27 Sites like Amazon but Cheaper to Find Great Deals

Did you know that you can find products cheaper than what you get on Amazon? Yes, that’s right! Whether you are looking for a good deal or a bargain site, looking to sell a pre-loved item, or are looking to buy a unique holiday gift, we have a great list of cheap sites like Amazon so that you can get the best value for your buck.

What is covered in this article

10 sites like Amazon but cheaper: for shoppers
12 less expensive Amazon alternatives for sellers
5 Amazon alternatives with a free trial to help you save money
5 ways to identify a good deal while online shopping
5 ways to save money while online shopping

Let us get right into it and introduce you to alternatives you can shop from.

10 sites like Amazon but cheaper: for shoppers

Finding all products at one location is the best kind of shopping experience, which is why sites like Amazon to find deals are so popular. In this section of the article we will be listing marketplaces which are cheaper and budget friendly alternatives to Amazon that you can shop from.

1. AliExpress

(Image credit: AliExpress)

What They Sell: Electronics | Apparel | Accessories | Home appliances | Outdoor sporting goods
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Guarantees and protects buyers from scams by only releasing payment to the vendors once the buyer approves the item
Has Subscription: No

AliExpress is an online marketplace based out of China offering factory-direct pricing on a wide range of items. By cutting out the middle-man, they are able to offer their products at very low rates. AliExpress can also be used by small businesses to buy raw materials that they can use to make their products.

2. Zappos

(Image credit: Zappos)

What They Sell: Apparel | Accessories
Ships To: USA
Best Feature: 30-day ‘Runlimited’ Guarantee on shoes to make sure they feel right
Has Subscription: Yes

Originally begun as an online retailer selling shoes, Zappos now boasts a huge collection of clothing and accessories for men, women, and kids. On signing up for Zappos VIP, you can link your Amazon Prime membership to earn twice the number of points, enjoy the benefits of Free Prime shipping, and gain access to Prime deals and Amazon Rewards Visa Cards.

3. QVC

(Image credit: QVC)

QVC, which was first broadcast in November 1986 in the USA, became popular very quickly because of the highly engaging and highly differentiated shopping experience that shoppers enjoyed. With a uniquely curated collection of products that are relevant to day-to-day living, customers can see authentic stories and famous personalities vouching for products.

4. Newegg

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(Image credit: Newegg)

What They Sell: PC components | Consumer electronics
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Price-match guarantee
Has Subscription: No

Newegg (founded in 2001) began as a retailer selling PC components to help popularize the PC building movement and was successful in building a following among PC and DIY enthusiasts. Today they sell more than PC components, including consumer electronics, smart home devices, and gaming products that ship across the world.

5. Target

(Image credit: Target)

The convenience of shopping for groceries, home appliances, apparel and accessories, or pretty much anything is what attracts customers to Target. Their RedCard program allows shoppers to purchase at a 5% discount and enjoy free and fast shipping if they are shopping online.

6. eBay

(Image credit: eBay)

What They Sell: New and pre-loved items
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Sellers can set their price to sell used items
Has Subscription: No

eBay is a global e-commerce leader that connects buyers and sellers around the world, irrespective of their size. Whether you are looking to set up a small shop on eBay or you are looking for a rare first edition book, you are sure to find it on the platform. Originally, eBay started off as a bidding site, where multiple users can place a bid on an item within a given period of time. It still supports auctions but also allows users to buy both new and pre-loved products immediately.

7. Google Shopping

(Image credit: Google Shopping)

Imagine a platform where you can find every review and all the different prices for a product on the internet available at one place. That is what Google Shopping does for you. Being the undisputed leader as a search engine, the shopping feature by Google allows customers to have access to every deal or discount and user reviews from all websites before making their purchase.

8. FreeShipping.org

(Image credit: FreeShipping.org)

What They Sell: Free shipping coupon codes
Ships To: Canada | UK
Best Feature: Partner with more than 2600 brands and merchants
Has Subscription: No

FreeShipping.org is a marketplace that lets you discover free shipping coupon codes at all your favorite stores while shopping from the comfort of your home. They have deals from over 1000 stores and outlets available which are updated on a daily basis.

9. Overstock

(Image credit: Overstock)

Overstock is an online marketplace where you can find everything from home furnishings and decor to make your perfect home. You can find great discounts and deals on one-of-a-kind products.

10. Rakuten

(Image credit: Rakuten)

What They Sell: Cashback | Coupon codes
Ships To: USA | Canada | Japan
Best Feature: Find exclusive coupon codes and cashback deals
Has Subscription: No

Rakuten is an online marketplace where you can find deals and cashback offers from your favorite brands and shopping sites. All you have to do is install the Rakuten browser extension to your internet browser; then shop as usual to earn cashback that can be redeemed via check or into your PayPal account.

12 less expensive Amazon alternatives for sellers

If you are looking for platforms to list your products for sale, then we have a great list of marketplaces curated for you below. Considerations such as listing price, limit on shop size, traffic on the website, ease of payment, and shipping methods are extremely important while choosing a marketplace.

