# Best Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software - Page 6 *By [Neya Kumaresan](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/neya-kumaresan)* Multiple listing service (MLS) software, also known as internet listing service (ILS), lets real estate professionals display property listings in customizable areas. This tool also enhances the search capabilities and visibility of listings through advanced sorting functions as well as convenient and clear summaries of the property on a publicly accessible database. Many MLS solutions offer the feature to list according to property types, such as residential or commercial. However, property managers and agents often use these solutions to display separate residential listings, including apartments, flats, and condominiums. These solutions offer resources and tools for property managers to track their listings, field applications, and other property listing and advertising-related tasks. Multiple listing services frequently integrate with [real estate CRM software](https://www.g2.com/categories/real-estate-crm) and [real estate marketing software](https://www.g2.com/categories/real-estate-marketing) to provide information on leads to real estate brokers using the service to promote their listings. To qualify for inclusion in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) category, a product must: - Provide customizable listing tools allowing real estate agents and brokers to post - Utilize historical data and market data to set optimal prices for each property type across each channel in real time - Allow users to establish price control logic - - Provide data visualization and custom reporting features - Provide or integrate with other real estate CRM or marketing platforms ## Category Overview **Total Products under this Category:** 103 ## Trust & Credibility Stats **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 1,200+ Authentic Reviews - 103+ 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. ## Best Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Software At A Glance - **Leader:** [Zillow](https://www.g2.com/products/zillow/reviews) - **Highest Performer:** [Rechat](https://www.g2.com/products/rechat/reviews) - **Easiest to Use:** [Rechat](https://www.g2.com/products/rechat/reviews) - **Top Trending:** [Crexi](https://www.g2.com/products/crexi/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [Back At You](https://www.g2.com/products/back-at-you/reviews) ## Parent Category [Real Estate Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/real-estate) --- ## Buyer Guide ### 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.