1.
Comparing UI Design
of the top 5
Rental Apps

2.
Zillow’s Map
This map is right in the middle
as far as functionality goes.
It doesn’t show the price over each
apartment in it’s most “zoomed out”
If you zoom closer, you’ll begin to see
“Zestimates” - custom price estimates
beware, they’re not always accurate.
What I don’t love about this map is a few
things: it doesn’t show which listings are
new and which are old. It also doesn’t
have options for crime stats like the Trulia
map.
Standard, the available apartments change
as you continue to zoom in.

3.
Zillow’s Navigation
Filters are also middle of the road.
This app doesn’t have specific filters like
“pets available”, like Radpad does.
It does have many types of inventory, so
there are filters for the different types. For
example, this is the only app with a “recently
sold” filter.
Something to be said is that rental inventory
on zillow is a little bit light, as they seem to
focus on buyers primarily.

4.
Points of Delight
LOVE the draw function.
This is a great function, and it
makes it easier to find something
than simply zooming in.
Pictures are large and clear.
Unlike some of the other apps,
the pictures are very easy to see
even in the “list” view.
Useful Save feature
Zillow makes it easy to save
properties you’re interested in.

5.
Trulia’s Map
This map has great filters.
Like the other maps, it’s standard to zoom
to limit the number of houses.
My absolute favorite thing about this map is
that there are filters such as “crime” (left),
affordability, and schools.
There’s also a great draw function in this map
as well.
Map can also be switched between drawing
(artist representation) and satellite images.
This feature isn’t a must-have but it’s nice.
Love the option to switch to a list-view as well
although this seems pretty standard.

6.
Trulia’s Navigation
Hamburger menu to access the options
I can honestly say that for many users it’s
more useful to have navigation on deck
instead of tied to a hamburger menu, however
there are so many features in this app I’m not
sure how a designer would fit all of them into
a simple nav system.
In terms of actual search, it is a bit annoying
that you can’t search many different features
like in Zillow. There is a “pets” filter but no
search.

7.
Uh-oh!
Pictures don’t zoom right.
In the property view, many of the
pictures zoom too low to actually
see the apartment.

8.
Radpad’s Navigation
Interestingly, Radpad doesn’t start with a map.
Radpad starts in “list view” - with the option to go
to a map on the top nav.
On one hand, I love that it’s picture-centric. On
the other hand, we know why everyone starts with
a map - location is arguably the most important
real estate quality.

9.
Points of Delight
Social features are interesting.
This app seems a bit friendlier b/c of
social features & easy contact info
Focus on visits
Easily available directions and
street view make it simple to see
the apartment

10.
Points of Sadness :(
Being prompted to upgrade as a
first time user.
Why would a user buy your premium
product when they haven’t used the
free product?
Forced sign in isn’t appealing
Yikes. Nothing drives away a user
like forced sign in when they
haven’t yet validated the product

11.
Zumper’s Map
This is a great map - let me tell you why.
First off, users can see which listings are new
those are the magenta listings. This is a very
useful feature in a hot market.
Secondly, pricing is more visible even when
you’re not very zoomed in on the map.
Another excellent thing is the “alerts” feature.
Love this - great if you want to keep up with new
listings. Also, the app isn’t annoying about you
signing up for alerts - there’s no pressure.

12.
Points of Delight
New listings feature is fun.
Definitely useful for hot markets.
Icons to represent features
This makes it easy to scan the
critical features of the home

13.
Apartment List
Automatically in list view after search screen.
When you first go into apartment list, you’re
directed to a screen where you get to search
locations - if you’re not familiar with an area, this
isn’t as useful. You are then shown results in a
“list view” format.
What’s not very compelling about this is that
you’re sometimes shown irrelevant results
for example, here I am shown Larkspur Courts,
when I have searched San Francisco. Larkspur
isn’t that close to san francisco so that’s confusing
to the user.

14.
Apartment List
Combined navigation with map and hamburger
menu.
I can honestly tell you that I’m not a big fan of the
hamburger menu here - because I know that users
commonly find this a confusing way to navigate an
app.
This map is standard, same as all the other maps,
but I don’t see the draw function.
What’s nice is that there are robust features in the
app once you click the hamburger menu.

15.
Apartment List
Hamburger menu has many filters.
I do like the utility of being able to
find new listings in this menu.
Pictures are large and contact
information is prominent.
Good contact information that helps
buyers easily contact the landlord.