The best TradeMe alternatives in New Zealand right now are nz.social (truly zero fees, NZ-only), Facebook Marketplace (free but high scam risk), BuySellSwap (free Kiwi classifieds), and AllGoods (free for casual sellers, low fees for businesses). Here is how they all compare after TradeMe's March 2026 fee changes.
In March 2026, TradeMe made its biggest change in years: it dropped the 7.9% success fee for casual sellers. The headlines made it sound like selling on TradeMe was now free. But dig into the details and it is more complicated than that. Ping transaction fees of 2.19% still apply. Bank transfer was removed as a payment option. And buyers now pay a new service fee on every purchase.
So is TradeMe actually free now? And if not, what are the genuinely free options for Kiwis who want to buy and sell online?
We compared eight marketplaces available in New Zealand. This is an honest breakdown of what each one costs, what it does well, and where it falls short.
Key Takeaways:
- TradeMe dropped success fees in March 2026, but sellers still pay 2.19% Ping transaction fees and buyers pay a new service fee
- nz.social is the only NZ marketplace with zero listing fees, zero success fees, and zero transaction fees
- Facebook Marketplace is free but has serious scam problems (30% of NZ banking scams originate there, according to ANZ)
- BuySellSwap, ListStuff, and I Like That are genuinely free classifieds, but have smaller audiences
- TradeMe remains the largest marketplace with 5M+ listings, so it is still worth using alongside alternatives
What TradeMe Actually Costs Now (After March 2026)
Before comparing alternatives, it is worth understanding what TradeMe's fee changes actually mean in practice.
What was removed:
- The 7.9% success fee on casual Marketplace listings. This was the fee most sellers complained about. If you sold a $300 item, you used to pay $23.70. That fee is gone.
What was added or remains:
- Ping transaction fee: 2.19% on the total amount including shipping. Ping is now the default payment method. If you sell a $300 item with $20 shipping, you pay 2.19% on $320, which is $7.01.
- Buyer service fee: Buyers pay 99 cents on purchases from $20.01 to $100, $1.99 from $100.01 to $250, and $4.99 on items over $250.
- Bank transfer removed. You can no longer offer bank transfer as a payment option. It is Ping, Afterpay, or cash on pickup.
- Listing fees still apply in some categories and for optional extras like Featured or Highlight. Most general categories are free to list, but not all.
What a $300 sale actually costs on TradeMe now:
| Cost | Old Fee Structure | New Fee Structure (March 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Success fee | $23.70 (7.9%) | $0 |
| Ping transaction fee | $0 (if bank transfer) | $7.01 (2.19% on $320 incl. shipping) |
| Listing fee | $0 (general items) | $0 (general items) |
| Total seller cost | $23.70 | $7.01 |
| Buyer service fee | $0 | $4.99 |
That is a genuine improvement. Sellers pay roughly 70% less than before. But "zero fees" it is not, and the removal of bank transfer means every digital sale now costs the seller 2.19%.
Quick Comparison: All 8 Marketplaces at a Glance
| Platform | Listing Fee | Success/Seller Fee | Transaction Fee | Buyer Fee | NZ-Only | Buyer Protection | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TradeMe | Free (most categories) | None (casual) | 2.19% (Ping) | 99c-$4.99 | Yes | Yes (up to $5,000) | Largest audience, auctions |
| nz.social | Free | None | None | None | Yes (geo-restricted) | Community-based | Truly zero-fee selling |
| Facebook Marketplace | Free | None | None | None | No | None | Fast local pickup sales |
| BuySellSwap | Free | None | None | None | Yes | None | Free Kiwi classifieds |
| AllGoods | Free (casual) | None (casual) | 2.9% + 30c (card) | None | Yes (ships from NZ) | Via payment provider | NZ businesses, automotive |
| ListStuff | Free | None | None | None | Yes | None | Wide category classifieds |
| Felt | Varies | Commission applies | Via platform | None | Yes | Via platform | NZ handmade and artisan |
| I Like That | Free | None | None | None | Yes | None | Simple local classifieds |
NZ Marketplaces: The Full Breakdown
1. TradeMe: The Incumbent
What it is: New Zealand's largest online marketplace with over 5 million active listings. Offers auctions, fixed-price listings, classifieds, motors, property, and jobs.
What it does well:
- Massive audience. Nothing else in NZ comes close to TradeMe's buyer pool. If you want maximum visibility, this is still the place.
