The United States is home to some of the best and most popular online marketplaces in the world. From Amazon to Craigslist to eBay and many more too numerous to mention. Nowadays, it is easy to get whatever item you want by shopping online from the comfort of your home.
Gone are those days when you need to visit a physical store to get what you want. However, while there are several options out there you can choose to sell or buy items from, it can also be difficult to decide which is a better option for your needs.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best online marketplaces in the United States to sell and buy items from. Whether you’re looking for great prices, unique products, or excellent customer service, there’s an online marketplace that’s right for you.
So without wasting much of your time, let’s get started!
10 Best Online Marketplaces In the United States
Let’s take a quick look at the best online marketplaces in the United States in 2023:
1. Craigslist {Best for local classifieds}
Craigslist is one of the best online marketplaces in the United States popularly known for its localized listings. It is available in over 700 cities and 70 countries making it a preferred option for users around the world to find local items.
Another unique feature that makes Craigslist a better marketplace over others is its user-friendly interface making it easier for buyers to get what they want without a hassle.
Lastly, it’s also free to use which is a great feature for sellers who are looking for platforms to post listings with no fee charges involved. Although it is likely not among the top biggest marketplaces in the world, it has got a huge user base to give your products visibility.
| Pros | Cons |
| It is free to use | Scammers can be an issue |
| It is easy to use | No buyer/seller protection |
| It has a wide selection of items available | Limited customer service |
| It is the best for localized items | No way to identify people’s identity |
2. Amazon {Best for a wide variety of products)
Let’s not forget to talk about Amazon — the world’s largest online marketplace with more than 300 million active monthly visitors, 600 million products available for sale and at least 2 million sellers on the platform.
Amazon is indeed one of the top big marketplaces for online sellers and buyers. Amazon’s wide variety of selections, and competitive prices can be an ideal reason why sellers may want to choose it as an option for their business.
On the other hand, Amazon makes shopping easier for buyers with its easy-to-navigate and user-friendly interface. You can get whatever you want in a few clicks. Aside from that, with its amazing features like Alexa and Prime Video, Amazon is more than just a place to buy stuff online.
| Pros | Cons |
| It has a wide variety of selections | It can be difficult to find good customer service |
| It is easy to search for items | Some sellers are not reputable |
| It has relatively low prices for items | Prices can be misleading |
| Shipping is fast with Amazon Prime | Not all items are in stock |
3. eBay {Best for collectibles}
There’s no way a list such as this would be made without including eBay. As of 2022, more than 135 million customers worldwide shopped on eBay and the number is expected to increase in the coming years.
eBay is another great place to watch out for especially if you are just getting started. Unlike other online marketplaces, eBay offers top-notch business consultation for free for new sellers which can be a great resource for newbies seeking a chance to start an online business.
eBay may not be as big as Amazon, but it’s a powerful force in the online marketplace. It can be a great option for you if you are looking for vintage collectibles, or. handmade goods for a lesser price range compared to others. So if you are looking for a unique online marketplace experience, eBay is the way to go.
| Pros | Cons |
| It is a large marketplace | Risk of counterfeit items |
| There is presence of buyer protection | Returns can be a hassle |
| It has relatively lesser prices for items | Online scams are possible |
| It is easy to use and navigate | Shipping cost can be high compared to other marketplaces |
4. Etsy {Best for handmade items}
Etsy remains one of the best online marketplaces in the United States and is likely among the top 10 most visited marketplaces with over 4.36 million sellers and 81.9 million active buyers. In addition, statistics show that over 32 million people use the Etsy mobile app per month.
These figures can be a blessing to small-sized and medium-sized businesses looking for an escape route to gain visibility and improve sales. Moreover, if you’re an online seller who makes handmade items or sells vintage collectibles, Etsy could be an ideal option for you.
And unlike many other marketplaces, Etsy is truly focused on the experience of buying and selling, rather than just the bottom line. So if you’re looking for a marketplace with a focus on creativity and community, you may want to consider Etsy.
| Pros | Cons |
| It is best for unique and handmade items | Fees can be higher than other marketplaces |
| It is easy to use | It has smaller audience compared to others |
| It consists of large community of makers | Not all items are handmade |
| It is safe and secure compared to other marketplaces | Finding good customer service can be difficult |
5. Poshmark {Best for reused items}
Are you looking for an online marketplace with relatively low fees where you can turn unwanted and recycled items into cash? Look no further than Poshmark, the best and most reliable marketplace for selling already used items.
Poshmark is best for anyone who’s interested in fashion, style, and sustainability. It’s a great place to find unique clothing and accessories, and it’s also a great place to sell your own clothing for cash.
