Leeron HooryContributor
Leeron is a New York-based writer with experience covering technology and politics. Her work has appeared in publications such as Quartz, the Village Voice, Gothamist, and Slate.
See Full Bio
Leeron HooryContributor
Leeron is a New York-based writer with experience covering technology and politics. Her work has appeared in publications such as Quartz, the Village Voice, Gothamist, and Slate.
See Full Bio
Written By
Leeron Hoory
Leeron HooryContributor
Leeron is a New York-based writer with experience covering technology and politics. Her work has appeared in publications such as Quartz, the Village Voice, Gothamist, and Slate.
See Full Bio
Leeron HooryContributor
Leeron is a New York-based writer with experience covering technology and politics. Her work has appeared in publications such as Quartz, the Village Voice, Gothamist, and Slate.
See Full Bio
Contributor
Lauren HolznienkemperDeputy Editor, SMB
Lauren (Hansen) Holznienkemper is a staff writer and deputy editor for the small business vertical at Forbes Advisor, specializing in reviewing and testing HR, payroll and recruiting solutions for small businesses. Using research and writing skills f...
See Full Bio
Lauren HolznienkemperDeputy Editor, SMB
Lauren (Hansen) Holznienkemper is a staff writer and deputy editor for the small business vertical at Forbes Advisor, specializing in reviewing and testing HR, payroll and recruiting solutions for small businesses. Using research and writing skills f...
See Full Bio
Lauren Holznienkemper
Lauren HolznienkemperDeputy Editor, SMB
Lauren (Hansen) Holznienkemper is a staff writer and deputy editor for the small business vertical at Forbes Advisor, specializing in reviewing and testing HR, payroll and recruiting solutions for small businesses. Using research and writing skills f...
See Full Bio
Lauren HolznienkemperDeputy Editor, SMB
Lauren (Hansen) Holznienkemper is a staff writer and deputy editor for the small business vertical at Forbes Advisor, specializing in reviewing and testing HR, payroll and recruiting solutions for small businesses. Using research and writing skills f...
See Full Bio
Reviewed
& 1 other
Updated: Apr 30, 2024, 4:56pm
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Whether you have a few items you no longer use and want to sell, or a closet full of unworn clothes you want someone to sell for you, there are plenty of options for selling apps that can connect you with the right buyers. In addition to staples, including eBay and Facebook Marketplace, more specialized apps, such as Depop and thredUP, cater to more specific clothing and accessory markets.
In this article, we cover some of the best apps to sell your stuff, their product focus and what makes them stand out so you can choose the best option for your needs.
Read more
Best of
- Best eCommerce Platforms
- Best B2B E-Commerce Platform
- Best eCommerce Hosting
- Best Website Builder
- Best Web Hosting
- Best Websites To Sell Stuff
Featured Partners
Advertisem*nt
1
Wix
Starting Price
$17 per month
Drag & Drop Editor
Yes
E-commerce (low-priced plan)
Yes
2
Squarespace
Starting Price
$23 per month
Drag-and-drop editor
Yes
E-commerce (low-priced plan)
Yes
3
Web.com
Starting Price
$1.95 per month
Website Building
Yes
Standout Features
Customizable templates, easy grag-and-drop technology, SSL certificate
Show Summary
- The 7 Best Apps To Sell Your Stuff in 2024
- Forbes Advisor Ratings
- How To Choose the Best Selling App for Your Needs
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The 7 Best Apps To Sell Your Stuff in 2024
- eBay: Best overall
- Facebook Marketplace: Best for selling furniture and for local sales
- Poshmark: Best for clothes and fashion accessories
- Depop: Best for curating an online clothing or accessories store
- thredUP: Best for recycling clothes with minimal effort
- Etsy: Best for selling crafts, jewelry and creative work
- Reverb: Best for musical instruments and related items
Best Overall
eBay
Cost to list
Free
(up to 250 listings per month)
Main product focus
Wide range of general products
Starting transaction fee
Up to 15% plus 30 cents per order
Free
(up to 250 listings per month)
Wide range of general products
Up to 15% plus 30 cents per order
Editor's Take
The eBay app is one of the most popular options for buying and selling online. With so many people on the platform, there is a market for anything from electronics, clothes and antiques to old magazines, other miscellaneous items and much more.
It’s very easy to list an item on eBay. The app will auto-populate your listing when you select a similar one, and from there, you simply need to change the details. If you search for your product through a barcode, the app will auto-populate through that method as well.
When it comes to transaction and listing fees, eBay’s is relatively low. It’s free to post up to 250 listings per month and costs 35 cents per listing thereafter. Also, eBay will keep a final value fee of up to 15% (in most cases) plus 30 cents per order.
