How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- CarGurus is the best app for finding underpriced deals fast, with deal ratings on every listing.
- Carvana suits fully online buying, with home delivery and a 7-day, 400-mile return window.
- CarMax suits no-haggle buying with strong protections, including a 10-day money-back guarantee.
- Autotrader offers the deepest classified listings, while Cars.com adds dealer reviews and market pricing.
- Edmunds suits research before buying, with True Market Value pricing, while TrueCar shows what others paid.
- AutoTempest aggregates listings across sites, so you see the whole market in one search.
- Prices vary sharply by car, condition, mileage, and location, and this article is not financial advice. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 CarGurus | Finding underpriced deals | Free | Yes |
 Carvana | Fully online buying | Free | Yes |
 CarMax | No-haggle buying with returns | Free | Yes |
 Autotrader | Deepest classified listings | Free | Yes |
 Cars.com | Dealer reviews and market pricing | Free | Yes |
 Edmunds | Pricing research | Free | Yes |
 TrueCar | Price transparency | Free | Yes |
 AutoTempest | Aggregated search | Free | Yes |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best apps to buy cars
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
CarGurus rates every listing as a great, good, fair, or high-priced deal, based on market pricing, which helps buyers spot underpriced cars fast. Inventory is large, since dealers can list for free with limits, and the search experience is among the best in the category. Financing tools help buyers prequalify before visiting a dealer.
CarGurus has no private sales, so private-party cars are absent, and return policies vary by dealer. Delivery runs through participating dealers rather than a central fleet. For buyers who want to find a deal fast, CarGurus is clearly the best starting point, since its deal ratings do the pricing homework for you.
What we like- Deal ratings on listings
- Large inventory
- Free to browse
Watch out for- No private sales
- Return policy varies by dealer
- Delivery through dealers only
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Carvana lets you buy a used car fully online, with home delivery, no-haggle fixed pricing, and a 7-day, 400-mile return window. Every car passes a 150-point inspection, and financing is built in, so the whole purchase can happen from the app. The experience suits buyers who want to avoid dealership visits.
Delivery fees vary by location, and Carvana sells used cars only, with prices that can run above market for popular models. For buyers who want the simplest fully online purchase, Carvana is clearly the top pick, since home delivery and a return window remove the dealership visit.
What we like- Home delivery
- 7-day, 400-mile returns
- 150-point inspection
- No-haggle pricing
Watch out for- Delivery fee varies
- Used only
- Prices can run above market
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
CarMax offers no-haggle fixed pricing, certified inspections, and a 10-day money-back guarantee, with home delivery in service areas. The very large inventory spans used and certified pre-owned cars, and trade-ins are handled in the same visit, which suits buyers who want one stop for buying and selling.
Transfer fees vary when moving a car between stores, and fixed pricing means no negotiation for buyers who like to haggle. For buyers who want strong protections and no haggling, CarMax is clearly the safest choice, since its 10-day guarantee gives time to inspect the car properly.
What we like- 10-day money-back guarantee
- Certified inspections
- Home delivery in service areas
Watch out for- Transfer fees vary
- Fixed pricing means no negotiation
- Used and certified only
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Autotrader offers the deepest classified listings, with new and used cars from dealers and private sellers, plus price analysis that shows how a listing compares with the market. Research tools cover reviews, specs, and pricing, and the app is strong for comparison shopping. Private Seller Exchange cars also appear on KBB.com.
Return policies vary by seller, and delivery runs through dealers rather than a central fleet. For buyers who want the widest choice and strong research tools, Autotrader is clearly a top pick, since its classified depth is unmatched.
What we like- Very large inventory
- Price analysis
- New and used cars
Watch out for- Return policy varies by seller
- Delivery through dealers
- Private listing fees for sellers
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Cars.com combines a very large inventory with dealer reviews and market pricing, so buyers can judge both the car and the seller. Free private listings stay on Cars.com, and the escrow and title transfer service waives listing fees when a sale closes through it. Financing tools help buyers prequalify.
Return policies vary by dealer, and delivery is limited to some dealers. Inventory overlaps Autotrader and CarGurus, since dealers list on several sites at once. For buyers who value dealer reviews and a safer private sale, Cars.com is clearly a strong choice, since its reviews and escrow service reduce private-sale risk.
