Looking to snag a great deal online or trying to shift some old junk? Craigslist isn’t what it used to be, but these alternative apps are great!
For years, buyers and sellers have flocked to Craigslist. However, Craigslist hasn’t kept up with the digital age. The website is outdated and the Craigslist app is buggy. Not to mention that Craigslist is one of the top places for scams, and not much has been done to reduce this risk.
Craigslist is also full of bots, which can make buying and selling even more difficult. Luckily, there are several great apps like Craigslist that are not only alternatives, but better options!
If you want to buy and sell locally, be sure to check out these Craigslist alternatives.
OfferUp is a fantastic app for buying and selling things locally. For sellers, it’s incredibly easy to post a listing, as all you need to do is take a picture. You don’t even need to pick a title for your listing; OfferUp’s AI feature will write one for you based on what it detects in the picture. In just a few seconds, your listing can be up and in front of thousands of people.
For buyers, OfferUp makes it easy to find what you’re looking for and find listings close by.
Letgo, one of the most popular buy and sell apps, was actually purchased by OfferUp, and now OfferUp has users from both platforms in one place. If you had an account on Letgo you will also keep your previous reviews, meaning you can show buyers and sellers that you are trustworthy.
Download: OfferUp for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
Facebook is one of the most popular platforms in the world, and its marketplace has a wide variety of products in just about every category. The marketplace is also built into the traditional Facebook app, if you already have that downloaded. If not, you will need a Facebook account to use Facebook Marketplace. The app has features to save listings and post easily, and since many people use Facebook daily you are more likely to get a quicker response.
Facebook Marketplace also has fewer scammers than Craigslist, as you need a Facebook profile that’s verified to post. Craigslist only asks for an email.
Download: Facebook for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
Similar to OfferUp, 5miles is a local buying and selling app with active users in every metropolitan area. While OfferUp does have more listings, 5miles has a directory of sellers, which is great for those who plan on repeat purchases. You also have the ability to follow sellers and get notified when they post something new.
There are additional features that set it apart from other apps like Craigslist as well. Including the option to earn reward coins through 5miles for buying, selling, and logging into the app. You can exchange coins for Amazon gift cards or credit to purchase things within the app!
Download: 5miles for iOS | Android (Free)
Nextdoor is known as a chatroom for neighbors and is a great place to post about lost pets or community events. It’s such a popular app that you might even have it downloaded right now. You may have not been aware, but Nextdoor also has a great selling feature that’s getting more popular by the day. The best part about Nextdoor is that everyone who is interested in whatever you’re selling will be close by, and you’ll be able to buy things close by as well.
Download: Nextdoor for iOS | Android (Free)
While Craigslist can be a great site, it’s not updated for the modern audience. Not to mention the stigma associated with Craigslist listings. Luckily, there are great alternatives available on iOS and Android devices. These alternatives are in many cases superior to Craigslist. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, you can be confident that downloading one of these apps will help you sell your goods or find your next great purchase.
Joe is a former web designer and current entrepreneur and freelance writer. He is passionate about making technology accessible for everyone. When not writing for MakeUseOf, he can be found skateboarding, hiking, and attending graduate school.
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