I Tested 12 Craigslist Alternatives: Here’s What Actually Works Better in 2026

Quick Answer: Best Craigslist Alternatives (2026)

• Best Overall: Facebook Marketplace (most active buyers and sellers).
• Best for Selling Stuff: OfferUp (safer than Craigslist, easier than eBay).
• Best for Shipping Items: Mercari (ideal for smaller items, nationwide shipping)
• Best for Jobs: Indeed (Way more listings than Craigslist).
• Best for Housing: Zillow Rentals (fewer scams).
• Best Without Facebook: Nextdoor (local community, verified addresses)
• Safest Option: Nextdoor or OfferUp (both use identity verification)

But here’s what happened when I tried using it in 2026:

• Scams everywhere: 7 out of 10 “interested buyers” for my old TV were obvious scams asking me to text a Google Voice number
• Zero moderation: I reported a fake apartment listing and it stayed up for 3 weeks
• Ghost city: Posted a couch for free – got 10 responses. Posted the same couch on Facebook Marketplace – got 23 messages in 2 hours
• Sketchy meetups: No identity verification means you’re meeting complete strangers with zero accountability

The reality is that Craigslist worked great up until when it was the only game in town.

In 2026? There are better, safer, more active alternatives for everything Craigslist does.

How to Pick the Right Craigslist Alternative (Start Here)

Don’t just pick a random site from a list. The best Craigslist alternative depends on what you’re actually trying to do.

Use this decision guide:

If you need to…	Use this instead	Why it’s better	Payment Speed
Sell furniture, electronics, random stuff	Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp	Way more buyers, built-in messaging, can see buyer profiles	Instant (Cash/Digital)
Find a job (full-time or part-time)	Indeed or LinkedIn	Way more legit employers, less scams, better filters	N/A
Find quick gigs or side work	TaskRabbit or Thumbtack	Payment protection, verified workers, reviews	24–48 Hours
Find an apartment or house to rent	Zillow or Apartments.com	Verified listings, fewer scams, virtual tours	N/A
Find a roommate	SpareRoom or Roommates.com	Background checks available, compatibility matching	Monthly
Hire someone (handyman, cleaner, mover)	Thumbtack or TaskRabbit	Vetted pros, insurance, secure payments	Instant to 48h
Sell to neighbors/local community	Nextdoor	Address-verified users, actual neighbors	Instant (Cash)
Avoid Facebook completely	OfferUp or Nextdoor	Standalone apps, no Facebook required, identity badges	Instant (Cash)

Now let me give you a bit more detail for each alternative.

Best Craigslist Alternatives for Selling Stuff Locally

This is what most people use Craigslist for – getting rid of furniture, electronics, clothes, and random stuff.

Here are the best replacements:

1. Facebook Marketplace: Best Overall for Selling

What I tested: I listed the same 65-inch Roku TV on both Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace at the same time to see which platform generated more interest.

Results:

• Craigslist: 10 responses (7 scams)
• Facebook Marketplace: 6 messages in 2 hours, sold it same day for asking price

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• You can see buyer profiles before responding (real person or sketchy account?)
• Built-in messaging so you don’t give out your phone number
• Rating system – you can see if someone has a history of flaking
• Way more active
• Better photo upload system

Downsides:

• You need a Facebook account
• Notifications can be overwhelming
• Still have to deal with lowballers and “is this still available?” messages

Best for: Furniture, electronics, kids stuff, anything bulky you want to sell locally fast

Fees: Free for local pickup; small fee for shipped orders

Safety rating: Medium – You can vet buyers through profiles, but still meeting strangers

• Start selling on Facebook Marketplace

2. OfferUp: Best if You Don’t Want to Use Facebook

What I tested: Listed a coffee table and some kitchen items to see how the experience compared.

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Identity verification: Users can verify their identity (big trust boost)
• TruYou badges: Shows who’s verified vs anonymous
• Ratings and reviews: You can see if someone is reliable
• In-app payment option: Safer than cash meetups (though optional)
• Better search filters: Distance, price, condition, category

My experience: Sold my coffee table in 3 days. The buyer had a 5-star rating and verified identity, which made me feel way safer meeting them.

