Tarun Nagar 
A long time ago, if you wanted to buy or sell something second-hand, you had to check newspaper ads or visit flea markets. But now apps like Gumtree make it super easy! People can buy, sell, and even rent things with just a few taps on their phones.
Did you know that Gumtree has over 10 million users every month in the UK? That’s a lot of people buying and selling online! Due to its success, many business owners want to develop a marketplace app like Gumtree. But it’s not just about making a list of things for sale.
A great app needs secure payments, easy-to-use features, and a way for buyers and sellers to connect safely. Thus, if you’re thinking of investing in Gumtree app development, this blog will help you understand how to do it. We’ll cover the crucial features, steps to build it, and things to remember.
So, let’s begin!
What is Gumtree App?
Gumtree is a classified marketplace app where users can buy and sell used goods. Google Ads will help them find what they need, whether a house, a car, a radio, or a job. It is one of the best classified apps in Australia.
Users can post free ads on the Gumtree phone app, which is mainly a free classifieds app. They can also pay for paid marketing to have their advertisements shown frequently.
Anyone can pay to make their ads appear more often in the results through the Gumtree Australia app. So, if you plan to build a buy-and-sell marketplace application like Gumtree, now is the right time.
Current Market Statistics of Classified Marketplace!
- In 2024, the global online classified market was worth $29.17 billion. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.09% until it reaches $504.05 billion in 2033. (Business Research Insights )
- The global market for digital classified ads is expected to reach $22.11bn in 2025.
Source: Statista
- In 2025, the general classifieds industry is expected to have an average ad spending of $1.03 per internet user.
- It is projected that by 2030, mobile will account for 52% of all ad spending in the digital classifieds sector.
How Does a Gumtree App Work?
To handle a hassle-free workflow, you need to understand the working mechanism of a classified application like Gumtree. So, let’s discuss the working process of the Australian Gumtree application explained by a marketplace development company.
- User Registration & Profile Setup: Buyers and sellers can quickly sign up by phone, email, or social network and then complete thorough profiles.
- Product & Service Listing: When sellers list their goods or services, they include prices, pictures, descriptions, and sections to make it easy for people to find and buy them.
- Advanced Search & Filters: For an easy buying experience, buyers look at listings with category filters, search terms, and outcomes according to their area.
- Instant Chat & Negotiation: In-app messaging lets buyers and sellers talk to each other in real time for questions, bargaining, and finalizing deals.
- Secure Payment & Transaction: Thanks to payment gateway integration, transactions are handled safely, making payments easy and safe for everyone.
- Reviews & Rating System: Buyers give feedback and rate sellers, which helps build trust and trustworthiness in the market.
Steps To Develop A Marketplace App Like Gumtree
Online marketplace apps like Gumtree connect buyers and sellers, making listing, browsing, and purchasing products or services easy. You must follow a structured development process to make a marketplace app like Gumtree. Let’s break it down into essential steps to help you create an online classifieds platform similar to Gumtree.
1. Do Market Analysis
Before you develop a marketplace app like Gumtree, it is crucial to do a market analysis. Understanding your potential audience is the initial step. Identify who will use your platform, whether it caters to a specific niche or serves a broader community.
You need to analyze their needs and pain points to determine how your online classifieds platform, like Gumtree, may offer a solution. Additionally, assessing market demand and identifying existing gaps in the industry will help shape your Gumtree second-hand marketplace app’s value proposition.
However, if you seek expert guidance, consult a marketplace app development company for in-depth analysis and strategic insights.
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2. Know Competitor Apps
Do you know there are already many apps like Gumtree? Before you start the Gumtree app development clone, you should check out these competitors. What features do they have? What do users like or dislike about them?
If you know what makes another application like Gumtree successful, you may develop a classified app similar to Gumtree even better. One smart way to do this is by doing a SWOT analysis. It helps you see what other classified apps do well and where they lack. This way, you can create a marketplace app that stands out.
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3. Create a Feature List
Have you ever used an app and thought, “I wish it had this feature”? When you start Gumtree mobile app development, you must decide what features to include.
