All Swedish Rental Platforms Compared: Qasa vs Samtrygg vs Bofrid vs HousingAnywhere (and 4 more)

We run an aggregator. That means we pull listings from all of the platforms below and have no financial relationship with any of them — no affiliate deal, no referral arrangement, no preferred partner. What you're reading is the honest assessment of people who have studied these platforms closely enough to build software on top of them.

If you're a newly arrived expat trying to figure out where to spend your limited search energy, this guide will give you a direct answer. If you want the complete context on why these platforms exist and how they fit into the Swedish rental system, start with the complete guide to renting in Sweden as an expat first.

---

Quick comparison table

Platform	Volume	English UI	Tenant fee	Landlord fee	Contract type	Expat-friendly	Best for
Qasa	Very high	Partial	None	~4% of rent	Andrahand, long-term	Excellent	All expats — start here
Samtrygg	High	No	None	~3% of rent	Andrahand	Very good	Verified sublets with legal support
Bofrid	Medium	No	None	Listing fee	Andrahand, short-term	Variable	Stockholm 3–12 month stays
Residensportalen	Low-medium	No	None	Subscription	Andrahand	Variable	Less competition, verified landlords
Homii	Medium	No	None	Per-listing fee	Andrahand	Moderate	Multi-city coverage
HousingAnywhere	Medium (Sweden)	Yes	5–9%	5%	Andrahand, medium-term	Excellent	Expats, students, international renters
Spotahome	Low-medium (Sweden)	Yes	Service fee	Commission	Andrahand, furnished	Excellent	Remote applications, furnished stays
Studentlya	Low-medium	No	None	Free/listing	Andrahand, student	Good for students	Enrolled students and recent graduates

Notes: Fee percentages are approximate and subject to change. "Volume" refers to Sweden-wide andrahand listing count.

---

Qasa

What it is: Qasa is Sweden's largest andrahand platform by listing volume, owned by the listed company Qasa Group. It operates as a marketplace where private landlords list apartments and Qasa handles tenant verification, contract generation, and in some cases rent payment processing.

How it works: Landlords post listings and set their own requirements. Tenants apply by creating a profile, uploading identity documents, and submitting applications directly. Qasa offers an optional "insurance package" for landlords that includes tenant verification and payment guarantees.

Expat-friendliness: Good to excellent. Qasa does not require a personnummer to create an account or submit applications. Identity verification is done via passport upload or BankID — non-Swedish residents use passport. Many listings explicitly state "personnummer not required." The platform has a partial English translation (listing browsing works in English; some administrative screens revert to Swedish).

Cost structure: Free for tenants. Landlords pay a percentage-based fee when Qasa handles the contract or a subscription for access to the platform. The cost is borne by the landlord, not the renter.

Pros:

• Highest listing volume of any Swedish andrahand platform
• Strong Stockholm and Gothenburg coverage
• Does not require personnummer
• Fraud detection and verification built into the platform
• Active listings are updated throughout the day

Cons:

• Not fully in English — some screens require Swedish navigation
• High competition per listing (Stockholm listings often receive 30–50+ applications)
• SMS verification during signup requires a receivable phone number — Swedish SIM improves reliability but international numbers generally work

Best for: All expats, regardless of background or documentation level. This is the first platform to set up and the one to check most frequently.

---

Samtrygg

What it is: Samtrygg (literally "safe together") is a platform that builds tenant verification, digital contract signing, and payment handling directly into the rental process. The name signals its core value proposition: the landlord and tenant are both verified, and the contract is processed through the platform rather than via handshake agreement.

How it works: Landlords list apartments. Samtrygg verifies both parties using its own system. Contracts are created and signed digitally through the platform. Rent can be collected through Samtrygg, which provides an additional layer of security for both sides.

Expat-friendliness: Very good. Samtrygg does not require a personnummer at account or application level. Their verification focuses on identity and income rather than Swedish credit history. This makes it significantly more accessible than platforms that use UC or Kronofogden checks.

Cost structure: Free for tenants. Landlords pay roughly 3% of rent when using Samtrygg's full contract and payment service. Landlords using only the listing service pay less.

Pros:

• Built-in legal framework reduces the risk of problematic contracts
• Does not require personnummer for tenants
• Good coverage across Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö
• The verification process gives landlords confidence in international applicants, which can improve your acceptance rate

Cons:

• Swedish-only interface — requires some navigation confidence
• Lower listing volume than Qasa
• The built-in framework can make it feel more formal, which suits some renters and landlords less than others

Best for: Expats who want the security of a platform-managed contract and are comfortable with a Swedish-language interface. Good second platform after Qasa.

