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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace vs craigslist

OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 4.8★ · Free + IAP 45
Winner craigslist
craigslist 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

craigslist is generally preferred for its simplicity, lack of intrusive ads, and effective selling, while OfferUp struggles with a high volume of scammers, aggressive ads, and declining user experience.

Full reviews: OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace · craigslist

OfferUp, despite its modern interface, is plagued by user complaints about scams, excessive ads, and ineffective paid promotions. craigslist, while sometimes criticized for its dated interface and flagging issues, is consistently praised for its straightforward selling process, lack of ads, and quick results.

Head to head

Features & User Experience edge: craigslistR12R29R32R41
OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace OfferUp's user interface is generally seen as good, with some users finding it easy to navigate and list items . However, recent updates have been criticized for making the app less efficient, narrowing search views, and making it harder to filter out dealers R12R41. Many users also report significant lag and glitches R29R32.
craigslist craigslist is praised for its simple, easy-to-use interface that has remained consistent over the years . Recent updates have introduced useful features like in-app chat, which improves security and coordination . However, some users report issues with the app freezing, not loading, or removing descriptions after updates .
Effectiveness in Buying & Selling edge: craigslistR2R7R10R19
OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace OfferUp users report a significant decline in selling effectiveness, with many items receiving no likes or replies, even with paid promotions R7R37R51. Buyers often encounter non-communicative sellers or ghosting R10R19R51. While some users have success furnishing homes on a budget or selling large items quickly R2, these positive experiences are less frequent in recent reviews.
craigslist craigslist is widely regarded as highly effective for buying and selling, with many users reporting quick sales, often within hours or a day . It's used successfully for a variety of items, including cars, furniture, and even animals . Users appreciate its ability to connect with serious local buyers .
Scams & Trustworthiness edge: craigslistR1R9R10R13
OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace OfferUp is heavily criticized for being overrun with scammers, fake profiles, and bot activity R1R9R13R28. Users report receiving scam attempts shortly after posting R39 and encountering misleading listings R28. This makes it difficult to trust strangers on the app R10.
craigslist craigslist also has issues with scammers and fake listings, particularly for housing . However, recent updates with in-app chat are noted to make dealing with scammers easier and more secure . Users acknowledge the need for due diligence but still find success .
Ads & Monetization edge: craigslistR3R4R6R7
OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace OfferUp is criticized for an overwhelming number of intrusive pop-up and video ads, which significantly degrade the user experience R3R18R24R35. Many users feel the app has become a 'money-grabbing app' that pushes them to pay for basic features like views and faster responses R4R6. Paid promotions are often reported as ineffective and a waste of money R7.
craigslist craigslist is highly praised for its lack of ads, with users appreciating it as an 'ad-free' or 'non-ads oriented space' . This contributes to a cleaner and more focused user experience.
Reliability & Support tieR6R15R27R31
OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace OfferUp users report issues with notifications not adhering to settings R6R27, accounts being deactivated for unclear reasons R15, and poor customer support R31. Location settings sometimes fail, showing items from distant states R31.
craigslist craigslist users sometimes experience posts being flagged and taken down without clear reasons or explanation, which is a major frustration . There are also reports of login issues and 'credibility check errors' . However, many users find the app generally works seamlessly .
Pick OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace if

You prioritize a modern app design and are willing to navigate around frequent ads and potential scam interactions, possibly for specific local deals R2.

Pick craigslist if

You value a simple, ad-free experience for buying and selling, want quick results, and are comfortable with a more basic interface .