You can either list an item as an auction or for a buy-it-now price (or both). For auction-priced items, your best bet is to list your item for a low price. This will increase the viewers you’ll get and you’ll have a better chance of the price increasing once it ends. Of course, you may end up selling for lower than you expected, but you may also find that due to the competitive nature of the app, it’s hard to gain enough attention for a listing without this method.
On eBay, customers can return an item for any reason. This means that, as the seller, you may end up spending more money on shipping fees for returned items. You can choose to disable returns as a seller, but keep in mind this may deter some buyers, particularly if you’re a new seller and don’t have any or only have very few reviews.
Who should use it:
Sellers who want to sell various items, from used electronics to other valuable items, that are easy to ship.
Pros & Cons
- Versatile and suitable for a range of different products
- Final sales fees are lower than competitors, such as Poshmark
- Easy to list items on the platform
- Can be difficult to get your item noticed due to the high number of listings
- Customers may return items for any reason
Best for Selling Furniture and for Local Sales
Facebook Marketplace
Cost to list
Free
Main product focus
Furniture and other large items
Starting transaction fee
None
Free
Furniture and other large items
None
Editor's Take
Facebook Marketplace’s mobile version is available through the Facebook app. While the other apps on this list are nationwide or even global, Facebook Marketplace stands out in that it allows you to connect with local buyers. This makes it an optimal platform for selling furniture and other large (or particularly heavy) items you cannot or do not want to ship—or that will be too expensive to ship.
Facebook Marketplace has a strong market for buyers looking to purchase furniture at a discounted price and other home-related products.
Because sellers connect directly with buyers, Facebook Marketplace differs from the other apps on this list in that it does not charge a transaction fee. This has pros and cons. One of the pros, of course, is that you make more money. The cons are that there is no one to handle disputed transactions if something goes wrong.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that selling on Facebook Marketplace can be a time-consuming process. While on other apps, such as eBay and Poshmark, you don’t typically exchange messages with buyers (apart from a question here and there); with Facebook Marketplace, it’s much more common for people to have questions about your items before they want to buy. If you’re selling in person, you’ll also have to coordinate pickup times.
If you decide you want to increase your listing’s exposure, you can pay a small fee to boost it. While this method may increase views, it’s not a reliable method for sales, and you may end up losing money to advertising without making a sale. The success of a listing on Facebook Marketplace depends a lot on your location, since the platform is more geared towards local sales.
Who should use it:
Sellers who want to connect with local buyers, either because their products are too large or too heavy to ship.
Pros & Cons
- Ability to sell locally
- No transaction fee
- Ability to sell large items you couldn’t otherwise ship
- Need to pay for increased exposure
- If you are located in a less populated area, your listing may not get enough traffic to make a sale
- Requires being cautious of potential scammers
Best for Clothes and Fashion Accessories
Poshmark
Cost to list
Free
Main product focus
Clothing and fashion accessories
Starting transaction fee
20% for sold items above $15
Free
Clothing and fashion accessories
20% for sold items above $15
Editor's Take
Poshmark is a popular app for new and used clothes, fashion items and other accessories. What’s unique about Poshmark is that it’s meant for people who know exactly what they want to buy. Customers can only return a product if it does not match the description but not because they did not like the item. As a seller, this can give you peace of mind to know that as long as what you’re selling is as advertised, you won’t have to manage returns. The downside is that this is not the ideal platform to sell clothes or accessories without a known name brand, as customers won’t have the confidence to know what they are purchasing.
Buyers have the ability to make offers, and sellers can make counteroffers. Shipping is paid for by the buyer, and it’s a flat rate of $7.97. While it’s free to list an item on the Poshmark app, the company will take a 20% cut for all sales above $15. For sales under $15, you’ll have to pay a flat rate of $2.95.
Who should use it:
If you have name-brand clothes or fashion accessories you want to sell (either new or used), Poshmark may be one of the best platforms to find a buyer.
Pros & Cons
- Returns only available to customers when the item is different from what is advertised
- A popular platform with many buyers and a high chance of selling for a competitive price
- Ideal for selling fashion items, clothing and accessories with recognizable name brands
- Poshmark takes a 20% cut of all sales over $15
- Must create an account to shop or view the website
- May be difficult to sell clothing that does not have a recognizable name brand
Best for Curating an Online Clothing or Accessories Store
Depop
Cost to list
Free
Main product focus
Clothes
Starting transaction fee
10%
Free
Clothes
10%
Editor's Take
If you plan to sell used clothes or accessories, Depop could be a good app to consider. The layout of this app is similar to Instagram. It’s easy to use and navigate with a strong emphasis on visuals. You can also set your prices for shipping. Depop has a social and interactive culture to it, where buyers can like your items, and sellers can offer potential buyers who’ve liked products a discounted price.
