Free Online Sites to Sell Things: Complete Guide for Beginners and Side Hustlers

Selling online doesn’t have to cost you anything to get started. Whether you’re decluttering your home, testing a business idea, or launching a side hustle, there are dozens of websites that allow you to sell items for free or with zero upfront costs.

This guide outlines 17 of the best free online sites to sell things, and explains how these platforms compare in terms of fees, features, and ideal use cases.

You’ll also learn why free platforms are great for getting started, but a paid platform like Shopify can help you scale, build a brand, and keep more of your profits long-term.

Why Sell Online for Free?

Starting with free platforms offers several key advantages, especially if you’re new to eCommerce or side hustling:

• No startup investment: You can list products without paying anything upfront.
• Low risk: Test ideas or sell secondhand goods without committing to a monthly subscription.
• Easy setup: Most platforms just require photos and a product description.
• Built-in traffic: Many marketplaces already have a large customer base.

That said, “free” doesn’t always mean no cost at all. Many platforms still charge transaction or payment processing fees, even if listing is free.

The goal is to start free, then upgrade when your business gains traction.

Before You Go Free: Why Some Sellers Skip the Free Route Entirely

Most people who start selling online naturally gravitate toward free platforms. No setup costs, no monthly fees — just snap a few photos, write a title, and you’re live.

It’s a no-brainer when you’re trying to get something sold quickly.

But here’s the problem: free platforms are built for casual sellers, not business owners.

If you’re serious about growing something long-term — whether it’s flipping products full-time, launching a brand, or just making your side hustle more sustainable — free platforms can quietly become expensive, restrictive, and limiting.

Here’s what most people overlook:

• You don’t own your customer data
• You can’t build a brand
• You compete with thousands of other sellers on the same listings
• You get hit with transaction fees on every sale
• You’re stuck in someone else’s system with no control

And the kicker? Once your sales grow beyond a few hundred dollars a month, the fees on these “free” platforms start costing more than just paying for your own store.

Shopify: The Shortcut to a Real Online Business

Shopify is different. It’s not a resale app. It’s not a classifieds site. It’s your own eCommerce platform where you control everything — your design, your domain, your customer list, your pricing.

You don’t need a tech background. You don’t need thousands of dollars. In fact, you can start with:

• A $1/month trial for 3 months
• $5/month Starter Plan for link-based selling
• Or go straight to the full Basic Plan at $39/month if you want your own full store

That means even if you’re selling the same products you’d list on Facebook Marketplace, you can do it with a professional checkout, real branding, and zero competition sitting under your product.

You keep your margins. You own the customer. You build a brand.

Free Selling Sites vs Shopify (Quick Snapshot)

Bottom Line: Sell Free, But Build Paid

There’s nothing wrong with starting on a free marketplace. In fact, for many people, that’s the best way to test ideas or learn how selling works.

But if you want to:

• Keep more of your profits
• Stop losing customers to platform algorithms
• Build something that lasts longer than your next sale
• Look more legit online (and get repeat buyers)

Then Shopify isn’t a cost — it’s leverage.

With minimal upfront investment, you can start building a real store with a real brand — even if you’re still fulfilling orders from your bedroom or selling out of a closet.

So before we dive into all the free platforms available, keep this in mind:

Free is great for testing. Paid is how you grow.

Types of Free Selling Platforms

There are two main categories of platforms that let you sell online for free:

Let’s take a detailed look at the best platforms in both groups.

Completely Free Platforms to Sell Items Online

These websites don’t charge you anything to list or sell items. They’re great for selling locally or when you want to avoid fees entirely.

1. Facebook Marketplace

Best for: Local sales, general items, furniture, electronics

With over 1 billion users, Facebook Marketplace is a top choice for selling items to people in your area. It’s integrated directly into Facebook, so listings can go live in just a few clicks.

Pros:

• No listing or selling fees
• Local delivery or meet-ups
• Massive user base
• Messenger integration for negotiating

Cons:

• No payment protection for local sales
• Risk of no-shows or spam inquiries
• Limited branding or analytics

Pro Tip: You can also join buy/sell groups for specific niches or neighborhoods to get more visibility.

