Online Thrift Stores Compared: ThredUp, Poshmark, eBay, Depop, and More

Two different models

Online secondhand splits into two models. Managed resale — ThredUp is the biggest — takes in clothing by mail, photographs, grades, prices, and ships it; you shop a consistent catalog with size filters and returns, at prices closer to retail-outlet than thrift. Peer-to-peer marketplaces — eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, Vinted — let individual sellers list anything; prices vary wildly and the treasure-hunt element survives.

Which platform for which shopper

eBay remains the deepest pool for everything that is not current-season clothing: vintage, collectibles, electronics, tools, media. Sold-listing history makes it the only platform where you can verify a fair price in seconds.

Poshmark skews to mainstream and premium fashion; Depop skews younger with Y2K and streetwear; Vinted is strong on basics with low fees; Mercari is the general-goods garage sale. Grailed covers men’s designer and streetwear.

Charity-run sites deserve a look: ShopGoodwill runs auctions from Goodwill regions’ best donations, and many local charities list standout pieces on eBay directly — your purchase funds the mission the same as an in-store one.

Online vs. in-store thrifting

Online wins on search and size filtering: if you need a specific brand in a specific size, a saved search beats months of rack luck. In-store wins on price, on anything where fabric and condition need hands, and on furniture and housewares where shipping is the deal-breaker. Most committed thrifters do both: saved searches for the specific, weekly store circuits for the serendipity.

Whichever direction you lean, know the local landscape first — our state and city pages list every thrift, consignment, vintage, and antique store we track, with hours and directions.