Evidence note: Recent reviews for OfferUp are heavily skewed negative, highlighting a significant decline in user satisfaction compared to its lifetime rating. craigslist reviews are more balanced, with strong positive feedback for its core functionality.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for avoiding scams?
While both apps have issues with scammers, craigslist has recently introduced in-app chat features that users find helpful for more secure communication and dealing with potential scammers . OfferUp, however, is frequently described as being 'flooded with scammers' and '90% bot activity' R1R13R28R39.
Do either of these apps have a lot of ads?
OfferUp is heavily criticized for having an excessive number of intrusive pop-up and video ads that interrupt the user experience R3R18R24R35. In contrast, craigslist is widely praised by users for being an 'ad-free' platform .
Can I sell items quickly on these apps?
craigslist users frequently report very fast sales, with items often selling within hours or a day . OfferUp, however, has many users complaining about low traffic and items not selling even after being listed for a long time or with paid promotions R7R37R47R51.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R12] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 3/5 · US App user face: Everyone knows the app. But it would be nice if we can filter out owner and dealer.. especially when searching for cars I’m tired of seeing all these dealerships posts and repost the same shixty cars everyday also bring back the multi view instead of the column view. It honestly just narrows the search down to a single view. I’d like to be able to see multiple listing and have an op
  2. [R29] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 4/5 · US Laggy: Great app, but it lags a lot sometimes overall great however. Maybe no add’s?
  3. [R32] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 4/5 · US I can’t scroll without glitches: I’m not sure if it’s only happening to me but recently I open the app try to scroll down and I CAN’T it moves so slow and glitches so I can’t even scroll up or down smoothly I thought maybe closing and opening the app would fix it but it keeps happening😕
  4. [R41] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 2/5 · US New Layout: I’ve never had a problem with this app. I’ve been using it since I stopped using craigslist. And this recent update that changed the layout when you search for vehicles or things is terrible please change it back to how it was. It was easier to view things.
  5. [R2] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 5/5 · US Starting over.: This app has helped me furnish my home on a budget in this economy. And the people are always amazing.
  6. [R7] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US IF YOURE IN THE OCALA AREA: Yea this gets no sales in my area. From Ocala on the way to Orlando. I scroll past the same items every single day. My items has been up for so long not a single like or reply. Just views, and not that many either. I even used the promote thing I promise you it doesn’t work. Used it twice, just wasted my money honestly.
  7. [R10] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Trust: You can’t trust that strangers will be honest. I’ve sold on this app before and had great experiences. My first time trying to buy I’ve encountered nothing but scammers and the 1 person whom seemed legit would never answer any of my messages. Why list an item for sale if you’re not going to communicate with potential buyers. Whatever item you’re trying to buy off this app, you’re better of
  8. [R19] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 2/5 · US Ugh: OfferUp use to be a good place to buy/sell back when you had legitimate sellers & buyers. Now it’s full of ghetto ppl who don’t know how to conduct business. You ask ppl about prices and availability and I’ll they just leave you on read. Are these ppl actually here to sell stuff or do they just enjoy receiving messages? Glad I found auction sites where I can get the things I need without deal
  9. [R1] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Scams and fake profiles: No real people on this app so fake
  10. [R9] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 3/5 · US Spam and scammers: This app used to be very good. Now is full of spammers and scammers. Why is the OfferUp management doesn’t crack on this and make it the good place used to be to buy and sell items ?
  11. [R13] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Scammers: App opens links and takes you to weird websites. 90% bot activity on the site which they might be involved in. sketchy behavior don’t trust your info with these people
  12. [R3] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 3/5 · US it works: good market but the pop up adds make it much worse then facebook marketplace and craiglist and the search bar is really grammatically strict
  13. [R4] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Sucks: Sucks that now you’re asking me to pay for views and faster responses
  14. [R6] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 3/5 · US As years went by: I used to love offer up now it has become a money grabbing app with spam. Not only that I turned all of my notifications for alerts except messages and they still harass me with other none relevant stuff I don’t want to turn phone notifications off because I wouldn’t get any messages….all in all offer up degraded rather than upgraded
  15. [R15] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 3/5 · US What is my account not working because offer up doesn’t use VoIP numbers?: I had my account closed because offer up doesn’t use VoIP numbers when WhatsApp and facebook use any number to verify my account second email cannot get other than a VoIP number verified with so much technology and money made cannot use a VoIP number? Is time to update apps land lines are not coming back the new technology
  16. [R27] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 3/5 · US Too many notifications: Overall, I think the app is ok. however, I have been having issues with the notifications for this app where regardless of what settings you have set, the app will ignore those settings and send the notifications anyway
  17. [R31] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Location: I live in Oklahoma and all of my suggested searches come from California. I have tried to get a hold of somebody with support here and absolutely nothing happens ever.
  18. [R28] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Scammers and misleading listings galore: The app is totally useless and went down the drain. It’s flooded with scammers and misleading posts for services making it impossible to use now.
  19. [R39] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Too many scammers: This app used to be wonderful when it first started now it’s nothing but a bunch of scammers and I don’t know how they’re gonna get a hold of what’s happening on this app. I listed something. It hasn’t even been a whole 24 hours and I’ve been contacted by nothing but scammers trying to scam me from Zelle and Cash app no real buyers
  20. [R18] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 3/5 · US Ads: Too many Ad pop-ups and very interruptive to the app.
  21. [R24] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 3/5 · US Click Bait: Besides the annoying video ads for cheap Chinese junk, the search engine is pretty much worthless. You have to pay for a full subscription if you wanna knock out the video ads. Heaven forbid if you tap on one of the ads, because you literally have to close the app and start all over again
  22. [R35] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Too many ads: Too many ads
  23. [R37] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US It’s not a great app anymore for selling and buying: Since I used the app I was enjoying it. But now Tried to sell things but now you barely get any buyers. You are lucky even if you find one buyer in a month. It’s useless now Monty
  24. [R47] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US Low traffic issue: Low traffic
  25. [R51] OfferUp Buy & Sell Marketplace 1/5 · US A pretty yet frustratingly useless app to sell or buy from.: Used offer up over the past several years now in conjunction with similar platforms. The overall design is great and is very user friendly. The real downside of this app is after 3 years of use I haven’t sold one item off of it. Everything sells elsewhere. I’ve noticed that buyers will ask if something is available and ghost you afterwar

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store