Both HomeLight and Zillow are online real estate companies, but they serve different purposes.
HomeLight is a free agent matching service that connects home buyers and sellers with realtors in their area. Unlike some of its competitors, HomeLight won't help you save money on realtor fees.
Zillow is a real estate database that primarily operates as a free home value estimator. Its estimates are more accurate than competitors like the Redfin home value estimator, but there's still a lot of room for error.
We recommend using Zillow to get a general idea of what your property is worth instead of using it to set a list price. When you're ready to list, get a comparative market analysis from an experienced real estate agent.
Should I use HomeLight or Zillow?
Zillow can help you if you want to browse listings or get a rough estimate of your home's fair market value.
HomeLight can help you quickly find a local agent, but it isn’t our top recommendation for agent matching. Instead, we recommend a low commission company like Clever Real Estate that can save you money.
Clever connects you with top local agents and offers 1.5% listing fees — about half the standard rate.
What is HomeLight?
Pros
- HomeLight can give you fast, easy connections to local realtors.
- Agent matches are free.
- The company is available nationwide.
Cons
- You don't save on realtor fees.
- The automated process may lead to poor agent matches.
- Home value estimates have no data or explanation.
HomeLight is an online service that quickly pairs home buyers and sellers with local realtors.
While HomeLight is free to use, you'll still need to pay the average real estate commission. Unlike its competitors, HomeLight doesn’t negotiate discounted realtor fees with the agents in its network. So you pay the same as if you'd found the agent on your own.
HomeLight also has a home value estimator, but we don't recommend using it. The company doesn’t publish its calculator or offer information on how it comes up with an estimate.
What is Zillow?
Pros
- Zillow has a large database of up-to-date home values across the nation.
- It’s free to use.
Cons
- Its agent matching service benefits the agents more than you.
- Home value estimates aren't always accurate.
Zillow is a real estate database of 104 million home values across the nation. It's an excellent resource for browsing homes for sale or getting a general idea of homes values in your area.
The Zillow home value estimator is also our top choice for a free online estimator.
Its estimates are calculated using multiple listing services, tax records, and user-submitted information. Zestimates have an error rate of 6.9% for off-market homes and 1.9% for active listings. But Zillow tends to be more accurate than the Redfin estimator or PennyMac estimator.
If you think your estimate is low, you can try to increase your Zillow Zestimate by updating your home's information on the site.
HomeLight vs. Zillow: Detailed breakdown
Use Zillow to browse home listings
Zillow is a great option for browsing home listings in your desired area. Its massive database covers about 75% of all homes in the country and is updated every 48 hours.
HomeLight doesn’t have any home listings.
Use HomeLight to find a realtor
Both HomeLight and Zillow can connect you with realtors, but HomeLight is the better choice for finding a real estate agent.
Zillow only matches you with agents who pay for ads. There’s no guarantee your agent will have relevant experience for your situation.
HomeLight sends you multiple agent matches, and it prioritizes agents by the number of successful real estate transactions they've closed through the platform.
But HomeLight still has some drawbacks. Our research shows that HomeLight doesn’t vet its agents as thoroughly as other agent matching services, like Clever. And it doesn't offer any savings.
Use Zillow to estimate your home's value
Zillow is one of the most accurate home value websites. It uses its huge property database to make estimates — though it still has a national median error rate of 6.9% for off-market homes.
HomeLight’s home value estimates lack explanation and transparency. The company doesn’t publish its calculator’s median error rate or give any information on how it makes estimates.
Further reading
HomeLight Reviews: Why HomeLight Isn't Really Worth It: HomeLight offers a free service that connects buyers and sellers with a local realtor. But is it the best agent matching service out there?
The Best Home Value Estimator Websites: A home value estimator can give you a ballpark idea of what your home is worth. Find out which is the most accurate.
The Best Discount Real Estate Brokers for Every Budget: Using a discount real estate broker is a great way to save money when you sell. But make sure you don't sacrifice quality and service. Read this guide to learn which companies offer great rates AND stellar service.