The 8 Best Apartment Listing Sites in NYC (2025 Edition)

Did your internship turn into a full-time gig? Ready to ditch the shared lease and find your own place? Need space from roommates, or just a fresh start? And you’re trying to do it all in New York City?

Well, aren’t you ambitious.

Whether you’re venturing out on your own for the first time or you’re a seasoned NYC renter, apartment hunting in New York City can feel like a full-time job. We’re here to help.

Insider Tips For The Best Websites to Rent Apartments in New York

As New Yorkers, we know the ins and outs of apartment hunting. Heck, we’ve done it at least five times each! To help you understand where to get started, we’ve broken down the 8 Best Apartment Listing Sites in NYC. Depending on your needs, you won’t need to use them all (hint: numbers 1 and 2 can pretty much get you what you need), but our extensive list with pros and cons will help you cut through a lot of the noise.

Don’t miss the key tips at the end!

1. StreetEasy – Best for In-Depth Listings and NYC-Specific Filters

They say if you’re searching for an apartment in New York City, you use StreetEasy—and if you’re anywhere else, you use Zillow.

A Zillow brand, StreetEasy is one of the best apartment listing sites in NYC, offering access to both rentals and sales across the five boroughs and parts of New Jersey. With New York-centric filters, deep market insights, and a hyper-local approach, StreetEasy continues to be a trusted platform for apartment hunters navigating the city’s complex rental landscape.

Whether you’re looking for no-fee apartments, rent-stabilized listings, or real-time data on rental trends by neighborhood, StreetEasy delivers a robust and renter-friendly experience tailored to NYC.

✅ StreetEasy Pros:

• Hyper-local focus with national credibility through its parent company, Zillow
• Extensive historical data, including price trends, days on market, and rental history for specific units
• Neighborhood-specific search tools to find apartments near subway lines, schools, or specific streets
• Saved search and alert features to get notified about new listings that match your criteria
• StreetEasy’s building pages give insight into entire apartment buildings, not just individual units, great for comparison shopping
  

❌ StreetEasy Cons:

• Doesn’t include the full scope of NYC listings, especially since its dispute with the brokerage Compass
• StreetEasy doesn’t accept brokerage feeds, meaning some listings are uploaded manually and may contain outdated or incorrect info
• High advertising costs for brokers can lead to limited inventory from smaller agencies or landlords.

Does StreetEasy Have a Mobile App?

Yes! ✅

2. RentHop – Best for Hidden Gems and Advertiser Responsiveness

Looking for a smarter way to rent in NYC or NJ? RentHop uses a data-driven approach to surface high-quality listings, ranked by its unique HopScore—based on freshness, completeness, and advertiser responsiveness—so the best options rise to the top.

RentHop is one of the best apartment listing sites in NYC because it offers a broader selection of NYC apartments by accepting both open and exclusive listings from brokers, landlords, renters, and management companies. This means there are plenty of listings on RentHop that are not available on StreetEasy.

RentHop is especially popular among renters looking for no-fee apartments, budget-friendly units, or deals in high-demand neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Astoria, or Washington Heights.

✅ RentHop Pros:

• HopScore ranking system highlights high-quality, up-to-date listings
• Contains a large variety of listings and advertisers that are not available on other platforms and encourages quick responses to inquiries
• Intensive verification process for all advertisers
• Helpful renter tools and insights, such as the How Much Rent Can I Afford Calculator, Average Rent Tracker in NYC, and helpful user guides.
• Frequent email alerts and real-time updates keep you ahead of the competition
  

❌ RentHop Cons:

• The interface isn’t as sleek or polished as StreetEasy’s and is not as user-friendly
• RentHop’s focus on data ranking means some newer or less complete listings might be ranked lower or harder to find.
• Not all listings are exclusive, which can lead to competition or duplication and understanding the difference in process between open and exclusive listings.

Does RentHop Have a Mobile App?

Yes! ✅

3. Zumper – Best for User-Friendly Experience and Instant Applications

Another streamlined and modern apartment search experience in NYC, Zumper is a great choice for a user-friendly platform designed with renters in mind. Known for its intuitive interface and quick application process, Zumper makes it easy to browse, filter, and apply for apartments across all five boroughs and nearby New Jersey neighborhoods—all from your phone or desktop.