Who should use it:
Sellers who have a lot of used clothes to sell and want to put in the effort to design an online store and interact with buyers online. It’s also best for people who prefer using their smartphones exclusively, as Depop is designed specifically for mobile and does not have a desktop interface.
Pros & Cons
- Exceptionally easy-to-navigate interface
- Strong community engagement
- Designed specifically for mobile
- Sellers may find they receive too many notifications, such as likes from potential buyers
- High competition
Best for Recycling Clothes With Minimal Effort
thredUP
Cost to list
Starts at $2.99
Main product focus
Used clothes
Starting transaction fee
20% to 97%
Starts at $2.99
Used clothes
20% to 97%
Editor's Take
With a focus on reducing used clothing waste, thredUP is a sustainable fashion consignment app. What makes thredUP stand out is that it makes it incredibly efficient to get rid of your clothes in a sustainable way and even potentially make a profit from them with almost no effort.
The company will send you a bag, you put your clothes and accessories in it, ship it back, and thredUP will take it from there. From listing your items to shipping them to buyers, thredUP will handle all the logistics, and you’ll get a cut of the profit if an item does get sold.
Payouts are on a scale, but they range from 3% to 80% based on how much the item is sold for. For items sold for $5 to $19.99, your payout will be between 3% and 15%. For items sold for over $200, your payout will be 80%.
Given the wide range of potential payouts, thredUP is a good fit for people who either want to get rid of their clothes sustainably and are not primarily interested in profit, or it could be a good fit if you have expensive items that you believe will sell for $200 or more.
Who should use it:
Anyone who has a lot of used clothes but does not have the time or interest to sell them online on their own.
Pros & Cons
- Extremely convenient way to sell used clothes
- Supports sustainability and reducing waste
- Higher payouts for more expensive items
- Very low payouts for inexpensive items
- The thredUP app determines which items are eligible to be sold, and the ones that aren’t will either be discarded or shipped back to the seller (for a fee)
Best for Selling Crafts, Jewelry and Creative Work
Etsy
Cost to list
20 cents
per listing
Main product focus
Crafts and jewelry
Starting transaction fee
6.5%
20 cents
per listing
Crafts and jewelry
6.5%
Editor's Take
Etsy is a good place to sell handmade crafts, home products and other creative items. Unlike eBay, Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace, Etsy is not a good choice for items you already own and want to get rid of, for example, clothes, accessories and electronics. However, it has a specific purpose and could be the right platform for selling vintage and antique items, handmade crafts and home and living items.
Shoppers go on Etsy for unique products they can’t find anywhere else. So if you have a particular craft you want to turn into an online business—woodworking, candle making or jewelry making, for example—consider Etsy.
Since Etsy is one of the most popular online selling apps today, it is very competitive. Making sales on Etsy will likely take a lot of marketing, advertising, a specific niche or unique item and patience.
Keep in mind that Etsy charges several fees:
- Listing fee: 20 cents per listing
- Transaction fees: 6.5% of each sale
- Payments processing fee: varies based on location of the seller’s bank account (for sellers in the U.S. 3% of total sale price, plus 25 cents)
Learn more: Read our article on starting an Etsy shop.
Who should use it:
Sellers who are looking to start an online store with a creative spin, either as a craftsperson or to open a creative online store.
Pros & Cons
- Targeted audiences looking for artistic and creative products
- Lower transaction fees compared with other online platforms
- Active community of sellers for support and information
- The number of sellers on Etsy can make it difficult to gain attention, especially for beginners
- Etsy recently increased its transaction fee from 5% to 6.5%
- Making a sale may require advertising fees that will cut into your bottom line
Best for Musical Instruments and Related Items
Reverb
Cost to list
Free
Main product focus
Musical instruments, gear and equipment
Starting transaction fee
5%
Free
Musical instruments, gear and equipment
5%
Editor's Take
Reverb is an app specifically for selling new and used musical instruments, gear and equipment. Given its target focus, selling gear on Reverb increases the chances that you will find serious buyers and be able to sell for a higher price. Reverb has a large user base, which increases the chances your listing will get views and sales.
Reverb also offers seller protection, which means that if there is a dispute between a buyer and a seller, the company will be involved in resolving any issues. Additionally, the transaction fee is only 5%, which is lower than many other platforms, including eBay’s transaction fee of up to 15% for each item sold.
Who should use it:
Anyone who is selling new or used musical instruments, gear or equipment.
