Stekkies alternative: how Renthaven compares

Stekkies and Renthaven do the same core job. They check rental sites for new listings, compare each one to the search you set up, and alert you when something matches. Neither is a landlord or an agent. You reply on the original listing and deal with the makelaar or landlord directly.

Stekkies says it scans rental sites and sends you straight to the listing's agent, without acting as an intermediary. It says it focuses on free-sector housing, including rooms, and that paid listing sites are left out unless you opt in. Renthaven watches platforms such as Pararius, Kamernet, Direct Wonen and Kamer.nl, plus rental agencies' own websites.

The Stekkies column is based on Stekkies' own pricing and how-it-works pages and its App Store listing. Check their site for the latest details.

• A free plan with no card. One search profile with email alerts, so you can see what Renthaven finds in your area before you pay anything.
• Search areas you draw yourself. Draw the exact streets on a map, pick neighbourhoods, or set a radius or a travel time to work or study.
• Reply templates that fill in the address. Save as many templates as you like on Premium. Each one fills in the listing's address, so you only add a personal line before sending.
• Rental agencies' own websites. Renthaven watches makelaars' own sites alongside the big platforms, because not every agency listing shows up on the big portals.
• Flexible billing. Premium renews every 1, 2 or 3 months, you can cancel anytime, and there's a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Premium also adds instant push notifications, unlimited search profiles, a search buddy who shares your access, and priority email support.

Renthaven fits renters who want to try alerts for free first, who care about a precise area such as a few streets or a fixed commute time, and who like to write their own replies with a template that handles the repetitive part.

Stekkies describes features such as an expected-match estimate before you sign up, filters for pets, families and students, and versions for Germany and the UK. If those matter to you, its site explains how they work.

1. 1Create a free Renthaven account and set up one search profile with your area, budget and number of rooms.
2. 2Keep your Stekkies alerts running while you see what arrives from each.
3. 3After a week or two, look at which alerts led to replies you actually sent.
4. 4If you want instant push alerts and more profiles, upgrade to Renthaven Premium. Cancel any service you no longer need from that service's own account.

With two alert services, some listings will show up twice. That's fine. Reply once, on the original listing.

Renthaven matches new listings from rental platforms and makelaars' own websites to your search profile and alerts you, so you can reply early on the original site. You stay in control of every message. Renthaven doesn't contact landlords for you and can't guarantee a viewing.

You can use Renthaven in the iOS and Android apps or the web app, in English or Dutch. Questions? Email support@renthaven.nl.