How to Decide Between Letgo and OfferUp

Compare the number of users. As of July 2018, OfferUp has about 42 million users. Letgo has nearly double the amount of users (around 74 million) and is considered the largest and fastest growing marketplace app. Just because Letgo has more users doesn’t automatically mean it’s more popular than OfferUp in your area. To gauge local popularity, install both apps, then browse available items.

Determine whether you want to buy or sell items that must be shipped. OfferUp offers in-app payments, which allows users to buy and ship items from other areas. Letgo does not offer the ability to make payments within the app and requires users to meet in-person for all transactions.

Consider the security features of each app. Safety should always be a priority when buying and selling online. Here’s how each app keeps you safe: Both OfferUp and Letgo offer users the option to verify their identities. Once users are verified, their profiles will display verification badges. Here’s what it takes to become verified on both apps: OfferUp: Users upload photos of their driver’s licenses/state-issued IDs in addition to linking their Facebook accounts. Letgo: Verification is as easy as providing an email address, phone number, typing a personal bio, or linking Google/Facebook accounts. Both apps encourage users to meet at public, well-lit locations. OfferUp, however, sponsors official meet-up spots at police stations, libraries, and other public locations. The company also records these in-person transactions by video, just in case there’s a safety issue. To help reduce scams, both apps encourage all communication between buyers and sellers to only take place within the app. You should never have to provide personal information (e.g., email addresses, usernames on other apps, phone numbers) to other buyers or sellers.

Test both apps. The best way to know which app will work better for you is to test them both out. If you’re trying to sell an item, list it on both apps for the same amount. If you’re getting more interest in one app over the other, focus on that app for your future sales.