First, you can look at what other marketplace apps similar to Gumtree have. Then, consider what special features you may integrate to make your classified app unique.
Some must-have features include user profiles, a search bar, secure payment options, and a chat system so buyers and sellers can talk easily. You should also consider what extra features will make your community marketplace app, similar to Gumtree, more interesting.
You could add a rating system or product recommendation system based on user preferences. If your classified marketplace app has amazing features, people will be attracted to it.
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4. Design App’s UI/UX
Have you ever used an app that was confusing or complex to use? Nobody likes that! Your classified app should be basic, vibrant, and easy to use. Just imagine you are designing a shop where people will come to buy and sell.
If the shop is messy, would they stay? Probably not! The same goes for your classified marketplace app similar to Gumtree.
It should be simple, clear, and engaging to use. The navigation must be simple to identify, and users must be able to post their items without any trouble. A great design makes your target audience enjoy using the app and keeps them returning.
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5. Develop an MVP Version
Do you think big companies build apps similar to Gumtree all at once? No, they don’t! They start by making a small version of the app called an MVP. This version has only the most essential features. Why do they do this? Since it allows them to test the app, you can develop a marketplace app like Gumtree on a limited budget.
If an ecommerce app development company launch an MVP first, you can collect feedback from users. If they love it, great! You can improve it before making the final version if they don’t. This saves you time and money as it won’t waste effort building things people don’t need.
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6. Test the Application
Would you use an app that has lots of bugs or crashes all the time? No one likes a broken app. That’s why testing is essential before you launch a marketplace app like Gumtree. Testers test the second-hand goods marketplace like Gumtree on different devices to ensure everything operates smoothly.
They check if all buttons work if the custom mobile app development solution loads quickly, and if there are any errors. Some apps similar to Gumtree even let real users test them before they are officially released. This helps fix any problems before the app goes live.
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7. Launch & Market the App
After your app has passed the test, it’s finally time to release it! But just launching it is not enough; you also need to promote it. How will people know your Gumtree mobile app exists? You can spread the word by using social media, running ads, or asking influencers to discuss it.
If more people know about your C2C marketplace app development solution, more people will install and utilize it. Also, the more users you have, the more promising your classified marketplace app will be. Also, you need to update your application thoroughly on a timely basis. Timely app maintenance can improve your app’s performance.
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Must-Have Features of Gumtree App Development
Now that you know how to create a marketplace app like a Gumtree clone, it is vital to integrate the crucial features for a successful application. The below features will help your Gumtree free classified ads clone app, given by an on-demand app development company, stand out.
1. User Panel:
i. Sign Up
Users may register in the Gumtree local listings app using their email, contact number, or social media account. They may also create and manage their profiles.
ii. Search & Filters
Users may easily search for items or services using different filters, such as location, category, price, or keywords, to find exactly what they need.
iii. Chat & Messaging
Similar to an app like Wallapop, buyers can send messages directly to sellers to ask about a product before making a purchase in the Gumtree classified ads app.
iv. Location-Based Listings
The p2p multi-vendor marketplace app shows ads from nearby sellers so buyers can find products close to them in the Gumtree classified ads app.
v. Wishlist & Favorites
If users like a product but don’t want to buy it immediately, they can save it in a wishlist and return it later.
vi. Secure Payment Options
Similar to an app like Craigslist, buyers can pay safely using their credit card, debit card, digital wallets, or even UPI payments.
vii. Ad Posting & Editing
If users want to sell something, they can post their ads, upload pictures, add descriptions, and set a price.
viii. Push Notifications
Users get alerts when they receive messages, when their favorite product is on sale, or when new deals are available.
