Roomster
Roomster is a private, US-based mobile and web marketplace that matches individual room seekers with room listers and potential roommates across 192 countries and 18 languages, operating a freemium model with premium subscriptions and an ID-validation trust system.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Roomster does
Roomster is a private, US-based mobile and web marketplace that matches individual room seekers with room listers and potential roommates across 192 countries in 18 languages. The platform operates as a self-serve, product-led consumer service accessible through native iOS and Android apps (with 10M+ downloads) and a localized web experience, and it has accumulated 20M+ accounts since its founding. Its core technical components include a recommendation/matching engine that filters on budget, location and lifestyle criteria, an in-app messaging system that protects user contact information, and an ID Validation System that combines automated checks with human-moderator review to issue 'Validated' badges. The company pursues a freemium revenue model in which basic profile creation, browsing and listing are free, with optional weekly or monthly premium subscriptions unlocking full messaging, contact access and accelerated search.
Distribution is anchored in app stores, an SEO footprint spanning major US and international cities, an affiliate program, and earned media in outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Mashable and Time Out. Roomster's customer base is bifurcated into two primary personas — room seekers and room listers, including property owners and subletters — with pet-friendly housing as a secondary use case. The company employs between 11 and 50 people and reports no disclosed external funding, parent company, or revenue figures.
In 2025, Roomster shipped Dark Mode on both mobile platforms, completed an Android optimization that reduced app size by 40%, and published a market-intelligence report documenting a 210% surge in Florida searches following the November 2025 NYC mayoral election. The leadership team comprises founder and CEO John S. Shriber, CTO Roman Zaks, Director of Operations Ekterina Bulat, and Head of Production & Development Cem Isbilir.
Roomster firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Roomster
- Legal name
- Roomster
- Website
- https://getapp.roomster.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Roomster is a private, US-based mobile and web marketplace that matches individual room seekers with room listers and potential roommates across 192 countries and 18 languages, operating a freemium model with premium subscriptions and an ID-validation trust system.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Roomster industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Roommate Matching Platform
- NAICS
- Rental and Leasing Services (532), Accommodation (721)
- SIC
- Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Shared Student Apartments & Roommate-Matching Platforms (EDAIALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hostel & Shared Accommodation Booking Platforms (Short-Stay Shared Inventory) (THAMALAK), Shared Accommodation Networks (Homestay/Roomshare Clubs) (THAMAIAJ)
Keywords
Where Roomster is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Roomster business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Premium Subscriptions: Roomster operates on a freemium model where basic access is free (create profile, browse rooms, post listings). Premium subscription plans (weekly or monthly options) unlock full features including reading and responding to any message without delay, providing full access to contact other users and view all details.
- Subscription - Premium Plans: Flexible premium subscription plans available on weekly or monthly basis. Users can upgrade when ready to reach out to everyone and speed up their roommate search. The goal is to ensure users only pay if they find value, while keeping basic roommate-finding tools open to everyone.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Free | Free tier - Basic roommate finding tools |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium subscription - Full access |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Roomster product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Roomster operates a global roommate and room rental matching marketplace available on web, iOS, and Android, where individuals can search rooms for rent, sublets, and shared apartments across 192 countries in 18 languages. The platform enables users to create profiles, post listings, filter by budget/location/lifestyle preferences, and connect via secure in-app messaging protected until parties are comfortable sharing contact details. Free ID validation with human moderator review and verified badges differentiates the platform as a trusted community for shared housing.
Product overview
Roomster operates as a unified roommate finding and room rental marketplace platform consisting of a web-based platform, native mobile apps for iOS and Android, and a proprietary ID validation system. The core platform enables users to search and list rooms across 192 countries in 18 languages, with mobile apps providing on-the-go access with instant alerts, secure in-app chat, and advanced filtering capabilities. The ID validation system serves as a key differentiator, combining automated checks with human review to build trust within the community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Roomster Platform (Web) A web-based roommate and room rental marketplace operating across 192 countries in 18 languages, enabling users to search rooms for rent, browse listings, post spaces, and connect with potential roommates through secure in-app messaging and validated profiles. Designed for individual room seekers and room listers globally.
