Sites Like Craigslist: The Best Alternatives for Buying, Selling and More

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Craigslist launched in 1995 and almost immediately changed the way we buy things, sell things, look for jobs, find roommates and shop for real estate.

The platform featured a minimalist, text-heavy design with few bells and whistles that hardly changed over the course of more than two decades.

But while the site was a trailblazer in the world of online classified websites, its popularity has waned in recent years, thanks in no small part to that lack of innovation and its reputation for being filled with scams and scammers.

Today, there are a number of sites like Craigslist that are safer and more feature-rich than the original.

Of course, not all of them offer the full range of categories found on Craigslist, which is something of a Jack-of-all-trades. Instead, many of the best Craigslist alternatives focus on a particular niche.

The good news is that whatever you’re looking for, there’s at least one solid Craigslist alternative to turn to.

Best Sites Like Craigslist for Selling Items

Craigslist used to be the go-to venue for liquidating everything from gadgets to furniture to cars and recreational vehicles. It’s where you instinctively went to sell your stuff.

While it still gets a fair amount of traffic, the options below have been chipping away at Craigslist’s market dominance.

#1. Facebook Marketplace

Quick summary: Anyone with a Facebook account can sell items via Facebook Marketplace. You can post ads with photos and details of what you’re selling, just like you post vacation photos.

The ads are visible to anyone with access to Marketplace, but they don’t get posted to your timeline. That means your friends and family won’t see what you’re selling unless they’re searching for that particular item.

Best for: Facebook Marketplace is the all-around best Craigslist alternative because it has such a wide reach. Facebook is used by 800 million people in 70 countries, and Marketplace is built into the Facebook mobile app. This is where most people turn first when buying or selling items online.

Pro tip: Facebook Marketplace is free, but the company recently introduced the ability to “Boost” your Marketplace ads by paying a small fee.

Boosting your post increases its ranking in search results when people are browsing items, and boosted ads can appear in the timeline of users who have recently searched for similar items.

You can set your own budget and duration, and even a couple of dollars per day can substantially increase the number of people who see your listing.

#2. Facebook Groups

Quick summary: There are Facebook Groups for nearly every topic and interest imaginable, from particular locations (like a university) to hobbies (like knitting). Believe it or not, there’s even a Facebook Group for personal finance bloggers.

Many Groups are specifically for buying and selling items: sometimes based on location, or sometimes based on the type of item. Additionally, many groups that are not specifically for buying and selling still allow members to post ads for relevant items.

Best for: Specialty items that are in keeping with the theme of a group. For example, many groups about youth baseball coaching allow members to post ads for bats and gloves.

Pro tip: If you’re not sure whether a group allows posting ads, check with an administrator first. Violating the rules can get you kicked out of the group, but it can also result in getting your Facebook account flagged. That can lead to all kinds of problems, including the inability to join groups or post Marketplace ads.

#3. eBay

Quick summary: The oldest and most well-known auction site is still alive and kicking. While it’s nowhere near as popular as it used to be, it’s still used by millions of buyers and sellers every month.

One important note is that eBay auctions no longer fetch good prices, because today’s internet shoppers want to buy things immediately rather than waiting around for an auction to end. So, you’re usually better off listing your items for a fixed price.

Best for: eBay used to be for bargain hunters. But today, it’s primarily used by buyers who are looking for very specific (often hard-to-find) items that they can’t get on Amazon or at a local retailer. This includes things like antiques and collectibles.

It makes sense when you think about it: collectible items are hotly desired by a relatively small number of people. While global demand for a particular collectible might be enough to drive the price up, local demand for that item might be non-existent.

Pro tip: If you have an item that’s too large to ship, you can list it for sale locally via the eBay Classified listing format. eBay used to have a dedicated classified ads website (“eBay Classifieds”), but today it’s just a particular type of listing that’s allowed within certain categories.

#4. Mercari

Quick summary: Mercari is a Japanese e-commerce company that has recently brought its peer-to-peer marketplace to the United States.

A well-funded startup with an excellent reputation among users, it’s the first major competitor to face off against eBay in well over a decade — and it’s off to a great start.