With over 80 million registered users, and more than 200 million product listings. Poshmark is one of the world’s leading marketplaces to buy and sell new and secondhand fashion, home goods, and electronics.
| Pros | Cons |
| It has relatively low fees | Seller support can be slow |
| It is easy to list items | There are possibilities of getting scammed |
| It is best for selling reused/recycled items | Return policy can be strict |
| It is easy to find items and follow up with sellers | It is a very competitive market for sellers |
6. Facebook Marketplace {Best for finding local deals}
Whether you want to buy or sell items in the United States, Facebook could be an ideal option to consider. It is undoubtedly one of the most used online marketplaces in the world with an average of 800 million visitors per month.
Incredible right? Yes, indeed! As a seller, if you are looking for an online marketplace with a huge user base then you certainly need to set up a Facebook store and start putting your products out there. It’s generally free and easy and will save you both time and money compared to having a physical store.
And because Facebook Marketplace is so tightly integrated with Facebook, it’s easy to connect with buyers and find what they’re looking for. Plus, there’s the added benefit of Facebook’s social features, like being able to see if you have any mutual friends with a buyer.
| Pros | Cons |
| It is free to use | Risks of Scams and fraudulent activities are common |
| It has a very large user base | Buyer protection is never guaranteed |
| It is easy to find local items in your area | Limited customer support service |
| It is easy and swift to list items as a seller | Lack of product search filters |
7. Walmart Marketplace {Best for everyday items}
Walmart Marketplace is the perfect place to shop for everyday items at great prices. It’s a one-stop shop for all your essentials, from groceries to home goods. And because it’s backed by the Walmart brand, you can be sure you’re getting quality products at a great price.
In addition, Walmart Marketplace offers free shipping on many items, so you can get what you need without leaving your home. And if you’re a Walmart Plus member, you get even more perks, like discounts and exclusive deals.
| Pros | Cons |
| It has a wide variety of selections | Limited seller support |
| It is a trusted online marketplace | It can be hand to stand out |
| It has competitive pricing | There are limited product categories available |
| It is easy to find listed items or local pickup | It has smaller reach compared to Amazon |
8. Wayfair {Best for furniture and home decor}
When it comes to furniture and home decor, no one does it better than Wayfair, popularly known as the best online marketplace for furniture items in the United States. It’s the ultimate destination for all your home furnishing needs, with a huge selection of furniture, rugs, lighting, and more.
Wayfair also has a great selection of affordable options, so you can furnish your home without breaking the bank. And if you’re looking for something specific, Wayfair’s search filters make it easy to find what you’re looking for. Moreover, Wayfair offers a ton of helpful articles and guides to help you decorate your home with style.
| Pros | Cons |
| It has a large variety of selections for home goods | No local pickup option |
| It is apparently easy to find specific items | Lack of customer review on some items |
| It has relatively low prices for items compared to others | There are limited payment options available |
| It has excellent customer support service | Shipping fees can be costlier than other marketplaces |
9. Newegg {Best for electronic items}
Newegg is the best online marketplace for electronic items because of its wide selection and unbeatable prices. Whether you’re looking for a new laptop, monitor, or video game console, you’ll find it at Newegg. And because Newegg is dedicated to electronics, you can be sure you’re getting the best prices on the latest technology.
Plus, Newegg’s customer service is top-notch, so you can get the help you need if you have any questions. For sellers, the platform can be an ideal option considering that you can post about 5,000 listings with no fee charges attached as it is generally free compared to other marketplaces.
So, if you’re a tech enthusiast looking for where to find out about the latest trends and products or buy new gadgets or electronic appliances, Newegg is a great resource for you any day anytime.
| Pros | Cons |
| It has a wide variety of selections for tech products/items | Shipping cost can be expensive |
| It has top notch customer support service | Returns can be quite time consuming than normal |
| It has easy return policy | Limited inventory for some items |
| It has relatively low price on items | Limited in-depth product information |
10. Overstock {Best for name brand products with discounts}
Over 11% of furniture online shop users in the United States use Overstock making it one of the best platforms for selling and buying home goods, apparel, and other product categories. The platform also boasts of over 5.8 million as of the third quarter of 2022.
Overstock is unique because it offers a great selection of brand-name products at discounted prices. It’s like a virtual warehouse sale, with prices that are often 50% off or more. It also offers free shipping on most orders, so you can save even more money.
As a seller, you can get started on the platform by joining their “Supply Network” which is a better way to build a brand for your products, increase sales, and improve your business productivity.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free shipping on some items | Shipping can be slower than normal |
| It has an outstanding customer support service | Not all items are covered by a return policy |
| It is best for furniture product listings | It can be difficult to search for specific items |
| It is easy to find good deals | Prices of items may be slightly higher than other marketplaces, |
