Redfin Data Center vs SimplyRETS for AI agents
Redfin's Data Center offers downloadable US housing market statistics; Redfin publishes no listings API. SimplyRETS is a developer API and WordPress plugin that turns your own MLS's RETS or RESO Web API feed into a simple REST listings API.
The short answer
- Redfin Data Center: Free-to-download market trend data (prices, inventory, delistings) for research and charts, not finding a specific home.
- SimplyRETS: An affordable, simple REST layer for an agent or brokerage that already has its own MLS data feed.
Side by side
| Redfin Data Center | SimplyRETS | |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Market-level series such as the Housing Market Tracker (weekly and monthly), Redfin Home Price Index, price drops, delistings and investor purchases; not individual homes. | Listings from the MLS feeds you connect: active, under contract, pending and closed; residential, condo, rental, multifamily, commercial and land, plus open houses. |
| Returns | Download files where each row is one region for one time period. | Listing records with property details, photos, and listing agent and office information when the MLS feed supplies it. |
| Before the first call | Nothing stated; the data is a download button on the page. | RETS or RESO Web API credentials from your MLS; whether you must be an agent or broker depends on the MLS. |
| Free | – | Free demo API keys with sample data; no free trial with live data. |
| Paid | – | Basic plan $49 a month, plus a one-time $99 fee per MLS connection. |
| Acting on a result | Nothing: the downloads are aggregate statistics with no listings or contacts. | Listing agent and office contact details come with each listing when the MLS feed has them, and some MLSs require showing them. |
| Limits on keeping or showing results | Redfin's terms forbid automated crawling or querying of the site and copying or redistributing MLS listing information. | Only listings flagged for IDX display are served, and you must follow the display rules (e.g. last-updated disclaimers) set by your MLS. |
| AI in its terms | No AI rule; the only AI mention is an MLS (BAREIS) disclaimer that listing material may have been generated by AI. | Not stated on its pages |
| Coverage | US | Whatever MLS you connect (US); no fixed national coverage. |
| MCP server | – | No official server listed |
Where Openpath fits
Openpath has no homes listed yet. Owners and landlords can list a home for rent or sale on Openpath today, free, and agents will find it through the same search as jobs and businesses. Get listed.
Questions people ask
What do I need before I can use SimplyRETS?
RETS or RESO Web API credentials from your MLS; whether you must be an agent or broker depends on the MLS.
Is SimplyRETS free?
Free demo API keys with sample data; no free trial with live data.
Sources
Every line about another company comes from its own pages. Prices and terms change, so check the source before you rely on one.
Redfin Data Center, read on October 15, 2026:
- redfin.com/news/data-center: “Downloadable housing market insights from across the U.S.”
- redfin.com/news/data-center/downloads: “Each row represents one region for one time period.”
- redfin.com/about/terms-of-use: “automatedly crawl or query the Services for any purpose or by any means”
- redfin.com/about/terms-of-use: “You will not copy, redistribute, or retransmit any of the information provided”
- redfin.com/about/terms-of-use: “may include such material that has been generated by use of artificial intelligence”
SimplyRETS, read on October 15, 2026:
- simplyrets.com: “These are our demo API keys, you can use them!”
- simplyrets.com: “Each RETS or RESO Web API connection requires one time $99 connection fee.”
- simplyrets.com: “Get RETS or RESO Web API credentials from your MLS”
- simplyrets.com/faq: “This is dependent on the MLS area you want to connect to.”
- docs.simplyrets.com/topics/fields-and-features-for-idx-compliance: “In some cases it may be required that you show the contact information for the listing agent and/or listing office.”
- docs.simplyrets.com/topics/fields-and-features-for-idx-compliance: “in many areas it’s required to show the timestamp of when the data was last updated in a disclaimer.”
- simplyrets.com: “Basic $ 49 /mo”
- simplyrets.com/faq: “We don't currently offer a free trial period with live data”