The platform offers a number of unique features that help set it apart from other marketplaces, including:

1. You pay $5 for each designer item you submit for authentication. Mercari will check and verify the authenticity of designer items (like expensive handbags and shoes) within 48 hours. This increases buyer confidence and can help spur sales.
2. Instant payment. After a buyer accepts delivery of your item, you can immediately send the proceeds to a debit card (for a $2 fee) — there’s no waiting period for the company to release the funds or deposit them in your bank account.
3. Same day local sales and delivery. Mercari Now is a service powered by the on-demand delivery company Postmates. Users in select cities can have local items picked up and delivered the same day they buy them — it’s like selling on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace without having to actually meet up with the buyer.
4. No-label shipping. You don’t even have to print a shipping label, as you can simply package the item and drop it off at a UPS Store. They’ll print and affix the label for you.

Mercari’s online marketplace still has fewer users than eBay, so we’ve listed it one notch below.

But it’s growing fast, and with a first-rate interface that makes buying and selling a breeze — not to mention all the features listed above — we wouldn’t be surprised if it moves up the rankings quickly.

#5. OfferUp

Quick summary: OfferUp is focused on providing a top-of-class mobile app for classifieds. Sellers can easily post items for sale and message with potential buyers right in the app (which is available for both Android and iPhone).

Best for: OfferUp doesn’t get as much traffic as some other Craigslist alternatives, so you might want to use it as a Plan B in case your item doesn’t sell on a different site.

Pro tip: Buyers and sellers have ratings on the app, so you should vet potential trading partners based on their feedback to avoid wasting your time with someone who is just going to flake out and not complete the sale.

#6. LetGo

Quick summary: LetGo is one of the most user-friendly classified ads sites. The site uses a technology called Reveal to help sellers price items. Point your iPhone or Android phone’s camera at nearly any item, and LetGo will give you a suggested price based on similar listings.

Buyers and sellers communicate through the app, and there are profiles for users.

Best for: Because LetGo is a site to buy and sell online locally, it’s great for large items like sporting equipment and outdoor items like patio furniture and grills.

Pro tip: Provide a lot of details including things like size, brand, and condition.

#7. Kaiyo

Quick summary: Kaiyo is an online store that sells well-cared-for used furniture. The company picks your items up free of charge and pays you a commission once they sell, similar to how a consignment shop operates. They also provide an up-front cash offer once your furniture has been inspected, which gives you the option to get paid without waiting for someone to buy your items.

Kaiyo delivers orders throughout the United States, but they have a fairly small pickup area that’s limited to parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Additionally, they do not accept furniture with breakable components such as marble and glass.

Best for: People who need to get rid of their furniture quickly, more than they need to get the absolute best price possible. Kaiyo works on a tiered commission payout model in which the percentage of the sale price you’re paid increases based on the value of the item. Unfortunately, the payout for most items is very low — just 30% for items that sell for $999 or less and only 22% for items that sell for $500 or less. Plus, keep in mind that you have no control over the price set by Kaiyo.

Of course, pickup is free, which saves you money if you would otherwise need to pay someone to remove and dispose of the furniture. 

Pro tip: Only give Kaiyo furniture you are 100% ready to part with. Once you hand it over to the company, they own it; unlike a traditional consignment shop, you cannot request that the items be returned to you if they don’t sell or if you change your mind.

Best Sites Like Craigslist for Finding Jobs

Once the absolute go-to destination for employers and job seekers, there are now many other (better) places to look for work.

#1. TaskRabbit

Quick summary: TaskRabbit connects people who need small tasks done with those who have the skills and time to do them. One example: have you ever seen Ikea’s advertisement for $99 furniture assembly? That work is usually done by Taskers.

TaskRabbit shows you nearby jobs; just choose the ones you want to do, confirm the details with the job’s poster, and then complete the task. You’ll submit an invoice and get paid right inside the app.

Best for: One-off tasks like putting together a piece of furniture, hanging paintings, or helping with a move.