Downsides:

• Less active than Facebook Marketplace in some cities
• Promoted listings cost money if you want faster visibility

Best for: People who don’t have/want Facebook, selling bigger items locally, anyone who values safety

Fees: Free to list, optional shipping fees if you ship items

Safety rating: High – Identity verification and user ratings make this one of the safest options

• Start selling on OfferUp

3. Nextdoor: Best for Hyper-Local Sales

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Address verification required: You can’t join without proving you live in the neighborhood
• Actual neighbors: You’re selling to people in your immediate area
• Lower scam risk: Harder to scam when people know where you live
• Community vibe: People are generally more trustworthy and responsive

My experience: I gave away some moving boxes and old planters on Nextdoor. Three neighbors responded within an hour, and someone picked them up same day. Way easier than Craigslist where free stuff gets buried in spam.

Downsides:

• Smaller audience (just your neighborhood)
• Can’t sell certain items (cars, real estate, animals in some areas)
• App can be buggy

Best for: Free stuff, quick sales to neighbors, items too heavy to transport far, building community goodwill

Fees: Free

Safety rating: Very High – Address verification makes this the safest option

• Join Nextdoor

4. Mercari: Best for Shipping Items

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Designed for shipping, not local meetups
• Payment protection – money held in escrow until buyer confirms item
• Prepaid shipping labels
• Good for smaller items (clothes, accessories, collectibles)

When to use it: If you don’t want to deal with local meetups and would rather ship items

Fees: 10% selling fee + shipping costs (usually split or buyer pays) + payment processing fee (around 2.9% + ~$0.50)

• Start selling on Mercari

5. eBay: Best for Collectibles, Niche Items & Nationwide Shipping

What I tested: I listed some old video games and a vintage camera to see if eBay’s bigger audience was worth the fees.

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Massive global reach: Your listing can be seen by millions of buyers worldwide, not just locally
• Great for niche/collectible items: Rare stuff, vintage items, collectibles, brand-name electronics
• Auction OR fixed-price options: You can let buyers bid or sell at a set price
• Buyer protection builds trust: Buyers feel safer, which means more sales
• Detailed analytics: You can see exactly how many people viewed your listing

My experience: Sold a vintage Nikon camera in 5 days for $220 – way more than I would’ve gotten locally. The buyer was in California (I’m in Missouri). But after eBay’s fees and shipping, I netted about $180. Still better than the $100-120 local buyers were offering.

Downsides:

• Fees add up fast: Around 13.25% final value fee PLUS $0.40 per order, PLUS payment processing (built into final value fee now)
• More work: You have to package, weigh, ship items yourself
• Slower sales: Can take days or weeks vs same-day pickup on Facebook/Craigslist
• Returns are a hassle: Buyers can return items easier than local sales

Best for: Collectibles, vintage items, brand-name electronics, rare finds, small valuable items you can ship

Fees: Around 13.25% final value fee + $0.40 per order (fees vary slightly by category – books are higher at ~15%, guitars lower at ~6.7%)

Safety rating: High – eBay has buyer/seller protection, dispute resolution, fraud prevention

• Start selling on eBay

Comparing Top Sites Like Craigslist for Buying & Selling Stuff

Platform	Best For	Fees	Safety	Speed
Facebook Marketplace	Furniture, bulky items	Free for local pickup; around 5% fee on shipped orders (minimum ~$0.40)	Medium	Very Fast
OfferUp	General items, no Facebook	Free for local sales; 12.9% service fee on shipped sales (minimum $1.99)	High	Fast
Nextdoor	Free stuff, neighbors	Free (no listing or selling fees)	Very High	Fast
Mercari	Small items, shipping	10% selling fee + payment processing fee (around 2.9% + fixed ~$0.50)	High	Medium
eBay	Collectibles, niche items	Roughly 12–15% final value fee (varies by category) + ~$0.30 transaction fee	High	Slow

Best Craigslist Alternatives for Jobs & Gigs

Craigslist used to be decent for job hunting, but now it’s mostly MLM scams and sketchy “work from home” offers.

Here’s where to actually find jobs in 2026:

6. Indeed: Best for Full-Time & Part-Time Jobs

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Way more job listings from actual companies
• Company reviews from current/former employees
• Salary estimates for every position
• Apply with one click using your Indeed profile
• Less scam jobs (they actually moderate)

Best for: Any traditional job – retail, office, healthcare, food service, etc.

