Best Zoopla Alternatives – 10 Sites Like Zoopla for UK Property Search

Looking for alternatives to Zoopla for your UK property search? Whether you’re frustrated with Zoopla’s interface, want more property options, or just prefer to cast a wider net when house hunting, there are plenty of excellent Zoopla competitors that might suit you better.

I’ve tested the major property portals in the UK, and here are the best alternatives to Zoopla that actually deliver results for buyers, renters, and property investors.

The Quick Answer

Best overall alternative: Rightmove (biggest selection) Best for innovation: OnTheMarket (exclusive early listings) Best for rentals: OpenRent (landlord-friendly) Best for data: Mouseprice (comprehensive market information) Best free option: Home.co.uk (no-nonsense search)

Reality check: While Zoopla has great tools, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just one property portal when searching for your next home.

Why Look for Zoopla Alternatives?

Don’t get me wrong – Zoopla is a solid property portal with some excellent features. But there are good reasons to explore other options:

Common frustrations with Zoopla:

• Properties can be outdated or already sold
• Limited exclusive listings
• Interface can feel cluttered for some users
• Not all agents advertise there
• Search results sometimes inconsistent

The benefits of using alternatives:

• Access to properties not on Zoopla
• Different search tools and features
• Various price points and approaches
• Better coverage in certain areas
• Exclusive early access to some properties

Top 10 Zoopla Alternatives in the UK

1. Rightmove

What it is: UK’s largest property portal Best for: Maximum property selection Monthly visits: 208 million

Rightmove is the obvious first alternative to Zoopla. It’s bigger, more established, and has the largest selection of UK properties.

Why choose Rightmove over Zoopla:

• More properties (over 800,000 vs Zoopla’s 700,000)
• Better coverage in rural areas
• Most estate agents prioritize Rightmove listings
• Simpler, less cluttered interface
• “Draw a search” mapping feature

When Rightmove wins:

• You want the biggest choice
• You’re house hunting in competitive areas
• You prefer straightforward search over fancy features
• You’re looking outside major cities

2. OnTheMarket

What it is: Agent-owned property portal Best for: Exclusive early access to properties Monthly visits: 17 million

OnTheMarket’s unique selling point is that properties appear here 24 hours before they go live on Rightmove or Zoopla.

Key advantages:

• See properties before they hit other portals
• “Only With Us” exclusive listings
• Uncluttered, user-friendly design
• Lower costs mean more agents are joining
• Growing market share

Perfect if:

• You want first dibs on new properties
• You’re in a competitive market
• You like clean, simple interfaces
• You want to support agent-owned platforms

3. PrimeLocation

What it is: Premium property portal (owned by Zoopla Group) Best for: High-end and luxury properties Monthly visits: 3 million

Interestingly, PrimeLocation is actually owned by Zoopla, but it has a different feel and audience.

What sets it apart:

• Focus on premium and luxury properties
• International property listings
• High-quality photography and presentations
• Less cluttered than main Zoopla site
• Attracts affluent buyers and sellers

Consider PrimeLocation if:

• You’re looking at higher-end properties
• You want international options
• You prefer quality over quantity in listings
• You like premium presentation

4. OpenRent

What it is: Online letting specialist Best for: Rental properties and landlord services Audience: UK’s largest online letting agent

OpenRent focuses specifically on the rental market and does it very well.

Why choose OpenRent:

• Specialist rental focus
• Better tools for landlords and tenants
• Competitive pricing for property advertising
• Professional referencing services
• Strong reputation in rental market

Great for:

• Tenants looking for rental properties
• Landlords wanting to advertise properties
• Anyone preferring specialist rental platforms
• Those wanting professional rental services

5. Home.co.uk

What it is: Comprehensive property search and data Best for: Property research and market data Focus: UK property prices and market analysis

Home.co.uk combines property search with excellent market data and analysis tools.

Standout features:

• Extensive sold price data going back decades
• Detailed local area information
• Property price trends and analysis
• Mortgage advice and calculators
• Agent finder services

Choose Home.co.uk for:

• Researching property values and trends
• Understanding local market conditions
• Accessing historical price data
• Getting mortgage guidance
• Finding local estate agents

6. Mouseprice

What it is: Property market information specialist Best for: Market research and data analysis Strength: Comprehensive UK housing data

Mouseprice positions itself as the leading source of UK property market information.

What makes it different:

• Focus on market transparency and data
• Extensive guides and resources
• Property value analysis tools
• Market trend reporting
• Educational content for buyers and sellers

Perfect if:

• You’re data-driven in your property search
• You want to understand market trends
• You’re a property investor
• You like detailed market analysis
• You want educational resources

7. Nethouseprices

What it is: Free property price and sales data Best for: Research on sold prices and market trends Speciality: Historical property transaction data

Nethouseprices focuses on providing free access to UK property price data.

Key benefits:

• Free access to sold prices
• Historical transaction data from 1995
• Regular updates on property sales
• Local area price trends
• Simple, no-nonsense interface

Use Nethouseprices when:

• You want to research sold prices
• You’re analyzing property values
• You need historical market data
• You prefer free resources
• You’re doing investment analysis

8. SpareRoom

What it is: Room and property rental specialist Best for: Shared accommodation and rentals Audience: 7 million monthly visitors

While known for room rentals, SpareRoom handles all types of rental properties.

