# Best Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software for Small Business *By [Neya Kumaresan](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/neya-kumaresan)* Products classified in the overall Multiple Listing Service (MLS) category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, small business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Small Business Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Small Business Multiple Listing Service (MLS) category. In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software category, to qualify for inclusion in the Small Business Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from a small business. ## How Many Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 104 ### Category Stats (May 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.24/5 (↑0.02 vs Apr 2026) - **New Reviews This Quarter**: 12 - **Buyer Segments**: Small-Business 71% │ Mid-Market 29% - **Top Trending Product**: Rechat (+0.022) *Last updated: May 19, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 1,200+ Authentic Reviews - 104+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## What Are the Top-Rated Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software Products in 2026? ### 1. [Zillow](https://www.g2.com/products/zillow/reviews) Zillow Rental Manager is an all-in-one platform designed to simplify the rental process for landlords and property managers. It offers a suite of tools that streamline tasks from listing properties to managing tenants, making it easier to fill vacancies and oversee rental operations efficiently. Key Features and Functionality: - Property Listings: Create and publish rental listings in minutes, reaching a vast audience across Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads. - Tenant Screening: Access comprehensive background checks, credit reports, and eviction histories to evaluate potential tenants effectively. - Digital Leases: Build and send lease agreements online, facilitating a secure e-signature process for both parties. - Online Rent Collection: Accept rent, utility payments, and move-in fees electronically, with funds deposited directly into your bank account. - Tour Management: Coordinate property showings by setting available times, allowing prospective tenants to schedule tours seamlessly. Primary Value and Solutions: Zillow Rental Manager addresses common challenges faced by landlords by integrating essential rental management tasks into a single, user-friendly platform. It saves time by automating processes such as tenant screening and rent collection, reduces paperwork through digital leases, and enhances property visibility to attract qualified renters quickly. This comprehensive approach empowers landlords to manage their properties more effectively and with greater confidence. **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 299 **How Do G2 Users Rate Zillow?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Zillow?** - **Seller:** [Zillow](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zillow) - **Year Founded:** 2006 - **HQ Location:** Seattle, WA - **Twitter:** @zillow (346,819 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/13990/ (9,840 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NASDAQ **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Realtor, Licensed Realtor - **Top Industries:** Real Estate, Marketing and Advertising - **Company Size:** 65% Small-Business, 24% Mid-Market ### 2. [Crexi](https://www.g2.com/products/crexi/reviews) Commercial Real Estate Exchange, Inc. (Crexi) is revolutionizing the way commercial real estate professionals transact by accelerating deal velocity and democratizing access to both properties and industry data. In 2015, Crexi embarked on a journey to transform the CRE industry: to create a single-source hub for stakeholders to market, analyze, and trade commercial property. Today, Crexi empowers over 2 million buyers, brokers, and tenants each month to explore over $2 trillion of property value nationwide and has helped to close upward of $650 billion in transactions. Crexi’s growing team of 300+ employees — based in Los Angeles with offices in Miami, New York, Dallas, Phoenix, and Raleigh — strive to create a centralized CRE marketplace with enhanced marketing, due diligence, and deal-closing tools to accelerate our users’ success. **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 123 **How Do G2 Users Rate Crexi?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Crexi?** - **Seller:** [Crexi](https://www.g2.com/sellers/crexi) - **Company Website:** https://www.crexi.com - **Year Founded:** 2015 - **HQ Location:** Los Angeles, US - **Twitter:** @CREXinc (6,047 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/crexi/ (419 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Broker, Vice President - **Top Industries:** Commercial Real Estate, Real Estate - **Company Size:** 83% Small-Business, 12% Mid-Market #### What Are Crexi's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (12 reviews) - Lead Generation (8 reviews) - Listing Management (6 reviews) - Centralization (5 reviews) - Customer Support (5 reviews) **Cons:** - Expensive (3 reviews) - Poor Layout (3 reviews) - Inaccurate Listings (2 reviews) - Poor Lead Management (2 reviews) - Poor Lead Quality (2 reviews) ### 3. [Realtor.com](https://www.g2.com/products/realtor-com/reviews) Realtor.com's Mortgage Center is a comprehensive platform designed to assist homebuyers and homeowners in navigating the complexities of mortgage financing. It offers a suite of tools and resources aimed at simplifying the mortgage process, enabling users to make informed financial decisions tailored to their individual needs. Key Features and Functionality: - Mortgage Calculator: Allows users to estimate monthly mortgage payments by inputting variables such as home price, down payment, loan term, and interest rate. - Affordability Calculator: Helps determine the price range of homes that fit within a user's budget by considering income, debts, and other financial factors. - Rent vs. Buy Calculator: Assists in evaluating the financial benefits of renting versus purchasing a home over time. - Refinance Calculator: Provides insights into potential savings and costs associated with refinancing an existing mortgage. - Mortgage Rate Comparisons: Offers up-to-date mortgage rates from various lenders, allowing users to compare and choose the best financing options. - Price Perfect Tool: Enables buyers to adjust home features and immediately see how these changes impact the overall cost, aiding in finding a home that matches both preferences and budget. