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Online Marketplaces for Buying & Selling Small Businesses

person James
calendar_today April 01, 2025

Online Marketplaces for Buying & Selling Small Businesses

Several U.S.-based platforms cater to buying and selling small and medium businesses – from content websites and e-commerce stores to SaaS startups and micro-scale side projects. Below is an overview of key marketplaces, including their focus areas, typical deal sizes, fee structures, notable features, and general user experience/trustworthiness.

Flippa

  • Focus: Flippa is a large open marketplace for digital assets – you can list websites, blogs, SaaS apps, e-commerce stores, domains, and more (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers). It’s very broad, serving everyone from hobbyist website flippers to entrepreneurs selling established online businesses.
  • Deal Sizes: Flippa sees 12,000+ deals per year (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers), ranging from small sites under $1,000 to high-value sales in the seven figures (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers). (They’ve even had a few multi-million dollar exits, though the majority are in the 4–6 figure range.)
  • Fees: Sellers pay a listing fee (tiered by listing package) plus a success commission. For example, 10% commission on sales under $50k, with the rate decreasing for larger deals (e.g. ~5% if a sale exceeds $1M) (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers). Buyers generally don’t pay Flippa fees.
  • Notable Features: Flippa provides built-in escrow via Escrow.com to secure transactions (Escrow – Flippa Help Center). They also offer optional due diligence services (in-depth vetting reports for a fee) to help buyers evaluate listings (The Comprehensive Buyer Due Diligence Checklist - Flippa). The platform boasts a huge buyer network (600k+ registered buyers) (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers) and has added verification tools (like connecting Google Analytics for traffic proof) to increase transparency. Financing options aren’t directly provided by Flippa, but they partner with third parties and encourage safe payments through escrow.
  • User Experience & Trust: As an open marketplace, anyone can list, which means a wide range of quality. Flippa has improved trust and safety by verifying users and data, but due diligence is still crucial – some past scams and inflated claims mean buyers should verify all information (7 Pros + Cons of Flippa for Buying & Selling Websites - Nate Shivar) (How To Tell The Difference Between Legit Products And Scams). Overall, Flippa is user-friendly (with an intuitive interface and live support) and remains one of the most popular platforms for buying/selling online businesses. Its reputation has grown more trustworthy in recent years due to added checks, though seasoned users still approach unvetted listings with caution.

Acquire.com (Formerly MicroAcquire)

  • Focus: Acquire.com is a marketplace tailored for startups and online businesses, especially SaaS and micro-SaaS companies (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers). It primarily features tech startups – SaaS apps, indie software products, small e-commerce or content businesses – that are often profitable or at least have user traction. (They tend to discourage completely pre-revenue ideas (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers), focusing more on businesses with some proof of concept or revenue.)
  • Deal Sizes: Most listings on Acquire.com are in the low- to mid-six figures (typical “micro-exits” for bootstrapped founders). Many deals are 4 or 5 figures for small apps (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers), and there are also larger startups selling for $500k+ (up to low millions). As of late 2024, Acquire reported $500M+ in total deal volume over 2,000+ startups sold, suggesting a broad range with many smaller deals and some sizable ones (Buy & Sell Profitable Online Businesses | Acquire.com).
  • Fees: Acquire originally attracted users by being free for sellers, but it now monetizes via a success fee and listing plan. Currently, sellers pay a 6–8% closing fee (commission), applied only if the business sells, plus a $25–$100 monthly listing fee (scaled by the size of the business) ( How much does it cost to sell? ). There’s no upfront fee to create a basic listing, and smaller deals incur the lower end of those fees. Buyers can browse for free with a basic account, but Acquire offers paid buyer subscriptions (e.g. ~$390/year for Premium) that unlock full access to listings and quicker contact with sellers (Popular SaaS Marketplaces? : r/SaaS) (How do buyer pricing plans work? - Acquire.com).
  • Notable Features: The platform emphasizes a safe and efficient process. It provides NDA tools (sellers can require prospective buyers to sign an NDA digitally) and the ability to integrate metrics (sellers can connect Stripe, Baremetrics, Google Analytics, etc., so that revenue and traffic data are verified for buyers (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers)). Acquire has built-in escrow (free via Escrow.com) for closing deals ( How much does it cost to sell? ), and even offers an LOI (Letter of Intent) builder and templated legal docs to streamline negotiations. They also have a network of approved M&A advisors and partners, so founders can get help with valuations or due diligence if needed (Popular SaaS Marketplaces? : r/SaaS). Notably, Acquire has introduced acquisition financing options for buyers (connecting buyers with lenders) and provides an “Acquire.com Academy” with resources on how to buy/sell startups.
  • User Experience & Trust: Acquire.com has gained a strong reputation since its 2020 launch. The user interface is modern and startup-focused, with robust filters to find businesses by type, revenue, etc. Listings are “vetted” in the sense that sellers must provide proof of financials and identity before being marked as verified. The marketplace is considered trustworthy and founder-friendly – it has a 4.7/5 average user rating (Buy & Sell Profitable Online Businesses | Acquire.com) and a large, active user base (over 500k entrepreneurs on the platform) (Buy & Sell Profitable Online Businesses | Acquire.com). Because Acquire is curated towards quality startups, there’s generally less spam than on open marketplaces. Buyers still should perform due diligence, but the built-in data verification and escrow provide a secure environment. Overall, Acquire.com is seen as a top choice for SaaS and online startup acquisitions, balancing reasonable fees with useful features and a credible community.

