Kijiji vs Facebook Marketplace: where should you sell?

Deciding where to list your items can be confusing when you have multiple options. Both Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are popular choices in Canada, but they serve slightly different purposes for buyers and sellers.

Side by side

	Kijiji	Facebook Marketplace
Seller fees (approx.)	Free basic ads; paid features optional	Free for local pickup; shipped orders pay a percentage selling fee
Best for	Local buying and selling in Canada	Furniture, appliances, phones and anything bulky sold locally for cash
Local pickup	Yes	Yes
Shipping	No	Yes
Where	Canada	US, CA and many others

Fees change often. Check the official pages: Kijiji fees · Facebook Marketplace fees

Understanding Kijiji

Kijiji has been a staple of the Canadian classifieds market for years. It operates primarily as a local platform where you post ads for items you want to sell in your specific area. Because it has been around for so long, many Canadians trust it as their go-to destination for everything from used cars to household furniture. Kijiji offers free basic ads for most categories, which makes it an affordable place to clear out your closet or garage. You can pay for optional features to highlight your listing, but the core experience remains simple and focused on local, in-person transactions.

Established reputation in Canada
Free basic ads for most categories
Focused on local, in-person exchanges

The Facebook Marketplace Advantage

Facebook Marketplace is integrated directly into the social media platform, making it incredibly accessible for anyone who already uses Facebook. Its biggest strength is its social nature, which can sometimes provide more peace of mind since you can see the profiles of potential buyers or sellers. It excels with bulky items like furniture, appliances, and electronics, as the interface is very visual and easy to navigate. While it supports shipping for some items, most users stick to local pickup where cash remains the standard method of payment for the majority of these transactions.

Integrated into existing Facebook accounts
Highly visual interface for browsing
Good for vetting buyers via profiles

Fees and Costs

When comparing costs, both platforms offer free local listing options. Kijiji makes money through paid ad features, like bumping your post to the top of the search results or adding photos. Facebook Marketplace is generally free for local pickup transactions, but it does introduce selling fees if you choose to offer shipping on your items. If you are just trying to get rid of a couch or a bicycle, you likely will not pay anything on either platform. Always review the specific terms for the category you are listing in before you hit publish.

No cost for standard local listings
Optional paid upgrades on Kijiji
Shipping fees apply on Facebook

Ease of Use and Communication

Communication styles differ slightly between the two services. Kijiji uses an internal messaging system that keeps your personal email or phone number private until you are ready to share it. Facebook Marketplace relies on Facebook Messenger, which can be convenient if you are already checking your messages throughout the day. However, it can also lead to more 'is this still available' messages from people who may not be serious buyers. Both platforms require you to be vigilant about spam and to be careful when arranging meetups with strangers in public places.

Private messaging on Kijiji
Messenger integration on Facebook
Standard safety practices apply to both

Which Platform Wins for You?

The right choice often depends on what you are selling. If you are selling a car or a specialized piece of equipment, Kijiji often attracts a more targeted audience of serious buyers. For everyday home goods, clothing, or smaller furniture, Facebook Marketplace is often faster because of the sheer volume of users browsing their feed. If you find the process of comparing prices across these sites tedious, you can use tools like BuyLow AI to see how similar items are priced across various marketplaces, helping you set a competitive price for your listing.

Kijiji for cars and niche items
Facebook for quick home goods sales
Check BuyLow AI to compare pricing

Buy low, sell high: see every marketplace's price in one search.

BuyLow AI searches Amazon, eBay, Mercari, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, Swappa and more at once, then shows where to buy lowest and where to sell highest.

100% free. No subscription, no card.BuyLow earns a small commission from some store links, never from you.

Questions

Is it better to list on both platforms?

Yes, listing on both Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace is a common strategy to reach the widest possible audience. Just remember to delete your listing from the other platform as soon as the item is sold so you do not receive unnecessary messages.

Which is safer for local transactions?

Both platforms are relatively safe if you follow standard precautions. Always meet in a well-lit, public place, bring a friend if possible, and accept cash payments. Facebook allows you to view a buyer's profile, which some people find adds a layer of accountability.

Do I have to pay to sell on Kijiji?

Standard listings for most items are free. You only pay if you choose to use premium features, such as moving your ad to the top of the list, adding extra photos, or highlighting your post to attract more attention.

Can I ship items on these platforms?

Kijiji is primarily designed for local, in-person transactions and does not have a built-in shipping system. Facebook Marketplace does allow for shipping in certain regions, but this usually involves a transaction fee deducted from your sale price.

Near you

More reselling guides

All reselling guides