Facebook Marketplace vs. Craigslist vs. eBay - Which Is Better?

 

If you’ve ever tried to sell stuff online, chances are you’ve come across Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay. These are the OG platforms for turning clutter into cash. But let’s be real—not all selling platforms are created equal.

So, if you’ve ever asked yourself “Which is better for selling—Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay?”, you’re in the right place.

Whether you're trying to offload used furniture, flip items for profit, or start a side hustle, choosing the right platform can mean the difference between fast cash and total frustration.

In this guide, we’re going to break down each platform—how they work, the pros and cons, fees, audience, safety, and everything else you need to make the best choice.

Let’s dive in.

Quick Snapshot: What Are These Platforms?

Before we get into the details, here’s a quick overview:

• Facebook Marketplace: A local buy-and-sell feature within Facebook. Great for casual selling, flipping, and no shipping needed.

• Craigslist: One of the oldest online classifieds sites. Mostly local, very minimal design, wide range of categories.

• eBay: A global auction and fixed-price selling platform. Great for collectibles, electronics, and items with niche value.

Now let’s unpack each one in full detail.

1. Facebook Marketplace

🔍 How It Works:

Facebook Marketplace lets users list items for sale in their local area. It’s built right into the Facebook app, so buyers and sellers can easily connect, chat, and meet in person (or even ship items, if enabled).

✅ Pros:

• Free to use: No listing or selling fees for most categories

• Massive audience: Taps into Facebook’s billions of users

• Fast and simple: Snap a photo, write a description, and you’re live

• Built-in messaging: Chat with buyers instantly via Messenger

• Profile transparency: You can view buyer/seller profiles for trust

• Local-first: Most buyers are nearby, making pickup easy

❌ Cons:

• No buyer protection for local sales

• Lowballers galore: Be ready for offers like “$5?” on a $50 item

• Flakes: Some buyers ghost after agreeing to meet

• Limited categories for shipping: Not every item can be shipped

📦 Best For:

• Furniture

• Household items

• Kids’ stuff

• Clothes

• Electronics

• Flipping free items

• Local side hustles

💡 Pro Tip:

Boost your listing’s visibility by posting during peak hours (evenings and weekends), using great photos, and responding quickly to messages.

2. Craigslist

🔍 How It Works:

Craigslist is a no-frills online classifieds site that lets you post listings by category and location. Think garage sales—but online. There’s no app required, and everything is very bare-bones.

✅ Pros:

• Free for most categories

• Anonymous email system for privacy

• No account required (though creating one helps you manage listings)

• Huge reach in major cities

• Great for jobs, services, gigs, and rentals too

❌ Cons:

• Old-school design: Very outdated interface

• No buyer or seller ratings

• Higher scam risk (no user profiles, no verification)

• Fewer photos allowed per listing

• Limited communication (no in-app messaging)

📦 Best For:

• Appliances

• Vehicles

• Tools

• Job gigs

• Services (handyman, movers, etc.)

• Yard sales and bulk items

💡 Pro Tip:

If you're selling in a big city, Craigslist can still move large items quickly. Just be cautious—never meet buyers alone or at home.

3. eBay

🔍 How It Works:

eBay is a global e-commerce site that lets you list items for auction or fixed price. It supports both domestic and international shipping, and has buyer and seller protection programs in place.

✅ Pros:

• Massive reach—you can sell to buyers worldwide

• Great for collectibles and niche items

• Seller protection and dispute resolution

• Shipping options built in

• Can build a brand/storefront for consistent sales

❌ Cons:

• Fees can add up (more on that below)

• Shipping hassles—you’ll need to pack and ship items

• More competitive—you’re up against power sellers

• Longer process—more time involved in setup, fulfillment, and feedback

📦 Best For:

• Collectibles (cards, vintage toys, coins)

• Electronics

• Designer clothes/shoes

• Rare books

• Video games and consoles

• Brand-name items

💸 eBay Fee Breakdown:

• Listing fee: Free for up to 250 items/month, then $0.35 per listing

• Final value fee: 12.9% on most items + $0.30 per order

• PayPal/processing fees may apply

💡 Pro Tip:

Use eBay's “Sold Listings” feature to research what similar items have sold for. That way, you can price competitively and increase your chances of making a sale.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side breakdown to help you decide:

Feature	Facebook Marketplace	Craigslist	eBay
Audience Size	Huge (local + national)	Local (varies by city)	Global
Ease of Use	Very easy	Basic but outdated	Moderate (more steps)
Fees	Free (unless you ship)	Free	Moderate to high
Buyer Protection	Limited (only for shipped items)	None	Yes
Scam Risk	Medium	High	Low
Best For	Everyday items, flipping	Furniture, jobs, services	Niche, collectible, shippable goods
Payment Methods	Cash, Facebook Pay, Venmo	Cash, Zelle, PayPal	PayPal, eBay payments
Shipping Required?	Optional	No	Yes, usually

Which Platform Is Best for You?

Let’s break it down by seller type so you can choose what’s right for your goals.

👶 Casual Seller (Cleaning Out Your House):

Use Facebook Marketplace. It’s fast, free, and doesn’t require shipping. Plus, you’re dealing with local buyers so you can sell that old couch or stroller by the weekend.

💼 Side Hustler (Flipping or Selling Regularly):

Start with Facebook Marketplace, then cross-post to Craigslist for more local exposure. Use eBay for anything collectible, name-brand, or easy to ship.

🧠 Niche Collector or Hobbyist:

Use eBay. It’s the best place to reach passionate buyers who’ll pay top dollar for rare, vintage, or brand-name stuff. Facebook just doesn’t have that global reach.

🏡 Selling Bulky Stuff (Furniture, Appliances, etc.):

Stick to Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Both are designed for local pick-up and don’t require shipping.

💰 Want to Make Serious Money:

Use a mix. List on Facebook for quick local flips, post on Craigslist for big stuff, and use eBay to reach a wider audience with high-value or unique items. Cross-posting is key.

Safety Tips (Because It Matters)

No matter which platform you use, safety should come first. Here are a few quick reminders:

• Always meet buyers in a public place—many police stations have safe exchange zones

• Avoid sharing personal info

• For Craigslist or Marketplace, bring a friend or meet during daylight

• For eBay, use tracking numbers and always keep proof of shipping

• Be wary of overpayment scams, especially if someone wants to “mail you a check”

Trust your gut. If something feels off, don’t go through with the deal.

Conclusion: So, Which Is Really Better?

Honestly? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

• If you want fast, local sales with zero fees: Facebook Marketplace wins.

• If you’re unloading bulky stuff or offering services: Craigslist still works.

• If you’re flipping collectibles or shipping nationwide: eBay is your goldmine.

Each platform has its strengths—and you can absolutely use all three to get the most exposure and make more money. In fact, many top resellers cross-post the same item on every site to maximize reach.

The trick is to know your item, know your audience, and pick the right tool for the job.

So, go ahead—snap some pics, write up a clear description, and start selling smarter today. Whether it's Facebook, Craigslist, or eBay, there's someone out there ready to buy what you're selling.