- Buyer Protection. Purchases made through Ping or Afterpay are protected up to $5,000. This matters for high-value items.
- Auction format. If you want competitive bidding to drive up the price, TradeMe is the only NZ platform that does this well.
- Trust and reputation. Buyer and seller ratings go back years. Established sellers have real credibility.
Where it falls short:
- Not truly free. The 2.19% Ping fee applies to every digital transaction. Sell $5,000 worth of items over a year and you are paying $109.50 in transaction fees alone.
- No bank transfer. Removing bank transfer forces sellers into Ping, which means you cannot avoid the 2.19%.
- Buyer pays extra. The new buyer service fee adds $1-5 to every purchase, which may discourage smaller transactions.
- Professional sellers still pay success fees. If you sell regularly or in trade, the old fee structure largely applies to you.
Who it is best for: Sellers who want the largest possible audience and do not mind paying 2.19% for the privilege. High-value items that benefit from auction-style bidding.
Mark from Christchurch sells vintage records as a hobby. He used to pay around $1,500 a year in TradeMe success fees. After the March 2026 changes, his costs dropped to roughly $400 in Ping fees. A significant saving, but not zero.
2. nz.social: Truly Zero Fees
What it is: A NZ-only social platform with a built-in marketplace. No listing fees, no success fees, no transaction fees, no buyer fees. Zero. Founded by Zee Grewal, who built it after seeing how platform fees and scams affected his community.
What it does well:
- Genuinely zero cost. List an item, sell it, keep every dollar. No transaction fees because nz.social does not process payments. You arrange payment directly with the buyer, whether that is bank transfer, cash, or however you prefer.
- NZ-only. The platform is geo-restricted to NZ IP addresses. No overseas scammers. You are dealing with verified Kiwis.
- Social features built in. Unlike pure marketplaces, nz.social combines buying/selling with a social network. Check a buyer's profile, see their activity, get a sense of who you are dealing with.
- Business tools. If you run a small business, create a free Business Page with a built-in booking system. No monthly fees.
Where it falls short:
- Smaller audience. nz.social is new. It does not have TradeMe's 5 million listings or Facebook's billions of users. You may get fewer eyeballs on your listing.
- No buyer protection. Transactions happen directly between buyer and seller. There is no Ping-style escrow or refund system.
- No auction format. Fixed-price only. If you want competitive bidding, TradeMe is still the only NZ option.
Who it is best for: Kiwis who want to sell without losing a single dollar to fees, and who value a scam-resistant NZ-only environment over maximum audience size.
Sarah from Wellington sold a dining table for $450 on TradeMe last year and paid $35.55 in fees. She listed the same style of table on nz.social in April and kept the full amount. "It took two days longer to sell," she said, "but I kept an extra $35." Over a year of regular selling, those savings compound fast. (We break down more examples in our guide to selling online in NZ with zero fees.)
Ready to try it? Create your free nz.social account and list your first item in under two minutes.
3. Facebook Marketplace: Free But Risky
What it is: Facebook's built-in buying and selling feature. Free to list, free to sell, integrated with your existing Facebook account.
What it does well:
- Huge audience. 4.6 million Kiwis use Facebook. Your listing is visible to a massive pool of potential buyers.
- Speed. For local pickup items, Facebook Marketplace is often the fastest way to sell. List at lunch, sold by dinner.
- No fees. No listing fees, no success fees, no transaction fees.
- Photos and messaging built in. Easy to share photos and negotiate through Facebook Messenger.
Where it falls short:
- Scam capital. Netsafe NZ reports that Facebook Marketplace is one of the most common sources of online scams in New Zealand. ANZ estimates that roughly 30% of the banking industry's recorded scams originate from places like Facebook Marketplace. In 2025, 33% of NZ online shoppers were scammed, with $1.6 billion in total losses.
- No buyer protection. Facebook does not facilitate payments and offers no refund or dispute resolution.
- No seller verification. Anyone can create a Facebook account and start selling. Fake profiles are common.
- Data harvesting. Every listing, message, and interaction feeds Facebook's advertising machine. For the privacy angle, read our comparison of Facebook alternatives in NZ.
- Global platform. Overseas scammers operate freely. Unlike nz.social or TradeMe, there is no NZ-only restriction.
