28 Best Selling Apps to Sell Stuff Online (and Locally)

July 17, 2018

If you’re looking to get rid of clutter and clean up around the house a bit, selling your unused possessions is one of the fastest ways to make money.

Every year, my neighborhood holds a community-wide yard sale.

People put their used clothes, toys, furniture, and whatever else they have out in their driveways, hoping customers stop by to make purchases.

As time has gone by, the number of homes participating has decreased, most likely due to the rise in selling apps and other ways to sell used items online.

But with so many online options, it’s difficult to know which ones are worth using and which ones you should pass up.

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The 13 Best Apps for Selling Items Online

There are different apps to sell used stuff online depending on whether you’re selling a physical product or a service. From clothes and video games, to antiques and cameras, here are the best resale apps to offload your stuff for cash.

1. Flyp

With Flyp, you can sell your clothes and shoes across different apps without having to do any of the actual work that comes with selling.

The app works by connecting you with a network of vetted Pro Sellers who sell your items on commission.

When you sell with a pro seller instead of to end consumers, you don’t have to worry about having to deal with photographing and modeling items, finding selling sites, managing listings, handling shipping, and dealing with the drama of customer service. You also get to avoid those potentially creepy Craigslist encounters.

Instead, all you have to do is take one photo per item of what you’d like to sell, and Flyp’s Pro Sellers will bid on your lot. You pick your favorite seller, print off a shipping label, and mail your lot to them. Then, sit back and relax. When your items sell, you get paid.

2. Decluttr

Decluttr lets you sell used CDs, DVDs, games, and tech online. Just pack your item, stick on the label, and drop it off at the nearest UPS location, Customer Center, or Authorized Retail Outlet. The day after your items arrive, you’ll receive payment via direct deposit, PayPal, check, or as a donation to the charity of your choice.

Selling with Decluttr is simple and straightforward. As soon as you enter your item via the app or website, you get an instant valuation. If you decide to move forward with the sale, Decluttr sends you a free shipping label to send your items.

They have an A rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.6 rating from Trustpilot.

3. Buyback Boss

With Buyback Boss, which has an A+ BBB rating and 4.8 Trustpilot rating, you can get cash for your used smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other electronics. After answering a few questions about the device, it’ll give you an instant quote. If you accept the quote, it’ll send you a pre-paid shipping label so you can send the device.

After it’s received and passes the company’s inspection, you can opt for payment in the form of a physical check, PayPal deposit, or a donation to Lighthouse for Hope.

Unlike other sites, its quote comes with both a 14-day price lock and a price-matching guarantee, so if you get a higher offer on another site, it promises to honor it.

4. thredUP

With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, thredUP is one of the most trustworthy buy and sell apps out there. This app is built for selling used clothes from brands like Old Navy, Gap, and J. Crew as well as designer brands.

The site lists the specific items customers are looking for, so you can find the items most likely to be selected.

To get started, you’ll need to order a free closet clean-out kit. Once the bag arrives in the mail, put in your gently-used clothing, send it off, and wait. Once your order is processed, you’ll receive payment via thredUP shopping credit, PayPal, or a VISA prepaid card.

You won’t know how much you’ll get until you send your clothes off, and you’ll have to pay a $10.99 fee to get them back. But you can use thredUP’s payout estimator to get an idea of your potential earnings before sending in your goods.

5. OfferUp

OfferUp is a free app that connects people selling items like jewelry, cars, smartphones, and other tech items with local buyers.

Unlike other selling apps, OfferUp allows buyers and sellers to communicate in-app, so there’s no need to give out personal information. It also offers a network of public community meetup locations like police stations

OfferUp lets buyers rate sellers so it’s important to be honest about the item. You can also link your Facebook account to boost your credibility.

6. Poshmark

Poshmark is an app where you can list used clothes, accessories, home decor, and more. It’s a marketplace that connects you with buyers. All you need to do is register for an account and upload pictures of what you’re selling.

Buyers pay for shipping, but some sellers can offer discounted or free shipping to lure potential buyers. Poshmark does charge a high commission – 20% of the sale price on items over $20 and a flat $2.95 for items under $15.

7. Facebook

Facebook is one of the best apps to sell stuff online since you can reach potential customers in your social network and beyond.

quick sell app: Use the Facebook marketplace to buy and sell stuff locally

Facebook buy and sell groups

One way to sell items on Facebook is through local buy and sell groups. Typically you’ll need to join the group before you can start selling, and groups often have themes. For instance, some groups may target baby items while others are simply for advertising yard sales. Read the guidelines before listing your items.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is another Craigslist alternative for selling items locally. It’s free to list an item, and you can communicate directly with the potential buyer.

