OfferUp is an app that helps you buy and sell locally and across the country. The platform has worked to make buying and selling items simple as well as safe.
While it’s easy to instantly connect with buyers and sellers via the OfferUp app, the platform is not the only option in the space.
But how do apps like OfferUp compare, and which apps are best for you to use? Here are the best competitors to OfferUp.
Best Sites Like OfferUp
OfferUp calls itself the largest mobile marketplace for local buyers and sellers. When you use the OfferUp app, you can post your listing in as little as 30 seconds.
However, other apps make it just as easy to list your items or find products for sale. These are the top alternatives to OfferUp that might be a better fit for your needs.
1. 5miles
5miles focuses on buying and selling locally (preferably within five miles, hence the name).
When you visit the 5miles website, it will ask you to choose a specific location. From there, it will show you all of the items for sale in that location. You can sort by category and see listings from surrounding areas.
As with OfferUp, profiles on 5miles provide ratings, messaging capabilities and identity verification via Facebook so you can work with other members you feel are legitimate.
Similar to OfferUp, there are limited buy/sell fees. 5miles does charge fees when you sell more than five vehicles, have five auto parts listings or create five listings for tires/wheels.
They’ll also charge a fee when you advertise a job or garage sale.
2. Craigslist
Craigslist is among the longest-standing buy-and-sell sites. It hasn’t changed much in terms of structure or simplicity since it launched.
The site is still free to use, and it allows you to buy and sell everything from electronics to cars to clothing. With the right technique, you can sell stuff quickly on Craigslist.
While the site doesn’t particularly focus on safety using tools such as profiles and ratings, they do have a list of safety tips members can use.
Note that you will pay fees to sell on Craigslist if you’re advertising certain types of listings. Listings for apartment rentals and cars sold from dealerships have fees.
3. eBay
eBay works like OfferUp and has a worldwide reach with over 130 million active buyers.
With eBay, you can set a specified sale price or put your items up on a bidding system when you sell. You choose the length of the auction and sell to the highest bidder.
There are fees for selling on eBay. Depending on what you’re selling, you’ll pay between 3% and 15%l. You’ll also have payment processing fees, so be aware of that.
Both retailers and private parties sell on eBay, so you’ll have a wide array of items to choose from.
4. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace can be a great place to buy or sell just about anything. The site is typically void of fees for sellers unless you are a business.
Whether you want to shop or sell items, it’s an easy site to use. You interact with potential buyers and sellers via Facebook, and you can visit their profiles to help you feel more comfortable.
People use Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell locally and for shipping outside of their immediate area. In fact, Facebook offers one of the best apps to sell your stuff.
Additionally, you can use local swap/buy/sell pages to make connecting with local buyers and sellers easier.
5. Listia
Listia works a bit differently than the other sites listed here. With Listia, you list your items to sell for auction.
When they sell and you ship the item, you earn points. You can use your points to get items from Listia, such as free gift cards, kitchen items and more.
You can also earn points when you buy items from someone on the site. You’ll even get points just for opening a free account on Listia.
While it’s a unique way to buy and sell items, it might not be the best option to earn money fast since direct cashouts are not an option.
6. Locanto
Locanto is a simple app that allows you to post ads for free and find items to buy within your community.
The site is a classified ads site, and you’ll find both personal listings for items and commercial/retail listings. It is a basic site, and you’ll likely come across more retail posters than private party posters.
This platform has you first select your city, then breaks down categories that you can add your items to or search through to find items you want to buy.
It’s somewhat similar to Craigslist in that you can also find rentals, jobs and personals in addition to buying or selling items.
7. Mercari
Mercari is a popular buy/sell site that operates around the world. You can list everything from electronics to clothing to household goods for sale on the site.
Listing your items for sale is free on Mercari. However, you will pay a 10% commission when you sell your item on the platform. You will also pay a 2.9%+ $0.30 payment processing fee.
Note that you can also choose a shipping method with Mercari. You can opt to have your buyer pay shipping, pay for shipping yourself or use Mercari’s prepaid shipping label.
If you choose to use Mercari’s prepaid shipping label, the cost of that shipping label will also be deducted from the sale price of your item. This is in addition to the 10% commission and the payment processing fee.
In terms of safety, Mercari does have ratings and reviews for users. Also, members have the option to follow users.
Be sure to assess ratings, reviews and the number of followers when working with fellow Mercari users to ensure you work with legitimate members.