• Search jobs on Indeed

7. LinkedIn: Best for Professional/Career Jobs

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• You can see who’s hiring and research the company
• Recruiters can find you (even if you’re not actively looking)
• Professional network gives you credibility
• Better salary ranges and benefits info

Best for: Office jobs, remote work, career-level positions, professional roles

• Search jobs on LinkedIn

8. TaskRabbit: Best for Quick Gigs & Side Hustles

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Payment guaranteed: You get paid through the app, no chasing people down
• Insurance included: You’re covered if something goes wrong
• Set your own rates: You control your pricing
• Customer ratings: Build a reputation and get repeat clients

Best for: Handyman work, moving help, furniture assembly, cleaning, deliveries, general labor

• Sign up for TaskRabbit

9. Thumbtack: Best for Service Professionals

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Customers come to you with specific project requests
• You bid on jobs you want
• Payment protection and dispute resolution
• Build a business profile with reviews

Best for: Contractors, cleaners, photographers, tutors, personal trainers, any service business

• Join Thumbtack

Best Craigslist Alternatives for Housing & Rentals

Craigslist rentals are full of scams now. I’ve seen the same fake apartment listing posted in 15 different cities.

Use these instead:

10. Zillow Rentals: Best for Apartments & Houses

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Verified landlord accounts
• Virtual tours and 3D walkthroughs
• Apply online with background/credit check
• Transparent pricing – no hidden fees surprises
• Reviews of landlords and properties

My experience: Found my current apartment on Zillow after seeing the same place on Craigslist listed $400 cheaper (obvious scam).

• Search rentals on Zillow

11. Apartments.com: Best for Apartment Hunting

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Professional property managers (not random people)
• Amenities and utilities clearly listed
• Floor plans and photo galleries
• Move-in specials and deals

Search on Apartments.com

12. SpareRoom: Best for Finding Roommates

Why it’s better than Craigslist:

• Compatibility matching based on lifestyle
• Background checks available
• Detailed profiles so you know who you’re living with
• Verified listings

Find roommates on SpareRoom

Best Craigslist Alternatives by Country/Region

Not everyone is in the US.

Here are the best Craigslist alternatives by location:

United Kingdom

• Gumtree: UK’s biggest classifieds site
• Facebook Marketplace: Very active in UK
• Shpock: Popular mobile marketplace

Canada

• Kijiji: Canada’s version of Craigslist (owned by eBay)
• Facebook Marketplace

Australia

• Gumtree Australia
• Facebook Marketplace

Global/Multiple Countries

• OLX: Popular in India, Pakistan, Middle East, parts of Europe
• Locanto: Available in 60+ countries

Scam Risk Comparison: Which Platforms Are Safest?

This is the #1 thing people care about when leaving Craigslist.

Here’s the honest truth about scam risk on each platform:

Platform	Scam Risk	Why	Safety Features
Craigslist	High	Zero moderation, anonymous users	None
Nextdoor	Very Low	Address verification required	Verified addresses, real neighbors
OfferUp	Low	Identity verification, ratings	TruYou badges, user reviews, in-app payment
Facebook Marketplace	Medium	Can vet through profiles, but still anonymous meetups	Profile visibility, ratings, reporting
TaskRabbit	Low	Background checks, payment protection	ID verification, insurance, secure payments
Zillow/Apartments.com	Low	Verified landlords, professional management	Verified listings, reviews, online applications

Craigslist Alternative Apps Without Facebook

Not everyone wants to use Facebook (myself included sometimes).

Here are your best alternatives to Craigslist that don’t require a Facebook account:

For Buying & Selling Stuff:

• OfferUp: Standalone app, no Facebook needed
• Mercari: Independent platform
• Nextdoor: Can sign up with email/address only

For Jobs:

• Indeed: Separate account
• LinkedIn: Not Facebook (though owned by Microsoft)
• TaskRabbit: Independent platform

For Housing:

• Zillow: No Facebook required
• Apartments.com: Separate account

One pro tip for 2026: If a platform like OfferUp or Nextdoor asks for a phone number and you don’t want to give your personal one, use the Google Voice app or a burner app like Hushed. It lets you verify your account without giving a stranger your actual cell number

Platforms to Avoid (Dead or Dying)

These are sites that other “best of” lists may still recommend, but in 2026, you should skip them.

As with any market, classified sites come and go. If you used a site in the past and can’t find it now, this section explains what happened. Some platforms from my original list are no longer in business, and I include them here for reference.

