In July 2023, I made a decision that felt like a betrayal: I tried to move my entire inventory of rare 1970s comic books off eBay. I’d been a loyal seller for a decade, but the rising final value fees were eating 15% of my margins, and I was convinced there had to be a "hidden gem" out there. I moved 50 listings to eBid, lured by their promise of zero listing fees and a lifetime "Seller+" membership. Three months later, I’d made exactly two sales. Two. My inventory was sitting in a digital ghost town while my competitors on eBay were still moving units daily. That failure taught me the most important lesson in reselling: traffic is expensive, but the lack of it is even costlier. Since then, I’ve spent the last two years testing every major marketplace to see which ones actually have the "liquidity" to rival the giant. If you’re tired of the fee hikes but scared of the silence, you’re in the right place.
Selling Websites Like eBay: The Mercari Factor
When people ask for a website like eBay, they usually want a place where they can list a used toaster and a Nintendo Switch in the same shop. Mercari is the closest 1:1 match we have in 2025. It’s often referred to as "eBay Lite" because the listing process is incredibly streamlined—you can literally post an item from your phone in under sixty seconds.
Here's where it gets interesting: Mercari has been through what I call a "whiplash era." In early 2024, they briefly removed selling fees entirely, only to reinstate them in late 2024 after realizing the model was unsustainable. As of late 2025, they’ve settled into a flat 10% selling fee plus payment processing. (This is still slightly cheaper than eBay’s typical 13.25%). But there’s a catch. Mercari buyers are notorious "lowballers." If you list an item for $50, expect offers for $30 within the hour.
I remember selling an old Dyson vacuum on Mercari last November. On eBay, I would have dealt with a 30-day return window. On Mercari, once the buyer receives the item, they have exactly 3 days to rate you. Once they rate you, the sale is final. That peace of mind is worth the occasional lowball offer. If you're wondering how this compares to other platforms, you might want to learn how to sell on Poshmark to see if that community-driven vibe fits you better.
Auction Websites Like eBay: The Adrenaline of Live Selling
If you’re specifically looking for auction websites like eBay, you have two very different paths. You have the traditional "slow" auction sites like eBid, and the "fast" live auction sites like Whatnot.
Now the tricky part with eBid is the traffic, as I mentioned in my comic book disaster. It’s been around since 1999 and is 100% legitimate, but it’s a "parking lot" for inventory. I only use it for items I’m willing to sit on for a year, like rare antiques. On the other hand, Whatnot has revolutionized the auction sites like ebay category by merging QVC with Twitch. You go live on camera and run 30-second auctions for a live audience.
In March 2025, I tried my first live show on Whatnot with some extra Pokémon cards. I was terrified. I felt like I was back in high school drama class. But in two hours, I sold 85 items. The fees are around 11-12% total, but the speed is unmatched. You do, however, have to be an entertainer. If you are an introvert who likes to list and forget, live auctions will feel like your personal nightmare.
Places Like eBay for Fashion: Poshmark and Depop
When your inventory consists mostly of threads, you shouldn't just be looking for sites like eBay—you should be looking for social commerce. Poshmark and Depop have carved out niches that actually outperform eBay in the fashion category.
Poshmark is the "Powerhouse" for mid-tier and luxury brands. Their fee is a flat 20% for anything over $15, which sounds astronomical compared to eBay. But there’s a psychological trick at play here: Poshmark buyers expect to pay more. I can sell a J. Crew cashmere sweater on eBay for $20, but on Poshmark, I can consistently get $35 for that same item. The "social" aspect—sharing listings and "Posh Parties"—drives up the perceived value.
And then there’s Depop. If you have "Y2K" vintage or "aesthetic" streetwear, this is your home. It’s basically Instagram with a "Buy" button. I’ve found that high-quality, styled photos are non-negotiable here. I use a Neewer Ring Light and a Manfrotto Tripod to ensure my Depop shots look like a magazine spread. If you're serious about the fashion niche, you should definitely read more about selling on Depop to master their specific algorithm.
Website Like eBay for Niche Markets: Etsy and Ruby Lane
Sometimes, the best ebay alternatives aren't the ones that sell everything, but the ones that sell one thing perfectly. If you are selling handmade goods, craft supplies, or vintage items over 20 years old, Etsy is the undisputed king.
I actually started an Etsy shop for vintage brass home decor in 2022. I thought it would be just like ebay, but the customer base is totally different. Etsy buyers are looking for a story. They want to know where you found the item and how it was cared for. I made the mistake of using "eBay-style" titles—dry and technical—and my shop was a desert for months. The moment I switched to "vibe-heavy" titles like "Mid-Century Modern Gold Crane for Maximalist Decor," my sales tripled.
Best Niche Alternatives
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Ruby Lane: The "High-End" Etsy. Best for serious antiques and fine jewelry.
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Reverb: If you sell guitars, pedals, or music gear, don't even look at eBay. Reverb’s 5% fee is a dream.
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Swappa: The safest place for used phones and laptops. They manually verify every listing.
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StockX: For the sneakerheads who want a "middle-man" to authenticate everything.
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Bonanza: A great "bridge" site that lets you import your eBay listings directly.