Facebook Marketplace is especially popular for people looking to sell used household goods, baby items, and electronics.

It’s often the first platform people try when downsizing or flipping items from thrift stores or garage sales. Because listings can be boosted within your local network, many sellers find success within hours of posting.

While there’s no central storefront or brand page, some sellers create separate Facebook business pages to list inventory and collect reviews.

That said, Marketplace still leans toward casual, one-time transactions. Sellers looking for long-term growth may eventually outgrow the platform due to the lack of customization and control over buyer communication.

2. Craigslist

Best for: Bulky items, appliances, vehicles, services

Craigslist remains a popular free classifieds platform, especially in major cities. It’s ideal for in-person exchanges where shipping is not practical.

Pros:

• 100% free to list
• Simple interface
• Good for local transactions

Cons:

• No verification system
• Prone to scams
• Lacks shipping or tracking tools

You can post in multiple categories and reach people actively searching for deals in your area.

Craigslist thrives in cities where large, heavy, or awkward items — like couches, refrigerators, or construction equipment — are commonly sold locally.

The platform attracts bargain hunters, DIYers, and people looking for a deal without the shipping costs. Listings stay active for 30 to 45 days, depending on your location and category.

Because the site has no seller profiles, trust and safety depend entirely on how well you communicate and vet potential buyers.

Sellers are encouraged to meet in public places, and many police departments now offer “safe trade zones” to help reduce risk.

Craigslist isn’t flashy, but its simplicity and zero fees keep it relevant after all these years.

3. Nextdoor

Best for: Selling to trusted local neighbors

Nextdoor is a social network for neighborhoods, and its “For Sale & Free” section lets you post items for free. All users are verified residents of a specific location.

Pros:

• Safe and local audience
• Free to use
• Trust-based selling environment

Cons:

• Only visible within your zip code
• Low volume compared to larger marketplaces

It’s great for household goods, kids’ items, and local services.

What sets Nextdoor apart is its community feel. Buyers and sellers typically live within a few streets of each other, making it perfect for items like kids’ bikes, outdoor furniture, or handyman services.

Since users are tied to verified addresses, there’s more accountability compared to anonymous platforms.

Another benefit of using Nextdoor is the visibility it offers to small local businesses. Service providers such as tutors, pet sitters, and landscapers often post promotions and respond to requests within the app.

If you’re looking to build a reputation within a local area, this platform provides a great grassroots marketing opportunity.

4. Oodle

Best for: Sellers wanting local exposure and social sharing

Oodle combines classified ads with social features. It pulls listings from other sources like Facebook, giving your items wider exposure.

Pros:

• Free to list
• Combines social reach and classified features
• Good for general goods

Cons:

• Smaller user base than Facebook or Craigslist
• No shipping options

It’s a decent option if you want to list across platforms without extra effort.

Oodle’s biggest strength is syndication. It allows sellers to post listings that can also appear on Facebook Marketplace and other partner platforms.

This multiplies your reach without having to manually duplicate listings across sites. For sellers juggling multiple platforms, it saves time and ensures consistency.

The platform’s interface is user-friendly, and buyers can contact you directly through the site.

While it lacks the built-in audience size of Craigslist or Facebook, it can be a useful tool when layered into your broader selling strategy.

Oodle is especially helpful for general goods like bicycles, clothing bundles, or event tickets.

5. VarageSale

Best for: Safe, verified local transactions

VarageSale is a community-based marketplace where all users are verified before joining. It’s designed to reduce scams and create a safer experience.

Pros:

• No listing or selling fees
• Verified buyers and sellers
• Community feel

Cons:

• Only available in certain areas
• Limited reach beyond your community

Because it’s structured around neighborhoods and towns, VarageSale feels more like a community swap meet than an online store.

Sellers create a profile, get verified, and can then post items to their local group. Moderators ensure listings are appropriate, adding an extra layer of security that’s missing from most other platforms.

Parents often use VarageSale to buy and sell kids’ items, school supplies, or clothing. The platform is built for trust, so users tend to have repeat buyers and ongoing relationships.

