There are many websites to buy and sell items locally. If you’ve ever tried to declutter or purchase a used item, you’ve likely utilized sites like Craigslist.
While Craigslist is one of the best resources to sell your stuff online and locally, other sites might be better suited to your needs.
This guide shares some of the top options that can help you get rid of your stuff or find an overlooked gem.
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What Are the Best Alternatives to Craigslist?
Choosing a site to buy and sell used items from can be challenging. There are lots of options, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Here are the top Craigslist alternatives to help you buy or sell locally.
1. Facebook Marketplace
While most people think of Facebook as a social media platform, it’s one of the best selling sites like Craigslist.
Since many people use Facebook, the Marketplace can be a terrific way to buy and sell unwanted items without incurring fees. This is especially true in small towns where there isn’t a local Craigslist board.
Facebook Marketplace is often best for selling these items:
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Fitness equipment
- Collectibles
- Video games
- Vehicles
If you want to sell your car, consider trying this platform first because there are no listing fees. To list and sell a vehicle on Craigslist, you’ll incur a posting fee of $5.
Plus, if you are a member of a group, you can post your items in that group. However, before posting, make sure the group allows you to use their platform to sell things.
You can get to the Marketplace feature in one of three ways:
- Click on the “Marketplace” link found in the menu of your mobile device
- Use the “Marketplace” link on the left side navigation on your Facebook homepage if you are on a laptop or desktop computer
- Click on the “Marketplace” tab at the top of your Facebook homepage if you are using a laptop or desktop computer
Once you list your item on the selling marketplace, you can share it on your profile. If you want to buy an item from Marketplace, you can search for that item specifically or browse through categories in your area.
For example, if you want a motorcycle, you can search ‘motorcycle’ in the Marketplace. Or, if you want to buy a car for under $5,000, then you can use the car category and set up your budget.
It’s also possible to ship items that you sell. There are selling fees of five percent ($0.40 minimum) on items you ship. These fees don’t apply to in-person sales.
*Related: Do you need to sell used electronics and can’t get a good rate locally? You can compare 40+ buyback companies at SellCell to get the top price available. Compare quotes at SellCell to see how much you can get.*
Best for: Facebook Marketplace is best for selling bulky and small items. Posting in a local buy and sell group can also make it easier if you want to sell items quickly.
2. OfferUp
OfferUp is different from other classified ads websites because you can ship your items if you have a buyer who is willing to pay shipping costs.
While you can sell or buy items locally through the platform, it’s nice to have the option to facilitate transactions with people outside your city.
Another reason OfferUp is a popular online marketplace is its security benefits. All users create a free account and communicate inside the selling app.
People who are hesitant to use Facebook since it’s a social media network may prefer OfferUp since it’s specifically for buying and selling items.
Similar to Craigslist, you can buy or sell almost anything on this platform. Want to sell your car? Easy. Need some discount shoes for your child’s soccer practice? Done.
OfferUp can be best for selling or buying these items:
- Antiques
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Vehicles
*Related: Want to sell your car via private party? Read our guide on how to sell a car on Craigslist to learn how to get top dollar.*
You can list items for free. There are no hidden fees or costs with selling your items online. The app claims you can list your items in 30 seconds or less.
It’s free to sell items locally. Sellers pay a 12.90 percent service fee ($1.99 minimum) for items that require shipping. The buyer pays shipping fees.
Best for: OfferUp is best for buying or selling items locally in small and large towns. Additionally, people who don’t use Facebook may like OfferUp.
3. Swappa
Swappa makes it possible to sell tech items locally in large cities across the United States. However, you can also buy and sell online with the website.
Swappa facilitates transactions for these tech items:
- Smartphones
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Watches
- Video games
- Cameras
All items must be fully functional and not have cracks or chipped glass. Being able to buy like-new items helps you save money and avoid scams.
Unlike most online classifieds sites, this electronics marketplace verifies each listing and offers quick customer service responses.
When selling on this platform, you can get an instant price quote. It’s free to list items, and the buyer pays all service fees for local and online sales.
The seller still pays the PayPal fee (approximately three percent) and shipping costs.
As a result, the total market fee is six percent of the order amount. To keep it fair, the buyer and seller each pay three percent.
Swappa is one of the best places to sell used phones because the selling fees are minimal. You also don’t have to meet with the buyer, making the process extra convenient.
If you buy used tech, the market fee is three percent of the sales price. While this adds to the purchase price, the total cost can be cheaper than buying a new phone.
