Huurwoningen.nl vs OnlyExpats: Dutch Rental Platforms Compared

Introduction: Huurwoningen.nl and OnlyExpats Compared

Searching for apartments for rent in the Netherlands means choosing between different kinds of rental platforms. This comparison examines Huurwoningen.nl and OnlyExpats side‑by‑side, focusing on coverage, pricing, features, data quality, and who benefits most. Whether you need to find housing in Amsterdam, Rotterdam rentals, or Utrecht student rentals, this guide helps you pick the best rental website Netherlands options for your needs.

Coverage & Listings: Huurwoningen.nl vs OnlyExpats

Huurwoningen.nl is an aggregated, nationwide portal with explicit coverage across Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, and Eindhoven. Its inventory includes rooms, studios, apartments, houses and primarily targets long‑term rentals. The platform advertises comprehensive provincial reach (Noord‑Holland, Zuid‑Holland, Utrecht, Noord‑Brabant, Gelderland) and a mix of agency and private listings.

OnlyExpats positions itself as an expat‑focused aggregator with an English interface and broad nationwide listings for houses, apartments and rooms. Exact listing counts and city‑level breakdowns are not published in the provided data, but the platform emphasizes English usability and free alerts, and it is commonly used by internationals who need an English‑first search experience.

Why it matters: If you need deep coverage of Dutch supply across multiple cities, Huurwoningen.nl is explicit about city coverage and property types. If your top priority is an English UI and a platform marketed specifically to expats, OnlyExpats simplifies the experience for non‑Dutch speakers.

Pricing & Paywall: Free Browsing vs Subscription Contact

A key difference is the paywall model. Huurwoningen.nl allows free browsing but requires a paid Premium subscription (reported at €29.95/month) to contact landlords and apply via the site. It also has a trial window (varies by page between 7–14 days) before monthly billing. That subscription model is common among large Dutch portals and is aimed at users who want to move quickly by contacting landlords through the portal.

OnlyExpats is free to browse and to register; users can subscribe to free real‑time email alerts and do not face a paywall to contact listers (based on the data provided). For budget‑sensitive renters—students or newcomers without established Dutch banking—OnlyExpats’ free access lowers friction.

Why it matters: Speed matters in competitive markets like Amsterdam apartments. Huurwoningen.nl’s subscription model can be justified if you value in‑platform messaging, saved searches, and higher visibility into availability. OnlyExpats is attractive if you want cost‑free searching and English listings without subscription commitments.

Features & Tools: Filters, Alerts, and Search Experience

Huurwoningen.nl features saved searches, email alerts, availability checks, and a bilingual interface (NL/EN). It offers structured city and property‑type landing pages, which help renters drill down into Amsterdam apartments or The Hague rentals quickly. The platform requires login for some actions and supports verified listings, which can reduce time wasted on stale ads.

OnlyExpats provides an English language interface and real‑time email alerts. The feature set is more streamlined and focused on accessibility for expats. The data indicates no formal verified‑listing program and fewer platform features documented compared to Huurwoningen.nl.

Feature comparison highlights:

• Filters & search depth: Huurwoningen.nl provides more structured landing pages and likely more refined filters for property type and availability. OnlyExpats focuses on English accessibility and timely alerts.
• Alerts & saved searches: Both platforms support alerts; Huurwoningen.nl pairs alerts with a paid workflow for contacting landlords.
• Verified listings & availability checks: Huurwoningen.nl reports availability checks and verified listings, which increases trust when searching for Amsterdam apartments or Rotterdam rentals.

Why it matters: Robust filters and availability checks reduce wasted inquiries. If you need to find housing in Amsterdam fast and prefer structured search tools, Huurwoningen.nl’s richer feature set is advantageous. If you prioritize free alerts and English UI, OnlyExpats keeps things simple.

