Freegle and the alternatives

There are lots of ways to give and get things for free, and we think that’s brilliant, the more stuff gets reused instead of binned, the better. If you’re weighing up your options, here’s an honest look at how Freegle compares with a few of the others.

  • Freegle vs Trash NothingTrash Nothing is a free app for giving and getting stuff, and it’s actually closely tied in with us. A lot of what you see on Trash Nothing is Freegle posts, because it works as another way in to Freegle communities (alongside some other networks it pulls together).
  • Freegle vs OlioOlio started life as a lovely way to share spare food so it didn’t get thrown away, and it’s still the go-to for that, with a proper network of volunteers who collect surplus from shops. These days it does other household bits too, and even a bit of selling.
  • Freegle vs FreecycleFreecycle is the original free-reuse network, started in the US back in 2003. Freegle actually grew out of it. We were set up in 2009 by the UK volunteers who wanted something run here, for here.
  • Freegle vs LoveJunkLoveJunk is a UK marketplace for getting rubbish shifted. You list what needs taking away, licensed waste collectors bid for the job, and you pick a quote. It also has a free section, and that’s the bit we’re plugged into: when you offer something free on Freegle, we share it over to LoveJunk so their users can see it and reply.
  • Freegle vs Facebook MarketplaceFacebook Marketplace is huge, and loads of free stuff changes hands there. It’s handy if you’re already on Facebook and happy to mix free items in with buying and selling.
  • Freegle vs GumtreeGumtree is a big UK classifieds site, mostly for buying and selling, cars, furniture, flats, jobs, all sorts. It has a freebies section too, where people list things to give away.
  • Freegle vs NextdoorNextdoor is a neighbourhood social network, the place for local notices, recommendations and the occasional heated thread about parking. It has a “For Sale & Free” section where people give things away or sell them.

Got a question about how Freegle works? Have a look at our help section.

Honestly, we just like seeing things reused instead of binned. If the other lot work better for you, grand, use them with our blessing. And if you fancy giving Freegle a go too, come and say hello.