Pro tip: You don’t have to price your time at an unskilled rate for unskilled labor. For example, one common TaskRabbit job is standing in line. Someone might want to be first in line to buy tickets for a show, or first in line when the door opens at the Nike Store on the day a new sneaker is released.

Often, those people plan on reselling whatever they’re trying to buy. It’s not as easy as you might think to get someone to stand in line for a few hours, so don’t automatically assume you need to work for peanuts.

#2. Nextdoor

Quick summary: Nextdoor is an app that aims to connect people within neighborhoods. It’s used for all kinds of purposes, from promoting local events to bringing neighbors together to solve local problems.

That said, Nextdoor doesn’t have the most sterling of reputations, as noted by this piece in The Atlantic; people sometimes use it to complain about their neighbors or voice unsettling viewpoints.

However, it can be a good place to find local work. And unlike TaskRabbit, there’s no middle man — you’ll get to keep every penny you earn.

Best for: The people on Nextdoor are literally your neighbors, so it’s a great site to find gigs that require a good reputation like babysitting and dog walking. (If you’re interested in dog walking specifically, you should also check our Rover.)

Pro tip: Neighbors like to exchange information — like the name of a good babysitter or dog walker — so Nextdoor is an excellent place to get a side hustle going, thanks to that kind of word of mouth. Just do your best to avoid getting sucked into the drama noted above.

#3. Upwork

Quick summary: Upwork is a freelancing site for people with almost any type of skill or experience. Most of the work is remote and contract-based, and the pay can be quite good. Check out our beginner’s guide to Upwork to learn more about the opportunities it offers (and how to actually get your first job on the site).

Best for: Upwork is one of the largest freelancing sites on the internet, with thousands of new jobs posted daily across dozens of categories. Whether you’re looking for part-time work or a full-time freelancing career, Upwork is a great place to start.

Pro tip: Consider working for slightly less than you’re worth when you’re first getting started. It can be hard to get your first job on Upwork, but once you have a couple of positive reviews from clients, you’ll be able to raise your rates substantially — which will more than make up for it.

#4. Fiverr

Quick summary: Fiverr is similar to Upwork. The main difference is that on Upwork, clients post ads and freelancers submit proposals.

On Fiverr, it’s the other way around: freelancers (called “sellers”) create “gigs” and clients (called “buyers”) order those gigs as though they were products.

For example, your gig might be, “I will design a logo for your business within 72 hours for $500.” The client can then simply order that work without even contacting you first.

Best for: Fiverr is more suited to those looking to get started freelancing, or who just want to make a few extra bucks on the side. Many of the clients on the site are individuals rather than companies, so it’s a little less formal and structured.

Pro tip: People on Fiverr aren’t typically looking for professional-level freelancers, so it can be a great place for those starting out to get some projects to build a portfolio. Once you do, move over to Upwork where the pay is better!

#5. FlexJobs

Quick summary: FlexJobs is a job board specializing in work-from-home jobs. There are a lot of scam work-from-home job offers out there (especially on Craigslist) but you won’t find them on FlexJobs, where each opportunity is vetted so that job seekers can be assured the listings are legitimate.

Best for: Those looking for flexible, part-time remote work.

Pro tip: It’s a membership site with a $14.99 per month fee, but you can view the list of jobs for free. So if anything strikes your interest, create an account and apply. Then cancel (there’s no commitment). You can also use The Ways To Wealth’s exclusive promo code (WEALTH) to save 30% off your membership, bringing the cost down to $10.50.

Best Sites Like Craigslist for Meeting People and Finding Things to Do

Once upon a time, Craigslist was used for everything from personal ads to promoting local events. But the personals section was shut down because it was being used for illicit activities, and social media has made the site’s local sections much less popular.

But doesn’t it sometimes feel like, despite social media, it’s still hard to meet people (you know, as in real-life social networking) and keep tabs on what’s going on around town?

Here are a few sites that will help.

#1. Meetup

Meetup is a site and mobile app used to organize in-person events for people with similar interests. Depending on your location, you can find dozens of Meetup groups for everything from outdoor yoga to cooking clubs to home brewing groups.

