CoStar vs LoopNet: Which Is Better in 2026?
Updated October 4, 2026. Independent editorial; how we research.
CoStar is the paid research database for comps, analytics and ownership; LoopNet is the public marketplace where listings get seen. Same owner, different jobs.
| CoStar | LoopNet | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Free |
| Pricing model | — | Freemium |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Commercial Real Estate Brokers, Investors, Appraisers | Commercial Real Estate Brokers, Property Owners, Investors |
| Company size | Small, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Small, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud |
| Primary category | Data & Analytics | Listing Services |
Our Verdict
CoStar and LoopNet are both owned by CoStar Group, so this is less a rivalry than a question of which product you actually need. CoStar is the professional research subscription: verified property records, lease and sale comps, ownership and tenant data, market analytics and forecasts, used by brokers, appraisers, lenders and institutional owners to underwrite and prospect. LoopNet is the public-facing marketplace: a site anyone can search for free to find space for lease or property for sale, and the place most brokers advertise a listing when they want the widest audience.
CoStar wins when the work is research. If you need to defend a rent assumption, pull comparable sales, map out who owns and occupies a submarket, or produce a market report, LoopNet will not do it. LoopNet shows what is being marketed today, not the historical comps and analytics behind a valuation. The trade-offs with CoStar are well known: pricing is quote-based and negotiated by market and seat count, contracts are typically annual, and the depth is more than a tenant or casual investor will ever use.
LoopNet wins when the goal is exposure or a quick search. Tenants and small investors can browse without paying, and owners or brokers can pay for higher placement through its advertising tiers. The honest caveats: LoopNet does not publish prices for those tiers, the cost depends on property type, market and package, and a basic listing gets far less visibility than a paid one. LoopNet is also not a CRM, a deal tracker or a data product.
Choose CoStar if you are a broker, appraiser, lender or investor who needs comps and analytics every week and can justify an enterprise subscription. Choose LoopNet if you are searching for space, or if you have a property to market and want buyers and tenants to find it. Many brokerages end up with both, because the two share a listing database and CoStar subscribers market their listings through LoopNet. If the bundle is out of reach, a free marketplace such as Crexi is the usual place to start.
CoStar
LoopNet
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CoStar and LoopNet the same company?
Yes. LoopNet is owned by CoStar Group. CoStar is the subscription research and analytics product for professionals, and LoopNet is the public marketplace where properties are advertised for sale and lease.
Is LoopNet free to use?
Searching LoopNet is free. Marketing a property with strong visibility is not: LoopNet sells advertising tiers and does not publish their prices, so the cost is quoted by a LoopNet representative based on the property, market and package.
Can LoopNet replace a CoStar subscription?
Not for research. LoopNet shows properties currently on the market, while CoStar adds verified lease and sale comps, ownership and tenant data, and market analytics. If you only need to find or advertise space, LoopNet is enough.
How much does CoStar cost?
CoStar does not publish pricing. Subscriptions are quoted based on the markets, products and number of users you need, and are usually sold on annual contracts.
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