Zumper’s standout feature is its instant apply system (Apply) , allowing renters to submit applications directly through the site with a single click, speeding up the often slow NYC rental process. Whether you’re searching for no-fee apartments, pet-friendly rentals, or short-term leases, Zumper offers robust filters and real-time availability updates to help renters act fast in a competitive market.

✅ Zumper Pros:

• User-friendly interface with a clean, modern design that’s easy to navigate
  
• The instant application feature streamlines the rental application process
  
• Comprehensive filters for amenities, lease length, pet policies, and price range
  
• Includes neighborhood guides and rental trend insights for NYC boroughs
  
• Supports renter screening tools, allowing landlords to easily review applications
  

❌ Zumper Cons:

• Instant applications can lead to high competition and rapid removal of listings
• Smaller database compared to other sites, meaning fewer exclusive listings
  
• Occasional delays in updating listing statuses can cause confusion about availability
  

Does Zumper Have a Mobile App?

Yes! ✅

4. HotPads – Best for Map-Based Apartment Hunting in NYC

For renters who love visual searching, HotPads offers one of the best map-centric rental platforms in New York City. Also owned by Zillow, HotPads combines a dynamic, easy-to-use map interface with robust search filters, making it ideal for exploring specific neighborhoods or transit corridors in detail.

HotPads shines when you want to see apartments plotted geographically, helping you quickly assess proximity to subways, schools, parks, and local amenities. With its focus on real-time rental data and neighborhood trends, HotPads provides an engaging and interactive way to discover no-fee apartments, short-term leases, and pet-friendly rentals across all five NYC boroughs and parts of New Jersey.

✅ HotPads Pros:

• Intuitive map-based search lets renters visualize apartment locations with ease
  
• Owned by Zillow, providing access to a broad range of rental listings and data
  
• Helpful neighborhood insights and nearby transit info embedded in listings
  
• Alerts and saved searches keep renters informed about new listings matching their criteria
  
• Strong focus on rental market trends and pricing history
  

❌ HotPads Cons:

• Map-based interface can be overwhelming or slower on less powerful devices
  
• Smaller user base compared to other sites, which may limit listing volume, updates, or guides, plus, as another Zillow brand, there is a lot of redundancy.
  
• Listings occasionally lack detailed photos or full descriptions, requiring renter diligence.

Does Hotpads Have a Mobile App?

Yes! ✅

5. Leasebreak – Best for Short-Term and Flexible NYC Rentals

If you need flexibility in your NYC apartment search, Leasebreak specializes in short-term and lease takeover rentals across all five boroughs. With verified listings and a user-friendly interface, it’s a go-to site for those seeking temporary housing solutions in the fast-paced NYC rental market.

We consider Leasebreak as one of the best apartment listing sites in NYC because it focuses exclusively on flexible leases, sublets, and lease assignments, which aren’t always easy to find on traditional rental platforms. Perfect for renters who want to avoid long-term commitments, Leasebreak offers a curated selection of apartments available for stays as short as one month, making it ideal for freelancers, interns, or anyone in transition.

✅ Leasebreak Pros:

• Exclusive focus on short-term leases, sublets, and lease takeovers
  
• Verified listings ensure reliability and reduce scams
  
• Helpful filters for lease length, furnished/unfurnished options, and pet policies
  
• Ideal for interns, temporary workers, and renters needing flexible move-in dates
  
• Clear, detailed lease terms and transparent pricing
  

❌ Leasebreak Cons:

• Some listings may have stricter application requirements and higher rental prices due to short-term nature
• Limited inventory compared to traditional long-term rental sites
  
• Not ideal for renters seeking permanent or long-term housing solutions

Does Leasebreak Have a Mobile App?

No! ❌

6.  Facebook Marketplace – Best for Community-Based Apartment Hunting

Facebook Marketplace has become a popular spot for NYC renters looking to find apartments, sublets, and roommate situations within their social network or local community.

With an easy-to-use platform integrated into Facebook, users can browse listings shared by landlords, brokers, or private renters, often accompanied by direct messaging for quick communication.

