Having a roommate to split bills with can be helpful, especially in a new city. But with the many roommate finders available, which one can actually help you find an appropriate roommate? Well, you don’t have to look too far! Here’s a rundown of two roommate finders: Facebook and Roomi. We’ll be talking about and comparing the features of both apps, the pricing, and the level of security that it can provide its users. So, if you’re unsure whether to find roommates on Facebook or another app, read on.
Pricing: Are These Roommate Finder Apps Free or Paid?
Both Roomi and Facebook are free-to-use, but some features may be a deal-breaker when it comes to finding roommates. For one, there’s a risk of your private information leaking on Facebook as the app has been known to have security issues. Facebook also has no safety net due to listings and groups being managed by random people, and there’s no guarantee that the listings are genuine. So, you have to be on constant lookout for scams.
Whereas, with Roomi, you’d see not only verified users but also secure in-app messaging, content moderation, and background checks! Moreover, you can subscribe to become a Roomi Gold user for only $23.99 per month or $14.99 per week. With a Roomi Gold subscription, you can upgrade your status to Fully Verified (with a badge on your profile!). This means your profile and listings will be boosted up to 7x more so you have more chances of finding your roomie quickly, and you don’t have to pay a booking fee!
Security: Can these apps help me find roommates I can trust?
Having a roommate is ideal when moving to a new place if you want to split costs, or simply don’t want to live alone. But you have to make sure you have safe roomies with whom you feel comfortable. So, it’s best to use roommate finders that verify their users, conduct background checks, and keep your private information secure. With these features, you’ll find safe roomies in no time!
Verifies Roommate Contact Info
Roomi uses GlobalID as one way to verify its user’s contact information. It’s a digital identity platform that confirms and stores a user’s email and contact information, keeping it safe and secure. Additionally, it lets you control your identity and verifications, so other people can’t access your data easily.
Finding roommates on Facebook may be risky because Facebook doesn’t indicate that the profiles are verified. Many listings can show up with a simple roommate search on Facebook, but it’s also possible that the contact information posted may be false.
ID Verification
Many roommate finders similar to Facebook marketplace don’t have a verified badge on regular profiles (only businesses, official organizations, and celebrities have them). This means that you won’t be able to distinguish whether a profile was made by a real person or not. So, roommates on Facebook have the potential to be fake or scammers. But with Roomi, users go through a comprehensive verification process to ensure that all profiles are made by real people. You can even get a Fully Verified badge on your profile with a Roomi Gold subscription!
Privacy & Security of Profiles
Roomi takes the private and personal information of its users seriously. For one, Roomi has secure in-app messaging, so you won’t have to worry about any leak of your private messages from the app. On top of that, once you log in to the app or website, your personal information is automatically protected under the GPDR. With this, you can request your profile and data to be deleted once you’ve found your roomie.
In contrast, Facebook has been known to have problems when it comes to the safekeeping of the privacy and security of its users. With ever-changing privacy controls, there are many reports on Facebook users being confused about how to keep their information private on the app.
24/7 Support & Content Moderation
One of the things Facebook is not known for is its content moderation because anyone with a profile can freely post anything they want on the platform. Although there’s always the option to report a listing or a post, it’s still not 100% percent clean of non-genuine listings. However, Roomi has its own in-house content moderation team responsible for picking out bad listings and clearing spam content.
Criminal Background Check
One of the many features Roomi has that makes it the best roommate finder is its criminal background checks. Upon request, Roomi does background checks against local and international criminal databases. A verified badge can be given to the user by submitting a photo of their ID. This is granted that they’re clear of any crime. With a verified badge, the chances of finding a roommate are much higher. And, with a Roomi Gold subscription, you can get a Fully Verified badge yourself!
User Profiles: Which App Makes It Easier to Find Your Perfect Roommate?
Your roommate search on Facebook can be tricky if you’re not entirely knowledgeable about the app itself. Since everything can be listed in Facebook marketplace, you’d have to search for what you’re looking for specifically and then choose a listing that looks trustworthy enough before inquiring. Hence, there are a lot of hoops you have to jump through when finding roommates on Facebook. On the other hand, with Roomi’s easy-to-navigate and straightforward app and website, you’ll be able to find a roommate easily!
In Roomi, you can use filters to fit your preferences. Like, if you prefer to live with a non-binary roommate or maybe someone a bit older than you, you just have to set the appropriate filter, and Roomi will narrow down your choices. Plus, Roomi has a roommate matching algorithm that works wonders to help you find the most appropriate roommate for you!
So, is finding roommates on Facebook best for you?
There are many roommate finders available, but only a select few can actually provide the features you need to find the best roommate. Luckily, Roomi has everything! Unlike finding roommates on Facebook where there’s no proper verification, and your security may be at risk, Roomi keeps your private information safe, has verified users, and conducts background checks. With all these features, you will have a smooth roommate-finding experience with Roomi.
Roomi is your one-stop option to list or find rooms, find roommates to settle into a new city easily. Download the app and sign up today!