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: Realtor.com's Mortgage Center addresses common challenges faced by homebuyers and homeowners by offering user-friendly tools that demystify the mortgage process. By providing accurate calculations, real-time rate comparisons, and personalized insights, it empowers users to make confident financial decisions. Whether determining affordability, comparing loan options, or exploring refinancing opportunities, the platform serves as a reliable resource for managing all aspects of mortgage financing. **Average Rating:** 3.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 91 **How Do G2 Users Rate Realtor.com?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 7.1/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 7.6/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Realtor.com?** - **Seller:** [Move, Inc](https://www.g2.com/sellers/move-inc) - **Year Founded:** 1996 - **HQ Location:** Santa Clara, US - **Twitter:** @Movecareers (105 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/move-inc/ (632 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Realtor, Licensed Realtor - **Top Industries:** Real Estate - **Company Size:** 57% Small-Business, 23% Mid-Market ### 4. [Trulia](https://www.g2.com/products/trulia/reviews) Trulia is an all-in-one real estate site that gives you the local scoop about homes for sale, apartments for rent, neighborhood insights, and real estate markets and trends to help you figure out exactly what, where, and when to buy, sell, or rent. **Average Rating:** 3.2/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 72 **How Do G2 Users Rate Trulia?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 6.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 6.5/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Trulia?** - **Seller:** [Zillow](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zillow) - **Year Founded:** 2006 - **HQ Location:** Seattle, WA - **Twitter:** @zillow (346,819 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/13990/ (9,840 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NASDAQ **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Realtor - **Top Industries:** Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate - **Company Size:** 53% Small-Business, 29% Mid-Market ### 5. [Rentler.com](https://www.g2.com/products/rentler-com/reviews) Rentler was created to help seamlessly connect landlords and tenants all over the nation through an online platform. Based in Salt Lake City, Rentler was founded in 2012 and has now reached over 1.3 million users in over 3,000 cities across the United States. They offer secure applications and screenings for rental listings, online rental payments, and the most up-to-date search results. For more information, visit www.rentler.com. **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 80 **How Do G2 Users Rate Rentler.com?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 7.4/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Rentler.com?** - **Seller:** [Rentler](https://www.g2.com/sellers/rentler) - **Year Founded:** 2010 - **HQ Location:** Lehi, US - **Twitter:** @Rentler (1,340 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/3051028 (17 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Owner, Property Manager - **Top Industries:** Real Estate, Accounting - **Company Size:** 95% Small-Business, 4% Mid-Market #### What Are Rentler.com's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Automation (3 reviews) - Ease of Use (2 reviews) - Online Payments (2 reviews) - Payment Ease (2 reviews) - Payment Processing (2 reviews) **Cons:** - Accounting Issues (2 reviews) - Lack of Mobile App (1 reviews) - Missing Features (1 reviews) - Payment Issues (1 reviews) - Poor Usability (1 reviews) ### 6. [Zumper](https://www.g2.com/products/zumper/reviews) Zumper is the largest privately owned rental platform in North America with more than 175 million visits per year. We’re proud to have been named a 2021 Best Startup Employer by Forbes and a 2021 Best Place to Work/Company with the Best Benefits by BuiltIn SF. We believe finding your new apartment is more than just a move. It’s something bigger. A step forward. A new beginning. A fresh start. Whether you’re moving across the country or across the street, you deserve to love where you land. But today’s rental experience is broken. It’s outdated, exhausting, and slow. We spend hours of our lives searching just to settle for places that don’t feel like home. The nightmare ends now. Zumper is on a mission to change the way you rent, forever. To make it easier, faster, and more human—where renting an apartment is as easy as booking a hotel. By making this vision a reality, we’re creating opportunity for everyone to live better from one fresh start to the next. To date we’ve raised over $150 million from Kleiner Perkins, Goodwater Capital, Headline, Dawn Capital, and the Blackstone Group. **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 36 **How Do G2 Users Rate Zumper?