Top Websites to Find Apartments: 2025 Guide

Finding the right apartment can feel like a full-time job. Between endless tabs, out-of-date listings, and unclear pricing, renters are often left frustrated — or worse, stuck with a place that doesn’t fit their needs.

That’s why we created this updated 2025 guide to the top apartment rental websites, highlighting where to search, what each platform does best, and how Sunny is changing the game with smarter, more renter-focused tools.

Sunny

Best for: Smart, personalized apartment search with built-in savings tools

Sunny is more than a rental site — it’s a smarter way to search. Designed with renters in mind, Sunny offers comprehensive listings across top U.S. cities, plus powerful features to help you save money, compare listings, and book faster.

Sunny stands out for:

• ✅ Real-time price drop alerts
• ✅ AI-powered comparison summaries
• ✅ Property match scoring to rank apartments by personal fit
• ✅ Integrated tour booking
• ✅ Expansive, nationwide inventory

▶ Start your search on Sunny →

Zillow Rentals

Best for: Nationwide inventory and pricing trends

Zillow’s rental marketplace is massive, with listings across every major market. It’s great for research and price comparisons.

Pros:

• Deep inventory
• Price trends and rent history
• Map-based browsing

Cons:

• Outdated or duplicate listings
• Limited renter tools

Apartments.com

Best for: Professionally managed buildings and 3D tours

Focused on large apartment communities, Apartments.com excels in curated, amenity-rich listings.

Pros:

• Verified listings
• Amenity filters (gym, pool, parking)
• 3D virtual tours

Cons:

• Less inventory for shared housing or private landlords
• Search can feel corporate

Craigslist

Best for: Off-market finds and no-fee listings

Craigslist is a classic choice for budget hunters and renters looking for sublets, studios, or guest houses.

Pros:

• Unique, often lower-priced options
• Flexible terms (month-to-month, sublets)

Cons:

• Outdated UI
• No verification — watch for scams

Facebook Marketplace / Groups

Best for: Local, last-minute rentals and roommate matches

Local housing groups and Marketplace are perfect for real-time, person-to-person listings.

Pros:

• Fast communication
• Real-time updates
• Ideal for students, short-term stays

Cons:

• No filtering or verification
• Requires digging

HotPads

Best for: Mobile-first experience in urban areas

HotPads offers a polished mobile interface, powered by Zillow’s data, with solid filters and school overlays.

Pros:

• Smooth UX, especially on mobile
• Commute-focused search tools
• Great for families or city renters

Cons:

• Smaller inventory outside metros

PadMapper

Best for: Visual browsing and shared room listings

PadMapper lets you scan available listings across a map, with a mix of apartment and room rental inventory.

Pros:

• Simple map interface
• Pulls from multiple sources (Craigslist, others)

Cons:

• Interface feels dated
• Occasional expired listings

🔍 Comparison Table

Final Thoughts from Sunny

There’s no shortage of places to find apartments — but only Sunny brings everything together: smart insights, personalized tools, and a growing nationwide network of listings. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and tabs, let Sunny show you what’s worth touring — and what you can skip.

▶ Search smarter with Sunny →
Find your perfect apartment — with less guesswork and more confidence.

Ian Medlock

General Manager

Ian Medlock leads growth at Sunny, where he helps renters discover the best places to live through smart, data-driven tools. With a background in marketing, product, and analytics, he's passionate about building experiences people love. Ian lives in the bay area with his family.