Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

HotPads VS Zillow

Compare HotPads VS Zillow and see what are their differences

HotPads logo HotPads

The place to find your next place

Zillow logo Zillow

Is that home for sale? What is it worth? Where can I find foreclosures? Stop wondering!
  • HotPads Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-06
  • Zillow Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-06

HotPads features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    HotPads offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface, making it simple for users to search, filter, and find rental listings that meet their criteria.
  • Comprehensive Listings
    The platform provides a wide range of rental listings, including apartments, houses, and townhomes, which increases the chances of finding a suitable rental property.
  • Advanced Search Filters
    HotPads allows users to apply various filters such as price range, number of bedrooms, pet policy, and amenities, helping users to narrow down their search efficiently.
  • Map-Based Search
    The map-based search feature allows users to visualize rental properties in specific areas, making it easier to understand the neighborhood and its proximity to essential services.
  • Mobile App Availability
    HotPads has a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices, which enables users to search for rental properties on the go.
  • Detailed Property Information
    Listings on HotPads typically include detailed property information, such as photos, descriptions, rent prices, and contact information for landlords or property managers.

Possible disadvantages of HotPads

  • Limited Coverage in Rural Areas
    HotPads may have limited rental listings in rural or less populated areas, which can be a drawback for users looking for properties outside major cities.
  • Advertising and Sponsored Listings
    The platform includes advertising and sponsored listings, which might clutter the search results and distract users from organic listings.
  • Potential Listing Inaccuracies
    Some users have reported inaccuracies in rental listings such as outdated information or incorrect property details, which can lead to frustration and wasted time.
  • Limited Customer Support Options
    HotPads offers limited customer support options, primarily through an online help center, which may not be sufficient for users needing immediate assistance.
  • Account Creation Requirement for Some Features
    Certain features on HotPads, such as saving favorite listings or contacting landlords, require users to create an account, which may be inconvenient for those looking for a quick search.

Zillow features and specs

  • Comprehensive Listings
    Zillow offers an extensive database of homes, including for sale, for rent, and even off-market properties. This diversity helps users find a wide range of options.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The website and mobile app are designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, making the property search process straightforward even for first-time users.
  • Zestimate
    Zillow provides an estimated market value for homes, known as the Zestimate, giving users an idea of property values in various neighborhoods.
  • Community Insights
    Users can access detailed information about neighborhoods, including school rankings, crime rates, and nearby amenities.
  • Agent Finder
    The platform includes a feature to find real estate agents, complete with reviews and ratings, which can help users make informed decisions.

Possible disadvantages of Zillow

  • Zestimate Accuracy
    While helpful, the Zestimate feature can sometimes be inaccurate, leading to potential mispricing or misvaluation of properties.
  • Outdated Listings
    Some users encounter properties listed as available when they are no longer on the market, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
  • Listing Quality Variability
    The quality of property listings can vary significantly, with some having incomplete or outdated information and poor-quality photos.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    Zillow collects extensive data on user activity, which could raise privacy concerns for some individuals.
  • Advertising Volume
    The platform has a significant amount of advertising, which can sometimes distract from the user experience and make it harder to focus on property search.

Analysis of HotPads

Overall verdict

  • Overall, HotPads is a highly regarded platform for individuals seeking rental properties, praised for its rich feature set and ease of use. However, user experiences can vary, and it is always recommended to cross-reference listings for accuracy and check reviews or feedback regarding specific properties.

Why this product is good

  • HotPads is known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive search capabilities that help users locate rental properties efficiently. It offers features such as interactive maps, neighborhood insights, and customizable alerts, making it easier for renters to find options that suit their needs.

Recommended for

    HotPads is best suited for renters and home seekers looking for a wide array of rental listings in urban areas, with a keen interest in utilizing technology-driven features and insights to facilitate their search. It's particularly beneficial for those who value detailed neighborhood data and an intuitive user interface.

Analysis of Zillow

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Zillow is a reliable and convenient tool for browsing real estate listings and market insights. However, users should approach Zillow's price estimates and Zestimate feature with some caution, as they may not always reflect the most current or accurate market conditions. It's advisable to consult with a real estate professional for more precise evaluations.

Why this product is good

  • Zillow offers a comprehensive platform for real estate listings, providing users with detailed property information, price estimates, and market trends. It is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive database, which makes it a popular choice for buyers, sellers, and renters looking to explore real estate options. Additionally, Zillow provides various resources such as mortgage calculators, neighborhood information, and agent connections, enhancing the overall user experience.

