For homebuyers and property investors, just figuring out where to start the process of finding your next home can be overwhelming. With so many house-hunting apps and websites out there, how do you know which one to use for your home search?
Our 2025 Best Apps list is here to make it simple. We took opinions from real estate experts to help you access the best technology to secure your next place to live.
Before we start, we can’t stress enough: No app is going to be an ideal substitute for working with a local real estate professional. But they can be great tools to supplement your home-buying experience.
Here are the top apps to use when looking for your next house or investment:
Top apps to use when looking for your next house
1. OneHome or MLS Touch (best app for the most accurate info)
Why we love it: Gaining access to the local MLS (multiple listing service) through a real estate professional is by far the best way to be the first to know when a great property hits the market. The information on there will be the most accurate, up-to-date, and will come with the expertise of a local agent or real estate consultant.
A drawback: MLS access, whether mobile or web app, is not always as feature-packed as some third-party apps, and may require some communication with a real estate professional. Also, as they are run by a local service provider, not all MLS systems are created equally (though we love ours in Hampton Roads, Virginia.)
A unique feature: Because you typically need a local real estate professional to grant you access to the local MLS, the agent you collaborate with can use your profile and preferences to give you a completely customized house-hunting experience and let you know as soon as the home for you hits the market.
Struggling to find a home in Hampton Roads’ busy market? It’s imperative to be connected to the MLS here. Almost all listings go there first, while these other apps pull their data from the MLS and local tax records.
2. Trulia (best app for neighborhood insights)
Why we love it: Trulia can be one of the best apps for buying a house if you’re moving to a new area and want breakdowns of things like crime statistics, school ratings, proximity to amenities, and reviews from current residents. It integrates data on nearby parks, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. to help you imagine your new neighborhood.
A drawback: Some users find that Trulia isn’t updated as fast as others, so some information may be missing or incorrect by the time you look at a listing. Pair Trulia with your local MLS app and agent who can help you identify properties and craft the perfect offer.
A favorite feature: We love that Trulia not only offers 3D home walkthroughs, but also virtual neighborhood tours! You can really get a feel for an area before exploring it in person.
3. Zillow (best app for ease-of-use)
Why we love it: It’s true that Zillow has basically become synonymous with looking for a house. And when it comes to apps for home buying, it’s not a bad place to start. It’s easy to use and has a large database of listings. You can also get a good amount of information about the property, like its price history and taxes.
A drawback: While the “Zestimate” is a great idea, many users have found the estimated home values to be misleading and inaccurate. Zillow’s algorithms can’t accurately take condition and the nuances of location into account, so you’ll still want to work with someone who knows the local area.
A unique feature: Zillow’s Open Houses tool highlights properties in your search area that have upcoming open houses. You can even set up alerts for new open houses in the area and add them to your personal calendar.
In some cases, Zillow also shows properties that are under contract as “available.” Get the best information on each property from a top real estate agent.
4. LoopNet.Com (best app for the commercial investor)
Why we love it: Loopnet.com is our favorite third-party app for those looking to invest in commercial real estate. Loopnet.com only lists commercial properties for sale or for rent across the country and provides detailed information to make prospecting different locations easy.
A drawback: A common sticking point in the commercial real estate investing game is the difficulty in finding complete, up-to-date information - a complaint seen fairly often with LoopNet. Often, commercial listings aren’t updated as often on the MLS itself (which causes the issue), but it’s worth noting. Agents and brokers can typically assist in bridging this information gap.
A unique feature: Not only can you search for commercial properties for sale or rent on LoopNet, you can also search for cash-flowing businesses up for sale in a specific location across the USA.
5. Apartments.com (best app for the renter)
Why we love it: This is our favorite website and app for families or individuals looking to rent a home. It’s got an extensive database, detailed listings, and is updated frequently. There are very customizable search filters and lots of property reviews.
A drawback: Apartments.com was created for renters, not potential buyers. If you’re looking for a permanent home to purchase, we recommend you start at the top of this list.
A unique feature: This home app’s Moving Center has some great resources for renters looking to move, including checklists, a moving cost calculator, and utility setup support.
The Bottom Line
Especially in a limited-supply market like that of 2025, using the most accurate and helpful apps and websites can be imperative to your house-hunting process - especially when combined with the local expertise of a real estate agent or broker.
Though it may not have the most fancy features, access to your local MLS app is a must-have for first-to-know access to new listings that meet your criteria. Combined with the features that caught your eye on one of our other real-estate-professional-approved choices, you’ll have the best app set-up to help you find your next home.