Empire Flippers

  • Focus: Empire Flippers is a curated marketplace and broker for profitable online businesses. It handles established websites and online businesses across content (affiliate/blog sites), Amazon FBA and e-commerce stores, SaaS companies, and other online ventures that typically have a track record of revenue (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers). All listings are vetted for profitability – you generally need at least a few months of consistent earnings to list on Empire Flippers.
  • Deal Sizes: Empire Flippers specializes in small to mid-market exits. Listings usually start around $50,000 (they’ve had some as low as ~$20k, but they prefer businesses earning ~$1k/month minimum) and go up to multi-million dollar deals. A large portion of their inventory falls in the high five- to six-figure range, with plenty of sales in the $100k–$500k zone. They’ve processed over $500M in total sales (Commission Calculator - Empire Flippers), and individual deals have reached seven or even eight figures. (The marketplace currently showcases many 6- and 7-figure listings, reflecting its focus on substantial online businesses.)
  • Fees: Empire Flippers charges a success-based commission. For sales under $700k, the fee is 15% of the final price (Commission Calculator - Empire Flippers). The commission rate then decreases for larger deals: any value between $700k–$5M is charged 8%, and above $5M it drops to 2.5% (Commission Calculator - Empire Flippers). (These tiers “stack”, resulting in a blended rate for big sales.) There are no upfront listing fees for sellers – however, sellers must go through EF’s vetting process and sign an exclusive listing agreement. Buyers are not charged commissions, but to view sensitive details of a listing, buyers must place a refundable deposit (typically 5% of listing price or $2,500) – this helps ensure only serious, vetted buyers engage.
  • Notable Features: Empire Flippers is known for its rigorous vetting and hands-on service. They verify financials, traffic, and other details of every business before listing it as “approved,” which builds trust. The marketplace provides detailed prospectus reports for each listing and an EF staff advisor manages the process for each sale. They also handle the escrow and migration process in-house: once a deal is agreed, EF collects the funds (often via escrow.com) and assists with transferring the business assets to the buyer (Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from Sellers - Empire Flippers) before releasing payment to the seller. This white-glove migration service is a standout feature and greatly simplifies transitions (Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from Sellers - Empire Flippers). Additionally, Empire Flippers offers a free valuation tool and has a content library (blog/podcast) educating on buying/selling. Financing isn’t directly provided, but they have partnerships (and occasionally facilitate SBA loan deals for larger U.S. businesses).
  • User Experience & Trust: Empire Flippers has a highly trusted reputation in the industry. Because they curate listings and do thorough vetting, buyers generally have confidence that numbers are accurate and businesses are as described. The trade-off is a more involved process: both sellers and buyers go through verification and interaction with the EF team (it’s less “instant” than an open market). The website itself is well-designed for browsing, and new listings are released weekly in batches via email to registered buyers (often selling out quickly due to high demand). Transparency and security are top-notch – you communicate through the platform (and EF mediates), and sensitive info is only shared after deposit, which protects sellers. Overall, Empire Flippers offers a premium, concierge experience. It’s particularly trustworthy (many $100K+ investors rely on it), and is ideal if you want a vetted marketplace with support, and are willing to pay a higher commission for that service (Commission Calculator - Empire Flippers).

