Used Phones Are a $9 Billion Industry. Nine Platforms Are Cashing In

Buying a brand-new smartphone in 2025 can easily cost over $1,000. That reality has driven millions of Americans toward the second-hand market, which now moves approximately 89 million used and refurbished phones annually in the United States. The U.S. market was valued at $8.67 billion in 2023 and is projected to nearly triple to $26.67 billion by 2032. Online marketplaces and certified refurbishers have become the dominant channels for these transactions, making digital resale one of the fastest-growing corners of e-commerce.

But not all platforms are created equal. Some prioritize sheer volume, others focus on verified quality, and a few are carving out a niche with a model unlike anything that came before. Here is a breakdown of the top five platforms dominating the U.S. market — plus four more that are worth your attention.

1. eBay

eBay is the undisputed giant. Founded in 1995 and now serving 135 million active buyers worldwide, the platform generated nearly $80 billion in Gross Merchandise Volume in 2025 — and pre-owned goods are increasingly at the heart of that number. Recommerce — defined as the sale of pre-owned and refurbished goods — now accounts for over 40% of eBay's total GMV, a figure that grew by approximately 10% during the year as the company doubled down on sustainability and circular commerce.

For buyers, eBay offers the largest and most varied selection of used phones anywhere online. Individual sellers list alongside professional refurbishers, which means prices and quality vary widely. eBay has worked to address this through its expanded eBay Refurbished program, which provides warranties and standardized return policies on eligible listings. For sellers, the audience scale is unmatched. The tradeoff is the added legwork of verifying seller reputation and device condition before purchasing.

2. Amazon Renewed

Amazon brings its trademark infrastructure to the refurbished phone market through its Amazon Renewed program. Devices listed under this banner have been inspected and tested by qualified suppliers and are backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee, which provides a 90-day warranty and a replacement or refund if the device does not work as expected.

What sets Amazon Renewed apart is the trust layer it inherits from the broader Amazon platform — fast and reliable shipping, an established return process, and a review system buyers already know how to navigate. The program spans smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other electronics, with iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models consistently among the most popular listings. For buyers who want the convenience of Amazon with the savings of a refurbished device, this is often the first place to look.

3. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace does not sell anything itself. It has no certified sellers, no warranty program, and no quality control. What it does have is reach — Facebook draws over 3 billion monthly active users across its platform, and its peer-to-peer Marketplace tab, launched in 2016, has grown to serve more than 1 billion monthly Marketplace users — a figure Meta officially disclosed in 2021 that current estimates place even higher.

The appeal is simple: zero listing fees for local transactions, immediate visibility to a local buyer base, and a communication layer through Messenger that makes negotiating quick and frictionless. For sellers, it is one of the fastest routes to turning an old device into cash. For buyers, the savings can be significant — but so can the risks. Unlike every other platform on this list, Facebook Marketplace has no IMEI verification, no escrow system, and no meaningful fraud protection for local transactions. Scams are prevalent enough that buyers should exercise real caution, meet in a public place, and verify device lock status before paying. The platform is best approached as a deal-hunting tool by experienced buyers who know what to check.

4. Back Market

Back Market is the only platform on this list built exclusively for refurbished devices. Founded in Paris in 2014, it operates as a curated marketplace connecting consumers with a network of approximately 2,700 vetted professional refurbishers. Rather than holding inventory itself, Back Market acts as a quality layer: every refurbisher must meet strict standards before listing, every device comes with a minimum 12-month warranty, and buyers benefit from a 30-day return window backed by the platform.

The model has scaled quickly. Back Market closed 2025 with more than $3.5 billion in global Gross Merchandise Volume, representing 32% year-over-year growth. The platform now serves 17 million customers across 17 markets globally, with the United States its second-largest market by size. Revenue figures cited for Back Market are analyst estimates from Sacra, as the company remains private and does not publicly disclose financials.

5. OfferUp

OfferUp occupies the peer-to-peer space that sits between the polish of Amazon and the free-for-all of Facebook Marketplace. The platform, which absorbed its main rival Letgo in 2020, draws more than 40 million yearly users in the U.S. as of 2025 and facilitates more than 30 million transactions annually.

