10 Best Backpage Alternatives in 2020
We all remember Backpage as people’s favorite listing service. This once-popular website started its classified ad service all the way back in 2004. As many of you know, it continued its operation until being infamously shut down in April 2018. Following the website's controversial ban, the market stayed wide open for new types of Backpage alternatives. However, you're probably aware that websites featuring classifieds are often targeted by scammers, which is why you need to be extra careful when using those. This is why we'll focus only on the best Backpage alternatives with a rich user-base and all kinds of systems in place to prevent fraudulent behavior.
People use classified ads to put up everything from electronics and properties to personal ads - promoting services and selling used goods. With this said, let's remember that Backpage wasn't a typical website of its kind. Aside from allowing people to buy and sell all kinds of items, dive into real estate, and even seek employment, Backpage also focused on personal (dating) ads. This is why we've tried to dig deep to find alternatives that imitate the original platform's functionality in the best way possible.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best Backpage alternatives for individuals who miss the convenience of the old platform. These recommendations are trustworthy and promise to offer a similar experience, helping you buy or sell stuff in a reliable way.
With this said, here are the 10 best Backpage alternatives in 2020.
1. Craigslist
Unquestionably, Craigslist is the most popular local sales channel in the realm of digital classifieds. It’s a huge network of online communities with separate categories devoted to housing, jobs, personals, services, and more. Free-of-charge listings can be manually renewed every 48 hours. However, renewing a post doesn't extend its 30 days life span.
The platform can be a good solution for local one-location businesses (aside from being used by individuals, of course). However, multi-location companies with complicated inventory management might not find it cost-effective. Also, know that in March 2018, Craigslist removed personal ads to control solicited prostitution on the website (and to avoid Backpage's fate). Currently, buying and selling items is considerably safer than ever before. However, users still complain about scammers from time to time, so make sure to use common sense while interacting with the website.
2. Facebook Marketplace
With its vast user base, Facebook Marketplace is one of the best Backpage alternatives in 2020, where you can discover, buy, and sell items. Assuming you already have a Facebook account, you can simply visit its 'Buy and Sell Groups' under the Explore menu and start posting classified ads. With this said, you need to use your 'real' Facebook profile to start using this service, which shouldn't be a problem for the majority of you. After all, Facebook is one of the most popular social media networks in the world.
Users can make use of various groups and communities to offer their services and sell their products. Interested buyers can comment on the posts or message the seller directly. The platform uses its messenger service to establish communication between sellers and buyers. And if you're looking for a Backpage alternative for dating ads, know that in 2018, Facebook also launched a dedicated dating platform for its users.
3. FreeAdsTime.org
FreeAdsTime is free, local, and easy to use. Until now, the site has had its prime operation in the US, Europe, Asia, and Canada. This Backpage substitute allows you to post local ads at absolutely no cost. Furthermore, users are permitted to employ the platform for import and export services. And it even has a section for barters. Therefore, this is one of the best alternatives to Backpage if you're not willing to adapt to a new visual style or an overly different way of posting ads.
The website interface is quite similar to Backpage, where it has separate categories devoted to jobs, items, rentals, and more. As can be expected, the site has strict guidelines against adult services. Apart from that, it’s quite a versatile categorized platform to browse listings and post ads for free.
4. YesBackpage
YesBackpage brings together a variety of classified platforms in one place. This platform makes it possible for users to visit just one site, instead of hopping between platforms to explore their options. This benefits the user in terms of saving time. In addition to that, the ad posting on the platform is entirely free.
The design rules of YesBackpage are similar to those of popular classified platforms, as it has a minimalist interface. Apart from regular listing categories, YesBackpage also features a separate section for adult and dating services. Users can also switch between cities to find more relevant results. Currently, the site has its operations limited to the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
5. Locanto
Locanto is a product of a German company called Yalwa and has been "on the market" since 2006. It started as a local classifieds site for specific metropolitan areas in the USA, but Locanto quickly turned into a massive and global classifieds portal. Today, this website is available in sixty countries around the world (and five languages), allowing you to post ads for free. If you'd like to get additional features, you'll be asked to pay $2.95 per month. And as you can expect, premium ads are available starting at $3.95 per week.
It's also worth mentioning that Locanto is known for its personal ads. However, to avoid the same faith as Backpage, this website has launched a dedicated dating app, called "Dating by Locanto." It promises to help you reach a huge pool of potential candidates, with 75,000 new individuals signing-up on a daily basis.
6. Geebo
You probably know that many Backpage alternatives can be quite risky to navigate. There are too many sketchy classified websites that require you to be extra careful when either posting ads or looking to buy something. With this said, Geebo stands out as an outspoken advocate founded it for safety in the online marketplace. Today, Geebo is monitoring the responses to ads to prevent users from being contacted by scammers, and they also have plenty of other systems to avoid "problematic" behavior.
When it comes to Geebo, the primary categories are - merchandise, vehicles, services, rentals, and real estate. The website also has an extensive segment for those who are seeking employment. And to be as helpful as possible, it has partnerships with numerous specialty advertising sites, so don't worry if you get redirected to a third-party website when browsing ads.
7. Bedpage
Bedpage is a one-stop solution for classified services. However, it is operational across the world, and it's particularly popular in the US, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. In terms of looks and functionalities, the site is similar to Backpage - it has defined sections and allows users to post under multiple categories.
Bedpage charges a minimum fee of $2.00 per single ad, and it also offers premium options through which users can push their ads to the top of the listings. However, the premium features like 'Auto Re-post Ad' and 'Sponsor Ad' have their own pricing structure. Since most of its services are premium-priced, the site is considered safe from scammers and has genuine posters with real offers.
8. ClassifiedAds
ClassifiedAds is a free platform to create posts for sales and advertisements. It has hundreds of well-defined categories to explore and post. It is available across the world, but the active users are mostly from the US. Users can switch between the featured states and popular cities to explore more relevant options. The site has workflow automation and follows a structured set of rules for posting and selling services and items in order to make communication easier between buyers and sellers.
The classified ad features a category called 'Personals,' which acts as a local online dating portal. This section is designed particularly for casual dating. However, the category is often used for adult services as well.
9. Channels
Channels is a community-driven platform where real people contribute to its categorized channels. It uses geotags to explore new restaurants, bars, date night adventures, and even lets you find a job. Additionally, it uses a simple tag-based search tool that simplifies navigation on the platform. With this tool's help, users can explore the city they are in or learn more about the site of their next adventure.
Also, this platform is designed with the user's privacy in mind. It encourages anonymous contributions and doesn’t require a username, password, or emails. It also doesn’t entertain sponsored data or Bot posts. However, to engage in a chat with someone, you are required to get a username. Still, it's always good to have a privacy-first option.
10. FinderMaster
Over the years, FinderMaster has become a trustworthy platform to access genuine local postings. It is a free classified platform where it is easy to post ads and find used goods. On the platform, users can explore their options either through a keyword using the search box or by choosing an area or a category from its homepage.
The website is rather user-friendly and operational across the globe. It has well-defined categories to find the right listings and deals. It also provides safety tips to protect users from scams.
So, you've reached the end of our list of the best Backpage alternatives. If you have any suggestions for us, feel free to use the comments section below. And remember - stay safe and use your common sense when selling or buying stuff online.