FE International

  • Focus: FE International (FE) is a top-tier M&A brokerage specializing in online businesses, notably SaaS companies, e-commerce brands, and content websites. They often represent higher-end small businesses and startups – including many B2B SaaS firms and well-established niche websites. FE is known for focusing on quality businesses (often in the $100k to $10M valuation range), and they maintain a strong network of professional buyers (including private equity and strategic buyers) interested in these assets (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International).
  • Deal Sizes: FE International typically handles mid-sized to larger deals in the SMB space. Many of their listings and completed deals are in the six- or seven-figure range. They’ve closed over 1,500 deals with a total value in the hundreds of millions (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International). On average, an FE listing might be, say, a SaaS business asking $500k or an e-commerce brand at $2M – though they do both smaller and bigger. (They publicly note completing more $1M–$100M deals than any other online business broker (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International).) In short, FE is a go-to for serious acquisitions, and not as much for ultra-small side projects.
  • Fees: FE operates on a success fee (commission) model with no upfront listing fees (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International). The exact commission is negotiated per deal (and kept confidential in their contracts), but it generally falls in the 10–15% range of the sale price for small-medium deals, scaling down for larger sales (Empire Flippers vs FE International: Differences, Pros, Cons) (Compare FE International vs Quiet Light - Business Broker Reviews). For example, industry comparisons indicate around 15% for ~$500k deals, and a lower effective percentage on multi-million sales (often dropping to single digits) (Compare FE International vs Quiet Light - Business Broker Reviews). FE’s commission is paid by the seller upon a successful closing, and buyers do not usually pay any fees (aside from possibly splitting escrow fees). They also have a minimum fee (around $25k (Quiet Light - A Seller's Guide & Review)), so very small listings wouldn’t make sense on FE.
  • Notable Features: FE International provides an end-to-end brokerage service. This includes a thorough valuation and pre-listing due diligence on the business, handled via a secure data room (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International). They create professional sales materials (prospectuses) for each listing and market it confidentially to their network of 80,000+ vetted investors (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International). Confidentiality is a big focus – listings aren’t openly posted with identifying details; FE will only share the prospectus with pre-qualified buyers under NDA, ensuring privacy for the business (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International). They guide both parties through negotiations, due diligence, and closing. When it comes to closing, FE helps arrange secure payment (often using Escrow.com or attorney escrow) and oversees the transfer of assets. They do not have an in-platform escrow of their own, but rather facilitate trusted third-party escrow and assist with the process. They can also help coordinate financing or earn-outs if those are part of the deal structure.
  • User Experience & Trust: As a client (buyer or seller) with FE, expect a high-touch, professional experience. Sellers work directly with an M&A advisor (FE’s team members, many with finance backgrounds) who handle most of the heavy lifting. Buyers interact with FE’s advisors to get information and submit offers. The process is more formal and slower-paced than self-serve marketplaces, but it results in a very high success rate (94% of deals that go to market with FE eventually close) (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International). Trustworthiness is excellent – FE has been in business over a decade and is well-regarded; they have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and have won industry awards (How to Sell Your Online Business With FE International | FE International). Because FE vets deals and only takes on businesses they believe in, buyers can trust that financials are accurate and the deal is legitimate (though of course independent due diligence is still done). The downside is FE is selective – as a seller, you need to have a solid business to get listed. Overall, FE International is ideal for higher-value online businesses and for users who want a secure, broker-managed sale with minimal hassle.

