Best Online Business Marketplaces in 2025

Looking to buy or sell a business in 2025? Here's the deal: online marketplaces are transforming how businesses change hands. With U.S. eCommerce sales projected to hit $1.29 trillion this year, platforms like Venturu, BizBuySell, and Flippa are leading the charge.

• Venturu: A free, user-friendly platform for small business sales. Sellers can list without fees, access AI-powered valuations, and connect with verified brokers. Ideal for those on a budget.
• BizBuySell: The largest marketplace with 65,000 annual listings. It charges monthly fees but offers extensive resources and no success fees. Best for large and established businesses.
• Flippa: Focused on digital assets like websites and apps. It offers advanced tools, success fees of up to 10%, and a wide buyer network. Perfect for tech-savvy users.

Quick Comparison

Each platform caters to different needs. Venturu is cost-effective and simple. BizBuySell offers scale and exposure. Flippa specializes in digital assets with robust tools. Choose based on your priorities - budget, type of business, or transaction support.

Best Online Business Brokers & Marketplaces | How to Sell or Buy a Business Online

1. Venturu

Venturu is a tech-powered marketplace often referred to as the "Zillow for local businesses." It brings together sellers, buyers, and brokers to simplify small business transactions. Founded by Luis Merchan, a former NASDAQ CEO, and Joel Hernandez, an experienced software engineer, the platform was created to address the challenges of buying and selling local businesses with a focus on ease and trust.

The platform is designed to tackle the challenges of the Great Wealth Transfer, as Baby Boomers retire at a rate of 10,000 per day, many without clear succession plans. Venturu offers a straightforward solution for business owners who might shy away from complex technology or steep fees.

Cost Structure

Venturu’s core services are completely free, eliminating traditional listing fees.

Listing your business and getting your initial valuation estimate on Venturu is completely free. There are zero listing fees or commissions charged by us, helping you keep more from your business sale.

This free approach removes the typical $300 to $1,000 listing fees charged by other platforms. Sellers can list their businesses, access AI-powered valuations, and explore a broker directory without any upfront costs. Revenue will come from optional premium features for brokers, similar to Zillow's "Premier Agent" model, as well as partnerships with lenders and service providers.

For sellers, this means they can explore the platform risk-free. They can list their business, get a valuation, and evaluate their options without any financial commitment. This is particularly appealing to Baby Boomer business owners, who might be hesitant to pay fees before seeing results.

Verification and Trust

Trust is a key focus for Venturu, especially in light of the statistic that 95% of U.S. businesses faced fraud attempts in 2024. The platform has a multi-layered verification system to ensure authenticity and safety.

Before a listing goes live, it undergoes verification through automated checks and manual reviews. This process flags unrealistic profit claims, conflicting information, and other potential red flags. For brokers, Venturu requires license verification to earn a "Verified" status on their profiles, helping users identify trustworthy professionals.

Since nearly 10% of fraud incidents begin during onboarding, these upfront checks ensure a safer experience for all users. This thorough verification process is essential for maintaining trust while keeping the platform user-friendly.

Support and Tools

Venturu offers a variety of tools tailored to the needs of sellers, buyers, and brokers.

• For Sellers: The platform provides free business listings that can be created in under five minutes. An AI-powered valuation tool delivers instant estimates, covering over 230 business types, saving sellers the expense of traditional appraisals. The AI Listing Importer further simplifies the process by generating complete listings from uploaded documents in under a minute.
• For Buyers: Buyers benefit from verified listings and a map-based search system with smart filters. They can save search criteria and receive alerts when matching businesses become available, making it easy to find the perfect opportunity. Additionally, buyers can access a curated directory of brokers for expert advice.
• For Brokers: Venturu equips brokers with free professional tools, including verified profiles, a built-in CRM system for managing leads and deals, and the AI Listing Importer, which can process multiple listings at once. These tools help brokers manage their workload more efficiently and focus on closing deals.

We're building the go-to marketplace that connects sellers, buyers, and expert brokers, providing free core tools to ensure a smoother, more successful experience for everyone involved.

User Benefits

Venturu’s features are designed to meet the unique needs of its users, whether they’re sellers, buyers, or brokers.

• Sellers benefit from the platform’s transparent pricing and verification process, which builds confidence. The broker matching system connects them with local industry experts, while the user-friendly interface ensures accessibility, even for those less familiar with technology.
• Buyers can browse listings with confidence, knowing they’ve been verified for authenticity. The map-based search and filtering tools make it easy to find businesses that meet specific criteria, while saved searches ensure they don’t miss new opportunities. Detailed listings and valuation estimates provide the information needed to make well-informed decisions.
• Brokers gain access to modern tools that streamline their work. Free profiles showcase their expertise, while the built-in CRM system simplifies lead management and deal tracking. AI-powered tools further reduce administrative tasks, allowing brokers to focus on facilitating successful transactions.

Our main goal is to make buying and selling local businesses much simpler, more transparent, and more accessible for everyone involved. We want to remove the usual frustrations and high costs from the process.