In turn, this helps you save money.
Best for: Swappa is a good solution for selling used electronics for more than trade-in value.
4. Oodle
Oodle is one of the largest classified ads websites. It offers you a chance to buy and sell items locally.
Founded in 2004 with QVC as their parent company, Oodle offers free ads like Craigslist.
The site may not be the prettiest option out there, but it provides categories that other sites don’t.
These include:
- Merchandise
- Vacation rentals
- Office rentals
- Pets (including horses and livestock)
- Services
- Tickets to events in your area
The site is also a terrific option to sell old appliances for cash if you’re upgrading in your home.
You can try using this online classified ads site if you need to sell an item that’s harder to sell online (like a ticket to a baseball game).
It’s possible to find items that are difficult to find on other sites, like event space.
This service is best if you live in a major metroplex. Customers in small towns should primarily consider this site if they want to browse listings of antique vehicles.
While Oodle is legit, do your research before meeting up with anyone or buying an item that should be checked out by a professional (like a car).
To prevent seller fraud, members need a Facebook account to post items for sale.
Best for: Oodle is best for buying or selling unique items like vehicles, vacation rentals, and pets. It’s also possible to find merchandise like jewelry and electronics.
5. Geebo
Geebo is one of the best Craigslist competitors because they prioritize security. For example, they review all submitted ads for signs of fraud or deception.
Additionally, its “Scams & Shams” section mentions the latest frauds going around. These measures mean you don’t have to be wary of scams or people who aren’t legit.
Most of the online classifieds you’ll find on Geebo are for the following items:
- Appliances
- Apartments
- Jobs
- Construction and farm equipment
- Real estate
- Video games
While you won’t find ads for animals or firearms (they ban the option to list those), you can find countless other things to buy.
If you need a job, there is also an expansive job listing section.
Unfortunately, Geebo is not available in all areas. It only operates in the United States and is available in most larger cities.
Over 100 different communities are listed on the platform, so make sure to look for yours before listing items.
There are no fees to sell stuff locally through this site.
Best for: Geebo classifieds are best for finding apartments, real estate, and special machinery. You may even find smaller merchandise in select cities. It’s also good if you want to find job opportunities.
6. Mercari
Mercari is a terrific alternative to Craigslist. This easy-to-use site works similarly in the sense that you can buy or sell items locally, but you don’t have to schedule a meetup.
This peer-to-peer marketplace is best for selling these items:
- Athletic apparel
- Collectibles
- Handbags
- Shoes
- Toys
- Video games
The Mercari Local feature lets a driver deliver sold items to the buyer with same-day or next-day delivery. Uber, FedEx SameDay® City, and Dolly all offer door-to-door local delivery in participating cities.
Buyers pay shipping fees (starting at $7.99) for local purchases. Sellers can list items for free, but they pay a ten percent fee on completed sales.
You can also use this service to sell or buy online for long-distance transactions.
The marketplace fees are similar to local sales as the seller’s fee is ten percent. There’s also a payment processing fee of 2.90 percent plus $0.30.
Buyers or sellers can pay the shipping costs.
Best for: Mercari is best for same-day local delivery without scheduling a meetup. It’s also excellent for finding pop culture collectibles, fitness apparel, and video games.
7. Locanto
Locanto is a good choice to sell items if you live outside the United States. With over 60 countries available, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for regardless of where you live.
Here are a few countries Locanto serves:
- Ecuador
- Panama
- Thailand
- India
- China
- Canada
This selling site is also available in select cities across the United States. Some of the cities include Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, and Phoenix.
However, this site is a better option for international users.
Consider using Locanto for these items:
- Baby items
- Used electronics
- Fashion and beauty
- Furniture
- Music, movies, and books
- Vehicles
It’s easy to place an ad on this platform. You can list an item and add a link to your website or another shopping page along with product photos.
Linking is a unique feature that other sites like Craigslist do not offer.
Another great perk is that you can modify your search. You can choose what you want to buy, put in your location, and set parameters for how far you want to travel.
Sorting by price is also an option.
Along with selling and buying stuff, you can find job postings, services, and even classes or tickets to events in your local community.
There are no platform fees for local or online sales. Shipping fees can apply when you facilitate long-distance purchases.
Best for: Locanto is a good option for selling baby items, adult clothing, and electronics. Readers who live outside the United States as well as in certain U.S. cities can sell or buy online.
8. ClassifiedAds.com
ClassifiedAds.com is one of the largest free classified sites to find almost any item. It’s possible to search for items by city or ZIP code. Larger cities may have more listings.
