Why is There a Difference Between Redfin and Zillow?

Ever notice how Redfin says a house is "for sale" but Zillow thinks it's already off the market—or even worse, gives a totally different price? It's enough to make your head spin when all you want to do is find a place to live. You're not imagining things: these differences are real, and they're usually baked right into how these sites work.

Let's break it down without the jargon. Redfin and Zillow pull in their info from totally different sources and update at different speeds. That means two listings for the same house might show up with different photos, prices, or statuses, depending on the site. If you've ever tried to schedule a tour through one platform, only to find out the place is already sold, you know the pain.

So, which site should you trust? Or better yet—can you use both to get the full picture? Turns out, understanding the back-end of these websites can give you some serious house-hunting power. Knowing the tricks behind their numbers can help you spot deals—or notice red flags—before anyone else.

• How Redfin and Zillow Gather Their Data
• Different Business Models, Different Results
• Why Property Prices Don't Always Match
• How to Use Both Sites to Get an Edge
• Smart Tips for Online Home Buyers

How Redfin and Zillow Gather Their Data

The first big reason why Redfin and Zillow show different info? It’s all about where they get their listings and how fast they’re updated. Redfin pulls its data straight from local Multiple Listing Services (MLS). These are the same databases real estate agents use. In most cases, updates from the MLS hit Redfin’s site within minutes, sometimes less than five. So, if a home goes on the market, or someone changes the price, it’s on Redfin almost right away.

Zillow, on the other hand, started out differently. It never had access to MLS feeds in every region. Instead, Zillow relied a lot on partnerships, public records, and people submitting properties directly. Over time, they built relationships with some MLSs, but there are still patches where Zillow’s info can be delayed or incomplete. That’s why you sometimes see homes marked “for sale” on Zillow that are long gone—or prices that haven’t been updated in a while.

Here’s a quick look at how each site stacks up when it comes to data sources and update speed:

Something else to watch: Redfin often shows fewer homes, but those tend to be more up to date. Zillow usually has a bigger list, including "For Sale by Owner" (FSBO) properties—homes sellers post themselves. But, that can also mean more outdated or incorrect listings stuck in the mix. If fast, accurate info is top priority, Redfin usually wins by a nose.

Pro tip: if you’re house hunting in a fast-paced market, check both sites but double-check anything on Zillow. Sometimes the perfect home on Zillow vanished days ago, while Redfin already caught the update. Using both gives you better odds of catching every available place before it’s gone.

Different Business Models, Different Results

Here’s where the lines really get blurred: Redfin and Zillow aren’t just two real estate search sites—they’re built on very different business models, and that changes everything you see.

Redfin is actually a real estate brokerage. That means they have their own agents, make money from commissions on homes they help buy or sell, and work directly with the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) for up-to-date listings. Their agents get a salary and bonuses based on client satisfaction, so the site usually updates fast with the most current info. In some markets, Redfin says they're able to update listings as often as every five minutes.

Zillow, on the other hand, is a giant media company for real estate. Their main thing is connecting buyers, sellers, and agents—and then making money selling ads and leads to those agents. They do pull in listings from MLS feeds, but also grab data from homeowners, public records, and other sources. Sometimes, this makes for more listings, but not always the most recent or accurate ones. Zillow’s infamous Zestimate (their estimate of a home’s value) is calculated by an algorithm, not an agent who knows the local neighborhood inside and out.

Here’s a quick breakdown to show where the money comes from—and how that shapes the info you see:

Here’s why this matters: When the goal is to connect you with their own agents (like Redfin does), you’re more likely to see accurate, up-to-the-minute listings. But when the goal is to pull in as many people as possible to sell ads (like Zillow does), you’ll see more results, but maybe not the freshest or most accurate ones.

If you’re serious about buying or selling, knowing these business models first can save you from wasted time—and disappointment. Don’t be shy about double-checking listings across both sites, especially if you want current data.

Why Property Prices Don't Always Match

This is where things really trip up buyers—one website says a home is worth $400,000, and the other is somewhere closer to $415,000. How does that even happen? The answer is all about how Redfin and Zillow gather and process their data.

