How to get your Zillow API key in under 2 minutes

The original Zillow API key (ZWSID) died in 2021. Here is how to get a working API key for Zillow data in 2026, step by step.

By Zillapi May 7, 2026

The Zillow API key you’re looking for doesn’t exist anymore. Zillow killed it in 2021.

But you can get a working API key for Zillow property data in about 60 seconds. I’ll show you exactly how.

The original Zillow Web Services API used a key called a ZWSID, issued at zillow.com/howto/api. Zillow retired that entire system on September 30, 2021 and replaced it with Bridge Interactive, an enterprise RESO API that requires MLS affiliation and weeks of approval. For the 99% of developers who aren’t MLS-affiliated brokerages, the path to Zillow data in 2026 runs through third-party REST wrappers. Zillapi is the fastest: email signup, magic link, bearer-token key, first API call. No credit card, no application, no waiting.

Why can’t I get a Zillow API key from Zillow?

Zillow retired the public Web Services API (ZWSID) on September 30, 2021. Every existing key stopped working that day. The old signup page at zillow.com/howto/api now redirects to Zillow Group’s developer portal, which points you to Bridge Interactive. There is no way to create a new ZWSID key. There is no waiting list. The decision was not reversed.

If you Google “Zillow API key,” you’ll find tutorials from 2019 and 2020 that walk through a signup process that no longer exists. The screenshots show pages Zillow took down three years ago.

Here’s the current state:

Bridge Interactive is Zillow’s official replacement. It’s a RESO Web API designed for MLS-affiliated partners: brokerages, IDX vendors, and approved proptech companies. You apply by emailing api@bridgeinteractive.com. Approval takes days to weeks. It does not expose Zestimates.

Third-party wrappers like Zillapi provide the same property data (including Zestimates) through independent REST APIs. No application. No MLS requirement. Key in 60 seconds.

How to get a Zillow data API key in 4 steps

Getting a working API key for Zillow property data takes under 2 minutes with Zillapi. You need an email address. That’s it. No credit card, no company name, no MLS affiliation.

Step 1: Sign up. Go to zillapi.com and click “Get API key.” Enter your email. Zillapi uses passwordless auth, so there’s no password to create or remember.

Step 2: Click the magic link. Check your inbox. Click the login link. It opens your dashboard.

Step 3: Create a key. In the dashboard, go to API Keys and click “Create new key.” Copy the key immediately. It looks like zk_AbCdEf... and won’t be shown again after you close the dialog.

Step 4: Make your first call. Open a terminal and run:

curl https://api.zillapi.com/v1/properties/by-url \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY_HERE" \
  --data-urlencode "url=https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/17-Zelma-Dr-Greenville-SC-29617/11026031_zpid/" \
  -G

You’ll get back a JSON response with the property’s Zestimate, beds, baths, sqft, tax assessment, listing status, and 290+ other fields.

That’s it. You have a working Zillow data API key.

What do you get with your free API key?

Every new Zillapi account gets 100 free credits. No credit card required. Each successful API call (2xx response) costs 1 credit. Failed calls don’t count.

With 100 credits, you can:

Look up 100 individual properties by address, URL, or zpid
Search listings across any U.S. city
Pull Zestimates, photos, price history, tax records, and school data
Test the webhooks system for async batch operations
Hit all 11 endpoints (properties, search, buildings, webhooks, jobs)

100 credits is enough to build and test a working integration. Most developers burn through their free credits in a day of testing and then upgrade.

After the free credits, pricing is simple:

Monthly: $5/month for 1,000 credits ($0.005 per call)
Annual: $54/year for 12,000 credits ($0.0045 per call)
Top-ups: $3-4 per 1,000 additional credits depending on plan

How is a Zillapi key different from a Zillow ZWSID?

A ZWSID was issued by Zillow directly through their developer portal. It used XML responses. It exposed a limited set of endpoints (GetSearchResults, GetZestimate, GetComps). It was free but rate-limited. It died on September 30, 2021.

A Zillapi key is issued by Zillapi, an independent service. It uses JSON responses. It exposes 11 REST endpoints covering properties, search, buildings, webhooks, and jobs. It returns 300+ fields per property including Zestimates. It costs $0.003-0.005 per call.

The underlying property data is the same: Zestimates, listing details, tax records, price history, school ratings. The delivery mechanism is completely different.

One thing to be clear about: Zillapi is not Zillow. It is an independent third-party service that provides access to Zillow property data through its own infrastructure. Your Zillapi key works with Zillapi’s API, not with any Zillow endpoint.

What about RapidAPI, Apify, and other alternatives?

If you’re comparing options, here’s the quick breakdown:

RapidAPI Zillow endpoints aggregate multiple third-party providers under the RapidAPI marketplace. Pricing varies by provider. Response formats are inconsistent. Some endpoints break without warning.

Apify Zillow actors are web scrapers wrapped in an API. They work, but response times are 2-10 seconds (versus ~200ms for a REST API) and the response schema varies by actor. Fine for batch scraping. Bad for real-time applications.

APIllow offers a similar REST wrapper with a free tier of 50 requests per month. Smaller data coverage than Zillapi.