Data Quality & Verification

Huurwoningen.nl explicitly conducts availability checks and supports verified listings; however, final verification (applicant screening, income checks, viewings) is typically performed by agencies or landlords. The portal’s review volume (thousands of reviews) and a 4.2 score suggest substantial user feedback on breadth and usefulness, though some complaints relate to paywall friction and occasional outdated postings.

For OnlyExpats, the dataset does not report a formal verification program or independent review scores. That does not mean listings are unreliable, but renters should exercise usual diligence—confirm availability directly with the lister and verify viewing details, deposit and contract terms before paying.

Why it matters: In tight markets (Amsterdam, Utrecht student rentals), listing freshness and verification directly affect how many viewings you can book. Verified listings and availability controls, as practiced by Huurwoningen.nl, can save time and reduce chasing stale ads.

Who Should Use Each Platform

Huurwoningen.nl

• Best for: Students, young professionals, families and expats who want broad nationwide coverage and are willing to pay for faster contact and enhanced tools. It’s useful when searching for long‑term rentals and for renters who value verified listings.
• Use case: A professional relocating to Amsterdam who wants saved searches, email alerts and the ability to contact landlords through the portal immediately.

OnlyExpats

• Best for: Expats who prefer an English interface and free access, and those in early stages of relocation who need to monitor availability without subscription costs.
• Use case: An international student or newcomer looking to find housing in Amsterdam or Rotterdam with minimal upfront costs and simple alerts.

Pros & Cons

Huurwoningen.nl Pros:

• Wide coverage across major Dutch cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Eindhoven)
• Structured city/property landing pages and refined filters
• Verified listings and availability checks
• Multilingual support (NL/EN) and strong review volume Cons:
• Subscription required to contact landlords (€29.95/month as reported)
• Some users report outdated listings despite availability checks (agent delays can cause this)

OnlyExpats Pros:

• English‑first interface tailored to expats
• Free browsing, registration and email alerts
• Simple, low‑friction access for internationals Cons:
• No reported verified listings program in the provided data
• Less transparency on city‑level coverage and review volume

Decision Guide: Choosing Between Huurwoningen.nl and OnlyExpats

Choose Huurwoningen.nl if:

• You need comprehensive coverage across Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and beyond and value verified listings and availability checks.
• You are prepared to subscribe to a premium tier to contact landlords quickly and use saved searches effectively.

Choose OnlyExpats if:

• You are an expat who needs an English UI and free access or are early in the relocation process.
• You prefer to avoid subscription fees and want broad, free email alerts about new listings.

Tactical tips for both platforms:

• Always prepare documentation (ID, employment contract, recent payslips or student enrollment) before contacting landlords. This improves response speed.
• Cross‑list search: use both platforms together. Monitor OnlyExpats for free alerts and use Huurwoningen.nl when you need higher confidence from availability checks and in‑platform contact.
• Verify deposit and contract terms directly with the landlord or agency; don’t pay before signing and meeting verification requirements.

Final Thoughts on Huurwoningen.nl and OnlyExpats

Both platforms serve distinct needs within the Dutch rental ecosystem. Huurwoningen.nl is a feature‑rich, broadly covered portal suited for renters who want structure, verification, and are willing to pay for contact tools. OnlyExpats is a lower‑friction, English‑centred option that helps expats monitor listings without subscription costs.

For competitive searches like "find housing in Amsterdam" or "student housing Netherlands," using both platforms in tandem maximizes reach: OnlyExpats for free, immediate alerts in English; Huurwoningen.nl for verified listings, saved searches, and in‑platform contact when you’re ready to apply.

Long‑tail search example to guide your queries: compare Huurwoningen.nl vs OnlyExpats in Amsterdam to combine alerts, verification checks and the best chance of securing viewings in fast markets.

If you’re looking for alternatives beyond these two—platforms that emphasize neighborhood search, commute isochrones, or multilingual tools—consider comparing additional Dutch rental platforms in a follow‑up guide. For now, weigh your budget, language preference and need for verified listings to decide which of these two rental sites best helps you find your next Dutch home.