Gumtree is a general classifieds marketplace, and flatshare/houseshare is one of its many categories. Flathive is built only for share houses and flatmates. Here's how they compare when you're filling a room or looking for one.
This comparison is based on Gumtree's own website and app listings, 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, Flatmate Finders and Facebook.
Flathive vs Gumtree at a glance
| Feature | Flathive | Gumtree |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A site only for rooms, flatmates and share houses | General classifieds; flatshare is one category among many |
| Listings | Growing NZ and AU marketplace | About 2,700 flatshare/houseshare listings across Australia |
| Cost to list | Free; optional $10 Boost for 30 days | Standard Gumtree ad fees may apply |
| Flatmate profiles and matching | Profiles with lifestyle and search-style preferences | A plain classified ad, no profile or matching system |
| Room details | Rent per room, bills, house rules, flatmates, photos per room | Free-form ad |
| Messaging | Free in-app chat, in real time | In-app messages via "Reply" on an ad |
| Mobile app | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
| Map search | Yes | Not shown |
| Scam protection | AI scam detection on listings and messages | Not shown |
| ID verification | Optional, $5 one-off, checked against government ID | Not shown |
| Photo privacy (blur) | Yes | Not shown |
| Tenancy agreement | Free residential tenancy agreement, filled in online | Not shown |
| Team up for a whole place | Yes | Not shown |
| Compare places side by side | Up to 4 rooms | Not shown |
Where Flathive is ahead
Built for share houses. Every listing shows rent per room, bills, house rules and who you'd live with. People looking for a room post flatmate profiles you can browse and message.
Free to list. Listing a room or a flatmate profile on Flathive costs nothing.
Safer. AI scam detection on listings and messages, optional ID checks against government ID, and photo blurring so only verified users, or people you're messaging, see your photos.
From finding to moving in. Real-time chat, map search, a compare view for up to four rooms, team-ups, and a free residential tenancy agreement.
Where Gumtree is ahead
A big general audience. Plenty of Australians already browse Gumtree, and you can buy furniture for the room in the same place.
Which should you use?
List on both if you want maximum reach — Flathive is free to list on and gives people looking for a room far more detail to decide with. List your room free.
Gumtree is referenced here for comparison only and is a trademark of its owner. Features, pricing and availability change — confirm directly with Gumtree before deciding.