---

Bofrid

What it is: Bofrid is a Stockholm-focused andrahand platform that has grown rapidly since its launch. It is particularly strong for shorter stays in the 3–12 month range and has an active landlord community in the inner Stockholm market.

How it works: Landlords post listings and tenants apply directly. Bofrid does not manage contracts in the way Samtrygg does — it is more of a marketplace that connects the parties, with the contract arranged between landlord and tenant.

Expat-friendliness: Variable. Bofrid does not impose a platform-level personnummer requirement, but individual landlords on the platform vary significantly. Some listings state personnummer required; others explicitly say it is not. In practice, Bofrid skews more toward domestic Swedish renters than Qasa or Samtrygg. Worth checking, but expect a higher share of listings that require personnummer.

Cost structure: Free for tenants. Landlords pay a per-listing fee. No percentage-based rent commission.

Pros:

• Strong inner Stockholm coverage
• Good for short-to-medium term stays specifically
• Growing platform — listing volume has increased year-over-year
• Lower competition per listing than Qasa in some areas

Cons:

• Stockholm-centric — limited coverage elsewhere in Sweden
• More variable on personnummer requirements than Qasa/Samtrygg
• Swedish-only interface

Best for: Expats relocating specifically to Stockholm who want another active channel beyond Qasa. Set up alerts here alongside Qasa rather than choosing between them.

---

Residensportalen

What it is: Residensportalen is a smaller andrahand platform known for verified listings and a landlord vetting process that is more rigorous than most. The platform positions itself on quality over volume — fewer listings, but with more confidence in their legitimacy.

How it works: Landlords go through a verification process before listings are approved. Tenants apply directly. Residensportalen does not manage contracts or payments through the platform — it is a listing and discovery tool.

Expat-friendliness: Variable. Residensportalen has a more domestic focus and personnummer requirements appear on a significant share of listings. However, because there are fewer total listings, there is also less competition per listing — your application has a better chance of being read carefully.

Cost structure: Free for tenants. Landlords pay a subscription or per-listing fee.

Pros:

• Verified landlords reduce scam risk
• Less competition per listing
• Listings tend toward longer-term contracts

Cons:

• Lower total listing volume
• More frequent personnummer requirements than Qasa
• Swedish-only interface
• Limited coverage outside major cities

Best for: Expats using it as a secondary channel after Qasa and Samtrygg, particularly those looking for longer-term (6–24 month) contracts.

---

Homii

What it is: Homii is a Swedish andrahand platform with coverage across Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala, Linköping, and Lund — making it one of the more geographically diverse options. It is particularly relevant for expats relocating to mid-size cities where Qasa listing volume is thinner.

How it works: Standard marketplace — landlords list, tenants apply, contracts arranged between parties. Homii does not provide contract management or tenant insurance as a core platform feature.

Expat-friendliness: Moderate. No platform-level personnummer barrier, but individual listing requirements vary. The platform is Swedish-language only and is not specifically designed for international renters.

Cost structure: Free for tenants. Landlords pay a per-listing or subscription fee.

Pros:

• Multi-city coverage, including cities underserved by other platforms
• Good option for Uppsala, Linköping, and Lund specifically
• Consistent listing updates

Cons:

• Swedish-only interface
• Moderate listing volume compared to Qasa
• Less expat-awareness among landlords than Qasa or HousingAnywhere

Best for: Expats relocating to Uppsala, Linköping, or Lund, or those who want additional coverage beyond Qasa in mid-size cities.

---

HousingAnywhere

What it is: HousingAnywhere is an Amsterdam-headquartered international student and expat housing platform with listings in multiple countries, including Sweden. It is built from the ground up for international renters — English is the default language, listings are described in English, and the tenant base is primarily non-Swedish.

How it works: Landlords list rooms and apartments. Tenants apply and pay through the platform. HousingAnywhere holds the first month's rent in escrow for 24 hours after move-in before releasing it to the landlord — providing a layer of protection against fraud. Contracts are created and managed through the platform.

Expat-friendliness: Excellent. No personnummer required. No Swedish required. The entire experience is designed for international renters. Many landlords on HousingAnywhere specifically seek international tenants and understand the documentation that comes with foreign applicants.

Cost structure: Tenants pay a service fee of roughly 5–9% of the first month's rent. Landlords pay approximately 5%. Fees are charged on booking.

