The RealReal
Luxury consignment marketplace that authenticates every designer item it sells.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android
Is The RealReal free?
Yes, free to use
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All 6- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
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About The RealReal
The RealReal is a US online marketplace for pre-owned luxury goods: designer clothing, bags, shoes, fine jewellery, watches, home and art. Unlike peer-to-peer resale apps, it works on consignment. Sellers send items or book a pickup, home visit or store appointment, and The RealReal takes possession, authenticates, photographs, prices and ships each piece, then pays the seller a share once it sells. Every item is physically inspected by in-house specialists, backed by its own image and counterfeit-detection tools. That makes it simple for sellers and reassuring for buyers, at the cost of control: sellers don't set their own prices and the company keeps a commission that varies by item value. Buyers can shop online or in stores in several US cities, and the site runs frequent markdowns. It suits people selling or buying brands such as Chanel, Hermès, Rolex or Cartier who want authentication handled for them.
Best for: Selling or buying authenticated designer goods without listing and shipping yourself.
Pros and cons
What works
- Every item physically authenticated in-house
- Full-service selling: photos, pricing and shipping handled
- Covers fine jewellery, watches and art as well as fashion
Why people leave
- Sellers can't set their own prices
- Commission takes a large share on lower-priced items
- Mainly serves the US
The RealReal vs Vestiaire Collective, Poshmark and eBay
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | The RealReal | Vestiaire Collective | Poshmark | eBay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Yes |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
Top The RealReal alternatives
See all 6- 1
Vestiaire Collective66.5Sellers set their own prices on a global marketplace, with optional authentication of each order.
- 2
Poshmark64.8List items yourself and keep more control over price; authentication applies to higher-priced pieces.
- 3
eBay59.6Huge buyer base and an authenticity guarantee on many luxury handbags, watches and sneakers.
- 4
Vinted59.4No seller fees and a big European audience, better for mid-range fashion than high luxury.
- 5
ThredUp55.3Consignment with a clean-out bag and lower-priced everyday brands, for sellers whose closets aren't mostly luxury labels.
Why people left The RealReal
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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The RealReal: common questions
What is The RealReal?
The RealReal: Luxury consignment marketplace that authenticates every designer item it sells. Best for selling or buying authenticated designer goods without listing and shipping yourself. Available for Web, iOS and Android.
Is The RealReal free?
Yes, The RealReal is free to use.
Is The RealReal open source?
No, The RealReal is not open source.
What platforms does The RealReal run on?
The RealReal is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to The RealReal?
The highest-ranked The RealReal alternatives right now are Vestiaire Collective, Poshmark and eBay. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
The RealReal vs Vestiaire Collective: what's the difference?
Both The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective are free to use. Both run on Web, iOS and Android.