Quiet Light Brokerage

  • Focus: Quiet Light is a U.S.-based online business broker that, like FE, specializes in profitable online businesses. They handle a mix of content websites, Amazon/e-commerce businesses, SaaS, and other online companies. Quiet Light tends to focus on the mid-market range – many of their clients are founders selling an online business valued in the six or low seven figures. One unique aspect is that all Quiet Light brokers are experienced entrepreneurs who have bought or sold businesses themselves, so they cater to fellow founders with a personal touch (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers).
  • Deal Sizes: Quiet Light’s transactions typically range from around $100,000 up to $5M+. They’ve facilitated about 750 business sales totaling ~$500M in transaction value since 2006 (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers). The average deal on Quiet Light might be a content site or Amazon FBA business selling for a few hundred thousand dollars, though they certainly do larger deals as well. They advertise that 85% of their listings sell within 90 days (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers), reflecting both the quality of listings and their buyer network efficiency.
  • Fees: Quiet Light charges a success fee commission on completed sales, with a structure that scales down for larger deals. For most sales, the commission is around 10% (their standard rate for deals $1M or less) (Quiet Light Brokerage Review: Mid-Market Broker Analysis). Above certain thresholds, the percentage lowers: e.g., ~9% for $1–2M, ~8% for $2–3M, continuing to drop for very large deals (down to around 3% for $7M+ mega-exits) (Quiet Light Brokerage Review: Mid-Market Broker Analysis). They also have a minimum fee of $25K (Quiet Light - A Seller's Guide & Review), which mainly affects deals under $250k. Quiet Light does not charge upfront fees to list; they only get paid upon success, and they typically work on an exclusive representation agreement during the selling process (similar to other brokers).
  • Notable Features: Quiet Light offers complimentary valuations and consultations for prospective sellers. Once engaged, they help prepare a detailed sales package (marketing document) and will actively market the business to their database of buyers. They manage inquiries and vet potential buyers, often requiring NDAs and verifying financial ability for larger deals. Quiet Light doesn’t have its own escrow service but will guide the closing through a third-party escrow (e.g., Escrow.com or attorney escrow), ensuring funds are safely held until the buyer confirms assets are transferred. They also assist with due diligence coordination and migration support, though the degree may vary case by case. Notably, Quiet Light is known for a very personalized service – because their brokers were entrepreneurs, they often advise clients on how to improve the business pre-sale and maximize value. They also have a popular podcast and resources aimed at educating sellers. Financing options aren’t provided in-house, but Quiet Light can help navigate things like SBA loan buyers or structuring seller financing if it comes up.
  • User Experience & Trust: Users often describe Quiet Light as transparent, knowledgeable, and honest. The brokerage has a strong reputation for integrity – for instance, if they feel it’s not the right time for you to sell, they’ll tell you rather than push a listing. Communication is one-on-one with your broker, so you build trust directly. Buyers appreciate that Quiet Light listings are accurate and not over-hyped, and that brokers are candid in answering questions. With a history of successful sales and many repeat clients, Quiet Light is considered very trustworthy. The platform itself is not a self-serve marketplace; you won’t browse dozens of anonymous listings on the site. Instead, interested buyers get teasers and can request more info, then the process moves to calls and emails facilitated by the broker. This means the user experience is more involved but confidence is high since an expert is handling things. In summary, Quiet Light is an excellent choice for quality online business sales, offering hands-on guidance and a reputation for fair dealing.