If you’re in an active community that uses the app regularly, it can be one of the safest and most rewarding free places to sell.

6. eCRATER

Best for: Sellers who want a free storefront and marketplace listing

eCRATER gives you both a listing in its marketplace and a customizable online store for free.

Pros:

• Free store setup
• Custom branding options
• No fees unless using paid advertising

Cons:

• You must drive traffic to your own store
• Basic interface
• Lower overall traffic than Etsy or eBay

This is great for sellers who want to start building their own brand without paying upfront.

eCRATER allows sellers to create a branded online store with their own layout, categories, and shipping settings.

It’s a hybrid between a marketplace and a personal website, which gives you more control than a traditional listing platform. You can add a logo, product filters, and even connect your Google Merchant Center account.

While you won’t find a large built-in audience, sellers who take time to market their store through SEO, social media, or paid traffic can do well.

It’s best suited for niche sellers who want an affordable, low-risk way to establish their own online presence without monthly fees.

7. Decluttr

Best for: Selling used tech and media items quickly

Decluttr buys your used electronics, DVDs, games, and books. You get a quote, ship your items for free, and get paid once they’re inspected.

Pros:

• Free shipping
• Fast payment
• Easy process

Cons:

• Only accepts certain product types
• Lower payouts than direct selling
• Not suitable for niche items

Decluttr is one of the fastest ways to offload unwanted electronics. Sellers scan barcodes or enter device details into the app or website to receive an instant quote.

Once accepted, you pack the items using a free shipping label provided by Decluttr and drop it off at UPS.

The convenience comes at a cost. Payouts are usually lower than what you’d get on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, but you don’t have to deal with customers or returns.

It’s a good option if you’re clearing out old media, especially phones, tablets, or gaming consoles, and prefer speed over maximum profit.

8. eBay

Best for: Used goods, collectibles, gadgets

eBay allows up to 250 free listings per month, after which small insertion fees apply. Fees are only charged when an item sells.

Pros:

• Massive global audience
• Auction or fixed-price options
• Built-in buyer protection

Cons:

• Competitive in many categories
• Final value fees can add up

eBay has been around since the 1990s and remains one of the most versatile platforms for selling almost anything online.

Whether you’re unloading used electronics, rare collectibles, refurbished goods, or vintage clothing, there’s likely a buyer on eBay already searching for it.

The ability to sell via auction or fixed price adds flexibility, allowing you to let the market determine the value of unique items.

One of the biggest advantages is trust — eBay is a known name worldwide, and its feedback system helps build seller credibility over time.

Power sellers and casual users alike benefit from built-in protections, integrated shipping options, and massive reach.

However, the platform can be saturated, and standing out often requires competitive pricing, great product photos, and excellent customer service. While fees can eat into margins, the scale and reach make it worth it for many.

9. Mercari

Best for: Selling a wide variety of items via shipping

Mercari is an app-based platform that makes it easy to list and ship almost anything.

Fees:

• 10% commission on sales
• 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing fee

Pros:

• Free to list
• Built-in shipping options
• Large US audience

Cons:

• Limited to the U.S.
• Must ship items yourself

Mercari is a strong option for sellers who want to avoid in-person meetups and still list for free. It appeals to a broad audience looking for secondhand items — from clothing and books to toys and electronics.

Listings stay up indefinitely unless removed, and the mobile-first interface makes managing sales easy, even on the go.

Unlike eBay, there’s no auction format — everything is sold at a set price. Mercari also handles shipping labels and allows you to choose whether the buyer or seller pays for postage.

With its “smart pricing” feature and seller protections, it’s a low-friction way to run a casual resale business. Just be mindful that once you scale up, the fees can add up quickly — especially if you’re operating on thin margins.

10. Poshmark

Best for: Fashion sellers and boutique clothing

Poshmark is a social commerce app for selling new or used clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Pros:

• Easy listings with pre-paid shipping labels
• Social selling features
• Engaged fashion community

Cons:

• High commission fees
• Not ideal for non-fashion items

Poshmark is designed for people who love fashion — whether you’re cleaning out your closet, curating a vintage collection, or launching a small boutique.

