The second-hand boom has produced a crowded field of marketplaces, each with its own audience, fees and style. Knowing how the major players differ helps you choose where to buy and sell — and many savvy sellers use more than one. Here's a clear, practical comparison of the most popular clothing resale platforms.
> Note: fee structures change often and vary by country, so always check each platform's current terms before you sell.
Vinted
Born in Vilnius, Lithuania, Vinted grew into Europe's largest second-hand fashion marketplace and the country's first tech unicorn. Its big draw is the fee model: no seller commission, so sellers keep the full sale price (buyers cover a protection fee). It's especially strong for everyday and high-street fashion, with a huge European user base.
- Best for: everyday clothing, casual sellers, European buyers.
- Style: broad, mainstream, peer-to-peer.
Depop
Depop is the trend-led, social-first platform, popular with younger shoppers hunting vintage, Y2K and streetwear. It feels more like a social feed than a shop, rewarding strong styling and photography. Its selling fees have changed over time and vary by region, so check the current terms.
- Best for: vintage, Y2K, streetwear, style-led sellers.
- Style: social, curated, trend-driven.
eBay
The original online marketplace remains a giant for high-value and collectible fashion — designer pieces, limited-edition sneakers and luxury items. Its auction format is a defining feature, letting buyers bid and sellers reach a global audience. Fees vary by category.
- Best for: designer, luxury, sneakers, collectibles.
- Style: global, auction or fixed price, high-value.
Poshmark
A large resale ecosystem, especially strong in women's apparel, Poshmark blends shopping with social features. It has a healthy sell-through rate, though sellers should factor in its commission.
- Best for: women's apparel, social sellers.
- Style: social, community-driven.
Mercari
A broad, no-frills resale option for many categories, not just fashion. Its fee structure has shifted over time, so check the current terms.
- Best for: general second-hand, mixed categories.
- Style: broad, no-frills.
Facebook Marketplace
Free for local sales and unbeatable for avoiding shipping, Facebook Marketplace is ideal for local, in-person deals, though it offers fewer buyer protections than dedicated fashion platforms.
- Best for: local pickup, bulky items, quick sales.
- Style: local, informal.
How to choose
A few quick rules of thumb:
- Want to keep 100% of the price? Favour platforms with no seller commission.
- Selling vintage or streetwear? A trend-led, social platform reaches the right buyers.
- Selling designer or collectibles? A high-value marketplace with auctions maximises returns.
- Want fast local sales? A local marketplace skips shipping entirely.
- Selling a lot? Diversifying across platforms reaches more buyers.
Where Rūbas fits
Rūbas is a focused second-hand clothing marketplace with a local, Baltic focus. On it, every listing is an auction with an optional Buy Now price on any item — so you get instant sales when you want certainty and competitive bidding when you want to unlock an item's full value. As a focused clothing marketplace, it pairs the convenience of the big platforms with formats that suit everything from everyday basics to rare finds — close to home.
The takeaway
There's no single best platform — only the best fit for what you're selling and how you like to shop. Compare fees, audiences and formats, and don't be afraid to use more than one. Wherever you land, the second-hand boom means there's a buyer out there for almost anything in your wardrobe.
Ready to try a flexible marketplace? Buy and sell on Rūbas with both auction and Buy Now listings.