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 7.3/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 7.6/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Zumper?** - **Seller:** [Zumper](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zumper) - **Year Founded:** 2012 - **HQ Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Twitter:** @Zumper (9,375 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/zumper/ (135 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Real Estate - **Company Size:** 92% Small-Business, 8% Mid-Market ### 7. [LoopNet](https://www.g2.com/products/loopnet/reviews) LoopNet is an online commercial real estate marketplace that connects buyers, tenants, and investors. **Average Rating:** 3.3/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 81 **How Do G2 Users Rate LoopNet?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 6.8/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 6.4/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 7.1/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 6.9/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind LoopNet?** - **Seller:** [CoStar Group](https://www.g2.com/sellers/costar-group) - **Year Founded:** 1986 - **HQ Location:** Atlanta, US - **Twitter:** @CoStarManager (215 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/costar-group/ (11,738 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NASDAQ:CSGP **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Owner - **Top Industries:** Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate - **Company Size:** 52% Small-Business, 30% Mid-Market ### 8. [Back At You](https://www.g2.com/products/back-at-you/reviews) Back At You focuses on developing the best real estate software for brokerages and their agents. Our SocialBAY, ClientBAY, and FinancialBAY systems work to make every aspect of the real estate business more efficient and effective. Our products are leaders in their respective categories and, when combined into one solution, provide brokerages with unprecedented functionality making both revenue producers and admins more productive and efficient. We are the backbone of brokerage operations. **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 28 **How Do G2 Users Rate Back At You?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Back At You?** - **Seller:** [Back At You](https://www.g2.com/sellers/back-at-you) - **Year Founded:** 2011 - **HQ Location:** Los Angeles, CA - **Twitter:** @BackAtYouInc (2,394 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/backatyou/ (61 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Real Estate - **Company Size:** 69% Small-Business, 24% Mid-Market ### 9. [PropertyPulse](https://www.g2.com/products/propertypulse/reviews) Z57 is the leader in social marketing for real estate agents generating referral leads from Facebook. Z57 empowers agents to have a social presence turning Facebook friends and fans into real leads and website traffic. **Average Rating:** 3.8/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 88 **How Do G2 Users Rate PropertyPulse?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 6.9/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) **Who Is the Company Behind PropertyPulse?** - **Seller:** [Z57](https://www.g2.com/sellers/z57) - **Year Founded:** 1998 - **HQ Location:** Hunt Valley, MD - **Twitter:** @z57 (1,432 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/15275/ (171 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Realtor, Licensed Realtor - **Top Industries:** Real Estate - **Company Size:** 85% Small-Business, 11% Mid-Market ### 10. [Apartments.com](https://www.g2.com/products/apartments-com/reviews) Apartments.com is an online real estate marketplace for rental properties where professional property management companies, and private landlords can list properties and connect with potential tenants. **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 32 **How Do G2 Users Rate Apartments.com?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Advertising & Marketing Tools:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Listing Syndication:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Premium Listings & Profiles:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Apartments.com?** - **Seller:** [CoStar Group](https://www.g2.com/sellers/costar-group) - **Year Founded:** 1986 - **HQ Location:** Atlanta, US - **Twitter:** @CoStarManager (215 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/costar-group/ (11,738 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NASDAQ:CSGP **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate - **Company Size:** 56% Mid-Market, 31% Small-Business ## What Is Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software? [Real Estate Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/real-estate) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software? ### What You Should Know About Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software ### What is Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software? Multiple listing service (MLS) software provides real estate agents and brokers with an easier way to upload the necessary information that must populate an MLS. An MLS is a standardized, regularly updated database of available rental and property listings and details in the market. MLS databases make the real estate transaction workflow more efficient by standardizing the way brokers and agents upload information, democratizing (up to a point) the way listings are uploaded and shared, and streamlining information flow from sellers to buyers. Key Benefits of Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software - Provides access to a database full of timely and accurate property information - Ensures transparency by revealing broker