Its “closet” feature allows you to create a personalized storefront where buyers can follow, share, and comment on listings.

This social functionality helps increase visibility, especially for sellers who engage regularly.

Shipping is simplified: every sale includes a prepaid USPS shipping label for up to 5 lbs, so logistics are never a headache.

While the platform takes a steep 20% cut on sales over $15, many sellers accept this trade-off in exchange for access to a large, fashion-conscious user base.

Poshmark is ideal for those who enjoy engaging with their buyers and treating selling like a community-driven hobby or full-time business.

11. Depop

Best for: Selling to Gen Z and fashion-forward buyers

Depop combines social media with eCommerce, making it a favorite for vintage and streetwear sellers.

Fees:

• 10% per sale + payment processing

Pros:

• Free to list
• Instagram-like interface
• Good for personal branding

Cons:

• Heavily fashion focused
• Requires effort to grow following

Depop is extremely popular among younger sellers and buyers, especially those interested in sustainable fashion, streetwear, and vintage apparel.

Think of it as Instagram meets eBay — users scroll through visuals, follow sellers, and like or comment on listings.

If you’ve got a knack for aesthetic photography and trend-savvy styling, you can build a real following and consistent income on the platform.

Depop isn’t just for individual sellers — many micro-brands and small resellers use it to build recognition and test products.

It rewards consistency and interaction, so sellers who take time to build their presence see better results. However, if you’re selling outside of fashion and accessories, it may not be the best fit since the platform’s audience skews heavily toward style-driven products.

12. Etsy

Best for: Handmade, vintage, or digital items

Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per item and transaction fees after sales.

Pros:

• Huge built-in audience
• Ideal for niche products
• Seller tools and insights

Cons:

• Fees can add up over time
• Highly competitive marketplace

Etsy has long been the go-to marketplace for handmade items, custom gifts, vintage products (20+ years old), and downloadable goods like printables.

Its loyal customer base appreciates uniqueness and craftsmanship, making it ideal for creative entrepreneurs and hobbyists looking to turn their passion into profit.

Shoppers often search by category or product type, so having a solid SEO strategy and strong product descriptions is key.

Beyond listings, Etsy offers marketing tools like paid ads, abandoned cart recovery, and discount codes. Sellers can create branded storefronts with banners, shop announcements, and customer reviews.

That said, with millions of active shops, standing out requires effort, excellent photos, and a strong niche.

While Etsy isn’t “free” in the strictest sense, its low upfront cost and high conversion potential make it one of the most profitable platforms for creators.

13. Vinted

Best for: Secondhand fashion, shoes, home items

Vinted is unique because it charges the buyer, not the seller. You keep 100% of your sale price.

Pros:

• No selling fees
• Easy listing process
• Buyer protection included

Cons:

• High competition
• Only available in select countries

Vinted appeals to users who want a truly fee-free experience. Unlike other platforms where commissions eat into profits, Vinted lets sellers keep the full amount.

The platform makes money from buyer-side fees, including buyer protection and shipping contributions. For sellers, this setup means you only need to focus on listing your item and pricing it competitively.

The platform is most effective for selling casual fashion, footwear, accessories, and small home goods. Sellers often bundle items or offer discounts to incentivize multiple-item purchases.

Since there’s no listing expiration or charge, it’s an ideal “set it and forget it” option. However, success depends on photography, pricing, and responsiveness — and with growing user volume, competition can be stiff.

14. Swappa

Best for: Selling phones, laptops, and electronics

Swappa has no listing fees, and the buyer pays the fee at checkout.

Pros:

• Tech-savvy audience
• Trusted platform
• Secure transactions

Cons:

• Only for working electronics
• US-focused

Swappa is a well-regarded marketplace focused entirely on tech products. You can sell smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, gaming consoles, and even laptops.

Every item must be fully functional, and the platform performs checks to ensure listings meet quality standards.

This makes Swappa particularly attractive to buyers, which in turn benefits sellers with higher prices and fewer disputes.