Facebook Business Pages

If you have a Facebook page for your business, you can sell directly items to clients from that page by adding a “Shop Now” button for your visitors to see.

8. Instagram

You wouldn’t typically think of Instagram as a place to sell stuff online, but all you need to do is take a picture and insert some appropriate hashtags. Add a text overlay so users don’t have to read the caption to see what you’re selling. Don’t forget to include the details in the description, including price, size, location of the item, and if you’re willing to ship it.

9. Recycler

Recycler is a marketplace that connects local buyers and sellers. The main categories include vehicles, pets, and housing. There are also options to list furniture, clothes, and other used household items. You can create an account using your Facebook login and immediately start posting items for sale.

10. 5miles

5miles is an online marketplace that’s simple, safe, and fun to use. With this online selling app, you can filter your results to within five miles of your current location.

Categories include the same types of items as other apps (clothes, electronics, furniture, etc.) and options to list jobs and services. Although 5miles is used widely throughout the U.S. and various other countries, you’re more likely to see success if you’re near one of its popular cities, like Dallas, Tampa, Miami, or New York.

11. Trove Marketplace

The Trove app is a great source to buy and sell used furniture online. When you list an item on Trove, you can set a fixed price or accept bids from buyers. You also get to decide what kind of payment you want to accept such as cash or credit/debit cards.

Once you accept an offer and confirm the price, you can schedule a time to meet your buyer and make the exchange. Don’t let the buyer leave with your item until you’ve been notified by Trove that it has submitted the payment.

12. Chairish

Like its name, Chairish is an app designed specifically for selling used furniture online. Just snap a picture of your furniture, create a listing with a title and description, and set your price.

Listing with Chairish is free. There’s a 20% commission charge for items you sell. When your item sells, the buyer has 48 hours to return it through Chairish. After the 48-hour window expires, your payment is released.

One significant difference between Chairish and Trove is that the items on Chairish have a much higher selling price. Therefore, if you have quality furniture in good condition, it may be worth it despite the higher commission rate.

13. Vrbo

If you have a spare guest room that sits empty most of the year, consider renting it out on Vrbo. Renting out space with Vrbo is an excellent way to make some extra money on the side.

A 2018 survey found that people who hosted through Vrbo averaged $33,000 in revenue per year.

Creating a listing is quick and simple. Take a few photos of your space, add a description, and set your price. You’ll get better results if you clean the space and add some extra decor.

There may be some initial investment like buying an extra set of sheets, toiletries, and cleaning supplies, but hosting with Vrbo can be a lucrative side hustle.

8 Best Places to Sell Services Online

If you’re done selling all your extra stuff, you can consider selling your services and abilities online.

14. NextDoor

NextDoor a neighborhood-specific social networking app. It serves as an alternative to community pages or groups on Facebook and keeps residents informed of local events and news. It’s also a great way to sell your services to your local community. The app encourages people to promote their businesses and stuff they have to give away or sell, but they do have some rules. For example, it asks that if you’re selling services through your personal profile, you add that specific business to the biography section of your profile.

15. Fiverr

People list digital services such as graphic design, writing, and video editing on Fiverr. There are over 100 different categories to choose from, and Fiverr encourages sellers to “be creative.” As long as it’s legal and within its terms, you can sell it on the site.

Unlike other freelance sites, you get to choose the exact service you offer and set the price. There’s no bidding on projects. You can price your services anywhere from $5 to $995 and upsell customers with up to three packages at increasing price levels.

16. Rover

The Rover app is designed specifically to connect pet owners with reliable and trustworthy caretakers. Rover’s fees are straightforward – you take home 80% of your pay. Services you can offer include dog boarding, house sitting, doggie daycare, walking, and drop-in visits.

With Rover, you set your own rates after choosing which services to offer. If you love animals and want to make some extra money, this could be a great app for you.

17. Upwork

Upwork is a global platform that connects businesses with freelancers around the world. That makes it the perfect place to find new clients and grow your freelance business. Even if you’re not looking to build a business, it’s also just an easy way to make money online.

Once you register for a free account, Upwork suggests ideal jobs based on the information you submitted. You can also manually search for additional opportunities.

After you find a project that fits your skill set, the next step is to submit a proposal. The buyer then chooses from among all the freelancers who bid on the project. Payments are available through PayPal, direct deposit, wire transfer, local funds transfer, Payoneer, or Skrill.