Letgo – Merged

Letgo merged with OfferUp in 2020. Any list that still recommends Letgo is outdated. Use OfferUp instead.

Backpage – SHUT DOWN

Closed by the FBI in 2018. Any “Backpage alternative” is risky and usually sketchy.

Oodle – BARELY ACTIVE

Still online but mostly populated with listings scraped from other sites. Better to go directly to the original source.

Geebo – LOW TRAFFIC

Claims to be safer but has almost zero users. You won’t sell anything here.

How to Stay Safe on ANY Marketplace

Before you do anything, make sure to:

Check for ‘Safe Exchange Zones’ In 2026, hundreds of police stations have created monitored parking spots specifically for marketplace meetups. These are well-lit, have 24/7 cameras, and often have signs that say “SafeTrade” or “Internet Purchase Exchange Zone.”

You can actually search “Safe Exchange” or “Safe Trade Station” directly on Apple or Google Maps. Many of these locations are officially tagged, so you can find the closest one in seconds and share the location pin with the buyer before you leave.

And no matter which platform you use, follow these safety rules:

When Selling:

• Meet in public places: Police station parking lots, busy coffee shops, bank lobbies
• Bring a friend: Never meet strangers alone
• Cash only: No checks, no Venmo from strangers (chargeback scams), cash or platform payment only
• Trust your gut: If something feels off, cancel the meetup
• Don’t give out your address: Meet nearby instead
• Video chat first for expensive items: Confirm the buyer is real before committing to a meetup
• Watch for red flags: Overpayment scams, refusing to meet in person, asking for personal info upfront

When Buying:

• Check seller ratings/profiles: On platforms that have them, always look at history
• Inspect before paying: Never hand over cash without seeing the item works
• Bring exact change: Don’t flash a wallet full of cash
• Test electronics on the spot: Bring a charger, turn it on, check for damage
• Walk away from pressure tactics: “Someone else is coming in 10 minutes” = usually a lie

When Renting/Looking for Housing:

• NEVER send money before seeing the place in person: This is the #1 rental scam
• Google image search the photos: Scammers steal photos from real listings
• Verify the landlord owns the property: Check public records
• Watch for “too good to be true” prices: $800/month for a 3BR in San Francisco? It’s a scam
• Get everything in writing: Lease, deposit receipt, move-in checklist

Red Flags That Scream “SCAM”:

• Asking you to text a Google Voice number
• “I’m out of town, can you send payment via Zelle/Western Union?“
• Refusing to meet in person or video chat
• Overpayment offers (“I’ll send you $800 for your $400 couch“)
• Pressure to act NOW
• Poor grammar/spelling in messages (often overseas scammers)
• Won’t answer basic questions about the item
• Asking for personal info (SSN, bank account) before meeting

FAQ: Craigslist Alternatives

My Final Recommendation: What I Actually Use in 2026

After testing everything, here’s what I personally use now:

• For selling furniture and big items: Facebook Marketplace first, then Nextdoor if it doesn’t sell in a week
• For selling smaller items or shipping: Mercari (I like that I don’t have to meet people)
• For giving away free stuff: Nextdoor (neighbors will actually show up)
• For finding local services: Thumbtack for professionals, Nextdoor for neighbor recommendations
• For apartment hunting: Zillow Rentals only (learned this the hard way after almost falling for a Craigslist scam)
• For job searching: Indeed for quick jobs, LinkedIn for career moves
• For side gigs: TaskRabbit when I need quick cash

I personally still use Craigslist here and there, but not as much as I used to since these platforms are actually much better these days.

The Bottom Line

Craigslist isn’t completely dead, but it’s definitely not the best option anymore for most things. The platforms I tested offer better safety features, more active users, and way less hassle with scams.

The biggest lesson I learned: Don’t use one platform for everything. Facebook Marketplace is great for selling furniture but terrible for job hunting. Indeed is perfect for jobs but useless for selling stuff. Use the right tool for the job.

Start with these three and you’ll cover 90% of what you used Craigslist for:

1. Facebook Marketplace (or OfferUp if you don’t use Facebook) – for buying/selling stuff
2. Indeed – for finding jobs
3. Zillow – for finding apartments

Everything else is just optimizing based on your specific situation.

There you have it, the top free classified sites just like Craigslist that you can use to buy, sell, trade, and find whatever you are looking for.