Let us look at some of them below:

1. Bonanza

(Image credit: Bonanza)

What They Sell: Pre-loved items
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: No monthly fee or listing fee for sellers
Has Subscription: No

Bonanza is an online marketplace that empowers entrepreneurs to build a sustainable business based on repeat customers. Bonanza aims to be a seller-centric marketplace that allows business owners to set up their store within a few minutes.

2. Depop

(Image credit: Depop)

Depop is one of the most popular platforms where small sellers flock to sell their new products and pre-loved, designer, or vintage items they own. Sellers can set their own prices and are responsible for shipping the items according to the given terms whereas customers are covered by Depop by their Buyer Protection.

3. ThredUp

(Image credit: ThredUp)

What They Sell: Pre-loved apparel and accessories
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Shop the look from your favorite celebrity
Has Subscription: No

ThredUp is the ethical answer to those who love shopping for fast fashion. Instead of buying more and more apparel and accessories and adding to the growing landfill, ThredUp connects customers who want to sell their items that they’ve used just a few times to those who like to refresh their wardrobe periodically.

4. Reverb

(Image credit: Reverb)

What They Sell: Used musical instruments
Ships To: USA | Canada
Best Feature: Networking opportunity with a global music community
Has Subscription: No

Reverb is the world’s largest online marketplace dedicated to buying and selling new, used, and vintage musical instruments. Their team of experts can help customers find the right gear for their needs and allow sellers to learn how much their equipment can be sold for.

5. Alibris

(Image credit: Alibris)

What They Sell: New and used books
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Get access to independent book sellers and books by independent authors
Has Subscription: No

Alibris is an online marketplace that sells and rents books, textbooks, and used/out-of-print books, music, and movies. Alibris helps connect independent sellers find buyers through their marketplace and partnerships with global media retailers, including Chapters and Indigo (in Canada) and Waterstone’s (in the UK).

6. Better World Books

(Image credit: Better World Books)

What They Sell: New and used books
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Free international shipping
Has Subscription: No

What started as a cleaning drive to tidy up the apartment and sell old textbooks and books on the Internet has grown into a successful social venture that donates all proceeds to fund literacy programs and libraries. This initiative was started by college friends Xavier and Kreece and began as Better World Books in South Bend, Indiana.

7. Biblio

(Image credit: Biblio)

What They Sell: New and used books
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Access to rare books
Has Subscription: No

Biblio is a platform connecting buyers and sellers who love and appreciate the value of a pre-owned book. They also give the local bookstore a global reach and strive to help their customers find the book or the bookseller they seek.

8. Etsy

(Image credit: Etsy)

What They Sell: Handmade products for your home and living
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Find unique and one of kind products
Has Subscription: No

Etsy is a platform that lets small businesses set up their online store within a few minutes, without the hassle of creating their own website and worrying about driving traffic, so that owners can focus on what they do best, which is creating handmade products.

9. Freecycle

(Image credit: Freecycle)

What They Sell: Pre-used home goods | Electronics | Toys | Kitchen appliances
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: Give away things that you don’t require
Has Subscription: No

Freecycle is a non-profit platform that has more than 5000 groups with over 9 million members across the globe who are focused on giving and getting stuff for free in their communities to keep the good stuff out of landfills.

10. Mercari

(Image credit: Mercari)

Mercari is an online second-hand store that allows sellers to de-clutter their homes and sell their stuff to someone who can add it to their life. Buyers can find vintage items, designer wear, accessories, and other handmade products on Mercari.

11. DoneGood

(Image credit: DoneGood)

What They Sell: Apparel | Accessories | Home decor | Furnishings
Ships To: USA | Canada
Best Feature: Products are made using non-toxic, organic, or upcycled or recycled materials
Has Subscription: No

DoneGood is known as the ‘Amazon of Social Good’ as customers can shop for thousands of products that are eco-friendly, fair trade, organic, and made by workers earning a living wage – and get discounts on them too.

12. Bookshop

(Image credit: Bookshop)

What They Sell: New and used books
Ships To: USA
Best Feature: Every order contributes to an earning pool that is evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those who do not use Bookshop)
Has Subscription: No

Bookshop is an online marketplace with the mission to financially support local and independent bookstores in the USA. Customers can sell their books and receive store credit on Bookshop to make purchases.

5 Amazon alternatives with a free trial to help you save money

Free Trial plans are a great way to check out shopping marketplaces and learn what they offer and if they are worth paying for. While the Prime subscription has lots of benefits, let us look at the following shopping platforms to see what they offer.

1. Walmart

(Image credit: Walmart)

Walmart is one of the largest superstore chains in North America that allows customers to buy everything that they need for their day-to-day living under one roof. Walmart also introduced their subscription plan called Walmart+ which gives their customers the freedom to enjoy free shipping with no minimum order along with some other benefits at $12.95/month or $98/year.

2. Uncommon Goods

(Image credit: Uncommon Goods)

What They Sell: Gifts | Jewelry | Accessories | Home Decor
Ships To: Worldwide
Best Feature: All their products are made with reclaimed or recycled materials
Has Subscription: Yes

Uncommon Goods is an online marketplace that connects makers and their one-of-a-kind creations with shoppers looking for truly unique goods. All of their products are ethically sourced, made by artisans without fur, leather, or feathers. Uncommon Perks is their membership program which is only offered to US customers at $19.99/year which gives them free shipping. The company donates $2 to a non-profit for every purchase made.