BizBuySell

  • Focus: BizBuySell is the largest online marketplace for general small businesses in the U.S., including brick-and-mortar companies as well as online businesses. It’s not limited to digital assets – you’ll find everything from restaurants and retail stores to manufacturing companies listed. That said, BizBuySell also has a category for “Internet and Tech Businesses,” including websites and e-commerce businesses. Think of it as a Craigslist or MLS for businesses: a huge directory of businesses for sale, often populated by business brokers. If you’re looking to buy or sell a whole business (online or offline) in the small-to-mid market, BizBuySell is a key platform.
  • Deal Sizes: Because it’s so broad, deal sizes range widely. You can find tiny online side projects listed for $5,000, up to sizable established companies selling for $5 million+. Many of the traditional businesses (restaurants, franchises) are in the six or low seven figures. Online businesses listed on BizBuySell also vary – some small websites under $50k, and some larger e-commerce/SaaS companies in the hundreds of thousands. BizBuySell’s vast inventory (tens of thousands of listings) ensures a mix of deal sizes; however, the typical BizBuySell listing might be a local business around $200k-$500k.
  • Fees: BizBuySell’s model is based on listing fees/advertising packages rather than commissions. Sellers (or their brokers) pay to post listings on the site. A basic for-sale listing costs around $59–$65 per month (with a minimum package of 3–6 months) (Should you advertise your Business for Sale on BizBuySell yourself?) (How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business on BizBuySell?). They offer premium packages like “Diamond” listings (~$200/month) for greater visibility (How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business on BizBuySell?) (How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business on BizBuySell?). For instance, a basic 6-month listing might cost ~$395 total (How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business on BizBuySell? - Softlist.io). Importantly, BizBuySell does not take a commission on the sale (How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business on BizBuySell?) – any commission would be between the seller and their broker (brokers typically charge ~10% commission, separate from BizBuySell) (How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business on BizBuySell?). Buyers can browse and inquire for free. Essentially, BizBuySell makes money like a classifieds site for businesses, through listing and advertising fees.
  • Notable Features: Given its broad scope, BizBuySell is more of a listing directory than a full-service platform. It provides a standardized listing format with details like revenue, cash flow, asking price, and a description for each business. Buyers can search by industry, location, and price. The platform offers a “contact seller” form that forwards inquiries to the lister (owner or broker) (How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business on BizBuySell?) (How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business on BizBuySell?). Some notable features: buyer alerts (you can save searches and get email alerts for new listings), a large library of articles/guides for buyers and sellers, and a directory of business brokers. BizBuySell also has a sister site for franchise sales and a valuation tool using comparables. However, there’s no integrated escrow or due diligence tool – those steps happen off-platform. BizBuySell does offer a basic legal document center and partnerships for things like loan referrals, but the closing process is typically handled by the parties (often using attorneys or escrow companies independently).
  • User Experience & Trust: As a marketplace, BizBuySell is extremely widely used and well-known in the U.S., given its longevity and huge listing volume. The site is functional and straightforward, though not as specialized or modern as niche tech marketplaces. Since many listings are posted by professional brokers, buyers often end up dealing with a broker via email/phone after the initial inquiry. Trustworthiness varies case by case – BizBuySell itself doesn’t vet listings for accuracy, so the burden is on buyers to conduct due diligence and verify the seller’s claims. Scams are less common than on completely open sites because listing fees deter frivolous posts, but quality ranges from high-quality businesses to some unrealistic listings. The presence of many reputable brokers using BizBuySell adds credibility (those brokers typically do at least some vetting). For user experience, expect a lot of options and leads; you might have to sift through some irrelevant listings, but you have the advantage of a one-stop hub for businesses of all kinds. In short, BizBuySell is comprehensive and popular, best used when you want to cast a wide net – just be prepared to do homework on any business you find there.

