Digital transformation revolutionized all fields same doing in real estate, where the development of real estate apps like Zillow offers powerful property listing opportunities to businesses.
With millions of users searching for homes online, real estate apps offer unmatched convenience, real-time updates, and enhanced decision-making that makes operations easier, but as an entrepreneur or agency looking to launch a similar platform in 2025, the burning question is how much does it cost to develop a real estate app like Zillow?
The average cost remains between $15,000 to $100,000+, but this guide breaks down cost factors like the app’s features, the development process, and the role of expert development firms like Vigorous IT in bringing your real estate vision to life that will help in understanding the exact cost. So, let’s start.
What Is The Zillow App, And How Does It Work?
Zillow works as a real estate marketplace app that helps users explore, buy, and rent different homes. It was launched back in 2006 with the aim of transforming the entire market of real estate. Through Zillow, a user can search for:
- Property Listings: This section is for rental, sale, and foreclosed properties.
- Zestimate Tool: This tool acts as the AI-powered home value estimator.
- Map Integration: Users get a chance to view listings directly on the interactive map.
- Filters & Alerts: You can search through type, location and price. Receiving updates is also available.
This app generally works by aggregating the property information from MLS. MLS is basically a Multiple Listing Service. You can also call it user submissions or public records. This data collected is then further improved through real-time notifications, 3D tutors, and AI, which later becomes accessible to both real estate agents and buyers.
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Cost To Develop A Real Estate App Like Zillow
For developing any real estate app, a lot of stages are involved, such as planning, backend development, UI/UX design and third-party integrations of property databases and map services. Key elements are based on interactive maps, property listings, mortgage calculators, user accounts, virtual tours, and advanced search filters.
In the development category, special attention needs to be given to scalability, smooth performance, and security across different devices. To have a seamless user experience, collaborating with QA testers, designers, and professional developers is very important.
The whole budget or the cost to real estate app development like Zillow depends on the set of features, the complexity of the app, and targeted platforms such as the web or Android. Post-launch support and customization can also influence the development timelines.
Despite all this, the cost of development of an average Zillow-like app revolves around $15, 000 but a premium Zillow-like app will cost more than $100,000.
Read also: How to Develop a Real Estate App Like Zillow
Factors That Affect Zillow-like App Development Costs
Real estate app development costs like Zillow directly depend on multiple factors that we are going to discuss below.
1. Platform Choice
Choosing between native or cross-platform development can have a huge impact on budget. Native apps for Android and iOS will have a separate database, which requires additional resources and time. Cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter come with a single database. It improves development and cuts down any extra costs. Thus, it helps in maintaining the performance of the app across various devices.
2. Design Complexity
A rich app with great transitions, custom animations or brand-aligned visuals will need maximum hours and great designing skills. Simple template designs are easy to make and are affordable in implementation, but complex UO/UX-based designs improve retention and user experience. Thus, it involves a great investment at the time of development.
3. Core Features
Development time is also extended due to the addition of some advanced features. This includes 3D virtual tours, property search filters, interactive maps, real-time chat support, and mortgage calculators. Each of the components demands excellent testing and great technical expertise.
4. Backend Infrastructure
Robust backend systems ensure your app runs smoothly. This includes secure server configuration, database management, cloud hosting, and seamless API integration. Scalable infrastructure supports user growth, while secure data handling is essential for user trust. These components involve technical depth and ongoing monitoring, adding to the total development complexity.
5. Maintenance and Updates
Post-launch, your app requires ongoing support, including bug fixes, security patches, and new feature rollouts. This continuous maintenance typically costs 15 to 25% of the original development investment per year. Keeping the app updated ensures smooth performance, user satisfaction, and compatibility with evolving device operating systems and third-party services.
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Steps To Develop A Real Estate App Like Zillow
Strategic planning and execution is the only way to get a feature-rich and future-ready application. Let’s know the process that ensures the development of an advanced application.
Market Research & Competitor Study
With detailed analysis that helps in understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and user feedback of existing real estate apps, knowing about vulnerabilities and gaps allows developers to finalize a free-from-error and high-functioning application. Further, gathering data on user behavior and market trends helps define the scope and positioning of your app, which helps in finalizing an impactful development strategy.
Define App Requirements & Features
On the basis of your budget, the tech team outlines technical requirements and prioritizes features that will be added to your application. The primary concept behind this is to make the application compatible with business requirements, whether it’s just supporting the listings or managing the VR tours.
UI/UX Prototyping
To check out the functional abilities of any design, the creation of detailed wireframes of each screen really helps. Here, tools like Figma or Adobe XD are used to create prototypes and conduct user testing before development begins.
Development Phase
After ensuring that we are on the right track through prototypes, it’s time to dive the app into frontend and backend modules. The addition of all third-party APIs, such as Google Maps, chat systems, and payment gateways, is for a full-fledged experience.
