Build an App Like Rightmove: A Guide for UK Property Businesses

Key Takeaways:

• Building an app like Rightmove taps into strong UK property demand and delivers scalable, long-term digital business growth.

• Real estate apps succeed when they combine advanced search, real-time listings, and secure data handling.

• Development costs for a Rightmove-style app vary by complexity, features, and platform, ranging from £18,000 to £90,000+ ($25,000 to $125,000+).

• Monetisation through agent subscriptions and featured listings makes property apps commercially sustainable.

• A step-by-step process covering research, planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and updates ensures scalable, low-risk app delivery.

The UK is one of the most active and competitive property markets in the world.  People across the country rely on digital platforms to search, compare, and decide on properties. As mobile usage continues to grow, many UK businesses are planning to build an app like Rightmove to meet customer demand and stay competitive.

Developing a mobile app plays a major role in how modern property businesses operate. A real estate app allows users to find homes, view prices, explore photos, and track market trends from one place.

For startups and enterprises, building such apps involves market research, feature planning, user-friendly design, strong backend development, and ongoing updates to meet user and business needs.

In this blog, we will discuss how to create an app like Rightmove and other technical aspects related to it. This will help you make an informed decision while being a profitable idea for you.

Overview of Rightmove Property Search App

The Rightmove Property Search app is the UK’s leading app for finding properties to buy or rent. First released in 2009, it brings Rightmove’s largest property database to smartphones with search tools, maps, alerts, and saved favourites.

On Android, it has over 5M+ downloads and around 170K user reviews with an average of 4.8 stars on the App Store. The app services millions of active users across the UK, helping property seekers and agents stay connected.

The Rightmove app connects real estate seekers with letting agents across the UK through estate listings. Let us understand how the app functions. 

• Users enter a location, postcode, or area to start their search.

• They apply filters like price, property type, or rent.

• The app shows matching properties with photos, floor plans, and details.

• Users can save favourites and set alerts for new listings.

• The app also displays sold prices and local market data.

By understanding how it works, you can easily move on to how to make an app like Rightmove. Read the next section for more details.

Why Invest in an App Like Rightmove?

You would not like your money to go down the drain. So, you must only invest in something that provides a good ROI. The cost to create a real estate app is plenty enough to give a thought to. Here, we will discuss some reasons to invest in apps like Rightmove to ensure a profitable journey.

1. Growing Demand

More people in the UK now search for properties on mobile apps. Investing in a property app helps businesses reach users who prefer quick and easy digital solutions, increasing visibility and customer engagement.

2. Strong Revenue Opportunities

You can develop an app like Rightmove as it offers multiple income streams, such as agent subscriptions, featured listings, and advertising. This makes it a scalable and profitable investment for property businesses and startups.

3. Better Customer Experience

A user-friendly app improves how customers search, save, and track properties. Better experience leads to higher trust, longer app usage, and repeat visits, which are key for business growth.

4. Data-Driven Business Decisions

Property apps collect valuable data on user behaviour, search trends, and market demand. Businesses can use this data to improve services, pricing strategies, and marketing efforts.

5. Competitive Advantage

Building an app like Rightmove helps businesses stand out in a competitive property market. A strong digital platform positions startups and enterprises as modern, reliable, and tech-driven brands.

Essential Features to Have in an App Like Rightmove

There are several real estate app features you need to keep in mind while building an app like Rightmove. Below are a few listed that will ease your process to build a real estate app like Rightmove.

► User Registration

User registration allows buyers, renters, and agents to create secure accounts using email or social login. A smooth sign-up process improves user retention and builds long-term engagement for real estate platforms.

► Advanced Property Search

When you choose to build a property app like Rightmove, this feature lets users filter listings based on their preferences. It increases user satisfaction and helps find suitable properties faster, improving overall app usage.

► Listings Management

This feature helps agents and admins add, edit, and remove property listings easily. It also keeps property data updated and accurate. Moreover, ensuring better control over content allows faster updates across the app.

► Push Notifications

Enabling push notifications keeps users informed about new listings, price changes, and search alerts. For businesses, notifications help increase app activity and improve the chances of faster property enquiries.

► Map Integration

Integrating maps allows users to view properties by location using interactive maps. When you create a property app like Rightmove, this feature improves usability and supports better decision-making.

► AI-Powered Chatbots

AI-powered chatbots provide instant responses to user questions about properties, pricing, or appointments. You can build an AI Chatbot to reduce manual efforts and improve response time.

► Automated Property Valuation

Automated property valuation shows estimated property prices using market data and trends. It adds trust and value to the app while encouraging users to stay longer and explore more listings.

► Secure Validation

Secure property validation helps identify fake listings, duplicate properties, and suspicious activity. This feature is essential for building trust, ensuring compliance, and maintaining a safe digital property marketplace.

How to Build an App Like Rightmove Effectively?

Now that you know the features to use, this is the time to get details on how to develop an app like Rightmove. Here are the steps discussed in detail that will ease your development process.

