9 Best Rental Websites to Find Your Next Apartment, Condo or Home

Updated on 05/24/2022

Are you looking for the best apartment websites to find your next rental unit? There are plenty of places to begin your search. Some of the best apartment rental sites in 2024 also have user-friendly apps you can download right to your smartphone, so you can search for units on the go. With so many options out there, it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to figure out where to start.

That’s where we come in. We’ve compiled the best rental websites in 2024 in one easy-to-find place. We compare the most important features, like app capability and search filters. Here are the 9 best rental listing websites available.

1
Zillow
Zillow

Zillow is one of the most popular apartment rental websites you can find. Established in 2006, it is one of the most widely used websites among renters, buyers and even landlords. For over a decade, Zillow has helped millions of Americans find their next rental unit across the country.

It ranks highest for availability, with more than 130 million homes, apartments, condos and townhomes listed in its database. You can search for homes virtually anywhere in the United States, so you don’t have to limit your options.

2
Craigslist
Craigslist

Don’t sleep on the original apartment finder. Craigslist is one of the best rental websites without being a true rental website. The site got its start in 1995 as an email distribution list, and has since grown to become one of the world’s leading online advertising platforms. 

It flies under the radar among the best apartment search sites, but you may be surprised to find hundreds of thousands of listings in cities across the country. Keep in mind that it is an open marketplace, which means you can find plenty of other items for sale and various types of advertisements.

3
Trulia
Trulia

Trulia is among the best rental websites for folks who want to explore new areas and learn more about a neighborhood’s characteristics. The website features nearly every measure of detail you could ask for when searching for a new rental unit.

For example, it’s one of the most popular rental websites for its thorough review of local crime. Trulia’s crime map can help prospective renters weed out some of the safer neighborhoods in a new city, especially for those who are moving to a new place.

It even has a user-friendly app that makes it easy to search using other maps and filters. When you find a unit that you like, you can add different maps to the location to view highlights about the area. Some of the most popular maps include the following: 

  • People Stats – Learn about the demographics of an area
  • Schools – Find school ratings and assigned schools for the area
  • Shop and Eat – Locate stores and restaurants in the area.
4
PadMapper
PadMapper

If you’re looking for the best online site for rental homes that utilizes map features, be sure to check out PadMapper. The site makes it easy to search for available listings on an interactive map.

One of the coolest features of PadMapper is that it includes rentals in Canada. Tenants in the Northern U.S. or those looking to move out of the country can use the site to browse available listings in both countries.

5
Rent.com
Rent.com

Rent.com is one of the best apartment websites for its comprehensive moving features. Whether you plan to relocate across the country or want to find a new rental unit across town, Rent.com can help you estimate your costs and get moving quotes.

The Moving Center allows you to enter some information about your current unit and your prospective city. It then provides you with resources from local moving companies that you can use to determine if a moving company may benefit you.

6
Hotpads
Hotpads

Among the best online house rental sites is Hotpads, a dynamic search engine that works alongside Zillow to match you with thousands of units around the country. You can use a variety of search filters to narrow your results and make it easier to find your next home.

In fact, many agree it’s one of the best websites to find apartments more quickly. You can search by any of the following filters and criteria:

  • Zipcode
  • City
  • State
  • Price range
  • Apartment size
  • Amenities

 

7
Apartments.com
Apartments.com

The name says it all. Apartments.com is one of the best apartment rental sites out there, and it isn’t hard to see why. If you’re looking for specific and hard-to-find rental types, such as student or military housing, this website makes it easy for you to sort through available units and find one that works for you. 

If you prefer searching for units that feature virtual or 3D tours, you can use certain filters to screen listings that fit your criteria.

Another cool feature that makes it one of the best websites to find apartments is the “Plan Commute” tool. Simply enter the location of your work or other frequented location and the maximum amount of time you wish to travel. Then, the site will display rental units within your preferred commute time.

8
Zumper
Zumper

Finding an apartment is about more than just finding an available unit – it’s about finding the right unit. Zumper is one of the most popular apartment rental sites for tenants interested in learning more about the local rental market.

The Zumper Blog has everything from real estate trends to market reports to average rental prices in areas across the nation. Not sure where your next apartment should be? You can use the Zumper Blog to find the most affordable cities and towns along with interesting anecdotes about each one.

9
Realtor.com
Realtor.com

It may come as a surprise, but Realtor.com isn’t just for buying. It’s one of the best rental websites available and is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors, making it one of the most accurate and reliable sites out there.

Most tenants prefer to search for available rental units on their own. But if you need help looking for a unit that fits your budget, you may consider working with a real estate agent.

The “Find a Realtor” feature connects you with local Realtors and provides reviews about agents in your area.