- Roomster Mobile App (iOS and Android) Native mobile applications for iOS (App Store id1045548013) and Android (Google Play com.roomster) delivering full Roomster platform functionality including listing management, real-time alerts for new listings, secure in-app chat, advanced search filters, Dark Mode support, and on-the-go roommate search across 192 countries.
- ID Validation System Free identity validation system that combines smart automated checks with real human moderators reviewing user profiles to catch fakes and time-wasters; successful users receive a 'Validated' badge that signals trust within the platform community.
- Roomster Premium Subscription Optional premium subscription plan available on a weekly or monthly basis, unlocking the ability to read and respond to any message without delay and providing full access to contact other users and view all listing details for faster roommate or room search.
Quantifiable outcome
- 210% increase in Florida searches following NYC mayoral election
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Roomster
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Roomster technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Roomster partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators9 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Roomster competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SpareRoom: SpareRoom is a leading roommate matching and shared accommodation platform, primarily serving the US, UK, and other English-speaking markets. It is a direct competitor to Roomster with overlapping two-sided marketplace functionality, freemium model, and safety/verification features.
- Roommates.com: Roommates.com is one of the longest-running roommate matching platforms in the US, offering profile-based roommate search and listing tools. It competes directly with Roomster for room seekers and listers, particularly in North American metros.
- SpareRoom USA / UK sites: SpareRoom's UK site is a category leader in British shared housing search and a close analog to Roomster's English-language offering. It uses a similar freemium model and verification workflow, making it the most benchmarked peer for product and pricing strategy.
Broad incumbents
- Craigslist: Craigslist's 'rooms/shared' section is a major free channel for roommate and sublet listings, particularly in the US. It is not a specialized roommate product but absorbs significant long-term shared housing search demand that otherwise could flow to Roomster.
- Facebook Marketplace: Facebook Marketplace hosts a large volume of room, sublet, and housemate listings within a general social platform with near-zero friction. It is a free substitute for Roomster's core listing and discovery use cases, especially among younger demographics.
- Zillow Rentals: Zillow dominates US rental search, including room and shared housing inventory. It is a broad incumbent that captures demand Roomster would otherwise serve, but its primary focus is whole-unit rentals rather than dedicated roommate matching.
- Trulia Rentals: Trulia is a major US rental listing platform with broad consumer reach. While not a dedicated roommate product, it competes for the same room seekers' attention during the housing search funnel and offers comparable listing tools for owners.
Emerging players
- Bungalow: Bungalow is a co-living operator that matches roommates into fully furnished, managed shared homes. It overlaps with Roomster on the roommate matching and shared housing use case but is vertically integrated into property operations, a different business model.
- Common (co-living): Common operates purpose-built co-living communities in major US cities with a tech-enabled roommate matching layer. It serves a similar end-user need for shared, vetted housing but delivers it through owned and operated buildings rather than a marketplace.
- Padsplit: PadSplit is a shared housing marketplace focused on affordable workforce housing in the US. It addresses a different price segment than Roomster's urban shared apartments but overlaps on the shared-room discovery and matching use case.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Roomster social profiles
Digital presenceRoomster financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Roomster leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Roomster funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Roomster M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Roomster
What does Roomster do?
Roomster operates a global roommate and room rental matching marketplace available on web, iOS, and Android, where individuals can search rooms for rent, sublets, and shared apartments across 192 countries in 18 languages. The platform enables users to create profiles, post listings, filter by budget/location/lifestyle preferences, and connect via secure in-app messaging protected until parties are comfortable sharing contact details. Free ID validation with human moderator review and verified badges differentiates the platform as a trusted community for shared housing.
Is Roomster a public or private company?
Roomster is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Roomster founded?
Roomster was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Roomster based?
Roomster is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Roomster make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Premium Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are subscription - Premium Plans.
Who are Roomster's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SpareRoom, Roommates.com and SpareRoom USA / UK sites. Broad incumbents are Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Zillow Rentals and Trulia Rentals. Emerging players are Bungalow, Common (co-living) and Padsplit.
Does Roomster have an API?
No public API is recorded for Roomster.
What industry is Roomster in?
Roomster's product category is Roommate Matching Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIALAD, Shared Student Apartments & Roommate-Matching Platforms, with a secondary code of THAMALAK, Hostel & Shared Accommodation Booking Platforms (Short-Stay Shared Inventory). Its NAICS code is 532 and its SIC code is 6531.