I use Closo to automate sharing my Poshmark closet—it saves me about 3 hours weekly that I would otherwise spend tapping my phone screen while watching Netflix. This automation is essential when you're managing multiple selling websites like ebay simultaneously.
Websites Just Like eBay: The Fee Comparison
When you're trying to decide on a website like ebay, the math has to make sense. You aren't just paying for a listing; you're paying for the "audience."
Common question I see: "Is there an eBay alternative that is actually free?" The answer is "Technically yes, but only for local sales." Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist don't charge listing or selling fees if you're meeting someone in a Starbucks parking lot for a cash transaction. But if you want to ship nationwide, someone has to pay for the credit card processing and the platform's servers.
Local Places Like eBay: Facebook Marketplace and Beyond
If you have heavy, bulky, or "difficult" items, you should skip the shipping-based sites like ebay entirely and head to Facebook Marketplace. It’s become the "modern Craigslist" but with the added benefit of seeing a person's profile before you meet them. (It’s much harder to get scammed by a grandmother with 10 years of photos of her garden than an anonymous "User1234").
I once tried to sell an antique mahogany dining table on eBay. I listed it for "Local Pickup Only," and it sat for six months. I moved it to Facebook Marketplace, and it sold for my full asking price of $400 within four hours. The buyer lived three blocks away. I’m honestly a bit uncertain why it took me so long to realize that some items just don't belong on a global stage.
Now, the "shipped" side of Facebook Marketplace is a different story. Their customer support for shipping issues is... well, it’s practically non-existent. I only use Facebook for "Cash on Delivery" or small, low-value items that I don't mind taking a risk on. If you're looking for high-demand categories to sell locally, you can explore the best selling items on Etsy to see which trends translate well to your local community.
People always ask me: Why shouldn't I just stay on eBay?
It’s a fair question. eBay has 135 million active buyers. No other website like ebay even comes close to that level of traffic. If you have an extremely rare, specialized item—like a signed 1920s baseball—eBay is still your best bet because that’s where the collectors are.
However, the "eBay experience" has become increasingly buyer-focused. I’ve had buyers open "Item Not as Described" cases on things that were clearly described, and eBay almost always sides with the buyer. This "forced return" policy is why many sellers are looking for places like ebay with stricter return rules. Mercari, for example, gives the buyer only 72 hours to complain. After that, your money is yours. That security is a major reason I’ve shifted 30% of my inventory away from the giant.
Common question I see: Can I import my listings from eBay to these other sites?
Yes! You don't have to manually re-type every description and upload every photo. Most selling websites like ebay, such as Bonanza and eBid, have an "eBay Import Tool." You link your accounts, and they suck in your active listings.
But a word of caution: "Ghost Listings" are a real problem. If an item sells on eBay and you forget to delete it from Bonanza, you’ll eventually have a buyer purchase an item you no longer have. This leads to cancellations and bad ratings. I’ve had this happen twice, and it’s a nightmare to explain to a disappointed customer. This is why using an inventory management tool is vital if you are going to be a multi-channel seller.
Top Sites Just Like eBay: Niche Breakdown
When you are looking for websites like ebay, you have to categorize your items first. Don't try to sell your old textbooks on Poshmark, and don't try to sell your handmade soap on Swappa.
Where to Sell Your "Junk" and Gems:
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Books & Media: Amazon (if you can get ungated) or Decluttr (for instant cash).
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Electronics: Swappa or Mercari.
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Collectibles: Whatnot (for live) or Heritage Auctions (for high-end).
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Industrial/Business Gear: Bidspotter or GovDeals.
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Furniture: Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace.
Here's something everyone wants to know: "Which eBay alternative has the lowest fees?" If you are purely looking at the numbers, eBid is the winner, especially if you upgrade to their "Seller+" lifetime membership. You can pay a one-time fee (around $50-$100 depending on their current promo) and pay 0% listing fees and 0% final value fees forever. But remember my comic book story—low fees don't matter if the buyers aren't there to see your items.
Conclusion: Diversification is the Key to Reselling in 2025
Ultimately, the search for the perfect website like ebay is a search for balance. eBay is the "Walmart" of the internet—it’s big, it’s messy, and it’s everywhere. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a presence in the local boutiques (Poshmark), the craft fairs (Etsy), or the local classifieds (Facebook). My personal recommendation? Keep your high-value, rare items on eBay for the reach, but move your trendy clothes to Poshmark and your quick-turn gadgets to Mercari.
Honest assessment: no alternative is perfect. You will deal with lowballers on Mercari, high fees on Poshmark, and slow traffic on niche sites. But by spreading your inventory across multiple websites like ebay, you protect yourself from any single platform's algorithm changes or fee hikes. Start with one alternative this week—maybe just list 5 items on Mercari—and see how the water feels. You might find that life outside of eBay is surprisingly profitable.
FAQ Schema (Integrated Content)
What is the best alternative to eBay for auctions? The best traditional auction alternative is eBid, which has a similar bidding structure but much lower fees. However, for collectibles and a more modern experience, Whatnot is the leader in live video auctions, offering high sales velocity for cards, comics, and toys.
Which selling website like eBay has the lowest fees? eBid offers the lowest fees in the industry, especially for their "Seller+" members who pay a one-time lifetime fee to eliminate final value fees. For local sales, Facebook Marketplace (local pickup) is completely fee-free.