Bridge Interactive is the official path but requires MLS affiliation and doesn’t expose Zestimates.

For most developers, the decision comes down to: do you need real-time JSON responses with Zestimates? If yes, Zillapi or APIllow. Do you need batch scraping at scale? Apify. Do you need official MLS data? Bridge Interactive.

Can I use this API key with Python, JavaScript, or any language?

Yes. The API key is a bearer token. Any language that can make HTTP requests works. Here’s the same property lookup in three languages:

Python:

import requests, os

r = requests.get(
    "https://api.zillapi.com/v1/properties/by-address",
    params={"address": "17 Zelma Dr, Greenville, SC 29617"},
    headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['ZILLAPI_KEY']}"},
)
data = r.json()["data"]
print(f"Zestimate: ${data['zestimate']:,}")

JavaScript:

const res = await fetch(
  `https://api.zillapi.com/v1/properties/by-address?address=${encodeURIComponent("17 Zelma Dr, Greenville, SC 29617")}`,
  { headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.ZILLAPI_KEY}` } }
);
const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(`Zestimate: $${data.zestimate.toLocaleString()}`);

cURL:

curl "https://api.zillapi.com/v1/properties/by-address" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $ZILLAPI_KEY" \
  --data-urlencode "address=17 Zelma Dr, Greenville, SC 29617" \
  -G

The key also works with Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor via function calling or MCP. If you’re building an AI agent, check out our guide on building a real estate AI agent.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a Zillow API key in 2026?

You cannot get a Zillow API key directly from Zillow in 2026. The public ZWSID API was retired on September 30, 2021 and never came back. The fastest alternative is a third-party REST wrapper like Zillapi, where you sign up with your email, receive a magic link, and get a bearer-token API key (format zk_AbCdEf) in under 60 seconds. No credit card required.

Is the Zillow API key (ZWSID) still valid?

No. Every ZWSID key stopped working on September 30, 2021 when Zillow retired the public Web Services API. If you still have one, it returns 403 errors on every endpoint. There is no process to reactivate it.

Can I get a free Zillow API key?

Zillapi gives you 100 free credits at signup with no credit card. Each successful API call uses 1 credit. That is enough to test every endpoint and build a working prototype. After the free credits, plans start at $5 per month for 1,000 credits.

What replaced the Zillow API?

Zillow transitioned to Bridge Interactive, a RESO Web API for MLS-affiliated partners. Bridge requires an application, approval, and MLS affiliation. It does not expose Zestimates. For developers who need quick access to Zillow property data including Zestimates, third-party wrappers like Zillapi are the practical replacement.

How long does it take to get a Zillow API key?

Bridge Interactive takes days to weeks for approval, and you need MLS affiliation. Zillapi takes under 60 seconds. You sign up with email, click a magic link, create an API key in the dashboard, and make your first API call immediately.

Is there a difference between a Zillow API key and a Zillapi API key?

Yes. A Zillow API key (ZWSID) was issued by Zillow directly and stopped working in 2021. A Zillapi API key (format zk_AbCdEf) is issued by Zillapi, an independent service that provides the same Zillow property data through a REST API. They are different services with different keys, but the underlying data (Zestimates, property details, listings) is the same.

Get your key and start building

Go to zillapi.com. Sign up. Get your key. Make your first API call.

The whole process takes less time than reading this article did.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a Zillow API key in 2026?: You cannot get a Zillow API key directly from Zillow in 2026. The public ZWSID API was retired on September 30, 2021 and never came back. The fastest alternative is a third-party REST wrapper like Zillapi, where you sign up with your email, receive a magic link, and get a bearer-token API key (format zk_AbCdEf) in under 60 seconds. No credit card required.
Is the Zillow API key (ZWSID) still valid?: No. Every ZWSID key stopped working on September 30, 2021 when Zillow retired the public Web Services API. If you still have one, it returns 403 errors on every endpoint. There is no process to reactivate it.
Can I get a free Zillow API key?: Zillapi gives you 100 free credits at signup with no credit card. Each successful API call uses 1 credit. That is enough to test every endpoint and build a working prototype. After the free credits, plans start at $5 per month for 1,000 credits.
What replaced the Zillow API?: Zillow transitioned to Bridge Interactive, a RESO Web API for MLS-affiliated partners. Bridge requires an application, approval, and MLS affiliation. It does not expose Zestimates. For developers who need quick access to Zillow property data including Zestimates, third-party wrappers like Zillapi are the practical replacement.
How long does it take to get a Zillow API key?: Bridge Interactive takes days to weeks for approval, and you need MLS affiliation. Zillapi takes under 60 seconds. You sign up with email, click a magic link, create an API key in the dashboard, and make your first API call immediately. The key is a bearer token you pass in the Authorization header.
Is there a difference between a Zillow API key and a Zillapi API key?: Yes. A Zillow API key (ZWSID) was issued by Zillow directly and stopped working in 2021. A Zillapi API key (format zk_AbCdEf) is issued by Zillapi, an independent service that provides the same Zillow property data through a REST API. They are different services with different keys, but the underlying data (Zestimates, property details, listings) is the same.