Meetup is especially useful for professional networking, as it’s one of the main ways local professional and civic organizations coordinate and advertise meetings and events. If you’re looking to get involved in local government or volunteer organizations, this is where to start.

Also, while it’s not a dating site per se, it is one of the best ways to increase the size of your social network. That makes it a great place to meet like-minded people without the pressure of a site like Tinder or POF.

#2. Reddit

Reddit is a social media platform comprised of mini-sites called subreddits.

There’s a subreddit for almost everything in the world (from cute cats to simple explanations of complicated topics), and there are also city-based subreddits — which are a great resource for local area news and event notifications.

Related: How to Make Money on Reddit.

#3. Eventbrite

Eventbrite is an event management platform used by organizers to sell tickets, RSVPs and reservations, as well as for paperless ticketing (just show a barcode on your phone to get into an event).

However, it’s so widely used that it’s also a great local event search engine: the app has tons of listings across a range of categories, from plays to music events to art openings.

You’ll find a mix of big, professionally-organized events (like concerts) and small events (like a group of friends putting on a comedy show).

The best part? Many of the events are 100% free.  

#4. Bandsintown

If U2 is coming to your city, chances are you’ve heard about the show. But if you’re a fan of more obscure bands and musicians, it can be hard to keep track of their tour schedules.

If you’ve ever had the sinking feeling of learning that one of your favorite artists was in town just a couple of days ago, then you’ll appreciate Bandsintown.

The free site and app lets you see all the concerts in whatever area you specify on a day-by-day basis, and virtually all concerts (big and tiny) are listed.

You can also track your favorite musicians and see their local show dates in a separate part of the app, which helps make sure you never miss them. Plus, you can get emails and/or notifications when they (or a similar band you might like) are playing locally.

In some ways, this provides a similar function as Eventbrite. But it’s solely focused on music, and it has a more complete listing of the shows in your community. So, the two apps compliment each other nicely.

Best Canadian Alternative to Craigslist

Kijiji (pronounced key-gee-gee) is Canada’s biggest online classified ad website, with listings across all provinces and dozens of cities.

Users can buy and sell almost anything, including cars, heavy equipment, furniture, boats and more.

You can also find pet sitters, vacation rentals, jobs and apartments.

Best U.K. Alternative to Craigslist

Gumtree is a classified ad website for people in the United Kingdom.

You can buy and sell things like household items, services, car parts and real estate. You’ll also find job listings and listings for pets who need to be re-homed.

The classified ads on Gumtree are either free or paid, depending on what’s being sold or advertised, and the area the ad is being posted in.

Craigslist Alternatives to Avoid

When you’re looking for sites like Craigslist, you’ll often come across the suggestions listed below.

We spent a few hours testing and evaluating these Craigslist alternatives, and found they all come up short (for various reasons) compared to the sites we reviewed above.

Some of them have a clunky interface and aren’t user-friendly for browsing or posting, and some don’t have enough users or listings to make them worth your time and effort.

• Ads Globe
• AdLandPro
• Hoobly
• Locanto
• Oodle
• Geebo
• Penny Saver USA
• USFreeAds

Alternatives to Craigslist: Final Thoughts

Many people have a soft spot for Craigslist, the classified website that revolutionized peer-to-peer transactions. It helped wean us off the weekend print edition of Penny Saver and acclimated us to the online economy.

For a long time it was the best way to sell your old stuff, find good jobs to apply for, or nice apartments to rent.

But times change, and it’s no longer the best option in every case. There are many Craigslist alternatives that are super high-tech in comparison, and which offer a better and safer overall experience — whether you’re selling old stuff online or looking for lucrative side income.

R.J. Weiss

R.J. Weiss, founder of The Ways To Wealth, has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ since 2010. Holding a B.A. in finance and having completed the CFP® certification curriculum at The American College, R.J. combines formal education with a deep commitment to providing unbiased financial insights. Recognized as a trusted authority in the financial realm, his expertise is highlighted in major publications like Business Insider, New York Times, and Forbes.