Step 1. Conduct Market Research

Market research is the first and most important step when you create a real estate app.

► Analyse Competitor Apps

Analyse competitor apps such as Rightmove to understand their features, user experience, strengths, and weaknesses. This helps businesses identify gaps in the market and plan better features for their own property app.

► Identify Target Audience

Identify your target users, including home buyers, renters, estate agents, and investors. Understanding their goals and behaviour helps shape app features, design, and content that truly meet user expectations.

► Study Market Trends

Study UK property market trends, digital usage habits, and mobile app behaviour. This ensures your app idea stays relevant, competitive, and aligned with current and future market demands.

Step 2. Plan Features

Feature planning helps businesses decide what functionality they should include in the app at every stage.

► List Core Functionalities

List essential features such as property search, filters, listings, alerts, and user accounts. These core functions are required to deliver a smooth and complete property search experience.

► Prioritise MVP Features

Prioritising MVP features helps launch the app faster with essential functionality. It allows businesses to test the market, gather user feedback, and improve the app step by step.

► Create Feature Roadmap

A feature roadmap outlines future upgrades and enhancements. It helps businesses plan development phases, manage budgets, and ensure steady app growth without disrupting users.

Step 3. Design UI/UX

UI/UX design focuses on making the app easy to use, visually clean, and user-friendly.

► Develop Wireframes

Developing app wireframes provides a basic layout of app screens and user flow. They help visualise the app structure and ensure logical navigation before detailed design begins.

► Create Interactive Prototypes

Interactive app prototypes allow businesses to test how users move through the app. This helps identify usability issues early and refine the experience before development starts.

► Conduct User Testing

User testing gathers real feedback on the design and usability of the platform. However, it helps ensure the app is simple, intuitive, and suitable for different user types.

Step 4. Choose Tech Stack

Choosing the right mobile app tech stack ensures security and handles growing users and large amounts of property data.

► Select Frontend Framework

Frontend frameworks control how the app looks and feels. Selecting the right one ensures fast performance, smooth navigation, and a consistent experience across devices.

► Choose Backend Technologies

Backend technologies manage data processing, user accounts, and property listings. However, a reliable backend system ensures stability, security, and fast response times.

► Pick Database Solutions

Database solutions store property data, user information, and search history. Moreover, choosing the right database ensures quick data access and long-term scalability.

Step 5. Development Phase

The development phase is the stage where designs and plans are converted into a working property application with real features and functionality.

► Build Backend APIs

Backend APIs connect the app with databases, property listings, and third-party services. They allow secure and smooth data exchange across the entire platform to ensure trust among users.

► Develop Frontend Interface

Frontend development focuses on building user-facing screens, navigation, and interactions. However, a reliable frontend ensures the app is easy to use and visually appealing.

► Implement Search Functionality

Property search functionality allows users to find listings using filters like property location, type, and price. This is a feature central to any real estate app, and you must consider it while developing the app.

Step 6. Third-Party Integration

Third-party integrations add advanced features and improve the overall functionality of a property app like Rightmove.

► Integrate Maps & Location

Integration of Maps and locations helps users in viewing properties geographically. However, users can understand nearby amenities, transport links, and surroundings more clearly.

► Add Payment Gateways

Payment gateways enable secure transactions for subscriptions, premium listings, or featured ads. This supports monetisation and smooth payment experiences for all.

► Connect MLS/Data Feeds

Integration of MLS or data feed provides real-time property listings from agents and databases. Moreover, this integration ensures that users get accurate and updated information.

Step 7. App Testing

The mobile app testing ensures the application works correctly, performs well, and delivers a reliable experience.

► Perform Unit Testing

Unit testing checks individual components and features to ensure they function correctly and do not cause errors. Automated test frameworks help developers catch bugs early in the development cycle.

► Conduct Integration Testing

Integration testing verifies that different app modules work together smoothly and data flows properly between systems. This helps identify issues with API connections and third-party services.

► Execute User Acceptance Testing

User acceptance testing confirms the app meets business requirements and user expectations before final launch. Real users test the app in real conditions to validate functionality.

Step 8. App Deployment

App deployment prepares the application for public release on app stores and live servers.

► Prepare App Store Assets

App store assets include screenshots, descriptions, and icons. These help present the app professionally and attract users. High-quality visuals improve download rates and enhance ratings.

► Submit Online

Submitting your app to the App Store or publishing your app to the Play Store requires following the platform guidelines to ensure smooth approval. Moreover, developers address any rejection feedback promptly.

► Configure Server Deployment

Server deployment ensures the cloud infrastructure is ready to handle user traffic, data storage, and app performance securely. Load balancing and backup systems protect against downtime and data loss.

Step 9. Maintenance & Update

Updates and app maintenance services keep the app secure, functional, and competitive after launch.

► Monitor App Performance

Performance monitoring tracks speed, crashes, and usage patterns to maintain a smooth user experience. Analytics tools provide real-time insights that help teams respond quickly to technical issues.

