eBay vs Gumtree

Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

eBay

Global online marketplace for auctions and fixed-price sales of new and used goods.

Free plan + paid

Visit eBay eBay profile

Gumtree

UK local classifieds site for things for sale, cars, property, jobs, services and pets.

Free plan + paid

Visit Gumtree Gumtree profile

The short answer

eBay suits selling items that can be shipped to a national or global audience, with auctions, built-in payments and buyer and seller protections. Gumtree suits UK sellers of bulky or local items such as furniture and used cars, where buyers collect in person and most ads are free. The biggest difference is shipped, protected sales versus local collection classifieds.

eBay or Gumtree: our take

eBay is a shipped marketplace. Sellers list by auction or fixed price, buy discounted carrier labels, and take payment through eBay, with buyer and seller protection and returns rules covering the sale. It reaches buyers in 200+ countries and is strong for collectibles, trading cards, car parts, electronics and luxury goods, where auctions help find the price of rare items. Gumtree is a UK classifieds board: most item listings are local collection, buyers message sellers, and there is no built-in buyer protection on most local sales. It also covers far more than goods, with large cars and vans, property, jobs, services and pets sections.

The cost models differ too. eBay gives 250 free listings a month, then $0.35 each, and takes a final value fee of 13.6% for most categories plus a per-order fee of $0.30 for orders $10 or less, $0.40 over $10. Store subscriptions lower fees and add marketing tools. Gumtree is free to post for most private sellers, charging only in some categories and for optional upgrades that push an ad up the results, with business packages for dealers and agencies.

Both run on the web, iOS and Android. Gumtree's entry here is the UK site only; Australia and South Africa run separate Gumtree sites, while eBay has country sites in many markets.

Pick eBay for small, valuable or collectible items worth shipping, when a wider audience and payment protection matter more than fees and packing work. Pick Gumtree for a sofa, a washing machine or a used car that a local buyer will collect, or for finding local services, rentals and jobs. Many UK sellers use both: Gumtree for bulky items, eBay for things that post easily.

Choose eBay if…

Sellers of collectibles, parts and electronics who want a national or global audience
Huge audience, with international selling to 200+ countries
Auctions help price rare and collectible items

Choose Gumtree if…

UK sellers of furniture, household items and used cars who want local buyers
Big UK audience for local collection sales
Strong cars and vans section with guides and reviews

What is eBay?

eBay is one of the oldest online marketplaces, founded in 1995, where individuals and businesses sell new, used, refurbished and collectible items through auctions or fixed-price listings. Unlike local classifieds, most eBay sales are shipped, with discounted labels from the major carriers, and buyers and sellers are covered by eBay's own protection and returns rules. It is strong for collectibles, trading cards, car parts, electronics and luxury goods, with authentication programmes in some categories. Sellers can open an eBay Store for lower fees and marketing tools, use AI help to write listings, sell live on video through eBay Live, and reach buyers internationally. Listing is free up to a monthly allowance; eBay mainly earns from final value fees on sales, plus advertising and store subscriptions. It runs in the browser and on iOS and Android, with country sites in many markets.

What is Gumtree?

Gumtree is the UK's best-known general classifieds site. Its listings cover goods for sale, a large cars and vans section, property to rent or buy, jobs, local tradespeople and services, pets, and community posts such as lost and found or rideshares. Most item listings are local collection, with some sellers offering delivery, and buyers contact sellers through Gumtree's messaging. It is especially busy for furniture, household items and used cars, and has car reviews and buying guides alongside the motors listings. Posting most ads is free; Gumtree charges for some categories and for optional upgrades that push an ad up the results, and dealers and agencies pay for business packages. It runs in the browser and through apps for iOS and Android. This entry covers the UK site; separate Gumtree sites operate in Australia and South Africa.