Zillow is famous for its "Zestimate" number, which is an in-house calculation. It uses public data, recent sales, user-submitted information, and even tax records to guess a home's value. The thing is, Zillow's formula is secret and changes all the time as new data rolls in. Because of this, the accuracy depends on how fresh and complete their info is for a specific area. In places where data is spotty, Zestimates can be off—by their own admission, sometimes more than 6% off the actual sale price.

Redfin takes a different route. Their price estimates use recent sales and are directly connected to local Multiple Listing Services (MLS), which are the main databases used by real estate agents. When a home's status or price changes in the MLS, Redfin is usually one of the first to show that update—sometimes within minutes. Redfin says their “Redfin Estimate” is updated daily and claims, as of April 2024, to be within 2.2% of the actual sale price on listed homes.

Here's a quick look at how the numbers stack up for these property search platforms:

On top of that, agents sometimes update one platform before the other. Or, a home could have details changed on the MLS, but Zillow (which scrapes info from many sources) might not catch up right away. If you're shopping in a fast-moving market, this gap becomes really obvious.

If you see two different prices, take a second to check which platform was updated last. Every minute counts in the digital real estate game, so having the freshest info can help you save thousands—or keep you from chasing an already-sold dream home.

How to Use Both Sites to Get an Edge

If you just stick with only Redfin or Zillow, you’re missing out on the bigger picture. Since both platforms grab data differently, using both can actually protect you from making a rushed or costly mistake. Here’s how you can work them together to make your house-hunt smarter:

• Cross-check prices and details. Don’t just trust one estimate. If Zillow’s Zestimate looks high but Redfin’s estimate is lower, you know there’s either an update lag or disagreement with recent sales. Flag that property and dig deeper.
• Compare status updates. If Redfin shows a home as pending but Zillow still lists it as active, the home’s probably already got an offer, since Redfin updates directly from most MLS systems and tends to be more current for certain areas.
• Look for exclusive listings. Redfin sometimes has homes that haven’t hit broader websites yet, especially in regions where their agents are active. On the flip side, Zillow gets "Make Me Move" and owner-posted deals you won’t see elsewhere.
• Check for extra property info. Zillow usually gives more neighborhood stats, school ratings, and crime data. Redfin has cool features like their "tour insights" where agents note things like noise, repairs, or quirks you’d never get from glossy listing photos.
• Play with filters and alerts. Set up saved searches on both sites for the same neighborhood or price range. Redfin’s mobile app can alert you to new listings faster in some markets, while Zillow’s lets you follow homes and track prices over time.

Using both Redfin and Zillow together gives you extra coverage. You won’t miss as many new listings and you’ll get more reliable info. If things seem off—like one site showing a home but the other doesn’t—that’s your nudge to call a local agent for the real scoop. Mixing their features and alerts helps you move fast, spot deals, and avoid getting burned by bad info.

Smart Tips for Online Home Buyers

Navigating Redfin and Zillow can actually give you an advantage—if you play it smart. Both platforms have their quirks, so let’s make sure you squeeze the most out of your online home hunt.

• Check Both Sites. Never rely on just one. Sometimes, a hot new listing shows up on Redfin hours before it hits Zillow, or vice versa. More eyes, less chances to miss out.
• Look at Listing Dates. Each platform tells you how long a home has been on the market. Cross-check dates to spot anything fishy—if one site says "3 days" and the other says "45", ask questions.
• Compare Price Estimates. Both sites give value guesses (Zestimate on Zillow, Redfin Estimate on Redfin), but they work off different math. If a home’s price is wildly different between the two, there’s a reason. Use this to start a conversation with the seller or their agent.
• Watch Out for Outdated Status. Sometimes a home pops up as "active" on one but "pending" on the other. Don’t waste time setting up tours for homes you can’t actually buy. Call ahead or have your own agent double-check the current status.
• Read the Fine Print. Platform features change—Redfin updates more directly from MLS databases, so it’s often quicker, while Zillow may lag but covers a broader range. Knowing who’s pulling from where can clear up confusion.
• Use Alerts and Filters. Set price range limits, school zones, and “just listed” updates. Both platforms offer these, but how quickly they notify you can vary. Speed matters in popular markets.

Here’s how the big two stack up for accuracy rates, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors (2024):

Bottom line: Arm yourself with as much info as you can, double-check every detail, and remember that neither Redfin nor Zillow is perfect. The more you compare, the fewer surprises you’ll get at closing time.