Some of the unique items available on this site include:
- Apartments and homes for rent
- Appliances
- Clothing
- Electronics
- Jobs
- Pets
- Services
- Vehicles
There are no listing fees or selling fees.
Many professional sellers list items on this platform. Don’t be surprised if you come across a consignment shop or antique vendor.
The site displays long-distance listings in the same search as local items. Not having to browse different cities can help you save time searching for the items you need if you’re willing to pay for shipping.
Unfortunately, many listings don’t provide item pictures like most modern money-making apps require. Instead, you only see a brief text description and the seller’s location.
If you’re interested in an item, you must contact the seller to see pictures.
Best for: ClassifiedAds.com can be good for finding collectibles. Services and jobs can also be worth reviewing on the site.
9. Bookoo
Bookoo emphasizes safety for buyers and sellers. It also prioritizes building a local community. App users can “friend” other users and communicate in-app.
Similar to other websites like Craigslist, you can list anything you want for free. Additionally, there are no fees for buyers.
To sponsor listings and access additional selling tools, you must upgrade to a Bookoo Unlimited membership. A premium account costs $8 per month.
The site is excellent if you’re looking to get rid of stuff quickly. They have a “free stuff” section that you can use.
This is helpful if you have items that didn’t sell during a garage sale or if you want to declutter your house.
There is also the ability to barter items if you’re a bargain hunter and don’t want to pay cash.
With Bookoo, it is easy to sell or get rid of your items. Simply list anything you’d like to get rid of and let someone pick it up.
Items you can sell include:
- Furniture
- Vehicles and vehicle parts
- Toys
- Housing (like renting out a room)
- Electronics
You can only sell items locally. Unfortunately, most of the selling communities are in big cities or U.S. military bases.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking for the best sites like Craigslist and want to list items for free, Bookoo is a great option.
Best for: Bookoo makes it easy to buy, sell, or trade used items safely without fees. It’s great if you want to get rid of things as opposed to selling them.
10. Recycler
Recycler is one of the oldest websites to sell stuff locally. This platform is available in large cities such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego.
This website specializes in these items:
- Vehicles
- Pets
- Sports equipment
- Furniture
- Building material
- Real estate for rent
- Services (i.e., auto repair, landscaping, etc.)
Other selling websites can be better for buying or selling small items like electronics, clothing, and jewelry.
*Related: Need a cheap place to make copies? Read our guide on the cheapest places to make copies near me to find the best options to save money.*
Sellers can list ads for free and include a picture as well as a brief item description. Potential buyers can give sellers their contact information.
Fees may apply for sponsored ads that appear above the free listings.
There isn’t a mobile app, making Recycler harder to use than other sites like Craigslist. However, there is a mobile-friendly site.
Best for: Recycler is one of the best selling websites in Southern California. Vehicles, pets, and sports equipment are the top items to buy or sell. People who like websites more than apps may prefer this service.
11. eBay
eBay is the best-known online auction site where buyers can bid on items like antiques, electronics, and small merchandise.
The service also has plenty of fixed-price listings if you don’t like the stress and uncertainty of online auctions. Potential buyers can even make an offer to potentially buy items at a discount.
This service is best for finding:
- Clothing
- Collectibles
- Electronics
- Jewelry
- Sporting goods
- Watches
It’s free for sellers to list items. The typical selling fee is 12.90 percent of the final sales value. This fee also includes payment processing charges.
Buyers might pay shipping and sales tax. While most sales require shipping, sellers can offer local pickup for bulky items.
If you like the thrill of auctions, there are other legitimate auction sites like eBay. Nonetheless, eBay is one of the top alternatives to Craigslist.
Best for: eBay is useful for finding collectibles and other used items from long-distance sellers. You may also be able to buy discounted items through auction listings if there are few bidders.
Bottom Line
There are many sites like Craigslist that you can use to buy and sell your stuff online as well as locally. While these sites all have something to offer, you can test them all for free to see which site you prefer.
Do your best to avoid scams and practice safety when meeting individuals to exchange items. It’s best to deal with cash only and not share personal financial information.
What tips do you follow to sell your stuff?
Kim Suazo has been a freelance writer and business owner for over four years. When she's not writing for Frugal Rules, you can find her on other publications like Chime, Discovery, and Due. She also owns her own websites The Entrepremomer and Part-Time Profit, where she teaches overworked moms how to streamline their new businesses so they can scale without a team.
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