Side by side

Attribute	eBay	Gumtree
Pricing	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Open source	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Best for	Sellers of collectibles, parts and electronics who want a national or global audience	UK sellers of furniture, household items and used cars who want local buyers
Status	Active	Active

eBay vs Gumtree pricing

eBay: free plan + paid

Free listings: 250 free listings a month, then $0.35 each source

eBay pricing page

Gumtree: free plan + paid

We couldn't verify Gumtree's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.

Platforms

Platform	eBay	Gumtree
Web
iOS
Android

eBay facts

7 of 7 verified

International reach: Buyers in 200+ countries; Checked Nov 8, 2026ebay.com(opens source in a new tab); “Learn more Sell internationally with ease Expand your reach to buyers in 200+ countries by taking your business global.”
Live selling: eBay Live; Checked Nov 8, 2026ebay.com(opens source in a new tab); “Learn more Grow your business Check out eBay Live—a new way to sell Step into the world of live selling and bring your Store to life.”
eBay Stores: Lower fees and marketing tools; Checked Nov 8, 2026ebay.com(opens source in a new tab); “Go beyond borders Unlock more with an eBay Store An eBay Store not only helps you save on fees”
AI listing tools: Yes; Checked Nov 8, 2026ebay.com(opens source in a new tab); “Save time with eBay’s AI tools.”
Free listings: 250 free listings a month, then $0.35 each; Checked Nov 8, 2026ebay.com(opens source in a new tab); “If you list more than 250 items per month, you’ll start paying a $0.35 insertion fee per listing.”
Final value fee: 13.6% for most categories (up to $7,500); Checked Nov 8, 2026ebay.com(opens source in a new tab); “Category Final value fee % + per order fee Most categories (exceptions apply). 13.6% on total amount of the sale up to $7,500”
Per order fee: $0.30 for orders $10 or less, $0.40 over $10; Checked Nov 8, 2026ebay.com(opens source in a new tab); “For orders $10.00 or less the per order fee is $0.30”

Gumtree facts

3 of 3 verified

Market: United Kingdom; Checked Nov 8, 2026gumtree.com(opens source in a new tab); “Gumtree UK | Buy, Sell & Find Local Classified Ads”
Categories: Cars, for sale, services, property, pets, jobs; Checked Nov 8, 2026gumtree.com(opens source in a new tab); “Cars & Vehicles For Sale Services Property Pets Jobs Community”
Car guides: Yes; Checked Nov 8, 2026gumtree.com(opens source in a new tab); “Car Guides Car Reviews Best Cars Car Advice”

Pros and cons of eBay

Huge audience, with international selling to 200+ countries
Auctions help price rare and collectible items
Built-in shipping labels, payments and buyer and seller protections
Store subscriptions and promotion tools for serious sellers
Final value fees take a meaningful cut of every sale
Shipping and packing add work compared with local pickup
Busy, cluttered interface with many fee and policy rules

More eBay alternatives

Pros and cons of Gumtree

Big UK audience for local collection sales
Strong cars and vans section with guides and reviews
Covers property, jobs, services and pets in one place
Free basic listings for most private sellers
UK site only; other countries run separate Gumtree sites
No built-in buyer protection on most local sales
Paid upgrades often needed to stand out in busy categories

More Gumtree alternatives

Other apps to consider

Craigslist
Instead of eBay
Free local listings with cash pickup, so there are no final value fees or shipping hassles.
OfferUp
Instead of eBay
Local US selling through a mobile app, avoiding eBay's fees and packing for bulky items.
Vinted
Instead of eBay
No selling fees for clothing and everyday second-hand items.
Nextdoor
Instead of Gumtree
Hyper-local listings to verified UK neighbours, good for giveaways and quick sales.
Autotrader UK
Instead of Gumtree
Far larger UK car stock from dealers and private sellers, with price labels and free valuations.

eBay vs Gumtree: common questions

Is eBay better than Gumtree?

Is eBay free?

eBay has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.

Is Gumtree free?

Gumtree has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.

Is eBay or Gumtree open source?

Neither is open source.

Which platforms do eBay and Gumtree support?

eBay: Web, iOS and Android. Gumtree: Web, iOS and Android.