Before paying, get every fee in writing: application, screening, deposit, pet deposit, parking, and any move-in charge. Ask how long an application decision takes, what happens to the fee if the home is already taken, and whether a reusable application is accepted. If a landlord asks for payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, or refuses a viewing, walk away and report the listing.
Frequently asked questions
Are rental search apps free for renters?
Yes, searching, saving homes, and contacting landlords is free on the major apps in this guide. Renters pay later for applications, screening, deposits, and rent itself, and those costs are set by landlords or screening providers. Always read the fee screen before submitting an application.
What is the cheapest way to apply to many rentals?
A reusable application helps when landlords accept it. Zillow charges about $35 for an application and screening report that can be reused for participating rentals for 30 days. Outside that system, each landlord may charge a separate fee, so ask before applying whether a prior report is accepted.
How do I avoid rental scams?
Be wary of rents far below nearby homes, landlords who cannot show the home, and pressure to pay before a viewing. Verify ownership through public property records, meet at the property, and pay only through traceable methods after a signed lease. Report suspicious listings to the platform and to the Federal Trade Commission.
Should I use one rental app or several?
Use two or three. The largest apps overlap heavily, but each has listings the others miss, especially for houses managed by small landlords. One app for broad search, one for neighborhood detail, and one for map browsing covers most cases without duplicating every alert.
Do rental apps show the full cost of a house?
Not always. Rent is shown clearly, but utilities, parking, pet rent, trash, and amenity fees may sit in listing text or require a landlord message. Ask for a full move-in total in writing, including deposit and first month rent, before you sign.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.zillow.com
- https://www.apartments.com
- https://www.realtor.com
- https://www.trulia.com
- https://www.rent.com
- https://www.redfin.com
- https://www.hotpads.com
- https://www.roommates.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.