IndieMaker

  • Focus: IndieMaker is a marketplace dedicated to indie projects and side businesses. It’s geared toward indie hackers, developers, and makers who are selling small web projects, MVPs, apps, or other “side hustle” products. These could be anything from a half-finished mobile app, to a tool with a few early users, to a modestly profitable micro-SaaS. The common theme is smaller-scale, creator-built projects – often the kinds of projects you see shared in startup communities.
  • Deal Sizes: Typical deal sizes on IndieMaker are very small compared to the big broker sites. Many listings are in the low 4-five figures or even just three figures. For example, you might see a simple web app or “lead magnet” site listed for $500, $5,000, or $20,000. It’s not unusual for projects with a bit of revenue to go in the $10k–$50k range, but anything above $100k would be on the high end for this platform. (In fact, a lot of projects on IndieMaker might be pre-revenue or just early revenue.) This makes IndieMaker a great place to buy/sell starter projects or acqui-hire type products that would be too small for platforms like Empire Flippers.
  • Fees: IndieMaker’s listing is free for sellers, but they monetize by charging for successful connections. In practice, sellers pay a 4% success fee on a completed sale (i.e., if your project sells, IndieMaker takes 4%) (Popular SaaS Marketplaces? : r/SaaS). Additionally, when a seller receives buyer leads/inquiries, they are prompted to upgrade or pay to engage with those prospects (Popular SaaS Marketplaces? : r/SaaS) – essentially, the platform might require a paid plan or one-time fee to unlock messaging once interest is received. This model means you can list without cost, but IndieMaker gets paid if it delivers you a buyer. For buyers, browsing is free; however, contacting sellers may require creating an account and possibly a small subscription if you want full access (the details have changed over time). There’s no heavy commission on the buyer side. Overall, the fee structure is relatively low-cost, keeping with the indie community ethos.
  • Notable Features: IndieMaker is relatively simple and community-centric. Listings include a description of the project, tech stack, any revenue or user stats, and the asking price. There’s usually a profile of the seller (maker), which adds a personal touch (often these are Indie Hackers users). IndieMaker facilitates communication between buyer and seller – you can send messages through the platform. They have also implemented a basic escrow integration for safety: the platform advertises a “free escrow service to hold funds” during the handover, which suggests they guide users to use an escrow (possibly via a partner like Stripe or a third-party escrow) (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers). This helps build trust for both parties on small deals. Other features include the ability to share metrics or demo access (though it’s mostly manual sharing by the seller), and a feed of sold projects for price reference. It’s not as feature-rich as larger marketplaces, but it covers the essentials needed for tiny deals.
  • User Experience & Trust: IndieMaker offers a casual, friendly user experience. It’s built with indie developers in mind, so it feels like a community bulletin board for side projects. The interface is straightforward; however, because projects aren’t deeply vetted by any staff, the trustworthiness relies on the community and the escrow process. Many users here have a presence in the indie maker community (Twitter, Indie Hackers, etc.), which can add credibility. That said, buyers should still verify what’s being sold (ask for access to code repositories, revenue screenshots, etc.). The risk on small transactions is obviously lower, but doing due diligence is advised. In general, IndieMaker is considered legit and useful for small project sales – it has thousands of members and has facilitated many micro-exits. The platform’s trust is bolstered by its niche focus: both buyers and sellers on IndieMaker tend to understand the indie project world, which creates a level of mutual respect and honesty. In summary, IndieMaker is great for quickly offloading a side project or picking up a starter project, with minimal fees and a decent trust framework, albeit without the formal vetting of larger marketplaces.