The platform is built around local discovery — users can browse listings from nearby sellers, message them in-app, and arrange same-day pickups. A safety-focused infrastructure, including in-app ratings, identity verification, and over 1,600 designated Community MeetUp Spots at police stations and other public locations, has helped OfferUp build more trust than purely classified-style platforms. Shipping is also supported for items sold to buyers outside the local area, giving sellers a national audience without abandoning the local-first model. Electronics, and phones in particular, consistently rank among the platform's top-selling categories.

Honorable Mentions

6. Plug

Plug is one of the newest names on this list and one of the fastest-rising. Founded in St. Louis in 2020, the company operates as a direct-to-consumer certified pre-owned retailer, sourcing devices from carriers and manufacturer buyback programs, running each through a 90-point inspection, and selling them at prices typically 30 to 55% below retail. Every phone ships with a guaranteed battery health of 90% or higher — a stricter threshold than most competitors set — along with a 12-month warranty and free two-day shipping.

In May 2025, The New York Times Wirecutter named Plug the "Best Experience" in its guide to buying used iPhones, evaluating the platform on device quality, grading accuracy, customer support, warranty coverage, and overall ease of purchase. Plug also appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies in 2024. It remains a smaller operation without the transaction volume of the platforms above, but for buyers prioritizing a seamless, consumer-focused experience with strong post-purchase protection, it has earned its place at the table.

7. ecoATM

ecoATM takes a fundamentally different approach to used device resale: it meets people where they already shop. The company operates a network of more than 7,000 automated kiosks inside major U.S. retailers including Walmart, Kroger, and Dollar General, allowing consumers to sell their old devices for instant cash without creating an account, listing a product, or waiting for a buyer. In 2025 alone, ecoATM collected 7.5 million devices — pushing its lifetime total past 50 million phones and other electronics — and has paid out approximately $1.5 billion to consumers since the company was founded roughly 15 years ago.

Each kiosk photographs and diagnostically evaluates the device on-site, checks the IMEI against stolen device databases, and issues payment immediately. Payouts typically range from $100 to $300 for mainstream devices, which is lower than what a patient seller might get on Swappa or eBay, but the convenience factor is unmatched for anyone who wants a same-day, no-fuss transaction.

8. Gazelle

Gazelle is one of the oldest dedicated reCommerce brands in the United States, having operated since 2006. While its trade-in business was folded into the ecoATM network in 2021 — the two now operate under the same corporate umbrella as ecoATM LLC — Gazelle continues to run its own consumer-facing storefront where buyers can purchase certified refurbished phones directly. Every device undergoes a 55-point quality inspection before listing, is assigned a transparent condition rating, and comes with a 30-day return policy.

As of May 2026, Gazelle has been noted for offering some of the most competitive pricing on newer iPhone models, with iPhone 16 units starting at $529 — among the lowest prices found across major resellers at that time, though prices fluctuate and should be verified directly at purchase. For buyers who want a straightforward purchase from a long-established reseller without navigating a marketplace, Gazelle remains a solid option.

9. Swappa

Swappa is smaller than the platforms above, but it has built one of the most trusted reputations in the peer-to-peer segment by doing something unusual: saying no. Every listing on Swappa must pass a human review, include a verified IMEI number, and meet strict functionality standards. Broken phones, carrier-locked devices, and listings with missing IMEI information are rejected outright.

The result is a marketplace that trades volume for quality. Founded in 2010, Swappa holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot across more than 33,700 verified reviews. The company reports $1 billion in total marketplace sales since inception, though this figure is self-reported and has not been independently verified. For buyers willing to spend a bit more time than they would on Facebook Marketplace in exchange for significantly lower fraud risk, Swappa is a strong option.

The Bottom Line

The U.S. second-hand phone market has never had more options or more structure. Whether you want the widest selection, the strictest quality controls, the fastest cash payout, or a trusted marketplace built specifically for the kind of device you're selling, there is a platform designed for that use case. The choice comes down to how much work you are willing to put in and how much protection you need at the other end.