Who it is best for: Quick, low-value local pickup sales where you can meet the buyer in person and accept cash. Not recommended for shipped items or high-value transactions.
Jason, a 34-year-old tradesman from Auckland, lost $1,200 after paying for tools on Facebook Marketplace that never arrived. NZ Police regularly warn that these scams are "notoriously difficult" to investigate and urge buyers to inspect items in person before paying.
4. BuySellSwap: Free Kiwi Classifieds
What it is: A 100% Kiwi-owned classifieds platform. Free to list, no success fees, no selling fees.
What it does well:
- Truly free. No success fees, no selling charges. You can buy, sell, or swap anything across Aotearoa.
- NZ-focused. Built for Kiwis, with NZ-specific categories and local focus.
- Simple to use. Straightforward listing process without the complexity of TradeMe's fee tiers.
Where it falls short:
- Small audience. Significantly fewer buyers than TradeMe or Facebook Marketplace.
- Basic features. No auction format, no buyer protection, limited seller tools.
- Less established. Newer platform without the trust signals that come from TradeMe's 25+ year reputation.
Who it is best for: Casual sellers who want a genuinely free, NZ-owned alternative for simple classified listings.
5. AllGoods: Free for Casual, Low Fees for Business
What it is: A modern NZ marketplace that offers free casual selling (up to 100 listings) and low-cost business storefronts. Integrates with Stripe, Shopify, and Courier Post.
What it does well:
- Free for casual sellers. Up to 100 listings at no cost, no success fees.
- Competitive business fees. Business plans start at $4/month with a 2% success fee, significantly cheaper than TradeMe's professional seller rates.
- NZ shipping only. Products must ship from within NZ, keeping the marketplace local.
- Automotive niche. AllGoods' sister site Partly.co.nz has nearly 1.5 million automotive parts listed.
Where it falls short:
- Smaller audience. Less traffic than TradeMe.
- Credit card fees. 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction on card payments.
- Pivoted focus. AllGoods has shifted heavily toward automotive parts and business sellers, so the casual marketplace may feel quieter.
Who it is best for: Small NZ businesses looking for a cheaper alternative to TradeMe's professional seller plans. Also good for automotive parts buyers and sellers.
6. ListStuff: Wide Category Free Classifieds
What it is: A free NZ classifieds site covering For Sale, Jobs, Motors, Property, Services, Rent and Hire, Events, Community, and Personals.
What it does well:
- Completely free. No listing fees, no success fees, no transaction fees.
- Wide categories. Goes beyond just buying and selling into jobs, services, property, and events.
- Region-based browsing. Search by region, district, and suburb across NZ.
Where it falls short:
- Very small audience. Minimal traffic compared to TradeMe or Facebook.
- Basic functionality. No payment processing, no buyer protection, no auction format.
- Dated interface. The site feels older compared to modern marketplaces.
Who it is best for: People who want a simple, free place to list items, services, or jobs without any costs at all.
7. Felt: NZ Handmade and Artisan Goods
What it is: New Zealand's marketplace for locally made goods. Designed for Kiwi makers, producers, designers, artists, and craftspeople.
What it does well:
- Curated quality. Only NZ-made and NZ-designed products. No mass-produced imports.
- Supportive community. Built specifically to help Kiwi creators sell their work.
- Trusted brand. Established reputation in the NZ handmade space.
Where it falls short:
- Niche only. If you are not selling handmade, artisan, or locally crafted goods, Felt is not for you.
- Commission applies. Felt takes a percentage on sales (exact rates vary by listing type).
- Small audience. Much smaller than general marketplaces.
Who it is best for: Kiwi artists, craftspeople, and makers who want a dedicated platform for locally made goods.
8. I Like That: Simple Local Classifieds
What it is: A free NZ classifieds and marketplace for listing items for sale locally.
What it does well:
- Free to list. No fees to post classified ads.
- Local focus. Designed for local buying and selling within NZ communities.
- Simple. No complexity, no auctions, just straightforward listings.
Where it falls short:
- Very small audience. Minimal traffic.
- Minimal features. No payment processing, no buyer protection.
- Limited visibility. Harder to find buyers compared to larger platforms.
Who it is best for: People looking for a quick, free way to post a classified ad without creating accounts on larger platforms.
How to Choose the Right TradeMe Alternative in NZ
The best marketplace depends on what you are selling and how much of it.