Currently, Venturu hosts over 800 active verified listings across the U.S. and features more than 80 verified business brokers in its directory. This growing network benefits all users by creating a cycle where more listings attract more buyers, which in turn brings in more brokers.

The platform’s mission is clear:

We started Venturu because we believe buying or selling a local business should be simpler and more trustworthy.

2. BizBuySell

As the business marketplace evolves, platforms like BizBuySell offer sellers a structured way to manage business transitions. Unlike Venturu's free model, BizBuySell operates on a paid advertising system. It stands as the largest online marketplace for buying and selling businesses, featuring around 65,000 listings annually and drawing over 3.5 million visitors each month.

Cost Structure

BizBuySell uses a tiered advertising model, where fees are based on listing exposure rather than brokerage services. Sellers can choose from several plans:

For example, a Basic listing costs $79.95 per month for a three-month term. Sellers seeking longer commitments, like 12-month listings at reduced rates, can contact BizBuySell directly at 777-9892 for more details.

If sellers engage a business broker through the platform, commissions typically range from 10% to 15% of the final sale price for businesses valued between $100,000 and $1,000,000. For smaller businesses (under $100,000), brokers might charge flat fees, often $10,000 or $15,000. Legal fees and closing costs generally add up to about 15% of the transaction value.

This pricing structure gives users a clear picture of costs before diving into the platform’s features.

Verification and Trust

BizBuySell has built a solid reputation over the years, bolstered by its association with the CoStar Group and its thorough vetting processes, which enhance its credibility. Scam Detector rates the platform with a trust score of 75.8 out of 100, suggesting a relatively low risk of fraud. However, some users have voiced concerns about the thoroughness of the vetting process. To mitigate risks, users should independently verify business details and financials and consult professionals before finalizing any deal.

Support and Tools

BizBuySell offers a range of tools designed to simplify business transactions. These include valuation calculators, buyer workbooks, and educational materials to guide users through the process. A standout feature is BrokerWorks, which connects users with experienced business brokers, making it easier for buyers and sellers to find qualified assistance. The platform also provides access to a database of sale comparables, offering insights into pricing trends for recently sold businesses. Additionally, an extensive franchise directory is available for those exploring franchise opportunities.

User Benefits

BizBuySell’s wide reach benefits all parties involved. Sellers gain significant exposure, buyers have access to a vast inventory of approximately 65,000 businesses across various industries and price points, and brokers enjoy strong lead-generation opportunities through services like BrokerWorks. Buyers also benefit from educational resources and access to sale comparables for competitive pricing.

That said, some users have noted challenges with the platform’s interface and communication tools, which can feel clunky at times. Despite these issues, BizBuySell remains a go-to resource for its scale, tools, and established presence in the market.

3. Flippa

Flippa has been a key player in the online business marketplace since 2009, facilitating over 12,000 deals each year through a network of more than 600,000 buyers and investors. With over 3 million registered users, the platform handles roughly 20,000 asset sales annually. Its focus on digital assets like websites, apps, and e-commerce stores caters specifically to entrepreneurs looking to buy or sell in this space.

Cost Structure

Flippa offers flexible pricing based on the type of asset, its valuation, and seller preferences. For digital assets, sellers can choose from three listing packages:

• Entry: $29 for a 60-day term
• Most Picked: $49 for a 3-month term
• Premium: $199 for a 6-month term

For established online businesses valued between $10,000 and $500,000, the pricing options are:

• Standard: $49 per 6 months
• Premium: $399 per 6 months
• Ultimate: $599 per 6 months

Flippa charges success fees ranging from 3% for high-value sales to a maximum of 10% for lower-priced deals. This is often more economical than the 8%-12% commission charged by traditional brokers. Additionally, Flippa's Price Match Guarantee ensures it will undercut any comparable platform's success fee by 1%.

While buyers can use Flippa for free, there’s a premium subscription available at $49 per month or $490 annually, which unlocks extra features. Optional add-ons, such as NDA & Confidentiality services, cost $199 but are included with the Premium package.

Verification and Trust

To ensure secure transactions, all users must complete an identity verification process, which includes submitting personal details, proof of identity, and a video selfie for liveness verification. Flippa partners with Sum & Substance (SumSub) to handle this process, complying with GDPR, KYC, and AML standards.

Every revenue-generating asset undergoes a 25-point review before being listed. This process evaluates the quality and pricing of the asset using market data, and assigns a Quality Score based on the seller's reliability, listing details, and asset value.

As the most open marketplace, Flippa has invested heavily in security and community-based trust mechanisms. – TodayTesting.com

Buyers must complete credit card authorization before making offers, and Flippa actively monitors listings and communications for any suspicious behavior. Its fraud detection system works to identify and remove problematic users. The platform boasts a Net Promoter Score of 62, with 44% of its customers returning as repeat buyers or sellers.

Support and Tools

Flippa simplifies transactions by integrating with 15 major platforms, including QuickBooks Online, Shopify, WooCommerce, Stripe, and Google Analytics. These integrations allow sellers to provide verified financial and operational data, and listings linked to Google Analytics receive 2.8 times more views and 2.4 times more watchers.