Pros:

• Fully English interface
• Designed specifically for international renters
• Escrow payment protection
• Good for medium-term stays (1–12 months)
• Strong furnished apartment inventory

Cons:

• Lower total listing volume for Sweden than Qasa or Samtrygg
• Service fee adds to the cost (the equivalent of roughly half a month's rent spread over the contract)
• Listing quality can vary

Best for: Expats who want an end-to-end English experience, those relocating from abroad who want to arrange housing before arriving, and students on exchange programs.

---

Spotahome

What it is: Spotahome is a Madrid-headquartered platform that operates across multiple European cities, including Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Its signature feature is professional photo and video documentation of every listing — a significant advantage for renters applying from abroad who cannot visit before committing.

How it works: Spotahome inspects and documents each property before it is listed. Tenants book and sign through the platform. Contracts are standardized and processed through Spotahome. The landlord receives payment after the tenant has moved in and confirmed the apartment matches the listing.

Expat-friendliness: Excellent for remote applications. The documentation-first approach reduces the information asymmetry that normally disadvantages expats applying from another country. No personnummer requirement.

Cost structure: Service fee charged to tenants. Landlords pay a commission. The exact amounts vary by contract length and location.

Pros:

• Best option for booking an apartment from abroad before arriving in Sweden
• Virtual tour documentation reduces the risk of discrepancy between listing and reality
• English interface
• No personnummer required

Cons:

• Lower listing volume for Sweden than Qasa — selection is more limited
• Slightly higher total cost due to service fees
• Coverage concentrated in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö — limited elsewhere

Best for: Expats who need to arrange housing remotely before their arrival date and want verified, documented listings.

---

Studentlya

What it is: Studentlya is a Swedish student-focused housing platform aggregating listings across university cities in Sweden. It is specifically designed for the student rental market and includes both rooms in shared apartments and studio flats.

How it works: Landlords who specifically want to rent to students list on Studentlya. Tenants create profiles and apply directly. The platform is oriented toward the Swedish student market but accessible to international students.

Expat-friendliness: Good for students specifically. If you are enrolled at a Swedish university or recently graduated and can provide enrollment documentation, Studentlya is worth adding to your search. It is not particularly useful for non-student expats.

Cost structure: Free for tenants. Landlords pay listing fees.

Pros:

• Landlords expect student tenants, including international ones
• Coverage across major university cities
• Good for rooms in shared apartments, not just studios

Cons:

• Relevant only for students and recent graduates
• Swedish-language interface
• Lower volume than general andrahand platforms

Best for: International students enrolled at Swedish universities who want a channel specifically designed for their situation.

---

Recommendations by use case

Best for Stockholm, maximum listing volume: Qasa first, then Samtrygg and Bofrid. These three together cover the overwhelming majority of legitimate Stockholm andrahand listings.

Best if you're applying from abroad before you arrive: Spotahome (verified documentation, can book remotely) and HousingAnywhere (fully English, built for international renters). Set up Qasa alerts simultaneously so you can apply the moment you arrive.

Best for short-term stays (1–3 months): HousingAnywhere and Spotahome are better suited to short-term furnished stays. Qasa has short-term listings but they are mixed with long-term inventory.

Best for student budgets: Studentlya and HousingAnywhere. Both have room-in-shared-apartment inventory that is significantly cheaper than studio options.

Best for families: Qasa and Samtrygg for 3+ room listings. Homii also carries family-sized apartments. Filter specifically for 3 rooms or more — family-appropriate inventory is there but requires more patience. See also moving to Sweden with a family.

Best if you don't speak Swedish: HousingAnywhere and Spotahome are fully English. Qasa has partial English. Everything else requires Swedish navigation or a translation tool.

Best for mid-size cities (Uppsala, Lund, Linköping): Homii plus Qasa (where available). Studentlya for students in these cities.

---

Why use an aggregator instead of checking each platform individually

The honest version: if you are highly motivated and have unlimited time, you could set up alerts directly on Qasa, Samtrygg, Bofrid, Residensportalen, Homii, HousingAnywhere, Spotahome, and Studentlya separately. You would cover the same ground.

The practical reality: maintaining eight separate alert setups, each with different filter interfaces, different notification timings, and different listing formats, is time-consuming and cognitively expensive. New listings appear throughout the day. Some platforms have faster notification systems than others. When a listing goes live simultaneously on two platforms at 11 PM, you need one alert, not two separate ones that may arrive at different times with different information.

Expatriate sends you a single deduplicated email alert — one notification per apartment, regardless of how many platforms it appears on — within minutes of a listing going live. Your filter is set once. You see everything.

Set up your free alert on Expatriate. No personnummer, no Swedish, takes 30 seconds.