Posted by Andrea Durway
Most Popular Real Estate Websites by Monthly Visits
Let’s be honest—whether you’re actively house hunting or just daydreaming about that $4.5 million modern farmhouse with a pool and a pizza oven, you’ve probably lost a few hours to scrolling Zillow. You’re not alone. These days, online real estate platforms aren’t just tools—they’re borderline addictive. But behind the scenes of those perfectly staged living rooms and square footage numbers, there’s a whole system at work.
In this post, we’re breaking down the most popular real estate websites (based on actual monthly visits), explaining how listings make their way from the MLS to your screen, and sharing some stats that prove: yes, starting your home search online is totally normal. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 100% of buyers used the internet at some point during their home search journey. We also takes a look at where the third party sites can fall short.
The Most Popular Real Estate Websites by Monthly Visits
As of April 2025, the landscape of real estate websites in the United States is dominated by a few key players, each attracting millions of visitors monthly:
- Zillow.com: Leading the pack, Zillow boasts approximately 344.6 million monthly visits, making it the most visited real estate website in the U.S.
- Realtor.com: Operated by the National Association of Realtors, Realtor.com garners around 120.8 million monthly visits, offering a comprehensive database of listings.
- Redfin.com: As a tech-enabled real estate brokerage, Redfin sees approximately 93.2 million monthly visitors, providing tools like virtual tours and real-time updates.
- Homes.com: Owned by CoStar Group, Homes.com has experienced significant growth, reaching 48.4 million monthly visits.
- Trulia.com: Owned by Zillow Group, Trulia focuses on neighborhood insights and attracts about 28.8 million monthly visitors.
How MLS Data is Aggregated and Shared with Third-Party Websites
The backbone of property listings is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a database established by cooperating real estate brokers to provide data about properties for sale. MLSs are regional entities, and as of 2020, there were approximately 580 MLSs in the U.S., though this number has been decreasing due to consolidation trends.
To disseminate listings to a broader audience, MLSs utilize the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) system. IDX allows brokers to display each other’s listings on their websites, adhering to specific rules set by MLS policies.
Third-party websites like Zillow and Realtor.com receive MLS data through syndication agreements. These agreements permit the sharing of listings, ensuring that properties gain maximum exposure online. However, the accuracy and timeliness of data can vary depending on the source and the frequency of updates.
Things to Keep in Mind About Third Party Websites
- Data Lag: Some listings are outdated, already under contract, or missing crucial info (like that the “bonus room” is a windowless basement). Your Realtor can set you up with MLS alerts that will notify you about homes before they even hit Zillow.
- No Context: These sites don’t tell you if a home backs up to a highway, has a weird smell, or is known for hosting epic neighborhood karaoke parties.
- Limited Help: Zillow won’t negotiate your offer, explain contingencies, or catch red flags in disclosures. Additionally, if there is an error on their site, getting assistance correcting it can often take days.
Conclusion
At this point, browsing real estate online is practically a national pastime. These websites make it easy (and kind of fun) to dip your toes into the market—whether you’re seriously house hunting or just killing time while your pasta boils.
But behind the pretty pictures and map pins is a whole system of data-sharing that powers what you see—and doesn’t always tell the full story. That’s where working with a real estate pro comes in. We can help you make sense of the listings, spot what’s missing, and guide you from “just looking” to “just closed.”
So go ahead, keep scrolling those dream homes—but know that when you’re ready to make a move, the right support can make all the difference. We’re here for you.
