Top Apps to Find Roommates Abroad (2025 Guide)

The best apps to find roommates depends on your location because different platforms excel in different regions. Start by using a local specialist platform (WG-Gesucht in Germany and Badi in Spain and Flatmates.com.au in Australia) and then expand your search through SpareRoom/Roomies/Roommates.com for broader options and secure your accommodation through student marketplaces or booking sites before your arrival. Your safety depends on verifying information first and then making payments while using platforms that provide protective features. Connect with Gateway International and find out the best option for you.

1. Top Apps to Find Roommates Abroad (2025
Guide)
Finding roommates abroad determines whether your international relocation experience
will be isolating or supportive. Moving to a new city is already an adventurous
experience, finding a good roommate would make this adventure super exciting and
worth remembering. The current market provides a wide range of apps to find
roommates through global platforms and specialized services for students and country-
specific options. The following 2025-ready guide demonstrates which apps to find
roommates features excel at what tasks and provides safety information and user
recommendations.
The following is the country-specific apps to find roommates list for students:-

2. 1) SpareRoom (US & UK)
The platform offers extensive US and UK inventory with student and professional filters
and budget options and move-in date selection and active moderation. The platform
uses human moderation and safety features to minimize the appearance of low-quality
or suspicious content in its listings.
The platform suits students and young professionals who need to find roommates in
major cities throughout the US and UK.
Pro tip: Create a “room wanted” ad because many listers search for roommates instead
of the other way around.
2) Roomies (US + expanding globally)
The USA's largest free roommate finder Roomies offers free listing and search
capabilities and message functions through its updated mobile application which sends
instant notifications. The platform now serves users across the United States and
Canada as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland and India and New Zealand and
Singapore and South Africa.
The platform serves two main user groups: students and young professionals who need
affordable housing in US cities and English-speaking users in other supported
countries.
3) Roommates (US)
The platform operates in the US market with paid VIP tiers starting at weekly rates
which grant unlimited messaging and free ID verification for users who need verified
profiles. The company performed a site redesign and profile update in 2024 to enhance
user search functionality.
The apps to find roommates suits users who want to pay for verified profiles and
nationwide US coverage through its VIP tiers.
4) Roomi (Major cities)
The platform provides a strong safety system through identity verification and
background check options and a Safety Check function which helps users feel secure
during their first connections.

3. The platform serves users who need additional screening tools before making a
commitment in major cities.
5) HousingAnywhere (Europe-first, mid-term)
The platform serves as Europe's leading mid-term rental service because it provides
secure booking processes and verified landlords and escrow payment protection for
remote flat rentals without physical viewings. The platform serves students and young
professionals who need to find rooms in shared flats across 400+ cities.
The platform serves users who need to rent a room in a shared flat in Continental
Europe through remote booking with payment protection.

4. 6) WG-Gesucht (Germany)
The platform serves as the primary choice for German WG flat rentals because it offers
extensive local listings and mobile apps and users can be made visible or verified
through optional upgrades. Users should begin their search for Berlin Munich Cologne
and Hamburg apartments through this platform.
The platform serves all German residents who need housing regardless of their native
language since most listings contain dual language content.
Stuck choosing a city or roommate app? Get a personalised shortlist from
Gateway International for your budget & move-in date.
7) Badi (Spain + parts of Europe)
The Spanish room-rental application Badi introduced AI-driven recommendations and
swipe-based matching features to enhance user connection speed after its recent
platform update. Users who upgrade to Badi Gold receive additional features for
reaching out to potential roommates.
The platform serves students and graduates who plan to live in Barcelona and Madrid
and Valencia and other Spanish cities and also supports users in particular European
locations.
8) Flatmates.com.au (Australia)
The platform operates as Australia's largest share-accommodation marketplace by
hosting tens of thousands of active room and room-wanted listings each month through
its dedicated mobile application. Users who plan to move to Sydney or Melbourne or
Brisbane or Perth should use this platform as their main resource.
This apps to find roommates serves Australian users who need extensive local housing
options and quick responses during their move.
9) Appartager (France)
The platform operates as a top French flat-sharing application which includes specific
search options for Paris and other French metropolitan areas. Users who seek a
French-speaking platform with broad local connections should begin their search here.
The platform serves students and professionals who relocate to France because it
offers strong local connection features.

