Looking for websites to sell items online for free? You're in luck because these days, you don't need a big budget to start selling online. Most platforms have moved to a "free to list" model, which means you can list your items for free and not pay any fees until the item sells. But don't worry, some platforms that are 100% free, too!
Whether you're decluttering your home and trying to make some extra cash or want to dive into reselling as a business, there are plenty of platforms to choose from. Some are best for local sales, while others are better for online sales, but there are plenty of them. So how do you know which platform is best when starting or sticking to a budget?
Main Takeaways
- Most platforms allow you to list for free, with fees only applying after a sale is completed.
- Local selling platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, are some of the best websites to sell items online for free locally.
- For online sales, Mercari, eBay, and Poshmark are popular choices with large audiences.
- The best platform depends on what you're selling (for example, furniture does better locally, while fashion often sells better online)
- Selling online for free is a low-risk way to make extra money or even build a side business.
Top Websites to Sell Things Online for Free
|
Website |
Best for Selling |
Local/Online |
Fees |
|
Facebook Marketplace |
Everyday items, large local items |
Both |
|
|
Craigslist |
Large, bulky, local-only items |
Local |
|
|
OfferUp |
Furniture, electronics |
Both |
|
|
Mercari |
Electronics, clothing, home goods |
Online is most popular, but local is an option |
|
|
eBay |
Almost anything |
Online is most popular, but local pickup is an option |
|
|
Nextdoor |
Household items, furniture |
Local only |
|
|
Poshmark |
Fashion, household items |
Online only |
|
|
Depop |
Fashion (streetwear, vintage) |
Online only |
|
1. Facebook Marketplace
As one of the most accessible and widely used platforms for selling locally and online, this is an obvious option for websites to sell items online for free. You can list as many items as you want and pay no upfront fees, just a 5% fee once an item sells if it's shipped to a buyer. For local sales, there are no fees at all.
And in case you're wondering how to sell on facebook marketplace, we have a guide for you.
Pros:
- Huge built-in audience (locally and nationwide)
- Easy to use
- No listing fees
- Option to sell locally or ship
- Messages go straight to your Facebook inbox, so it's easy to manage
Cons:
- Risk of scams or unreliable buyers
- Limited seller protections
- For local sales: must meet up in person or do porch pick up
Fees: Free for local, in-person sales. No listing fee, but 5% selling fee for shipped items (or $0.40 for sales under $8)
2. Craigslist
Though it's not as popular these days, Craigslist is a classic online classifieds platform for selling items locally. It's perfect for items like furniture, tools, appliances, home and garden supplies, and other bulky items that aren't practical to ship.
Pros:
- No listing or selling fees in most categories
- Great for local items
- No app or account required
- Anonymized email for safe communication
Cons:
- Outdated and not as popular as it once was
- Higher risk of scams and spam
- No built-in payment systems or shipping options
- Must meet up in person for transactions
Fees: Free for most categories. Some types of listings, like vehicles, do have a fee.
3. OfferUp
As a mobile-first selling app, OfferUp is more popular in some areas than others. It's a good idea to see how active it is in your area before deciding to sell here. It's popular for selling everyday items like furniture, electronics, and home goods. It's simple to use, and there is an option to ship.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Strong local buyer base in certain areas
- In-app messaging
- Buyer and seller ratings
- Option to enable shipping
Cons:
- Not very active in some areas
- May take time to gain good reviews
- Limited protection on local transactions
Fees: Free for local sales, 12.9% service fee for shipped items after sale (minimum $1.99 per sale)
4. Mercari
Mercari is an easy-to-use online platform for selling items nationwide. Electronics, gaming gear, collectibles, clothing, and toys all do particularly well on Mercari. While it is app-based, it is also available on desktop and has a built-in shipping system and prepaid labels to make things easier for sellers. Sellers can also enable local pickup through Mercari Local, though this option isn't as popular.
Pros:
- Free to list
- Built-in shipping labels with discounted rates (option to ship on your own)
- Broad range of categories
- Seller protections in place
Cons:
- Selling fee after the item has sold
- Customer service can be slow
- Funds are held until the buyer rates the transaction (or three days pass after delivery)
Fees: Free to list, but there is a 10% selling fee and 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing fee on each sale
5. eBay
As one of the largest global marketplaces, eBay is perfect for selling many different types of items to its millions of customers. You can be successful selling almost anything on eBay, from electronics to home goods to clothing to even things like building supplies. It's a robust platform with built-in tools for shipping, payment, and more. Most users are provided with 250 free listings each month.
Pros:
- 250 free listings per month for most sellers
- Large buyer base worldwide
- Commercial shipping rates when you print through eBay
- Seller protections and resolution center
Cons:
- After 250 free listings, you may have to pay insertion fees.
