Rightmove vs Zoopla: Which Portal Should You Use?
Rightmove and Zoopla are the two largest UK property portals. This guide compares reach, agent access, features, and costs for buyers, sellers, and landlords.
Rightmove and Zoopla both dominate the UK property market, but they serve slightly different audiences and offer different features. For most sellers and landlords, the choice is made for you by which portals your estate agent or letting agent advertises on.
Rightmove vs Zoopla: The Definitions
Rightmove is the UK's largest property portal by traffic and listings. It attracts approximately 150 million visits per month and is used by the majority of UK estate agents. Most buyers start their property search on Rightmove.
Formula
Largest reach + most agent listings = highest buyer/tenant exposure
Example
A 3-bed semi in Manchester listed on Rightmove will typically receive significantly more enquiries than the same property listed only on Zoopla, due to higher traffic.
Zoopla is the UK's second-largest property portal, with approximately 60 million visits per month. It offers richer property data (valuation estimates, price history, area statistics) and is popular with buyers doing research.
Formula
Strong data tools + property valuation estimates + research-focused buyers
Example
Buyers researching a specific area will often use Zoopla for its sold price history and value estimates before making an offer, even if they found the listing on Rightmove.
Key Differences
- 1Rightmove has roughly 2-3x more monthly visitors than Zoopla
- 2Zoopla provides valuation estimates (Zestimate-equivalent) and price history on all properties; Rightmove does not
- 3Both portals are only accessible via registered estate or letting agents — FSBOs cannot list directly
- 4Zoopla owns PrimeLocation and OnTheMarket (acquired 2023), giving it a broader combined network
- 5Neither portal charges buyers or tenants — costs are borne by the agents who list
When to Use Rightmove vs Zoopla
For sellers and landlords, use both portals via your agent for maximum exposure. If you must choose one, Rightmove's higher traffic usually generates more enquiries. For buyers and investors doing research, Zoopla's data tools are more useful for understanding price history and local market trends.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming listing on only one portal is sufficient — top agents list on both
Confusing portal fees (paid by agents) with buyer/tenant costs — portals are free for property seekers
Using Zoopla's automated valuation estimates as accurate market valuations — they are algorithmic approximations and can be significantly off
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I list my property on Rightmove or Zoopla without an agent?↓
Not directly. Both Rightmove and Zoopla only accept listings from registered estate agents and letting agents. To list on these portals without a traditional agent, you can use an online/hybrid estate agent (e.g. Purplebricks, Strike, Yopa) who will list on the major portals for a fixed fee.
Which portal do most buyers use first?↓
Rightmove is typically the first port of call for most UK property buyers, due to its larger inventory and brand recognition. However, serious buyers usually check both portals, as some properties appear on only one or the other depending on the agent's portal subscriptions.