In 2019, I looked at my bank account and saw a number that made my stomach turn. I was $2,400 in debt and had a closet full of clothes I hadn't worn since the Obama administration. Desperate for cash, I downloaded five different resale apps on a Sunday afternoon and started snapping photos of everything from my old textbooks to a coffee maker that was gathering dust. By the end of the month, I had cleared $850. It felt like magic. But that initial rush quickly turned into a lesson in platform psychology. I learned the hard way that trying to sell a vintage leather jacket on Facebook Marketplace is a waste of time, just like trying to sell a used toaster on Poshmark is a recipe for silence. Finding the right venue is 90% of the battle.
What is the Best App to Sell Stuff on for Fashion? (The Poshmark vs. Depop War)
If you are staring at a pile of clothes, the first question is: who is your buyer? This is where people get stuck. They list a J.Crew cardigan on Depop and wonder why it doesn't move.
In my experience, Poshmark is the gold standard for "mall brands." If you have Lululemon, Madewell, Anthropologie, or Nike, this is where you go. The interface is designed for social shopping. The search function favors specific brand names.
However, if you have vintage 90s streetwear, Y2K baby tees, or unique handmade items, Depop is the answer.
Here's where it gets interesting... the cultures are totally different. On Poshmark, buyers expect a "customer service" experience. They want nice tissue paper and a thank you note. On Depop, buyers just want the item to look cool. I once sold a vintage NASCAR tee on Depop for $45 in ten minutes. I listed that same tee on Poshmark for weeks with zero interest.
Honest Failure: I tried to sell a pair of high-end Italian dress shoes on Depop in 2021. It was a disaster. I got messages asking if I would trade for a used skateboard. I eventually moved them to eBay and sold them to a lawyer in Chicago for full asking price. Know your room.
What is the Best App to Sell Stuff Like Electronics and Collectibles?
When you leave the world of soft goods (clothes) and enter hard goods (tech, toys, home), the conversation changes. The answer to what is the best app to sell stuff in this category is almost always eBay.
eBay has the global reach. If you are selling a specific part for a 2004 blender, the person looking for it is searching on Google, which indexes eBay listings perfectly.
I sold a broken—yes, completely non-functional—Nintendo GameBoy on eBay for $40. The buyer wanted it for parts. On any other app, that listing would have been flagged or ignored.
The Mercari Alternative: If eBay's shipping settings intimidate you (and they are complex), Mercari is the "eBay Lite." It is fantastic for decluttering household items. Funko Pops, anime figures, and lightly used kitchen gadgets fly on Mercari.
I use Closo to automate my inventory tracking across these platforms – saves me about 3 hours weekly of spreadsheet headaches, so I don't accidentally sell the same camera on eBay and Mercari at the same time.
Best Apps to Sell Stuff Locally (The Heavy Lifters)
Sometimes, you cannot ship the item. You are not going to box up a peloton bike or a sectional sofa.
When asking what is the best app to sell stuff on locally, the battle is between Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.
Facebook Marketplace has completely devoured Craigslist. The integration with user profiles adds a layer of safety—you can see if the buyer is a real person with 500 friends or a bot created yesterday.
My Personal Rule for Local Sales: I only sell on Facebook Marketplace if the item is over $50. The "flake rate" (people saying they will come and then ghosting) is incredibly high.
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Anecdote: In 2022, I tried to sell a mirror for $20. I exchanged 40 messages with six different people. Three of them set up times to meet. None showed up. I ended up putting it on the curb with a "Free" sign. The time I spent messaging was worth more than $20.
Now the tricky part... safety. Always meet in public. Many police stations now have "E-Commerce Exchange Zones" in their parking lots with cameras. I refuse to meet anywhere else after dark.
Niche Markets: What is the Best App to Sell Stuff That is High Value?
If you have a Louis Vuitton bag or a pair of unreleased Jordans, do not throw them on Facebook Marketplace. You will get lowballed, or worse, scammed with a fake payment email.
For luxury, The RealReal is the easiest "hands-off" option, but their fees are astronomical (sometimes taking 50%+). For sneakers, StockX or GOAT are the standard. They act as a middleman. You ship to them, they verify, they ship to the buyer.
I sold a pair of Yeezys on StockX in 2020. The peace of mind knowing I wouldn't get a chargeback claiming "fake" was worth the transaction fee.
However, if you want to maximize profit and do the work yourself, what is the best app to sell stuff like this? It’s back to eBay with their "Authenticity Guarantee" for sneakers over $100. They have really stepped up their game to compete with StockX.
The Strategy of Cross-Listing
Here is the secret that full-time resellers know: We don't choose just one. We use them all.
We take photos once, write the description once, and then use software (like Vendoo or List Perfectly) to push that listing to Poshmark, eBay, and Mercari simultaneously.
Why this matters: Different eyes are on different apps.
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My vintage Levi's go to Depop and eBay.
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My Banana Republic blazer goes to Poshmark.
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My old iPhone goes to eBay and Mercari.
By casting a wider net, you increase your sell-through rate.
Common Question I See About Fees
People always ask me which app keeps the most money in my pocket. It is a constant math equation.
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Poshmark: Flat 20% fee. High, but they handle all credit card fees and provide the shipping label. It is predictable.
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eBay: roughly 13.25% + $0.30 per order. Lower percentage, but you often pay for shipping supplies and handle the label yourself.
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Mercari: Recently experimented with a 0% selling fee model (shifting fees to buyers), which caused a stir. It makes listing free, but buyers might be hesitant to pay the extra service fees at checkout.
Common question I see is about shipping ease. If you hate the post office, Poshmark is the best app to sell stuff on. Their flat-rate label covers up to 5lbs. You can use the free USPS Priority Mail boxes. On eBay, you have to weigh your item to the ounce and measure the box dimensions perfectly, or the post office will charge you the difference. I learned this when I underestimated the weight of a winter coat and had to pay $12 out of pocket at the counter.
Conclusion
So, what is the best app to sell stuff? There is no single magic button.
If you value speed and simplicity for clothing, Poshmark is your home. If you want to reach the maximum number of humans on earth for anything else, it is eBay. If you just want that old couch out of your living room today, it is Facebook Marketplace.
My recommendation: Start with the stuff in your house that is easiest to ship. Download eBay and Poshmark. List five items on each. See which interface clicks with your brain.
And if you find yourself drowning in inventory, make sure to read up on how to manage reseller inventory effectively. Once you get the hang of it, you can explore automation tools for Poshmark to take your side hustle to the next level.
The "best" app is the one that actually gets you paid. Go list something.
FAQ
What is the safest app to sell stuff locally?
OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace are the leaders for local sales, but safety comes from your behavior, not the app. Always check the buyer's profile for ratings and verification badges (like TruYou on OfferUp). Meet in designated "safe trade spots" like police stations or busy grocery store parking lots during daylight hours, and accept cash or Venmo/Zelle only once you are face-to-face.
Which selling app has the lowest fees?
Historically, Facebook Marketplace (for local shipping) and Mercari have battled for the lowest fees, often hovering around 10% or sometimes 0% for sellers during promo periods. However, eBay's fees are generally lower (approx 13%) than Poshmark's flat 20%, but Poshmark's higher fee covers payment processing and simplifies shipping, which can save money on heavier items.
What is the best app to sell stuff like old furniture?
For bulky items that are too expensive to ship, Facebook Marketplace is the undisputed winner. Its massive user base allows you to target local buyers effectively. OfferUp is a strong second choice, especially in major metropolitan areas. Avoid apps like Poshmark or eBay for furniture unless you are prepared to arrange expensive freight shipping.
