Rightmove vs Zoopla – Which Property Portal is Best in 2025?

If you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent property in the UK, you’ve probably already heard of Rightmove and Zoopla. These two giants dominate the UK property market, but which one should you actually use?

I’ve spent time comparing both platforms, and here’s the honest truth: they’re both good, but for different reasons. Let me break down the key differences to help you decide which one works best for your situation.

The Quick Answer

For most people: Use both platforms – you’ll get the widest choice and won’t miss out on anything.

If you only have time for one: Go with Rightmove. It’s got more properties and most buyers start there.

If you love clever tools: Zoopla has better features for research and analysis.

What Are Rightmove and Zoopla?

Both are property portals where you can search millions of homes for sale and rent across the UK. They’re free to use – estate agents pay to list properties on them.

Rightmove launched in 2000 and is the big daddy of UK property portals. Think of it as the Google of property search.

Zoopla came along in 2007 as the challenger, focusing on innovative tools and better user experience.

The Numbers That Matter

Here’s what you need to know about their reach:

Rightmove:

208 million visits per month
Over 800,000 properties listed
95% of UK properties for sale are on here
Been around since 2000

Zoopla:

120 million visits per month
Around 700,000 properties listed
Strong focus on rentals
More modern platform

The reality: Rightmove is bigger, but Zoopla isn’t far behind.

Key Differences That Actually Matter

1. Property Selection – Rightmove Wins

Rightmove simply has more properties. If you’re house hunting, you want the biggest selection possible, and that’s Rightmove.

Some properties appear on Rightmove but not on Zoopla (especially in rural areas), but it’s rare to find something on Zoopla that’s not on Rightmove.

2. User Experience – Zoopla Wins

Zoopla looks more modern and has much better features:

Zoopla’s best features:

Map view: See properties directly on a map (Rightmove doesn’t have this)
Travel time search: Shows how long your commute would be
Instant valuations: Get a property value estimate immediately
SmartMaps: Draw your ideal area on the map

Rightmove’s approach:

Simple, no-nonsense interface
“Draw a search” feature to mark areas
Reliable but looks a bit dated
School checker tool

3. Mobile Apps – Zoopla Wins

Both have decent apps, but Zoopla’s is slicker with better maps and more interactive features. Rightmove’s app does the job but feels more basic.

4. For Sellers – Rightmove Wins

If you’re selling, you want maximum exposure. Rightmove’s bigger audience means more potential buyers seeing your property. Most estate agents prioritize Rightmove listings for this reason.

However: The best approach is using an agent who lists on both platforms.

5. For Investors – Zoopla Wins

Zoopla has much better tools for property investment:

Rental yield calculators
Area investment insights
Market trend analysis
Price growth projections

Rightmove has basic market data but nothing like Zoopla’s investment tools.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Rightmove if:

You want the biggest selection of properties
You’re buying in a competitive market
You prefer simple, straightforward search
You’re looking in rural areas
You don’t need fancy features

Choose Zoopla if:

You love modern tools and features
Your commute time is important
You want detailed market analysis
You’re investing in property
You prefer visual, map-based searching

Use Both if:

You’re serious about finding the right property
You’ve got time to check both platforms
You don’t want to miss any opportunities
You want the best of both worlds

The Honest Truth About Each Platform

What I Like About Rightmove:

It’s where everyone starts their search
You’ll find properties here that aren’t elsewhere
Simple to use – no learning curve
Most trusted by estate agents
Works well on mobile

What Annoys Me About Rightmove:

Interface looks old-fashioned
Limited innovation
Expensive for estate agents (so some avoid it)
Basic search features compared to Zoopla

What I Like About Zoopla:

Much better tools and features
Modern, attractive design
Great for understanding areas
Excellent map functionality
Useful for property investors

What Annoys Me About Zoopla:

Fewer properties than Rightmove
Can feel overwhelming with all the features
Sometimes missing rural properties
Property data not always accurate

Common Mistakes People Make

Don’t do this:

Only use one platform (you’ll miss properties)
Trust valuations completely (they’re estimates only)
Ignore OnTheMarket (smaller but has some exclusives)
Assume more expensive means better
Forget to save your searches

Do this instead:

Check both Rightmove and Zoopla
Use Zoopla’s tools for research, Rightmove for selection
Set up alerts on both platforms
Cross-check property details
Look at agent websites too

For Estate Agents: Which Platform to Choose?

Short answer: Both, if you can afford it.

Reality: Rightmove costs more but delivers more views and faster sales. Zoopla is cheaper and has good tools, but smaller audience.

My recommendation: Start with Rightmove for maximum exposure, add Zoopla if budget allows.

What About OnTheMarket?

OnTheMarket is the third player worth mentioning:

21 million monthly visitors (much smaller)
Properties appear here 24 hours before Rightmove/Zoopla
Agent-owned platform
Worth checking but don’t rely on it alone

Want more options? Check out our guide to sites similar to Rightmove for a complete list of UK property portals and alternatives.

The Bottom Line

For buyers: Start with Rightmove for choice, use Zoopla’s tools for research. You’ll get the best of both worlds.

For sellers: Make sure your agent uses both platforms. More exposure = better chance of selling.

For landlords: Zoopla has better rental tools, but Rightmove still has huge reach for finding tenants.

For investors: Zoopla’s analysis tools are unbeatable, but check Rightmove for the full picture.

My Personal Recommendation

After comparing both platforms extensively, here’s what I’d do:

Start your search on Rightmove – it has the most properties
Use Zoopla to research areas – its tools are genuinely helpful
Set up alerts on both – don’t miss new properties
Check OnTheMarket for anything exclusive
Always verify details with the actual estate agent

The truth is, both Rightmove and Zoopla are good at what they do. Rightmove excels at being the biggest and most comprehensive, while Zoopla wins on innovation and user experience.

You don’t have to choose just one – and honestly, you shouldn’t. The best property search strategy uses both platforms to their strengths.

Final thought: Whether you’re buying your first home or your tenth investment property, these platforms are tools to help you make better decisions. Use them both, stay organized, and you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.