Cars.com
US car listings marketplace for new and used cars, with dealer reviews and research.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android
Is Cars.com free?
Yes, free to use
Switch from Cars.com to
All 1
CraigslistFree plan + paid
- Verified facts
- 3 of 3
- Alternatives ranked
- 1
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Cars.com
Cars.com is a long-running American marketplace where dealers and private sellers list new and used cars. Shoppers filter listings by make, price, distance and features, read expert reviews and compare models, and check dealer reputation through customer reviews of local dealerships. It also offers tools to estimate your car's value and get offers when selling. Unlike Carvana or CarMax, Cars.com doesn't own the cars; it connects you with the dealer, so the final price and the buying process depend on that seller. It's free for car shoppers and makes its money from dealers, who pay for listings, digital marketing and trade-in tools sold by its parent company, Cars Commerce. It runs on the web and through iOS and Android apps, and covers the US.
Best for: US shoppers who want to compare many dealers' new and used cars and read dealer reviews.
Pros and cons
What works
- Large listings inventory from dealers and private sellers
- Dealer reviews help pick who to buy from
- Free for shoppers, with research and reviews
Why people leave
- You still negotiate and complete the deal with the dealer
- No built-in deal rating as prominent as CarGurus'
- US only
Cars.com vs Craigslist
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Cars.com | Craigslist |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
Top Cars.com alternatives
See all 1- 1Craigslist56.8
Free local classifieds where private sellers list cars without dealer markups or listing fees.
Why people left Cars.com
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Cars.com: common questions
What is Cars.com?
Cars.com: US car listings marketplace for new and used cars, with dealer reviews and research. Best for US shoppers who want to compare many dealers' new and used cars and read dealer reviews. Available for Web, iOS and Android.
Is Cars.com free?
Yes, Cars.com is free to use.
Is Cars.com open source?
No, Cars.com is not open source.
What platforms does Cars.com run on?
Cars.com is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Cars.com?
The highest-ranked Cars.com alternatives right now are Craigslist. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Cars.com vs Craigslist: what's the difference?
Cars.com is free to use; Craigslist is free with paid plans. Both run on Web, iOS and Android.