SideProjectors

  • Focus: SideProjectors is a marketplace specifically for side projects, particularly those from developers and entrepreneurs who built something on the side and want to sell it. The focus is on “interesting side projects” – which can include web apps, tools, browser extensions, small content sites, or even design assets and lead magnets (like an email newsletter or a compiled database) that someone created as a project. Essentially, it’s a place to sell abandoned or under-monetized projects that still have potential value to a buyer who can take them forward.
  • Deal Sizes: Most deals on SideProjectors are on the micro end of the spectrum. It’s common to see projects listed for just a few hundred dollars up to a few thousand. In fact, many side projects on this site are under $1,000 (the platform originally started with a focus on sub-$1k projects, though there are some above that) (The Top 6 Marketplaces to Buy and Sell Side Projects Online). These are typically projects without significant revenue – basically valued for their code, design, or early traction. There are exceptions, but generally if your project is doing significant revenue, you’d likely go to a different marketplace; SideProjectors is more for tiny acquisitions and “starter” projects.
  • Fees: SideProjectors’ exact fee structure isn’t publicly prominent (and may have changed), but it operates similarly to other indie project marketplaces. Listing a project is free or very low cost, encouraging sellers to put their project up for sale. The platform likely makes money either via a small success fee or a membership model. Some sources suggest there might be a membership plan to get additional features or to contact sellers (similar to IndieMaker’s approach). Given the small deal sizes, any commission would be modest. (For instance, if they took ~5-10%, that would usually be under $100 on a typical sale.) In absence of an official published fee, it’s safe to say costs are minimal – the barrier to sell or buy on SideProjectors is very low, making it appealing for hobbyists.
  • Notable Features: SideProjectors brands itself as a “friendly marketplace” for side projects (Sell, buy, show off your side projects - SideProjectors | Marketplace ...). The site allows sellers to create a listing detailing what the project is, what tech stack it uses, current status (users, revenue if any), and what’s included in the sale (domain, code, etc.). Buyers can browse categories and contact sellers through the platform. One notable feature is a “Showcase” or “Show Off” aspect – some people list projects just to share them, even if not actively selling, which fosters community engagement. When sales do happen, SideProjectors provides guidance; it encourages use of escrow or safe payment methods, though it may not have an in-house escrow system. Essentially, once buyer and seller connect, they likely arrange payment (could use PayPal or an agreed escrow service). The platform’s main job is to connect the two sides. Additionally, SideProjectors has a newsletter and community feel – highlighting cool new projects for sale.
  • User Experience & Trust: The user experience on SideProjectors is lightweight and straightforward. It’s easy to list a project (few required fields) and easy for interested buyers to send a message. Because many projects are small and even “for fun,” the tone is fairly casual. Trustworthiness is largely community-driven: since deals are small, outright fraud is less common, but buyers should still ensure they get the assets as described. The site itself doesn’t deeply vet listings, so there’s an element of “as-is” trust – you often take the seller’s word on metrics, or you ask for proof directly. The community aspect (many users are also on forums like Indie Hackers or Hacker News) can provide external validation. Overall, SideProjectors is seen as trusty for low-stakes deals and has been around for a while, serving the niche of tiny project sales. It caters primarily to the U.S. and global English-speaking indie dev audience. In summary, it’s a good venue to buy quirky little projects or sell one, with a positive community vibe, but users should handle transactions carefully (using escrow for anything substantial) since it’s a peer-to-peer platform at heart.

Little Exits (formerly Tiny Acquisitions)