Pros & Cons
- Caters to a niche audience
- Large user base
- Seller protection
- Competitive
- Reverb’s return policy may make it difficult for sellers to rely on their sales
Forbes Advisor Ratings
Company | Company - Logo | Cost to list | Main product focus | Starting transaction fee | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
eBay | Free (up to 250 listings per month) | Wide range of general products | Up to 15% plus 30 cents per order | View More | |||
Facebook Marketplace | Free | Furniture and other large items | None | View More | |||
Poshmark | Free | Clothing and fashion accessories | 20% for sold items above $15 | View More | |||
Depop | Free | Clothes | 10% | View More | |||
thredUP | Starts at $2.99 | Used clothes | 20% to 97% | View More | |||
Etsy | 20 cents per listing | Crafts and jewelry | 6.5% | View More | |||
Reverb | Free | Musical instruments, gear and equipment | 5% | View More |
How To Choose the Best Selling App for Your Needs
When deciding which selling app to sell your items on, consider the app’s target audience, return policies, transaction fees and other key factors.
Essential Features
- Type of product and audience focus: Each app focuses on a different product. Find the one best suited for the product you want to sell.
- Cost to list or advertise: Consider whether there is a cost to list your product, whether there is an option to advertise your listings and how much that costs.
- Transaction fees: Most apps will charge a fee once you make a sale. Consider the transaction fee for each app and how it’ll impact your overall profit.
- Auction vs. buy now: Apps have different pricing structures. For example, you can post an auction on eBay and on Poshmark, and buyers can offer bids. Depop is more social, and engagement can drive traffic and sales.
Featured Partners
Advertisem*nt
1
Wix
Starting Price
$17 per month
Drag & Drop Editor
Yes
E-commerce (low-priced plan)
Yes
2
Squarespace
Starting Price
$23 per month
Drag-and-drop editor
Yes
E-commerce (low-priced plan)
Yes
3
Web.com
Starting Price
$1.95 per month
Website Building
Yes
Standout Features
Customizable templates, easy grag-and-drop technology, SSL certificate
Return and Refund Options for Buyers
You’ll find different selling apps have different refund and return policies for buyers. If you sell on Poshmark, customers will only be able to return an item if it doesn’t match your advertised description. On eBay, on the other hand, buyers can return a product if they are not satisfied with it, but sellers also have the option of not offering returns.
Transaction Fees
One factor you’ll want to think about before downloading an app to sell your stuff is how much the platform you’re selling on will take as a transaction fee. This will have one of the biggest impacts on your overall profit. Poshmark, for example, will take 20% of profits for sales over $15. But when you sell on Facebook Marketplace, you won’t have to pay any fee.
The transaction fee should be one factor to consider, but not the only one. Sometimes it can be worth paying a higher transaction fee if it means you’ll actually be able to sell your product.
Ease of Use
The apps in this list are all easy to use and navigate, though each one has its own style. Depop is most similar to Instagram. Facebook Marketplace requires a Facebook profile to list products. Poshmark requires that you make an account in order to use the app. All of these apps make it easy to sign up for an account.
Marketing and Advertising Tools
Apps for selling products typically offer the option of paying to boost your listing and reach more potential buyers. If you decide you want to go down this route, it’s worth considering how much this will cost in the short and long term. However, it’s not always guaranteed that paying money to advertise will more easily sell your item, and sometimes there isn’t a noticeable difference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best app to sell my stuff?
The best app to sell your stuff will largely depend on what you are selling. If you are looking to sell name-brand clothes, consider Poshmark. If you have electronics, gear or specialized items, such as old magazines, eBay is a great option to start with. If you have furniture you want to sell locally, consider Facebook Marketplace.
What is the best app to sell clothes?
There are several great options for apps where you can sell your clothes. Poshmark is a popular option for any name-brand or higher-end items. Depop is a good choice for more trendy or vintage clothing. The thredUP app is a good fit for sellers who don’t want to go through the whole process of listing each item, but want a company to do it for them for a cut of the profit.
Is Poshmark or Depop better?
Poshmark is a better fit for name-brand clothes and for higher-end items. On Poshmark, buyers typically search for items by name brand, and customers cannot return items unless they are not as listed. Depop is a better fit for more trendy items, vintage pieces or clothes that are unique but don’t necessarily have a recognizable name brand. This is because Depop as an app is designed to be more social and community-based. Buyers might become interested in a seller’s overall aesthetic, rather than specific products they search for by name, and be more willing to take a chance on unknown brands.
What are the disadvantages of selling on eBay?
It can be difficult for users to get their products noticed due to the platform’s large number of product listings. Another drawback for sellers is the fact that customers may return items for any reason. Read our guide to learn more about selling items on eBay.
Next Up In eCommerce
- Shopify Review: A Powerful E-Commerce Website Builder
- Squarespace Review
- WooCommerce Vs Shopify
- Wix vs. Shopify For E-commerce Businesses
- How To Sell Products Online
Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circ*mstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.