"I sell a few items a year and want zero hassle." Stick with TradeMe. The fee reduction makes it affordable for casual sellers, and the audience cannot be beaten. Pay the 2.19% Ping fee and enjoy the reach.
"I sell regularly and fees add up." Try nz.social alongside TradeMe. List on both. Items that sell on nz.social cost you nothing. Items that need TradeMe's bigger audience cost you 2.19%. You get the best of both worlds.
"I want to sell locally with zero fees and zero scam risk." Use nz.social. NZ-only access means no overseas scammers, and zero fees means zero cost. It is the only platform that combines both.
"I want maximum speed for a quick local sale." Use Facebook Marketplace for low-value items you can hand over in person for cash. Meet in a public place. Do not ship items and do not accept deposits from strangers.
"I sell NZ-made or handmade goods." Use Felt. It is purpose-built for Kiwi creators and attracts buyers who specifically want locally made products.
"I run a small business and need an online storefront." Compare AllGoods (low fees, Shopify integration) with a free Business Page on nz.social. Both are significantly cheaper than TradeMe's professional seller plans.
The Real Cost of Selling $5,000 Worth of Items in a Year
Here is what you would actually pay across each platform if you sold $5,000 worth of general items over 12 months:
| Platform | Annual Cost | What You Keep |
|---|---|---|
| nz.social | $0 | $5,000 |
| Facebook Marketplace | $0 | $5,000 |
| BuySellSwap | $0 | $5,000 |
| ListStuff | $0 | $5,000 |
| I Like That | $0 | $5,000 |
| TradeMe (new fees) | ~$109.50 (Ping 2.19%) | $4,890.50 |
| AllGoods (casual) | ~$145 + $3.60 (cards) | $4,851.40 |
| TradeMe (old fees) | ~$395 (7.9%) | $4,605 |
The difference between nz.social and TradeMe is $109.50 a year. For a casual seller, that might not matter. For someone selling regularly, it adds up.
But the cost comparison only tells part of the story. TradeMe's $109.50 buys you access to the largest buyer pool in NZ, buyer protection up to $5,000, and auction functionality. nz.social's $0 gives you a scam-resistant NZ-only community with social features, but a smaller audience. Facebook Marketplace's $0 comes with significant scam risk and no buyer protection.
There is no single "best" answer. The smartest approach is listing on two or three platforms simultaneously. Put your item on nz.social and TradeMe. If it sells on nz.social first, you pay nothing. If it sells on TradeMe first, you pay 2.19%. Either way, you win.
Ready to start selling with zero fees? Create your free nz.social account and list your first item. No credit card needed, no fees, no catch. Check our FAQ if you have questions about how it works.
FAQ: TradeMe Alternatives in NZ
Is TradeMe free now? Partially. TradeMe removed the 7.9% success fee for casual sellers in March 2026. But sellers still pay a 2.19% Ping transaction fee on every digital payment, and bank transfer is no longer an option. Buyers pay a service fee of 99 cents to $4.99 depending on the item price. So TradeMe is cheaper than it was, but not free.
What is the best free TradeMe alternative in NZ? For a full marketplace experience with zero fees, nz.social is the most complete option. It combines a zero-fee marketplace with social features and NZ-only access. For simple classifieds, BuySellSwap and ListStuff are both free. Facebook Marketplace is free but carries significant scam risk.
Is Facebook Marketplace safe in New Zealand? It has serious problems. ANZ estimates that roughly 30% of banking scams in NZ originate from places like Facebook Marketplace. Netsafe NZ lists it as one of the most common sources of online scams. If you use it, stick to local cash-on-pickup transactions and inspect items before paying.
Can I sell on multiple platforms at once? Yes, and we recommend it. List your item on nz.social (zero fees) and TradeMe (2.19% Ping fee) simultaneously. Whichever sells first wins. Remove the listing from the other platform. This maximises your audience while minimising your costs.
Do any TradeMe alternatives have buyer protection? TradeMe's Ping system offers buyer protection up to $5,000. AllGoods offers payment protection through its payment provider. nz.social, Facebook Marketplace, BuySellSwap, ListStuff, and I Like That do not offer formal buyer protection, so meeting in person and inspecting items is recommended.
Where can I sell NZ-made or handmade goods? Felt (felt.co.nz) is dedicated to NZ-made goods. You can also create a free Business Page on nz.social to showcase and sell your products with zero fees and a built-in booking system.