  • Focus: Little Exits is a marketplace specifically designed for “tiny” online businesses and projects, with an emphasis on speed and low friction. It was rebranded from “Tiny Acquisitions” in 2024, reflecting its goal of facilitating quick exits for indie hackers (Tiny Acquisitions Rebrands to Little Exits: The Acquisition Marketplace for Indie Hackers - Smart Branding) (Tiny Acquisitions Rebrands to Little Exits: The Acquisition Marketplace for Indie Hackers - Smart Branding). The focus here is on internet businesses valued under $100,000 (Tiny Acquisitions Rebrands to Little Exits: The Acquisition Marketplace for Indie Hackers - Smart Branding) – things like micro-SaaS apps, small Shopify stores, single-purpose websites, Chrome extensions, or any small startup that a founder wants to liquidate easily. It’s particularly geared towards makers who have built something, gotten it off the ground (maybe even some revenue or users), but are ready to move on and want to sell the project rather than abandon it.
  • Deal Sizes: By definition, Little Exits caps its marketplace at deals up to $100k in value (Tiny Acquisitions Rebrands to Little Exits: The Acquisition Marketplace for Indie Hackers - Smart Branding). Most transactions are much smaller than that, though. As Tiny Acquisitions, it originally focused on projects under $5k for quick sales ( Tiny Acquisitions Product Information and Latest Updates (2025) | Product Hunt). Over time it expanded, so now you’ll see listings anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. It’s common to find very small asks (e.g., $500, $1,500 for a simple tool), as well as some in the $10k–$50k range if the project has solid revenue. The sweet spot, judging by activity, seems to be sub-$20k “micro-exits.” This marketplace explicitly targets those smaller deals that might be too small for other platforms, aiming to make them happen fast.
  • Fees: Little Exits emphasizes ease, and as such it offers a straightforward transaction process. Sellers can list for free, and when a sale occurs, the platform takes a commission (success fee). While their exact fee isn’t publicly plastered on the homepage, Tiny Acquisitions was known for an “instant buy” model with an integrated escrow, implying the platform likely takes a cut for facilitating the secure payment. Many similar platforms use a rate around 5-7%. (For example, if a project sold for $5,000, the seller might receive ~$4,650 after a ~7% fee.) Additionally, Little Exits introduced a premium membership for buyers – to access all features and metrics, buyers might pay a subscription (Tiny Acquisitions previously had a free tier and a premium tier for buyers to see more data). So, expect a small commission on sales and possibly a membership fee for frequent buyers. Notably, escrow fees are built into the process but were described as free for the user – meaning Little Exits likely covers the escrow cost as part of their service cut ( Tiny Acquisitions Product Information and Latest Updates (2025) | Product Hunt). Overall, the fee structure is designed to be painless and comparable to or lower than larger marketplaces, given the tiny nature of deals.
  • Notable Features: Little Exits’s hallmark feature is its “instant buy” with integrated escrow system ( Tiny Acquisitions Product Information and Latest Updates (2025) | Product Hunt). This means if you see a project you like, you can click to buy it immediately at the asking price (much like buying a product), and the funds go into escrow while the assets are transferred. This significantly speeds up acquisitions – no lengthy negotiation or uncertainty if the price is fair and you’re ready to pay it. The platform handles the escrow through a trusted third party and only releases money when both sides agree the handover is done, ensuring safety. Little Exits also makes it easy to list a project in minutes, requiring minimal info (a short description, price, and some basics). For sellers, it’s about “liquidate quickly” – they encourage setting a fair price for a quick sale rather than waiting months. Another feature: they often require sellers to connect their Stripe account or provide some verification if claiming revenue (Popular SaaS Marketplaces? : r/SaaS), which allows the platform to show verified revenue to buyers and to seamlessly route payment on sale. Little Exits also provides filters and tags for buyers to find projects by type (SaaS, ecommerce, etc.) and shows the tech stack used, which is helpful (e.g., a buyer can avoid projects written in a language they don’t know) (Places to sell your project - Indie Hackers). Everything is optimized for a fast, self-serve transaction.
  • User Experience & Trust: The user experience on Little Exits is very streamlined – buyers can literally purchase a business with a few clicks, and sellers get a quick, hassle-free way to exit a project. The interface is clean and the process is transparent. In terms of trust, Little Exits has positioned itself as a safe middleman for small deals: the built-in escrow and fixed-price “buy it now” format reduce a lot of the risk and haggling that could occur ( Tiny Acquisitions Product Information and Latest Updates (2025) | Product Hunt). There is still a requirement for trust in that sellers must accurately describe their project; however, since the platform holds the money until the buyer is satisfied, there’s recourse if something isn’t as promised. The community is largely indie makers, which fosters a sense of camaraderie – many users have been in each other’s shoes. Little Exits (as Tiny Acquisitions) gained popularity for helping makers get some value out of projects they’d otherwise shut down, so it has a positive reputation. It’s relatively new (founded in 2021), but by rebranding and growing, it shows commitment to this niche. In summary, Little Exits is highly user-friendly for micro-deals, and by providing escrow and quick sale functionality, it has a trustworthy setup for what are generally low-risk transactions. It’s a top choice if you want to buy or sell a very small online business quickly in the U.S. market (Tiny Acquisitions Rebrands to Little Exits: The Acquisition Marketplace for Indie Hackers - Smart Branding) (Tiny Acquisitions Rebrands to Little Exits: The Acquisition Marketplace for Indie Hackers - Smart Branding).

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