The platform includes tools like multi-user deal rooms, due diligence services, and escrow integration to streamline transactions. Multi-user deal rooms enable secure collaboration among buyers, sellers, accountants, and bankers, while integrated legal templates help speed up the sales process.

For additional assurance, Flippa offers detailed due diligence services that provide reports on financial and operational performance. Escrow services, provided through Escrow.com, ensure secure handling of funds.

User Benefits

Flippa’s broad reach benefits both buyers and sellers. Sellers gain access to over 600,000 monthly searches from investors and buyers looking for online businesses. The platform’s transparent, fixed-fee pricing allows sellers to keep more of their earnings compared to traditional brokers.

Buyers, on the other hand, can browse a wide range of digital assets and online businesses. Comprehensive verification systems and data integrations help them make well-informed decisions. Flippa also offers educational resources, including tips and guides, to assist users through the buying and selling process.

Flippa invented the space – we started in 2009 – and today, more online business owners, investors and buyers choose Flippa to buy and sell online businesses.
– Chris Stephenson, Head of Customer Support & Experience at Flippa

User reviews of Flippa are mixed. Trustpilot rates the platform 4 out of 5 stars, while SiteJabber users give it an average of 1.3 out of 5 stars. Despite the varied feedback, Flippa’s scale, range of tools, and established presence make it a strong option for digital asset transactions.

Platform Comparison

Each platform approaches the task of connecting buyers and sellers in the business marketplace differently. Knowing these distinctions can help you pick the platform that best fits your needs and budget. Key areas to compare include cost, trust mechanisms, and available tools.

Cost Structure Differences

The platforms have distinct pricing models:

• Venturu: Completely free to use.
• BizBuySell: Charges monthly listing fees ranging from $65.95 to $259.95, with no commission.
• Flippa: Requires listing fees of $29–$599 and a 10% success fee.

For sellers on a tight budget, Venturu eliminates financial barriers entirely. BizBuySell demands a higher upfront investment but allows sellers to keep the full sale amount. Flippa offers lower initial costs but takes a cut of the final sale price.

Trust and Verification Approaches

Each platform has its own way of ensuring trust:

• Venturu: Verifies all listings through automated checks and manual reviews.
• BizBuySell: Focuses on being a centralized hub with resources that support the buying process.
• Flippa: Enforces strict identity verification and a 25-point review system for revenue-generating assets .

Flippa’s process is the most thorough, requiring detailed documentation and identity confirmation. Venturu strikes a balance between thoroughness and ease of use, ensuring authenticity without creating barriers. BizBuySell leans on its reputation and extensive resources to build trust.

Support Tools and Features

The platforms differ in the tools and features they provide:

• Flippa: Offers a robust set of tools, including deal rooms, due diligence services, and integrated legal and payment options.
• Venturu: Focuses on verified listings, no fees, AI-powered estimates and an intuitive search experience.
• BizBuySell: Relies on its extensive resource center .

Venturu is that path - making business sales straightforward and accessible for everyone. - Luis Merchan, Chief Executive Officer, Venturu

Flippa leads in functionality, facilitating 12,000 deals annually with its comprehensive platform. Venturu prioritizes simplicity, while BizBuySell uses its large inventory and established presence to attract users.

User Benefits Summary

The platforms’ differences translate into specific advantages for users. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Target Market Focus

Each platform caters to a specific audience:

• Venturu: Focuses on simplicity and accessibility, appealing to the Main Street business community.
• BizBuySell: Serves a wide range of traditional businesses with its large inventory and broker network.
• Flippa: Specializes in digital assets, boasting a network of over 600,000 buyers and investors.

Your choice depends on your business type, budget, and familiarity with technology. Venturu is ideal for sellers testing the market without upfront costs. BizBuySell offers the largest selection, making it great for buyers who want variety. Flippa is perfect for digital businesses needing advanced tools and transaction support.

With over a decade building for 500k+ users, my focus for Venturu is powerful tools that are genuinely easy and helpful for all. - Joel Hernández, Chief Technology Officer, Venturu

Conclusion

When deciding on a marketplace, it's essential to weigh your needs, budget, and level of experience. The right choice will depend on how well a platform's features align with your goals.

For Budget-Conscious Sellers

If you're looking to test the waters without upfront costs, Venturu stands out with its free listings and AI-powered valuations. This makes it a great option for sellers exploring the market with minimal financial risk.

Weighing Platform Features

Each marketplace brings its own set of strengths. Some boast expansive listing inventories, others focus on advanced transaction tools, and a few emphasize specific value propositions. Security and trust are crucial factors - platforms like Venturu combine automated and manual reviews to ensure reliability, while others may prioritize unique verification methods or tools tailored for digital transactions. Assess how these features align with your priorities.

Finding Your Fit

Your decision ultimately depends on what matters most to you. Venturu is an excellent choice for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness and simplicity, offering trusted AI tools without financial barriers. On the other hand, platforms with broader listings or specialized services may better suit sellers seeking wider exposure or advanced transaction capabilities. Focus on your priorities - whether it's saving money, reaching a larger audience, or leveraging specific tools - to choose the marketplace that meets your needs in 2025.