8. Poshmark
Poshmark helps you sell your name-brand clothing for men, women and kids. You can also find pet items, home items, electronics and more on the site.
The platform’s rules say that you must sell items in at least “good” condition.
Poshmark will take a 20% commission on anything you sell for over $15 and a $2.95 commission on items that sell for under $15.
Shipping labels are included with Poshmark sales. You just need to print out the prepaid shipping label, affix it to your package and get it on its way.
Learn more: Poshmark Review: Is It Worth It To Buy And Sell Used Clothes?
9. Swappa
Swappa is a marketplace for buying and selling used tech equipment. It is one of the highest-rated sites for selling used cell phones.
This platform tends to get higher payouts for tech sellers. In addition, buyers and sellers split the commission paid to Swappa. They each pay three percent after a sale is complete.
It’s important to note that Swappa has stringent requirements on what can be sold, and all phones sold must be factory reset.
In addition to phones, you can buy or sell items like video games, watches, cameras and drones on the platform.
10. VarageSale
VarageSale works a lot like OfferUp in that there is a significant focus on community. However, VarageSale takes “community” a step further.
You need to join a local community group in order to buy and sell on VarageSale. All users have profiles to help people buy and sell safely.
It’s easy to switch communities at any time or join more than one community near you. Whenever you ask to join a community, you’ll need to wait for your request to be approved by an admin.
There are no fees or commissions when you buy or sell on VarageSale. The final connection and sale are left between buyers and sellers.
Methodology
When evaluating different apps like OfferUp, there were key factors we analyzed to determine the best options in the space. In-depth research was performed to identify the top competitors to OfferUp.
We focused on options that fulfilled at least one or more of the following criteria:
- Apple App Store rating of 4.0 or higher
- Reputation among industry leaders
- Ease of use
- Low or no fees
- Availability in the United States
We chose this methodology to ensure we’re doing our due diligence as we determined the best apps like OfferUp.
How to Use Apps Like OfferUp
There are ways to make better use of apps like OfferUp, get faster sales and earn more money when you sell. Here are some tips on how to sell efficiently on these platforms.
Use Quality Photos
Quality photos are of utmost importance when selling on apps like OfferUp. Be sure your photos are clear, have proper lighting and show all of the details of the item you’re selling.
The wrong lighting can make colors appear off and give potential buyers an inaccurate representation of an item.
Also, be sure to include important details in your photos, such as imperfections. Doing so will save you time.
Look at Competitor’s Prices
Looking at the price points of items that are similar to the ones you’re selling is a smart way to price your item.
People often price too high or too low when using apps like OfferUp. Your goal should be to choose a competitive price point for the item you’re selling.
Condition, age and the current market for the item you’re selling will all be factors as you use competitors’ prices as a guide on how you should price items.
Keep in mind that if you want to sell your item quickly, pricing it lower than competitors will help. However, make sure you are willing to take less of a payout in exchange for making a fast sale.
Write Detailed Descriptions
Detailed descriptions are vitally important when selling anything online. Make, model, color and size must be included in all descriptions.
Be specific when including measurements of what you’re selling. In addition, be sure your detailed descriptions include any imperfections.
When in doubt, it’s better to over-describe your items than not share enough information. This may help you have fewer questions to answer from potential buyers, saving you time in the long run.
Be Prompt With Communications
Being prompt with communications is important when you use apps like OfferUp. The longer you wait to communicate with potential buyers or sellers, the more likely the other person is to move on to whoever is next in line.
Be sure to check your app frequently so you can answer questions and respond to messages in a short amount of time. Doing so will ensure others on the app are more likely to want to work with you.
Also, consider turning on push notifications on your phone so that you receive alerts every time someone contacts you about your items.
Know Your Minimum Price
You should have a set minimum price you want to get for everything you’re considering selling on an app like OfferUp. Having a set minimum price you want to receive will help you better negotiate as you work with potential buyers.
Also, when choosing your minimum price, be sure to consider shipping, commissions and other charges that will deduct from your bottom line profit. Factor these fees into the price.
Furthermore, when setting your minimum price, be sure it truly is your “I’m willing to keep this item if I don’t get at least….” price. Advertising a minimum price and then not being willing to accept it can be bad for negotiations.
Summary
Apps like OfferUp can provide great ways to sell items you no longer need, want or use. They can also provide avenues for getting items you do need or want at lower prices.
What’s better is that using an app means you can list items for sale and buy items right from your phone.
This means that you can shop and/or sell pretty much anywhere you happen to be. Use the apps listed here to make money and save money today.
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