and agent commission percentages - Levels the competition by making democratic property information - Increases exposure to property listings - Ensures that all agents and brokers follow regulation and standards ### Why Use Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software? MLS provide buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals with verified information about properties that have become or are available. MLS systems also help consolidate property data and save all users time when researching deals. MLS also adhere to strict criteria when it comes to the data that is uploaded into its database. MLS software simplifies adherence to that criteria as well as mining for properties within the system. **Timeliness —** MLS listings can be counted on to be new and fresh. New listings must be entered into a MLS within a specific time period, which is generally 24 to 48 hours after a listing agreement is signed. Fines are levied at sellers and real estate professionals who do not adhere to that timeline. **Accurate data —** MLS require specific information to be input before a listing is approved and uploaded into an MLS. Local and national associations vet MLS listings for accuracy as well. Information within an MLS simplifies the research effort from agents and brokers, as well as expanding the reach a single property listing can have on its own accord. Couple that with expert property knowledge, and MLS software that facilitates uploading and downloading of property data is far more useful than other resources of property data. ### Who Uses Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software? Brokers, real estate agents, sellers, and buyers all utilize MLS. MLS software simplifies accessing and leveraging of MLS data, whether that’s simply pulling data to match with prospective clients’ wants, or showcasing those listings on their professional websites for further reach. Sellers work with real estate professionals to post and update available listings, buyers lean on agents and brokers to have the most updated available property information, and real estate professionals turn to MLS data to offset competition within their market. ### Kinds of Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software An internet data exchange (IDX) is a system that allows non-registered, non-licensed real estate agents and brokers access to, and the ability to search, MLS data. IDX software allows agents and brokers to add MLS listings right into their own database and website. A real estate website that showcases MLS listings can attract more buyers with the content. ### Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software Features MLS exist to make it easier to upload information into a real estate agency’s databases, access MLS data, and optimize the property buying lifecycle for both buyer and seller. Below are common features offered by MLS software vendors: **Add listings feature —** The add listings feature allows users to quickly view and manage stored listings. MLS listings comprise fields that list information about property, neighborhood, HOA, and financial statistics. Visual galleries and relevant geographical information further enhance the attractiveness of listings. Search functionality within the listings feature makes it easier to look up viable listings. Listings must follow a format and will be vetted by local and national associations for accuracy. Most MLS software also allows users to add notifications on those listings, to notify agents and brokers about any changes or interest of those listings. **Edit listing feature —** On top of the ability to add listings, the ability to edit listings is another necessary feature of MLS software. Edit listing functionality allows users to submit updates and changes to existing listings, or remove them once the listing is no longer available. Editing also makes it easy to control, validate, and de-duplicate listings. **Client portal —** A client portal allows agents and brokers to communicate with their prospective and existing client base. A client portal also helps real estate professionals organize their customized searches for their clients and alert buyers of milestones throughout their real estate purchase process. Client portals allow agents to remain in touch with their clients, all the way from initial research to closing. **Contact manager —** Aside from utilizing a portal to consolidate conversations between client and agent, a contact manager helps agents centralize their client information. Like any other CRM, a client manager allows users to add relevant notes to their client files, send bulk emails, receive activity notifications, track successful or unsuccessful closes, and prioritize contacts for searching and prospecting. #### Additional Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Features **Lead capture —** MLS software has the capability to capture leads, providing a better picture for the agent of the type of client that they want to prospect or the type of property that the client wants to buy. **Mobile-device optimization —** Some MLS software understands the behaviors of modern property buyers and the role that mobile devices plays in their own research and buying process. Software that allows for mobile optimization makes it much easier for agents to work on the go, as painlessly as possible. MLS software that can be accessed on a mobile device, without compromising its display, helps agents and brokers better capture leads, research properties, and showcase listing results to their clients. **Forms and contracts —** MLS software can offer a module for forms and contracts that can be instantly accessed by the agent or broker. These templated forms are approved by local and national associations, and MLS data can be populated within the forms. This feature can further