Flatmate Finders is a long-running Australian flatmate-matching site. Flathive is a newer alternative. The biggest difference is simple: on Flatmate Finders, sending messages when you're offering a room is paid; on Flathive it's free.
This comparison is based on Flatmate Finders' own website and pricing page, checked in 2026. Where a feature wasn't advertised anywhere we could find, it's marked "not shown" rather than assumed absent. For the wider picture, see our Australian comparison with Flatmates.com.au, Facebook and Gumtree.
Flathive vs Flatmate Finders at a glance
| Feature | Flathive | Flatmate Finders |
|---|---|---|
| Listing a room | Free | Free (Basic: advertise and receive messages) |
| Sending messages (offering a room) | Free | Paid: $22.99 for 14 days, $27.99 for 1 month or $34.99 for 2 months (Regular) |
| Looking for a room | Free to search and message | Free for 2 months, then a fee to continue |
| Several properties | Property management: $5 per property per month, no membership | Pro-user: $17.50–$52.50 per period plus a $99 annual membership |
| Flatmate matching | Flatmate profiles with lifestyle and search-style preferences | Strong compatibility matching on lifestyle and preferences |
| Boosting a listing | $10 for 30 days | Check their site |
| ID verification | Optional, $5 one-off, checked against government ID | Not shown |
| Calls | In-app chat, in real time | In-app audio and video calls on paid plans |
| Map search | Yes | Not shown |
| Scam protection | AI scam detection on listings and messages | Not shown |
| Photo privacy (blur) | Yes | Not shown |
| Tenancy agreement | Free residential tenancy agreement, filled in online | Not listed on their pricing page |
| Team up for a whole place | Yes | Not shown |
| Refunds | Boost and ID check are one-off and optional | 10-day refund on paid plans |
Where Flathive is ahead
Messaging is free for everyone. Room owners and people looking for a room can message without a paid plan. On Flatmate Finders, a room owner pays from $22.99 for 14 days to send messages, and seekers pay after their first two months.
No membership fee for landlords with several rooms. Flathive's property management is $5 per property per month. Flatmate Finders' Pro-user plans add a $99 annual membership.
More than a listing. Real-time chat, map search, AI scam detection, photo blurring, 360° photos, a side-by-side compare view, team-ups and a free residential tenancy agreement.
Where Flatmate Finders is ahead
Matching and calls. Flatmate Finders' compatibility matching is a real strength, and paid plans include in-app audio and video calls. It's also a long-running site with its own member base.
Which should you use?
If you don't want to pay to talk to people, start with Flathive — listing and messaging are free. Many people list on both. See the side-by-side table on our Flathive vs Flatmate Finders page, or list your room free.
Flatmate Finders is referenced here for comparison only and is a trademark of its owner. Features, pricing and availability change — confirm directly with Flatmate Finders before deciding.