Unlike eBay, which caters to a wider range of goods, Swappa’s niche focus helps keep the buyer intent very high. Sellers must handle their own shipping and provide tracking, but Swappa facilitates payments securely through PayPal.

It’s especially popular with tech resellers or those looking to trade up devices without losing value to excessive fees or shady buyers.

15. ThredUp

Best for: Women’s and kids’ clothing

ThredUp offers a hands-off consignment model. You ship items to them, and they do the listing and selling.

Pros:

• No listing or selling effort
• Eco-conscious buyers
• Great for clearing closets

Cons:

• Only select items accepted
• Delayed payments
• Low payouts for many brands

ThredUp provides a fully automated resale solution for people who want to declutter but don’t want to list and manage items individually.

They send you a “Clean Out Kit” or printable label, and you send in your clothes — they inspect, photograph, list, sell, and ship to buyers on your behalf. You earn a commission based on the item category and selling price.

The platform caters mainly to mid-tier and premium women’s and children’s fashion brands. Items must meet strict condition and brand requirements, and not everything is accepted for resale.

Payouts are lower than what you’d get selling directly, but the time saved makes it worthwhile for people with busy schedules or large volumes of clothing to purge.

16. Chairish

Best for: High-end furniture and home decor

Chairish allows free listings, but charges commissions up to 30% depending on item value.

Pros:

• Premium audience
• Great exposure for design goods
• Professional support team

Cons:

• Long listing approval times
• High fees

Chairish is the platform of choice for upscale home decor, vintage furnishings, and interior designer-level pieces. Listings must be approved before going live, and photography plays a big role — so high-quality images are a must.

The site curates inventory for aesthetic cohesion, which appeals to buyers looking for statement pieces or rare finds.

While fees are steep (up to 30% depending on the seller’s plan), Chairish provides marketing exposure and white-glove delivery options, helping justify the cost.

For sellers flipping furniture, staging items, or operating in the vintage or art space, Chairish offers access to a discerning, design-conscious customer base willing to pay premium prices.

17. Reverb

Best for: Musical instruments and gear

Reverb is a niche marketplace for musicians, offering low fees and a focused community.

Fees:

• 5% selling fee (max $500)
• Payment processing extra

Pros:

• Passionate buyer base
• Free to list
• Trusted for music gear

Cons:

• Only relevant to music products
• Fees still apply to each sale

Reverb is ideal for musicians, producers, or audio gear enthusiasts looking to buy and sell instruments, pedals, mics, and studio gear.

Unlike general platforms, Reverb’s community is highly knowledgeable and values condition, specifications, and sound quality. The platform offers guides and support to help sellers price, photograph, and ship gear correctly.

Shipping labels are provided at discounted rates, and sales are protected through secure payment systems. For anyone running a music-related side hustle or flipping gear, Reverb is one of the most efficient platforms out there.

Just keep in mind that it’s a niche site — you won’t be selling home goods or fashion here, but what you will find is an extremely loyal and engaged audience.

When to Upgrade to Shopify

Free platforms are ideal for getting started, but they come with real limitations:

• No branding or custom domains
• You don’t own customer data
• Limited analytics
• Competitive product pages
• No email marketing or retargeting

That’s where Shopify comes in — and their Starter Plan is only $5/month.

If you’re selling more than $300/month, Shopify’s lower fees and brand-building tools will save you money and help you grow faster.

FAQs

Can I sell online completely for free?

Yes, platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor charge no fees at all.

What’s the best free site to sell clothes?

Poshmark, Vinted, and ThredUp are great fashion-specific platforms.

Is Shopify free to use?

Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, and their Starter Plan is only $5/month.

What platform is best for selling electronics?

Swappa and Decluttr are best for phones, laptops, and tech gear.

Final Thoughts

Free online selling platforms are a smart starting point for side hustlers, resellers, and small business owners. You can list products, make sales, and validate your ideas without spending a dime.

But once you start seeing consistent sales, it makes sense to move toward a platform like Shopify, where you control the customer experience, data, and brand.

Start lean. Scale smart.