What we like- Dealer reviews
- Market pricing
- Free private listings
- Escrow and title service
Watch out for- Return policy varies by dealer
- Delivery limited
- Inventory overlaps rivals
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Edmunds is best known for research, with True Market Value pricing that shows what buyers actually pay for a car in your area, plus deep reviews and specs. Listings are included, so buyers can research and shop in one place, with financing tools for prequalification.
Inventory is large but smaller than Autotrader or Cars.com, and return policies vary by dealer. For buyers who want to research thoroughly before they shop, Edmunds is clearly the best starting point, since its True Market Value data is widely trusted.
What we like- True Market Value pricing
- Deep reviews
- Research plus listings
Watch out for- Smaller inventory than marketplaces
- Return policy varies by dealer
- Dealer-focused
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TrueCar shows what other buyers paid for the same car, which helps buyers judge whether a dealer price is fair. Certified dealers offer no-haggle pricing, and the service is free for buyers, with dealers paying for leads. The buying network covers new and used cars.
Inventory is medium rather than the largest, and return policies vary by dealer. Private sellers cannot list directly, though a Certified Private Seller program handles some private sales with a $199 transaction fee on completion. For buyers who want price transparency, TrueCar is a useful check before you negotiate or accept any dealer price.
What we like- Shows what others paid
- No-haggle dealer pricing
- Free for buyers
Watch out for- Medium inventory
- Return policy varies by dealer
- No direct private listings
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
AutoTempest aggregates listings from many car sites into one search, so buyers see the whole market without checking each site separately. The tool is free and covers dealer and private cars, with filters for price, mileage, and location. It suits buyers who want to be sure they have not missed a better car on another site.
AutoTempest has no listings of its own, no buyer protection, and no financing tools, since it links out to source sites. For buyers who want the widest net, AutoTempest is clearly the best aggregator, since it searches many car sites in one single query.
What we like- Searches many sites at once
- Shows whole market
- Free
Watch out for- No listings of its own
- No buyer protection
- Delivery varies by source site
How we chose
We compared inventory size, pricing tools, deal ratings, buyer protection, return policies, delivery options, and ease of use. We also weighed how clearly each app states the out-the-door total, since a low listed price with hidden fees is worse than a higher listed price with everything included. Apps that hide dealer fees or return terms scored lower than apps with clear policies. We favored apps with pricing data, since a car without a market comparison is hard to judge. We did not buy a car hands-on, and prices vary by car, condition, mileage, and location.
Buying guide: what to check before you buy
Start with pricing research on Edmunds or TrueCar, then search CarGurus, Autotrader, and Cars.com, since the same car often appears on all three with different deal ratings. Save searches and set alerts for your exact model, year range, and mileage limit, since good cars sell fast and a same-day alert can make the difference. Check the total cost, including taxes, registration, delivery, and dealer fees, since those vary by state and seller. Get a vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic, especially for private-party cars, since listings can hide accidents or title problems. Check the return policy before you pay, since Carvana and CarMax offer returns while dealer and private sales usually do not. Finally, get financing prequalification from more than one lender, since dealer rates vary, and never sign a contract under pressure. Read every fee line before you sign, and ask the seller to explain any charge you do not recognize, since documentation fees, dealer preparation fees, and add-on products like paint protection can add thousands. Walk away if the seller refuses to give the out-the-door total in writing. This article is not financial advice, and car prices move with the market, so verify the price on the day you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to buy a used car?
CarGurus is best for finding deals, Carvana is best for fully online buying, and CarMax is best for no-haggle buying with returns. Search all three to see the whole market, and add Autotrader for the deepest classified listings overall.
Are car buying apps free?
Yes, browsing, searching, and contacting sellers are completely free on all apps here. Costs appear in the car price, taxes, registration, delivery, and dealer fees.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection?
Yes, always get an independent inspection and a vehicle history report before buying, especially for private-party cars, since listings can hide problems.
Can I return a car bought online?
Carvana offers 7 days or 400 miles, and CarMax offers 10 days, while dealer and private sales usually have no return window. Check the policy before you pay.
Do prices on car apps include taxes and fees?
No, listed prices usually exclude taxes, registration, delivery, and dealer fees, which vary by state and seller. Ask for the out-the-door total before you commit.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.