Recommended for

    Zillow is recommended for first-time homebuyers, seasoned investors, and anyone looking to rent or explore real estate markets. It is also useful for those who want to track home values in their neighborhood or get a general idea of property trends in various locations.

HotPads videos

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Zillow videos

Zillow Exposed: WARNING To Consumers and Real Estate Agents

More videos:

  • Review - Zillow Instant Offers Review! From a Realtor in Gilbert AZ
  • Review - 6 months results Zillow Premier Agent vs Real Estate Facebook Ads and Google Adwords

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HotPads and Zillow)
Classifieds Ads
22 22%
78% 78
Classifieds
23 23%
77% 77
eCommerce
26 26%
74% 74
Buy
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Zillow should be more popular than HotPads. It has been mentiond 225 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

HotPads mentions (67)

  • Moving to the OKC area
    I dont know what your skills and experience levels are, but Target and Costco pay over $15 an hr, also Hobby Lobby. Pricewise you could be as low as $800 or so up to whatever really, depends on a lot of factors, what part of town do you want to be in or what do you want to be near, nightlife/restaurant high activity parts of town or more suburby/residential, near the college campus, etc. I'd say just go to... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Lease Termination
    I did use htpads.c which helped with rentals as well as Zillo and apartments.com some places waved the realtor fee but none that I was personally looking at. I am noticing that there are a lot of rights for tenants if you look around. I wish you the best and hope you could find a place within the anticipated time. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • What condos are good for rent near downtown?
    I'm looking via hotpads.com, but if there's a better way to discover condos, please let me know! :). Source: almost 3 years ago
  • how do i find a place that doesnt require my income to be 3x the rent? i live in maryland, and ik that i could budget a place up to 1.2k, as well as utilities and leftover disposable income. everywhere online requires rent to only be 1/3 of ur income though and there's literally nowhere that cheap
    Look for small private landlords instead of big buildings. Condos, small apartment buildings, basement apartments, that kind of thing. Sometimes they won't have that policy at all, or if they do you might be able to talk to them about being flexible on it, maybe giving them something else to prove that you're responsible. I'm in DC so I know the struggle. I've found things like this on hotpads.com, craigslist, and... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • New here
    First suggestions is to call local apartment buildings in your area to see about vacancy. Other places were vacant apartments may be is rent.com, apartments.com, and zillow.com. If you need to rent two rooms in a house for the time being you can try hotpads.com, roomster.com, and spareroom.com. You can find listings of other apartment rental sites at https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-rental-websites-36699873. Source: almost 3 years ago
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Zillow mentions (225)

  • Ask HN: Anyone else locked out of zillow.com?
    Should have mentioned my desktop is a debian 12 intel system running both Firefox and Chrome. Hitting https://zillow.com/ with Lynx is somewhat hilarious -- it just gives you a 403. I wonder if my IP got blacklisted 'cause I kept hitting it with a desktop browser they don't care about (Firefox on Linux.). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Moving to the area soon, need help!
    Unfortunately, median home values in Beachwood are higher than in Solon. See zillow.com home values. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • interim rent
    Dear All, my wife and I are planning to move to Boston and are looking for apartments in the greater Boston area. At the moment, we are still located in Germany. Therefore, we thought it might be good to first find a temporary accommodation (apartment) for 1-2 months to have some time until we find something permanent. However, we do not see any temporary offers on zillow.com, apartments.com, or... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Creative ways to get "free" leads aka. referrals. Any other suggestions?
    PS, I know zillow.com and realtor.com leads exist and have had success with those, but those leads can cost 35% which is insane and I'd rather pivot away from them over time. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Zillow Premier Agent Cost: My Experience
    I have been advertising with Zillow as a premier agent for 5 months now, and I can tell you that it is 100% a scam. I needed a new place to allocate some advertising dollars and decided to give Zillow a try. The sales rep, Lindsay Caldwell, told me the number of leads per zip I would receive (43) for the spend I was willing to do ($3,000 a month). Zillow makes you sign a 6 month contract, and I was a bit hesitant... Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing HotPads and Zillow, you can also consider the following products

Apartments.com - We simplify the process of finding a new apartment by offering renters the most comprehensive...

Trulia - Truliaโ€™s top-rated real estate app helps you find the perfect home, wherever you are.

Redfin - Our mission is to reinvent real estate in the consumerโ€™s favor.

Realtor - The most accurate and complete home & apartment search on the Web

Zumper - Apartments and houses for rent - apartment finder and search.

LoopNet - LoopNet is an online commercial real estate marketplace that connects buyers, tenants, and investors.