3. Thrive Market

(Image credit: Thrive Market)

Ships To: USA
Free Trial Amount: 30-day free trial
Best Feature: Free gifts and samples with every order
Cost to Create Account: $9.95/month | $5/month (paid annually)

Thrive Market builds you a custom grocery subscription box based on a short survey that you take describing your lifestyle and dietary preferences. Customers also have the option to shop from pre-designed boxes, which may appeal to a certain type of consumer who prefers a paleo or keto lifestyle, or someone who loves Wagyu beef or likes to try different types of seafood.

4. Barnes & Noble

(Image credit: Barnes & Noble)

Ships To: USA
Free Trial Amount: 30-day free trial
Best Feature: 40% off hardcover bestsellers in store
Cost to Create Account: $25/year

Barnes & Noble has over 600 stores across the USA, making it one of the largest bookstore chains in the world. Customers can purchase their membership that gives them access to free shipping, exclusive deals, and 10% off NOOK digital reading devices.

5. ShopRunner

(Image credit: ShopRunner)

Ships To: USA
Free Trial Amount: 3-months free trial
Best Feature: Free for Paypal members, Mastercard World, WorldElite, and American Express card holders
Cost to Create Account: $79/year

ShopRunner is a shipping partner that customers can find on various e-commerce websites when they are shopping from their favorite brands like Neimen Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Under Armour, among others, giving them access to 2-day free shipping. All they have to do is look for ShopRunner’s logo on the checkout page to receive their delivery faster than it would usually take.

5 ways to identify a good deal while online shopping

Finding a great deal online may require some research and patience. Unlike an impulse shopper, who doesn’t wait for special shopping days to find a good deal while online shopping, look for promo codes or discount codes which could give you a 5-10% discount.

It also helps if you shop from websites that offer free shipping and give you additional discounts for leaving a review or referring a friend to their website.

1. Never miss out on the sign-up bonus

Within a few seconds of entering an online store, you usually see a pop-up which asks you to leave your email address to get a welcome, first-time user, or sign-up bonus that helps you save anywhere between 5-20% on your order. If you don’t like your shopping experience with them, you can always unsubscribe to their newsletters and emails.

2. Install browser extensions to find the best deals online

Whether you shop online regularly or you don’t, it is tough to know if you really are getting the best deal possible without checking other sites to compare prices, but with browser extensions such as Honey, PriceBlink, and Goodshop, you can use this technology to your advantage. You can find these to add to your Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browsers.

3. Wait to shop on special shopping days

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you must be familiar with special sale days like Black Friday, Boxing Day, Prime Day Sale, and other shopping days that offer over 20-70% discounts on those days. So if you are looking to upgrade your phone or buy some stuff for your home or office, wait to shop on special shopping days to get the best deals online.

4. Free shipping

Free shipping is something most customers look forward to while shopping online. While standard shipping may cost $9.99 and may take 4-5 business days on an average, you can sign up for subscription plans which give you free shipping which may work out cheaper if you order regularly. Some websites also offer free shipping if your order is above a certain value.

5. Look for discount and promo codes

There are plenty of deals and coupon websites such as Slickdeals, Coupons.com, Hip2Save, and RetailMeNot that you can look at before placing your order on your favorite e-commerce site. Every online shopping website has the Apply Coupon/Promo Code box on the Checkout page, make sure to try coupon codes before hitting ‘Place Order’.

5 ways to save money while online shopping

Now that we’ve pointed you in the right direction to find deals to shop online from some of the best alternatives to Amazon, let us help you save some money while doing that. You can keep these tips in mind to make the most of your online shopping experience.

Shop on sites which offer cash back: Cash back sites like Ebates guarantee the customer gets a little something back when they are purchasing an item. This could be used toward their current purchase, next purchase, or they can receive it as a check every month or quarter.
Scout for coupons and deals: On websites like Groupon, you will be able to purchase products and experiences at less than half of what it costs if you buy from them directly. This is a great way to discover events and places around your city while not burning a hole in your pocket.
Discover websites which always have a sale: Who doesn’t love shopping on a sale, right? Especially if you are in the mood to upgrade your wardrobe. You will find plenty of websites which run promotions and discounts all year round.
Shop on bargain sites: Depending on your needs, sometimes it is hard to find the product you like on your favorite websites without extending your budget. We hope with our list of bargain websites you are able to save money while making your next purchase.
Shop for used and pre-loved items: On websites like eBay where you can buy directly from a seller like you or me, you will be able negotiate or find a good price for an item that they no longer require. This controls your spending and keeps good stuff out of landfills.

Today’s shoppers are spoiled for choice when it comes to online shopping, which can sometimes be overwhelming. But once you shop a few times from a website that you like, you start to get comfortable with their interface and feel confident about the process. While you are at it, it is important to stay safe while shopping online to make it an enjoyable experience.