► Gather User Feedback

User feedback helps identify issues, improve features, and guide future updates based on real needs. Reviews, surveys, and in-app feedback channels create direct communication lines with your user base.

► Release Regular Updates

Regular updates fix bugs, enhance security, and introduce new features to keep users engaged and satisfied. Consistent update schedules demonstrate active development and build user trust in the application.

Cost to Build an App Like Rightmove

The cost to build an app like Rightmove is defined by the complexity and size of the project. The average cost to build such an app ranges from $25,000 to $125,000+ (£18,000 to £90,000+).

Below, we discuss the mobile app development cost in UK based on the type of real estate business idea you have.

Now, you can hire dedicated developers to start the development process of your project. Still, it is important to know that certain factors affect the overall cost of development. Below, we list the major ones.

• App Complexity - The complexity of the project requires more time to develop the app, directly impacting the development cost.

• Hiring Cost - The cost to hire mobile app developers in UK may vary, and so will the cost to develop the platform.

• Maintenance Services - The cost of maintenance services is an investment for your project to perform well in all conditions.

• Choice of Platform - The platform you choose to build your app will create an impact, as there are different costs for Android, iOS, and cross-platform.

Monetisation Models for an App Like Rightmove

When you consider Rightmove clone app development, monetisation models play a major role. You can choose reliable real estate app development services to get assistance in the process. Below are some different ways you can monetise your app like Rightmove.

1. Agent Subscription Plans

Estate and letting agents can pay monthly or yearly subscription fees to list properties on the app. This model provides steady revenue and helps businesses build long-term partnerships with agents.

2. Featured Property Listings

Agents or sellers can pay to highlight their properties at the top of search results. Featured listings increase visibility and enquiries, making this a high-value revenue stream for property platforms.

3. Advertising & Sponsored Content

Property-related businesses such as mortgage providers, developers, and home services can advertise within the app. Sponsored content allows businesses to earn revenue without affecting the user experience.

4. Premium User Features

Users can pay for advanced features like early access to listings, detailed market insights, or price alerts. This model adds value for serious buyers and investors while generating extra income.

5. Data & Market Insights

Aggregated property data and market trends can be offered to businesses for research and analysis while considering GDPR rules. This monetisation model supports decision-making while creating additional revenue opportunities.

Challenges When Building an App Like Rightmove

Having a good knowledge of the challenges will clear your path to develop an app like Rightmove. Below are some real estate app development challenges you should know about.

[1] Data Security & Privacy

Challenge -

A real estate app handles sensitive data of users, such as transaction history, personal details, and property preferences. However, keeping this data safe is important to maintain trust and prevent security breaches.

Solution - 

Use strong encryption, secure authentication, and follow the UK’s data protection laws like GDPR and DPA.

[2] Timely Updates

Challenge - 

Property listings change frequently, including prices and availability status. Delaying the updates can frustrate users and reduce their trust in the platform.

Solution -

Implement real-time data syncing and automated updates through a reliable backend system.

[3] Mobile Responsiveness

Challenge -

People use property apps on different screen sizes and devices. Poor responsiveness can lead to slow performance and a bad user experience.

Solution -

Adopt responsive UI/UX design services and test the design across multiple devices and platforms.

[4] High Traffic Load

Challenge -

Popular property apps receive heavy traffic during peak times. Without proper handling, this can cause slow loading, crashes, or downtime.

Solution -

Use cloud development services and load balancing to manage high user traffic.

[5] Legal Rules & Regulations

Challenge -

Considering legal compliance and industry regulations is a real challenge when building a real estate platform. However, every place has different real estate laws.

Solution -

Keep a continuous watch on the legal stuff and take the help of a professional advisor to prevent any legal action.

Why Choose JPLoft to Make an App Like Rightmove?

Are you worried about how to create an app like Rightmove? Well, JPLoft is here for you with an experienced team to provide a solution customised for your business. We are a trusted mobile app development company in UK offering a smooth and user-friendly experience to your customers.

From clean property listings to easy-to-use search filters, we design apps that are simple and smooth for users to explore. Our experienced team supports you at every stage, from planning and design to launching your app successfully.

We understand the real estate market and know how to build apps that help you connect with customers, strengthen your business, and grow with confidence. Ready to turn your real estate app idea into reality? Now is the right time to enter the market. Partner with JPLoft to build a real estate app like Rightmove that truly stands out.

Conclusion

Rightmove clone app development is a strong opportunity for UK startups and enterprises looking to enter the market. With the rising demand for mobile property search, a well-planned real estate app can help businesses connect buyers, renters, and agents on a single platform.

From essential features and smart monetisation models to the right tech stack and ongoing maintenance, every step plays a key role in building a successful app.

However, creating a scalable and secure property app requires the right expertise and planning. Partnering with an experienced app development company ensures smooth development, legal compliance, and long-term growth.

If you are ready to turn your idea into a powerful real estate platform, now is the right time to invest. With the right strategy and technology partner, your app can stand out and succeed in the competitive UK property market.