13 Sites Like Amazon: Free Shipping, Better Deals, and More

List of the best 13 Amazon alternatives for cheap online shopping

1. eBay

Amazon’s biggest competition: the bidding website for discount shopping

eBay.com is probably the most well-known Amazon alternative, and it started around the same time. Unlike Amazon, eBay doesn’t sell its own products; it simply acts as a liaison between businesses or third-party sellers and people looking to buy. One of the unique things about eBay is that while many of the products listed on it can be outright bought, many others are put up for auction. The winner of an auction gets to buy the item at the price of the second-highest bid. For some products, you will even have a choice as to whether you want to buy them or bid for them. You can also find amazing bargains with eBay’s “Best Offers”.

Want to see how each of the different purchase methods on eBay works? We’ll show you in our eBay course, or if you’re more interested in how eBay treats its sellers, check out our course on how to sell on eBay.

2. Overstock

Overloaded ecommerce stock meets handcrafting artisans with unique products

Overstock.com is a website like Amazon that initially began as a seller of surplus goods from failed e-commerce websites; this often means you can get great deals while shopping on it. However, Overstock now sells new items as well, and has pretty good customer service to boot. It also has a unique program called Worldstock, which sells hand-made crafts from artisans around the world and gives at least 60% of its revenue directly back to the artisans themselves.

3. Newegg

Leading the tech world in ecommerce

Newegg.com is another online marketplace like Amazon, but it specializes in electronic goods such as desktop computers, laptops, televisions, digital cameras, and more. By focusing on rapid delivery and great customer service, Newegg has grown to be a major competitor to Amazon. With their price match guarantee and free “3 days or faster” shipping, you’re bound to find a deal on Newegg and have your new product in your hands quickly.

4. Zappos

The best customer service in the business

Zappos.com is a subsidiary website of Amazon that specializes in the sale of shoes, clothing, and accessories. You can earn Zappos rewards for each purchase you make, and you also have the option of getting expedited shipping in case you need your order fast. In many cases, you can even get free shipping and free returns. Zappos is also known for its customer service, as its representatives are encouraged to go above and beyond to make the online shopping experience the best it can be.

5. AliExpress

Cutting out the middleman so everyone wins

Run by the Alibaba Group (they’re actually Chinese, not Middle Eastern, though), AliExpress.com offers factory-direct pricing on a wide selection of items. They also have many guarantees and protections in place to keep buyers safe from scams. These include not releasing your money to a vendor until you receive and approve the item(s) you get, giving you a full refund if your order never arrives, and – if the item you get isn’t exactly what you were told you’d be getting – allowing you to get a full refund (and you can decide whether to send back or keep your order!).

To learn more about this wholesale marketplace, visit our AliExpress course.

6. Jet.com

For name brand items in the U.S.

If you’re looking for brand-name products from well-known sellers delivered right to your door for low costs, then Jet.com may be the replacement for Amazon that you’ve been looking for. The brainchild of a former Amazon employee, Jet allows you to order low-price stuff from famous brick-and-mortar outlets, get it within 2 days, and pay no shipping charges if your order is over $35. Plus, you can return items for free if they don’t work out.

UPDATE: As of June 4, 2020, Jet.com is no longer operational.

7. Barnes & Noble

Amazon’s top book-buying alternative

BarnesAndNoble.com is similar to Amazon in many ways; it began primarily as a book seller, and has evolved to include many other items for sale as well. Barnes & Noble has over 6 million books in stock, most of which are ready to ship within 24 hours, and is one of the best sites like Amazon for buying books online. It also has a stock of over 4.5 million eBooks available for download. You can also find textbooks, magazines, toys, games, collectibles, hobby equipment, and so much more for sale at Barnes & Noble. Moving the sale of books to the online marketplace helps cut down on overhead costs, so you can save some money!

8. Rakuten

The fast-growing company with options

Rakuten.com, an alternative to Amazon previously known as Buy.com), was purchased and renamed in 2010 by Japan’s largest e-commerce company of the same name (The Rakuten Group, Inc.). Like eBay.com, Rakuten doesn’t have its own inventory of stuff, instead preferring to connect businesses with potential customers directly. It also has a few other notable features, such as video reviews of certain products, as well as a “Super Points” program that allows you to earn store credit for buying certain products and then use that credit to save money on future purchases.