Facebook Marketplace stands out for its community-driven feel and frequent updates, making it a useful supplement to traditional rental sites, especially for short-term rentals and off-market deals.

✅ Facebook Marketplace Pros:

• Community-based listings with opportunities to connect directly via Facebook Messenger
  
• Good source for short-term rentals, sublets, and roommate finds
  
• Free to use with an easy browsing experience on desktop and mobile
  
• Listings often include photos and detailed descriptions shared by individual renters
  
• Allows renters to tap into social networks for recommendations and referrals
  

❌ Facebook Marketplace Cons:

• Limited filtering and search options compared to dedicated rental platforms and listing quality varies widely, sometimes lacking detail or professional photos
• Higher potential for scams due to lack of formal listing verification (always vet advertisers and see the apartment in person).
• Not all rentals are available for long-term leases
• Communication relies on Facebook Messenger, which can be less formal or secure

Does Facebook Marketplace Have a Mobile App?

Yes! ✅

7. Openigloo – Best for Neighborhood-Focused, Community-Driven NYC Rentals

For renters who value community vibes and neighborhood insights, Openigloo offers a unique approach to apartment hunting in NYC. This platform emphasizes local connections, allowing landlords and tenants to interact directly in a trusted environment. Openigloo focuses on creating a safe and transparent marketplace where renters can find apartments, sublets, and roommate situations, often with a personal touch you don’t get on larger sites.

With its neighborhood-centered design, Openigloo helps users explore apartments in areas that fit their lifestyle, complete with reviews and ratings from current or past tenants—perfect for those looking to get to know their future community before signing a lease.

✅ Openigloo Pros:

• Strong community-driven platform promoting transparency and trust
  
• Focus on neighborhood-specific listings with tenant reviews and ratings
  
• Direct communication between landlords and renters without broker fees
  
• Supports listings for rentals, sublets, and roommate searches
  
• Emphasizes renter safety with verified profiles and scam prevention measures
  

❌ Openigloo Cons:

• Smaller inventory compared to other major NYC rental sites.
  
• Not ideal for renters seeking luxury or high-end apartments
  
• Less extensive search filters compared to other platforms.

Does Openigloo Have a Mobile App?

Yes! ✅

8. Craigslist – Best for Direct Landlord Listings and Budget-Friendly Rentals

Yes, Craigslist is still around. 

Offering a wide range of listings posted directly by landlords, property managers, and tenants, Craigslist’s no-frills platform provides access to budget-friendly rentals, sublets, and roommate opportunities that might not appear on mainstream rental sites.

While we still consider Craigslist to be one of the best apartment listing sites in NYC, proceed with caution. Sure, you may be negotiating directly with landlords, but you could also be talking to a scammer. Limited verification methods mean that there is a high probability that someone will be asking you to transfer crypto to an unknown account before even seeing the apartment.

✅ Craigslist Pros:

• Large volume of direct landlord and owner listings
  
• Unique rental opportunities and raw, unfiltered inventory not found on curated platforms
  
• Free to use and easy to post inquiries
  
• Good for flexible rentals, sublets, and roommate searches
  

❌ Craigslist Cons:

• High risk of scams and fraudulent listings; requires careful vetting
  
• Lack of verification means some listings may be outdated or inaccurate
• Search filters are basic compared to modern rental sites
  
• No built-in application process or customer support
  

Does Craigslist Have a Mobile App?

Surprisingly, yes! ✅

Final Tips on Apartment Hunting in NYC

Sure, NYC apartment hunting can seem daunting, but here are some final tips you can use on any of the best apartment listing sites in NYC.

• Figure out when the best time of year to rent a NYC apartment is and consider opting for a short-term rental to bridge the gap.
• Set alerts early and often — apartments can disappear within hours. If you work with a broker, establish communication patterns and expectations so you know how quick you need to respond.
  
• Prepare your documents (credit report, pay stubs, ID) in advance. Sometimes getting the apartment all comes down to who has the quickest response.
  
• Be flexible with neighborhoods to get more for your money. The more deal breakers you have, the harder it will be to find a place.

And most importantly, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Happy Hunting!