- Post-sale fees can be complicated to calculate as it's based on factors like item category, seller status, and if you have an eBay store subscription
- Can be forced to take returns
- Highly competitive marketplace
Fees: List up to 250 items free per month, final value fee typically ranges from 13%-15% and there are additional fees for promoted listings, upgrades, or store subscriptions.
6. Poshmark
In the beginning, Poshmark was focused on women's fashion, but has added many categories such as home goods, men's and kids' fashion, electronics, and more. As a fashion-first platform, women's clothing and accessories tend to sell the best, but sellers find they make sales in most categories. Poshmark's flat rate shipping fee and easy-to-use listing form make it super beginner-friendly!
Pros:
- Free to list
- Simple listing form
- Flat rate shipping label provided (for packages up to 5lbs)
- Great for selling fashion
- Buyer pays for shipping
Cons:
- High selling fees once an item sells (20% for items $15 and up or $2.95 for items under $15)
- Sharing regularly is crucial to sales
- Seller pays extra for shipping if the package is over 5lbs
Fees: Free to list. $2.95 fee for sales under $15 and 20% for sales of $15 or more.
7. Nextdoor
If you're looking for a hyperlocal option, the NextDoor app is a neighborhood-based social platform that includes a "For Sale" section that is only available to local buyers. While this does limit potential buyers, it does feel much safer and easier since it verifies all users live in the area before allowing them to interact with the community.
Pros:
- Very localized audience
- No listing or selling fees
- Built in trust (real names and verified neighborhoods)
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Limited reach
- No built-in payment or shipping (local sales only)
- Not active in some areas
- No seller protections or review system
Fees: 100% free to list and sell items
Depop
As a more popular platform with a younger audience, Depop is popular for buying and selling vintage fashion, streetwear, trendy, and unique items. It has one of the lowest fees among online selling platforms.
Pros:
- Great for vintage, Y2K, and streetwear styles
- No fees to list items
- Easy to list on
- Seller profiles help build a brand and following
Cons:
- Highly visual (good photos and styling and the norm)
- Buyers can be flaky
- Mostly caters to fashion
Fees: Free to list. Once an item sells, there's a 3.3% + $0.45 payment processing fee in the US.
How to Sell Online for Free
Selling online without any upfront fees is totally possible! If you're just getting started and working with a tight budget, here's a quick walkthrough on how to get started:
1. Pick the Right Platform
Choose based on what you’re selling and factors like whether you want to sell locally or online. For example, with Facebook Marketplace, you can sell items locally and online, while on eBay, it’s most popular to sell items online.
2. Take Clear Photos
Use good lighting and a simple, clean background to take multiple good photos of your items. Make sure to include photos of tags, details, and any flaws.
3. Write a Clear Title and Description
Include information like brand, size, condition, and any flaws (yes, you want to mention them!) so that your buyer knows exactly what they’re getting from you. Good keywords in your title will help buyers find your items.
4. Pick a Price
To decide on a price, it can be helpful to search up similar listings to get an idea of what your item is worth. Price competitively, or a little below, for faster sales.
5. List it
Upload your item to the platform of your choice, and you’re done!
Now you just wait for the item to sell! If it sits for a while, you can think about lowering your price a bit to catch the attention of potential buyers.
Ready to Sell Online for Free?
Selling online without a big budget is easier than ever. That's because most platforms have adopted a "free to list" structure and only charge you a fee after something has sold, so there isn't much risk involved in selling your items online. You can test the waters by listing your items for free and learn as you go, without worrying about coming up with money upfront.
No matter what you're selling, there are plenty of online selling platforms, where you can list sell for free! Start where you feel most comfortable, get some items listed, and once you get that first sale, you'll be hooked!
FAQs
What is the best website to sell stuff for free?
Which platform is best totally depends on your needs. Facebook Marketplace can be the best of both worlds: free to list your items, with just a small 5% fee once your item sells if you decide to ship it. Local sales are 100% fee-free!
How do I sell my products for free?
Find a platform that allows you to list for free, such as eBay or Poshmark, which only charge you after you have already made a sale, so you don't have to put up any money upfront. Then take some good photos and get your item listed!
What items sell best on free platforms?
Pretty much anything sells these days, but some of the best items to sell on free platforms include furniture, home goods, clothing, electronics, collectibles, and vintage items. It's always smart to start with any items you no longer need to test the waters before buying inventory.
Which websites are best for selling items online for free locally?
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and Nextdoor are some of the top websites to sell items online for free locally. Find out which one is most popular in your area and start listing there. You can always list on multiple platforms to increase your chances of selling your items, too!
Want to list your items on multiple platforms without the extra work? Vendoo makes it easy to cross list in just a few clicks. Try it free today!