Testing & Quality Assurance
Once all development modules and third-party integrations are done, it’s time to put the application under the robust quality assurance process. It helps in ensuring optimum performance through app-checking crashes, bugs, and security vulnerabilities.
Deployment & Launch
Deploying the application is the last but not least step because when the application is deployed after ensuring its quality, most reputed real estate app development companies like VigrousIT offer post-launch support to ensure the optimum performance of the application.
Read more: How To Develop A Real Estate App?
Top Features Of Apps like Zillow
To make your real estate competitive and future-ready, the addition of top features in it is very mandatory.
Intelligent Property Search & AI Recommendation
The availability of filters like price range, property type, location, bedrooms, and more helps users to find the best option according to their needs in seconds. No hustle of scrolling and scrolling now; just use the filters and the best possible results as your ideal property will appear on your screen.
Further, AI recommendations also efficiently play a role in smart search. With the strength of machine learning, this analyzed the behavior and preferences of past searches and offered matching results on the screen in the form of relevant listings.
360-Degree Images And VR Tours
With the availability of modern VR technology, offering digital virtual reality visits is possible now, which is efficient in terms of both cost and time efficiency. Customers from long distances just need to wear VR headsets and boom; they will visit the place as if they are really there.
This helps in going beyond static photos by adding immersive media experiences that boost conversions as they give users a real sense of space and ambiance.
Zestimate-Style Pricing Tool
This feature helps customers in finalizing the pricing of properties with just a few clicks. With the help of AI, this tool estimates the worth of available values and later offers dynamic prices that let you finalize properties as per your budget.
Integrated Mortgage Calculator
Users can calculate monthly EMIs, interest rates, and loan eligibility directly within the app. This financial insight supports more informed decisions that help users stay conscious about real-time financial burdens that will come to them after the deal.
Analytics Dashboard For Agents And Admins
By providing backend dashboards for agents to manage their listings, track leads, and communicate with users. Admin dashboards offer control over users, content, and performance metrics.
User Sign-Up/Login With Verification
Security undoubtedly must remain top-listed in all matters. Login with verification allows users to create secure profiles and access personalized features that collectively boost users experience and, of course security.
Interactive Maps With Location Pins
This integration helps users visualize property locations using GPS data and map overlays. Integrate Google Maps or Mapbox for features like nearby schools, hospitals, and public transport options.
Cloud And Blockchain Integration
With cloud integration, all the data is accessible with the help of just a few clicks. For the protection of this data, there is nothing better than Blockchain integration. Rather than 2-step factor authentication that protects from unauthorized logins, Blockchain technologies remain around this data to protect it from data breaches.
How Can Vigorous IT Help You?
At Vigorous IT Solutions, we bring your vision to life with technical precision, creativity, and business logic. As the Best Real Estate App Development Company in Jaipur, we ensure the development of your Zillow-like app remains scalable, secure, and future-ready. With an understanding of real estate workflows, data security, and the importance of accurate geolocation and pricing tools, we deliver real estate platforms that are powerful, scalable, and revenue-driven.
We specialize in crafting digital experiences that not only meet functional goals but also build trust with users through MLS integration, AI-powered recommendations, virtual property tours, or mortgage calculators. Whether you’re a startup aiming to be set in the market or an established business wanting to digitize operations, we offer custom-built real estate solutions tailored specifically to your audience, niche, and business objectives.
Conclusion
As we step further into 2025, the real estate industry continues its digital transformation, and apps like Zillow are leading the way. With modern standards for convenience, transparency, and user empowerment in property transactions, these apps are making it easy to browse homes, estimate property values, or connect with agents.
On the basis of this information, it is discovered that developing a real estate app like Zillow is no longer just a technical attempt; it’s a strategic business move. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a real estate agency aiming to expand your digital presence, or a tech investor entering the prop-tech space, your opportunity is massive, and understanding the real estate app development cost like Zillow gives you the edge. By acting now, you position yourself ahead of the curve in one of the most promising and fast-moving sectors.
FAQs
Why develop an app like Zillow?
Answer: In 2025, real estate is becoming increasingly digital. Apps like Zillow offer convenience and fast access to property data that make it engaging and smart options for users. Building such an app positions you as a forward-thinking player in the market of real estate that can bring 2X revenue.
How long does it take to develop an app like Zillow?
Answer: Depending on the complexity, it typically takes 3 to 6 months for a basic version and 6 to 12 months for a feature-rich app. All the operations, including testing, integrations, and deployment, are also added to the mentioned time period.
How can I make money with an app like Zillow?
Answer: Offering featured listings to businesses, subscription plans for agents, and commissions on property sales will be your direct income streams through these apps. In-app ads and promotions and data monetization for market trends can also be added to the list of income ways.
What Are the Benefits of Zillow App Development?
Answer: First of all, it digitizes real estate operations that make their management efficient and seamless. Additionally, it expands brand reach, enhances buyer/seller connectivity, and offers powerful monetization opportunities.