2. Seller Panel:
i. Seller Profile Management
Sellers can create profiles, add their business details, and get verified to increase their trust in the Gumtree classified ads app.
ii. Ad Management
When you build an app like Gumtree Clone, allow sellers to create, edit, or delete their ads at any time.
iii. Promoted Listings
Sellers can pay for a special feature to make their ad appear at the top, helping more people see it.
iv. Inventory Management
When you create a mobile app alternative to Gumtree, allow sellers to track their available stock and update their product details in the Gumtree classified ads app.
v. Customer Engagement Tools
Sellers can chat with buyers, answer questions, and negotiate prices directly in the Gumtree classified ads app.
vi. Sales & Earnings Dashboard
This p2p multi-vendor marketplace feature shows the number of items a seller has sold and the amount of money they’ve earned.
vii. Subscription Plans
Sellers buy premium packages that let them list more ads or access extra features to boost their sales.
3. Admin Panel:
i. User & Seller Management
Admins keep an eye on all users and sellers to make sure everyone sticks to the rules. They can also stop fake accounts or scammers.
ii. Ad Moderation & Approval
The admin can check ads before they go live to ensure they’re genuine and follow Gumtree’s free classified ads rules.
iii. Revenue Management
Similar to an app like Yelp, you can earn money through ad promotions and seller subscriptions. Admins keep track of all earnings and handle payments.
iv. Category & Listing Management
When you develop an app like Gumtree Replica, add this feature that allows you to add, remove, or update categories to keep the marketplace clean.
v. Analytics & Reports
The app gathers details on users, sales, and searches. Admins analyze this data to improve the platform.
Best Classified Apps like Gumtree in 2025
There are multiple classified ads apps similar to Gumtree. But we have listed the best apps like Gumtree, which has huge downloads and a great user base. So, when you create a classified app similar to this, you need to look at the Gumtree alternatives first.
Top Gumtree Alternatives |
Available Platforms |
Downloads |
Ratings |
| Craigslist | Android | iOS | 10M+ | 4.7 |
| OLX | Android | iOS | 100M+ | 4.2 |
| OfferUP | Android | iOS | 50M+ | 4.4 |
| Wallapop | Android | iOS | 50M+ | 4.3 |
| LetGo | Android | iOS | 100M+ | 3.5 |
How Much Does It Cost To Develop a Marketplace App Like Gumtree?
The cost to develop a marketplace app like Gumtree can range between $10000 and $25000. However, the cost of Gumtree app development can be affected by multiple factors, such as app complexity, app functions, and design.
So, it is clear that your project’s cost can fluctuate until you consult with a classified app development services provider. They will provide a complete breakdown of the cost to build a marketplace app like a Gumtree clone.
Besides, planning and allocating the budget is mandatory before starting the project development. Now, let’s see the factors below that can majorly affect the Gumtree app development cost.
1. App Complexity
The complexity of a Gumtree clone app development affects the cost. For example, a simple classified marketplace app requires less budget for Gumtree classified app development.
However, if you make an application like Gumtree with complex features, it can increase your budget as per your customization levels. So, planning, research, and investing in the market is vital. Now look at the cost table to build a marketplace app like Gumtree below.
App Complexity |
Cost Estimation |
| Simple Gumtree like App | $10000 – $15000 |
| Medium Gumtree like App | $15000 – $20000 |
| Complex Gumtree like App | $25000+ |
2. Platform Choice
The platform compatibility affect the cost to create an application like Gumtree. Let’s say you want a separate classified application for the platform. Whether you make the app for iOS, Android, or both greatly affects Gumtree app development cost.
Each platform has its own technology stack needs and design guidelines. These add extra work and time, which drives up the cost to make a marketplace app like Gumtree.
Platform Compatability |
Cost Estimation |
| Android App | $12000 – $25000 |
| iOS App | $15000 – $20000 |
| Cross-platfrom App | $10000 – $18000 |
3. UI/UX Design
Do you want to boost the user engagement and satisfaction of your application? Then, develop a marketplace app like Gumtree with an intuitive and visually appealing design.
Gumtree classified app development requires an expert iOS or Android app development expert and effort. This can directly affect classified marketplace app development costs. But it can also help improve user adoption and retention.