Why it works:

• Strong focus on rental market
• Excellent for shared accommodation
• Popular with young professionals
• Good mobile app
• Active community of users

Consider SpareRoom for:

• Rental property searches
• Shared accommodation
• Student housing
• Young professional housing
• Urban rental markets

9. Gumtree

What it is: Classified ads platform with property section Best for: Local property deals and rentals Approach: Classified advertising model

Gumtree’s property section can be surprisingly effective for finding local deals.

Advantages:

• Often cheaper properties
• Direct contact with owners
• Local focus
• Less competition from other buyers
• Private landlord listings

Good for:

• Budget-conscious buyers and renters
• Finding private landlord properties
• Local area searches
• Properties that might not be on major portals
• Direct negotiations with owners

10. Facebook Marketplace

What it is: Social media marketplace Best for: Local property listings and rentals Reach: Millions of UK users

Don’t overlook Facebook Marketplace for property searches – it’s become surprisingly popular.

Why it’s worth checking:

• Huge local user base
• Direct contact with sellers/landlords
• Can verify people through profiles
• Free to use for everyone
• Good for rental properties

Facebook Marketplace works when:

• You want local focus
• You like direct communication
• You’re looking for rentals
• You want to see who you’re dealing with
• You prefer informal approaches

Specialist Property Tools Worth Knowing

Property Bee

Browser extension that adds extra information to property listings on major portals. Shows price history, market analysis, and additional data.

Streetcheck

Provides detailed local area information including crime statistics, demographics, and local amenities to help with property decisions.

What3Words

Not a property site, but useful for finding exact property locations using their unique three-word address system.

How to Use Multiple Property Portals Effectively

Create a Search Strategy

Start broad:

1. Begin with Rightmove for maximum choice
2. Check OnTheMarket for exclusives
3. Cross-reference interesting properties on Zoopla
4. Use specialist sites based on your needs

Get organized:

• Set up saved searches on each platform
• Use consistent search criteria
• Keep a spreadsheet of interesting properties
• Set up email alerts on all platforms

Avoid Common Mistakes

Don’t do this:

• Rely on just one property portal
• Assume all sites have the same listings
• Ignore smaller or specialist sites
• Forget to check listing dates and accuracy

Do this instead:

• Use at least 3-4 different platforms
• Cross-reference properties you’re interested in
• Contact agents directly for the most up-to-date information
• Check multiple sources for market data

Which Zoopla Alternative Should You Choose?

For Most Property Searches: Use Multiple Sites

Recommended approach:

• Rightmove: Start here for maximum choice
• OnTheMarket: Check for early/exclusive listings
• Zoopla: Use their tools for analysis
• Specialist sites: Based on your specific needs

If You Must Pick Just One Alternative

Choose Rightmove if:

• You want the biggest property selection
• You’re searching in competitive markets
• You prefer simple, straightforward interfaces
• You’re looking in rural or suburban areas

Choose OnTheMarket if:

• You want first access to new properties
• You like clean, uncluttered designs
• You’re in a fast-moving market
• You want to support agent-owned platforms

Choose OpenRent if:

• You’re specifically looking for rental properties
• You want professional rental services
• You’re a landlord looking to advertise
• You prefer specialist rental platforms

Beyond the Big Names: Other Options

Regional Specialists

Some areas have strong local property portals that might not appear in national searches. Ask local estate agents about regional platforms.

Agent Websites

Don’t forget to check individual estate agent websites directly. Some agents have exclusive properties that don’t appear on major portals.

New Build Developers

If you’re interested in new builds, go directly to developer websites. They often have properties that aren’t listed elsewhere.

Off-Market Properties

Consider using buying agents or property sourcers who have access to off-market properties not advertised publicly.

Looking for Even More Options?

If you want to explore beyond these mainstream alternatives, check out our comprehensive guide to Rightmove alternatives for additional property portals and creative search strategies.

The Future of Property Search

Emerging trends:

• AI-powered property matching
• Virtual reality property tours
• Blockchain property transactions
• More personalized search experiences
• Integration with social media platforms

What this means: The property portal landscape keeps evolving, so it’s worth regularly reviewing your search strategy and trying new platforms.

My Honest Recommendation

After testing all these Zoopla alternatives, here’s what I’d actually do for property searching:

For buying:

1. Start with Rightmove (biggest selection)
2. Check OnTheMarket daily for new/exclusive listings
3. Use Zoopla’s tools for market analysis on properties I like
4. Browse Home.co.uk for additional market data
5. Set up alerts on all major platforms

For renting:

1. Begin with OpenRent for professional rental focus
2. Check SpareRoom, especially for shared accommodation
3. Browse Rightmove and Zoopla for comprehensive coverage
4. Look at Facebook Marketplace for local private landlords
5. Try Gumtree for budget-friendly options

For investing:

1. Use Mouseprice and Home.co.uk for market data
2. Check all major portals for property selection
3. Research Nethouseprices for historical data
4. Contact agents directly about off-market opportunities
5. Consider specialist investment property platforms

Bottom Line

Zoopla is a good property portal, but it shouldn’t be your only choice. The UK property market is too competitive to rely on just one search platform, and different sites excel in different areas.

The winning strategy: Use Zoopla alongside its competitors to get the full picture. Start with the biggest platforms (Rightmove and OnTheMarket), use Zoopla’s excellent tools for research, and don’t forget smaller specialist sites that might have exactly what you’re looking for.

Remember: Property portals are tools to help you find your ideal home or investment. The best approach uses multiple tools to give you the best chance of success in the UK property market.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or somewhere in between, diversifying your property search across multiple platforms will give you more options and better results than sticking to just one site.