9. Walmart

Your store with everyday low prices

Walmart.com is one of the largest companies in the world, but it’s best known for its worldwide chain of supermarkets. The products sold at those stores can be purchased on the Walmart website, where they can be delivered straight to your door or picked up at a nearby outlet. Walmart is famous for its low prices.

10. Target

More expensive, but more cutting-edge than Walmart

Target.com is another well-known supermarket chain in the United States, and its products can be ordered from its website. From there, you can have the items delivered to you, or pick them up at a nearby brick-and-mortar Target store. Though not as committed to discount selling as Walmart, Target’s products tend to be on the cutting edge of trends.

11. QVC.com

Home television shopping deals meets online convenience

Short for “Quality, Value, Convenience,” QVC.com is a worldwide television shopping network. However, it has also made the transition to the Internet era, and now allows the products that it features to be bought through its website. They’re a bit pricey, but they come from high-end brand names and may be difficult to find anywhere else.

12. BestBuy.com

For the best deals in quality electronics

BestBuy.com is an online marketplace for finding great deals on electronics, especially desktop computers, laptops, televisions, video games, and appliances. With BestBuy’s lowest price guarantee and free shipping, your online experience should be seamless. You can also reserve items online when they are in stock, and then go and pick them up at your local BestBuy store! BestBuy also makes returning items much easier than with sites like eBay and Amazon; simply fill out the online form, and never worry about paying re-stocking fees!

To learn more about BestBuy.com, check out our TechBoomers course on BestBuy here.

13. Etsy

For hand-crafted goods from personable

Etsy.com is a bit of a different online marketplace, in that the items listed on it are rather specific. Most of its items are handmade accessories, clothing, jewellery, pieces of furniture, and so on. Other items are “vintage,” being at least 20 years old, and are more-or-less difficult to find anywhere else. The creative things you’ll find for sale on this website are great if you’re looking to express yourself or spruce up your home decor, and they make great unique gifts, too!

Whether you’re looking for items that are handcrafted or have stood the test of time, we’ll show you how to get them in our Etsy course.

Amazon competitors compared: delivery, customer service, and more

Website	Best for...	Delivery	Customer Service	Return Policy
	Bidding on anything	Flat fee Calculated Local pick-up	POOR	Based on seller
	Tech-related products	Orders under $40: $4.95/order Orders over $40: free	AMAZING	Full refund within 30 days
	Electronic goods	Standard Ground (2-7 days): free Express Ground (2-5 days): extra Large Item / White Glove (3-7 days): extra	GREAT	Refund or replace within 30 days
	Clothing	Standard (4-5 days): free Expedited: $25	AMAZING	Full refund within 1 year
	Cheaper items	3-60 days; cost varies greatly	GOOD	Full refund for items lost/misrepresented
	Household items	Orders under $35: $6/order Orders over $35: free	GOOD	Refund (minus savings) within 30 days
	Books	Orders over $25: free Expedited shipping: $9+/order	GOOD	Free within 21 days
	Clothing and home	1-10 days; cost varies greatly	GOOD	Depends on seller
	Everyday items	Orders over $35: free Grab-&-Go locations: free Other options: $6+/order	POOR	Refund or exchange within 90 days
	Everyday items and clothing	Orders over $35: free Expedited shipping: extra	POOR	Refund or exchange within 90 days
	Clothing and household items	Standard (7-10 days): $10	GREAT	Refund minus shipping within 30 days
	Tech and electronics	Orders over $35: free Expedited shipping: extra	GOOD	Depends on item (most are 30 days)
	Handmade items	Depends on seller	AMAZING	Depends on seller

Which Amazon competitors have free shipping?

One of Amazon’s best features is that it offers free 2-day shipping on most orders over $35. These websites similar to Amazon also offer free shipping on your orders, typically depending on how much money you spend.

Which sites offer services like Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime services include free 2-day shipping, discounts on orders, additional bargains, and access to Amazon Prime Music or Amazon Prime Video. Here are similar shipping services that offer yearly subscription rates for added benefits.

If you want to learn more and see a complete list, check out this article on Amazon Prime competitors.

Other FAQs about sites like Amazon

These are some of our other frequently asked questions about websites like Amazon:

Which sites like Amazon offer the lowest prices?

Which websites are as reliable as Amazon for delivery?

Additional resources to help your online shopping search