5. 10) Student-Only Marketplaces (Global): Uniplaces & Amber
Student housing booking platforms Uniplaces and Amber offer verified listings and
support teams which help users reserve shared accommodations before their arrival.
These platforms enable users to find shared accommodations and meet their flatmates
through organic connections although they do not function as traditional roommate
matching services.The platform provides the most suitable solution for students entering
international education who want to book verified student housing before their arrival.
Honorable Mentions of Apps to Find roommates
(Community-based)
●Facebook Groups containing city-specific roommate sections (Los Angeles
Roommates and Chicago Roommates) offer excellent opportunities to find
roommates but users should perform background checks and conduct video
interviews before meeting in person.
●The student subreddits and city subreddits on Reddit provide active roommate
threads which help users check the atmosphere of potential roommates.
How to Choose the Right App (and Avoid Hassles)
Apps to find roommates can be a daunting experience but not when you follow the
following tips:-

6. Select an application that serves your destination location. The United States and
United Kingdom require users to register on SpareRoom and Roomies and
Roommates.com. Students who plan to move across Europe should use
HousingAnywhere together with Uniplaces and Amber for their accommodation needs.
Prioritize verification & protection: The selection process should start with verification
and protection features. The platform should offer ID verification and in-app
communication tools and secure payment systems with escrow protection.
Roommates.com verifies user identities through their platform while HousingAnywhere
stores payment funds until you verify the accommodation after moving into the space.
Know the business model: Understand the operational structure of the platform. Free
platforms enable quick exploration but premium services provide additional capabilities
and demonstrate user dedication. Roommates.com offers a brief VIP plan for short-term
messaging access which enables users to test premium features at a minimal cost.

7. Use region-native keywords: Native residents of specific regions should use their local
terminology when searching for accommodation or buddies through apps to find
roommates. European residents use terms like "flatshare" and "colocation" and "WG" to
describe shared living arrangements. The term "share accommodation" is used in
Australia to describe shared housing. Users who select "room in shared
apartment/dorm" on the platform will find flatmates instead of searching for complete
properties by themselves.
Safety Checklist (Read This Before You Message) for finding
roommates abroad
Insist on video tours & ID: You should request video tours and identification verification
from potential roommates. You should request a live video tour and verify the person's
identity through their passport or national ID while hiding sensitive information. Users
should select platforms that enable profile verification and ID authentication when
possible.
Use in-app payments/escrow where available: The available payment systems with
escrow protection should be used for transactions. European users can use
HousingAnywhere to secure their funds until they verify the accommodation through
their platform.
Cross-check the listing: Check the listing details twice for accuracy. Perform reverse-
image searches on photos and verify the address through Google Maps and Street
View while requesting dated utility bills or tenancy documents when needed.
Be cautious with platforms that have a history of deceptive listings: Users should
exercise extreme caution when using platforms which have shown evidence of
deceptive listing practices. Roomster faced multiple FTC and state lawsuits because of
fake reviews and deceptive listings, but the company settled these cases through
enforcement actions in 2023. Users who choose to use this platform should exercise
extreme caution while verifying all information outside of the platform.
Meet expectations early: Establish clear expectations with your roommates at the
beginning of your tenancy. Before applying together with someone you should establish
rules about quiet times and guest policies and utility distribution methods through apps
like Roomi and Roomies which allow you to define your preferences beforehand.

8. Final Take
The best apps to find roommates depends on your location because different platforms
excel in different regions. Start by using a local specialist platform (WG-Gesucht in
Germany and Badi in Spain and Flatmates.com.au in Australia) and then expand your
search through SpareRoom/Roomies/Roommates.com for broader options and secure
your accommodation through student marketplaces or booking sites before your arrival.
Your safety depends on verifying information first and then making payments while
using platforms that provide protective features. Connect with Gateway International
and find out the best option for you.