Some projects are an hourly rate while others have a fixed price. Upwork does take a 20% fee so be aware of this when you bid on a project.

18. Care.com

If you’re interested in babysitting, you can register for a free account with Care.com. The site will connect you with parents in the area looking for short or long-term child care, before or after-school care, or just on occasion.

You get to set your rates, availability, and how far you’re willing to travel, and negotiate and collect payments directly from clients.

If you’re not interested in babysitting, you can also provide house cleaning, pet care, tutoring, and errand and odd job services on Care.com.

19. Airbnb Experiences

Even if you don’t have space to rent in your home, you can still make money with Airbnb Experiences. Offer a class or workshop, an outdoor fitness class, or lead a group tour.

Think of an experience you can offer that’s unique to your location or your skillset. The goal is to immerse visitors into the lives of locals, so the more unique and authentic the experiences are, the more people you’re likely to get.

20. Amazon Home Services

Amazon isn’t just a place to find books, kitchen accessories, and streaming TV shows. Now, with Amazon Home Services, you can advertise services like plumbing, house cleaning, and furniture assembly to people in your area.

Unlike other sites, you have to complete a background check, including a criminal background check, and provide proof of licenses and insurance to be featured on Amazon Home Services.

21. TaskRabbit

If you don’t think you’ll qualify for Amazon Home Services but still have handyman services you want to sell, consider using TaskRabbit.

TaskRabbit connects customers with people who can help them with various tasks like moving or assembling furniture, doing minor home repairs, or cleaning. You can find jobs in your area by submitting an application and attending an informational session.

You will set your own rates and negotiate job details with clients, but TaskRabbit handles the invoicing and payment collection process.

Traditional Ways to Sell Stuff Online

Let’s not forget about the original players in the online selling world.

22. eBay

eBay is one of the most popular online selling platforms. With eBay, you can buy and sell almost anything and popular categories include used video games, phones, tech, and shoes.

You can also use eBay to sell stuff locally online. When creating your listing, scroll down to the section titled “How you’ll ship it.” There’s a selection for “Offer local pick up only.” When you choose this option, your item will only be offered to buyers who live in or near your ZIP Code.

23. Craigslist

Craigslist is a go-to when it comes to selling used stuff. It’s especially useful if you live somewhere where other apps have yet to gain traction.

The Craigslist app may not be as user-friendly as others, but its popularity ensures access to the largest pool of potential buyers.

24. Amazon

The Amazon Seller Marketplace is a great place to sell used stuff online. Popular categories include books, electronics, jewelry, and tech. Amazon offers memberships for serious sellers turning over a significant number of items.

If you’re just looking to sell things sporadically, then an individual plan is your best option. With this plan, you won’t incur a monthly fee but you’ll have to pay listing and selling fees for each item sold.

25. Etsy

If you’re crafty, Etsy is probably the first place to sell your handmade and vintage items online. An online marketplace for selling unique handmade goods, starting an Etsy shop is free, easy, and a great way to make money from your hobbies. You can even sell digital items like budget trackers, inspirational quotes, or printable coloring pages.

While there is a fee to list your items on Etsy, you get to set your own prices and you keep all of the net profits.

26. Shopify

Shopify isn’t a place to sell used goods. It’s an online platform used to set up your own digital storefront for dropshipping items like books or coffee mugs. You can also use it to sell your services, digital products, memberships, and even ticketed events.

Although Shopify does offer a free trial, there’s a fee to use the platform. There are a variety of paid options, and you can select the one that works best for you. You have the option to increase or decrease your plan based on sales and need.

27. Your own website

You’ll have the most control over inventory, pricing, shipping, and advertising if you sell products via your own website. Since you’re the proprietor, you don’t have to worry about commission, listing fees, or bidding against other people for the same job.

You also get to decide how customers will pay you, return policies, and you can even offer coupons and discounts. It’s not easy to sell products from your own website, but it can be the most lucrative.

Questions You Should Ask Before Picking an App to Sell

Choosing the best selling apps depends on the items you have, the condition they’re in, and how much hassle you want to go through.

What does it specialize in?

Look at what you’re trying to sell and see if there’s an app that specializes in that category. For example, thredUP is great for selling gently-used clothes. But if you have a huge CD collection, you’re better off going with Decluttr.

Are there any fees?

Some apps charge a flat fee while others charge a percentage of the listing price. Take the fee into account when pricing the item.

Most apps are pretty straightforward in terms of their fee structures. Don’t forget to read the terms before deciding on the best apps to sell stuff.