Design Phase |
Estimated Cost Range |
| User Research & Analysis | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Wireframing & Prototyping | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Visual Design (UI) | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| User Testing & Iteration | $2,000 – $6,000 |
How To Monetize Your Buy-and-Sell Application Like Gumtree?
Building a buy-and-sell application like Gumtree, Craigslist, or OLX may be highly profitable if you leverage the correct monetization models. If you’re planning to develop a similar app, here are the tips to make money from a classified website and app with real-world examples and statistics to guide your success.
1. Listing Fees for Premium Ads
For most buy-and-sell apps, charging users for premium ads is one of the main ways to earn money. Users can post simple ads for free, but they can pay to get more people to see them through your Gumtree clone development.
Different levels of premium listings, like featured ads, top-of-category ads, or homepage spots, can help sellers make more sales quickly and help your app make more money.
Example: Gumtree offers “Featured Ads” and “Bump Up” options where sellers pay a fee to boost visibility. eBay Classifieds Group, which owns Gumtree, generated approximately $1.85 billion in revenue in 2019.
2. Subscription Plans for Sellers
Another good way to make money is to offer subscription plans to businesses and regular buyers. People who sell things rarely may list them, but businesses and power sellers must always be seen.
You can have different subscription plans that include extras like the ability to add as many items as you want, analytics tools, and faster customer service. This model helps businesses grow their presence on your website and guarantees recurring income.
Example: Facebook’s p2p multi-vendor marketplace allows businesses to list their products, but apps like OfferUp and LetGo offer premium seller memberships that grant better listing placements and analytics.
3. Transaction Fees on Sales
If you add an in-app payment system, you can charge a small fee for each transaction. For instance, you take a commission out of the seller’s gains every time someone buys something through the Gumtree free classified ads.
This plan works well for items that are in high demand, like electronics, clothes, and things you need for your home. Making sure payments are safe can also help build trust and get more people to use the app to purchase.
Example: eBay charges sellers 10-15% per transaction, making it one of the most profitable buy-and-sell platforms. Poshmark, a fashion resale marketplace, charges a 20% commission on sales over $15 and generated $1.82 billion in 2022.
4. In-App Advertising
In-app ads are a perfect method of earning revenue without doing anything. You can work with businesses that want to reach certain groups of people. Adding banner ads, native ads, or sponsored posts can help keep the site free for users while still making money.
There are also paid ads inside the Gumtree free classified ads that sellers may utilize to market their stores or listings.
Example: Gumtree, Craigslist, and OLX display Google AdSense and sponsored listings, earning millions in ad revenue. Shpock, a European classified app, allows businesses to pay for sponsored placements.
Let’s Create a Marketplace App Like Gumtree!
Creating a marketplace application like Gumtree can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs seeking to connect buyers and sellers in a simple way. With the correct features, an engaging interface, and a safe platform, you can build a thriving online marketplace.
Thus, if you’re ready to develop a marketplace app like Gumtree, hiring an experienced classified app development company is the best way around.
They may assist you to develop and launch a high-performing marketplace app tailored to your needs. So, what are you up to? Get started today and bring your marketplace vision to life!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Long Does It Take To Build A Classified Marketplace App?
The estimated classified marketplace app development may take 2-5 months. However, the cost to develop a classified app can vary as per your project complexity, features and design.
Q2. How Much Does It Cost To Build A Classified App?
The cost to make a classified app can ranges between $10000 – $25000. But the cost to build a marketplace like gumtree can go above depending on your project requirements.
Q3. How To Create a Buy-And-Sell Application?
To develop a local selling app, you should follow the below steps:
- Do market analysis
- Do competitor analysis
- Create a feature list
- Develop app’s backend
- Test and release the app
Q4. How To Create A Website Like Gumtree?
- Research and planning
- Decide on key features
- Choose right technology
- Design user interface
- Start app development
- Launch the website
Q5. Which is Better, Gumtree vs eBay?
Gumtree is ideal for local, free, or low-cost listings, making it great for selling second-hand goods nearby. eBay offers a broader audience, auction-style selling, and buyer protection, making it better for high-value items and international sales.