streamline the real estate transaction workflow. ### Trends Related to Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software The real estate industry has been impacted, like others, by the internet and other modes of technology that make it easier for buyers to research any houses or properties that they want to purchase or rent. Below are a few trends that specifically impact MLS, therefore impacting the entire real estate transaction workflow. **Standardization —** The Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) has requested that all national associations of realtors to adopt standards within their MLS, standards that affect the data fields that make up MLS systems. A benefit from that standardization is the repositioning of MLS in the current real estate ecosystem, reduce the costs of supplemental systems that are used to translate and upload MLS data, and optimize the ways agents and brokers subscribe to and use MLS. **Enhanced security and authentication measures —** MLS are full of sensitive information that have the potential to be hacked. Security is needed to prevent or restrict access to MLS data. Security systems have been created to require (higher) levels of authentication as well as tracking who has accessed and shared MLS data. Additionally, single sign-on security has been developed and implemented into the systems used by real estate professionals when accessing MLS, which further streamlines the research and discovery process. **Keeping up with the internet —** Easily accessed and navigated websites like Zillow and Trulia has allowed buyers to circumvent the need to utilize agents and brokers when looking for properties. Fortunately, that has propelled innovation within the real estate sector, specifically to persuade buyers to return to real estate professionals when making such a significant purchase. That innovation has also helped MLS to better serve the needs of real estate professionals, breaking down barriers to access MLS systems and/or providing APIs or access points that make it easier for them to access MLS systems. ### Potential Issues with Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software **Restricted access —** Historically, MLS only allowed real estate brokers or agents who are licensed or members of a local or national association of realtors to have access to the MLS systems. While there are avenues through which agents and brokers can gain access to MLS, a challenge still remains: effectively accessing and parsing MLS data. MLS data comes from every single MLS database that exists, which makes it a significant trove of property data that must be viewed, uploaded, and downloaded. Additionally, each MLS comes with its own rules and regulations that are determined by state, which can prohibit an agent who is licensed in one state from accessing property data in another. **Potential lack of standardization —** Because each MLS comes with its own regulation, there is no standardization in data within each MLS. One pitfall to the lack in data standardization is the potential for duplicate listings or noncompliant listings, discovered when agents upload or transfer listings into their own systems. Any feeds that MLS garner property listings and client information from must utilize specifically written code to gain accurate and updated information from those disparate systems. The Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) has introduced standardization in the type of information that is allowed to be uploaded into a MLS, to ensure compliance in resulting contracts and agreements. Until that standardization is completely enacted across all MLS, however, agents and brokers must continue to double check listings. ### Software Related to Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software MLS software can be used as a standalone solution, but other software does exist that can be used in tandem with or as a supplement to MLS, thereby providing a more comprehensive platform. These are a few such solutions: **Real estate marketing —** Branded websites, links that lead to virtual tours, customized email marketing automation, and other efforts at real estate marketing help agents and brokers distinguish themselves in front of their clients. [Real estate marketing software](https://www.g2.com/categories/real-estate-marketing) simplifies such marketing efforts. Some real estate marketing solutions seamlessly integrate with MLS, and some either provide a built-in or integration with a CRM. **Real estate CRM —** [Real estate CRM](https://www.g2.com/categories/real-estate-crm) provides real estate agents and professionals with a contact management solution that is tailored to the nuances of the real estate industry. Its lead nurturing tools scours MLS for new listings to better send offers to clients as well as generating leads from MLS for future prospects. **Real estate activities marketing —** Real estate agencies need process and workflow management. [Real estate activities management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/real-estate-activities-management) provides agency management functionality. Real estate activities management software that integrates with MLS provides a better experience for homeowners and home searchers. Those integrated solutions can take MLS data and convert it into easily digestible information that agents can then optimize, along with streamlining day-to-day responsibilities of real estate professionals. **Brokerage management —** [Brokerage management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/brokerage-management) streamlines and automates the daily workflows that brokers need to perform better. Similar to real estate activities management, these solutions integrate with MLS to create a better dashboard when looking at and tracking the activities of a firm’ brokers.