SpareRoom vs RentLink
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SpareRoom
Find your ideal room or flatmate with the UK's leading platform. Browse thousands of listings across the UK, connect with potential housemates, and secure your perfect living situation on the go.
- Room and roommate search
- Thousands of UK listings
- On-the-go access
- User support
- Connect with housemates
Read full descriptionHide full description
As the UK’s number 1 flatshare site, we’ve helped over 13,000,000 people to find their perfect room or roommate. With our apps, you can do it all while on-the-go. Repeatedly featured by Apple as App Of The Day and in the categories of Your New Home, Apps for the Weekend, What’s Hot, and Popular Apps and Games. Rated by The Sunday Times as one of the top apps on the App Store. SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE Whether you’re starting university, relocating to the UK, tired of living alone, weighing up what to do with an empty room, or, quite simply, searching for another flatmate or flatshare, we’re the service for you. UNRIVALLED CHOICE With thousands of flatsharing opportunities to choose from in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and right across the UK, you’ll be able to find your perfect flatmate or flatshare. OUR PHILOSOPHY Experience has taught us that flatsharing is as much about the people as it is about the property. To help you find the best of both, we provide unparalleled tools, choice, and support. As a result, on average, every 3 minutes someone finds a flatmate through SpareRoom. HELP & SUPPORT Our award-winning customer support team are here to help you with your search. If you require support, come across a problem, or want to provide feedback, you can get in touch by email (support@spareroom.co.uk) or phone (1 877 834 2909).
RentLink
Read full descriptionHide full description
RentLink is the simple way to find your next home. Search homes to rent and buy from local letting agents, message them directly and book viewings, all in one place. FIND THE RIGHT HOME • Search by town, postcode or street, or explore the map • Filter by price, bedrooms, property type, pets, parking, garden and more • See every listing in detail: photos, costs, features, council tax band, EPC and what's nearby • Check sold prices for the streets you care about AN AI HOME FINDER • Describe your ideal home in your own words and let the assistant search for you • Get a clear summary of the key facts on every listing • Ask what you can afford and what to check at a viewing • Runs on your device with Apple Intelligence where available MESSAGE AGENTS AND BOOK VIEWINGS • Send an enquiry or chat with the agent from any listing • Check you meet the income requirements before you ask to view • Pick a viewing time that suits you and track every enquiry from first message to moving in NEVER MISS A HOME • Save homes and searches • Get alerts when new homes match or a saved home drops in price FOR TENANTS • If your home is managed through RentLink, see your tenancy, rent and documents • Report a repair with photos and follow its progress YOUR ACCOUNT, YOUR DATA • Sign in with Apple or email, with optional two-step verification and Face ID lock • Download a copy of your information or delete your account at any time RentLink is free for renters and buyers. Listings are provided by the letting agents and landlords who advertise with us.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RentLink at none against SpareRoom's 10. SpareRoom's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. SpareRoom sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. RentLink asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | SpareRoom | RentLink |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (4.2K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 48.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4.2K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | Flatshare Ltd | NeuralSignal Corporation |
Bugs and requests
SpareRoom
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes and sign-outs
- Inconsistent behavior between app and website
- Issues with updating and editing listings
Requested features
4 requests- Better messaging/communication tools
- More advanced search and filtering options
- Improved verification of listings and users
- Feedback/review system for landlords/tenants
RentLink
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SpareRoom
- Boost$9.99
- 7-Day Upgrade$12.99
- 1-Week Upgrade2 variants$15.00
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Verification$15.00
- 14-Day Upgrade$23.99
- 30-Day Upgrade2 variants$25.99
- 4-Week Upgrade2 variants$30.00
RentLink
No in-app purchases









