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
- Marketplaces such as BizBuySell, BizQuest, and Flippa suit sellers who want control and lower fees, while brokers such as Quiet Light, FE International, and Transworld suit sellers who want guidance and a managed process.
- Listing fees on marketplaces run from about $29 to about $200 per month, while broker commissions usually fall between 8% and 15% of the sale price, depending on deal size.
- Vetted marketplaces such as Empire Flippers and Acquire.com attract more serious buyers, but strict vetting means some businesses will not qualify to list.
- Deal size decides the right channel: Main Street businesses under $1 million fit BizBuySell and Transworld, while online businesses above $100,000 fit Flippa, Empire Flippers, and Acquire.com.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 BizBuySell | Main Street businesses of all types | $74.95 per month | No |
 BizQuest | Small businesses on a budget listing | $59.95 per month | No |
 Flippa | Online businesses, websites, and apps | $29 listing fee | No |
 Empire Flippers | Vetted profitable online businesses | 15% commission | No |
 Acquire.com | SaaS and tech startups | $25 per month | No |
 Quiet Light | Mid-market online businesses with advisor support | See website | No |
 FE International | Seven-figure technology businesses | See website | No |
 Transworld Business Advisors | Local Main Street sales through a broker | See website | No |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best company to sell your business
Starting price$74.95 per month
Free planNo
BizBuySell is the largest marketplace for buying and selling businesses, with more than 120,000 listings per year and more than 200,000 businesses sold through the platform. Listings cover restaurants, retail shops, service businesses, and franchises, so a Main Street seller reaches the widest buyer pool available. Listing plans run from $74.95 to $199.95 per month on a 6-month term, and there is no success fee on a marketplace sale.
The trade-off is effort. BizBuySell is a marketplace, not a broker, so the seller writes the listing, answers inquiries, vets buyers, and negotiates the deal. That control suits confident sellers who want to avoid commission, but first-time sellers should expect a learning curve and consider a broker for valuation and deal structure.
What we like- Largest business-for-sale marketplace with broad buyer traffic
- Listings from $74.95 to $199.95 per month on a 6-month term
- No success fee on marketplace listings
Watch out for- No broker guidance included
- Sellers handle inquiries, vetting, and negotiation themselves
Starting price$59.95 per month
Free planNo
BizQuest is a business-for-sale marketplace in the same network family as BizBuySell, with listings across Main Street categories. Its standard listing costs about $59.95 per month on a 6-month term, which undercuts BizBuySell and makes it the cheaper way into a large buyer pool. There is no success fee on a marketplace sale, so the total cost stays predictable.
The main limit is reach. BizQuest carries fewer listings and less traffic than BizBuySell, so a seller in a niche market may get fewer inquiries. For a straightforward small business sale where budget matters more than maximum exposure, BizQuest is a sensible first listing, and sellers can list on both platforms if they want wider coverage.
What we like- Lower listing cost than BizBuySell at about $59.95 per month on a 6-month term
- Same buyer network family
- No success fee on marketplace listings
Watch out for- Smaller listing volume than BizBuySell
- No broker guidance included
Starting price$29 listing fee
Free planNo
Flippa is the leading marketplace for online businesses, websites, domains, and apps. Sellers list from $29, and the platform reports more than 1.9 million registered buyers, which gives even small sites a real audience. Escrow protects payment, and migration support helps transfer the business, while a broker service is available for larger or more complex deals.
The cost structure needs attention. Flippa charges a success fee of 10% on sales under $500,000, with lower rates at higher values, so a $200,000 sale costs $20,000 in fees on top of the listing price. Listings are also less vetted than on Empire Flippers or Acquire.com, so sellers should expect more casual inquiries. For online businesses that want maximum buyer traffic, Flippa remains the biggest stage.
What we like- Listings from $29 with a large buyer pool of 1.9 million
- Escrow and migration support
- Broker service available for larger deals
Watch out for- Success fee of 10% on sales under $500,000
- Unvetted listings mean more tire-kickers
Starting price15% commission
Free planNo
Empire Flippers is a curated marketplace for profitable online businesses, with a reputation built on vetting. The company reports rejecting about 91% of submitted businesses, which means listed businesses have verified revenue and clean financials. That quality filter attracts serious buyers, and the platform includes migration support to hand the business over safely after a sale.
Fees run 15% on sales up to $700,000, 8% up to $5 million, and 2.5% above that, with a $10,000 minimum on small sales. For a $300,000 business, that is $45,000, a steep price compared with a marketplace listing. Sellers pay for buyer quality and a managed process, and businesses that cannot pass vetting should list on Flippa or BizBuySell instead.
What we like- Strict vetting attracts serious buyers
- Migration included
- 15% commission to $700,000, 8% to $5 million, 2.5% above
Watch out for- 91% of submitted businesses are rejected in vetting
- $10,000 minimum fee on small sales
Starting price$25 per month
Free planNo
Acquire.com is a marketplace built for startups and SaaS businesses, with more than 500,000 buyers and a focus on technology deals. Listing plans run from $25 to $100 per month depending on asking price, and the platform offers escrow through Escrow.com, legal templates, and advisor support for larger transactions. That tech focus means buyers understand SaaS metrics, recurring revenue, and code assets.
The closing fee is 8% on sales under $500,000, 7% up to $5 million, and 6% above, so a $400,000 sale costs $32,000 at closing. Main Street businesses such as restaurants and retail shops will find a better audience on BizBuySell, but for a SaaS or tech startup, Acquire.com matches buyers who already speak the language of the business.
What we like- Listings from $25 per month by asking price
- 500,000+ buyers
- Escrow through Escrow.com and advisor support for larger deals
Watch out for- Closing fee of 8%, 7%, or 6% by sale size
- Best suited to tech businesses, not Main Street
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Quiet Light is a brokerage for online businesses, offering a managed sale process rather than a self-serve listing. An advisor helps with valuation, listing preparation, buyer vetting, and negotiation, and the company reports that 85% of its listings sell within 90 days or less. That guidance suits sellers who want a professional process but do not need a large investment bank.
Pricing is negotiated per deal and not published, and third-party comparisons report a commission around 10% sliding lower on larger transactions. Sellers should ask for the exact fee schedule before signing, and compare it with Empire Flippers on the same sale price. For a mid-market online business where the seller values advice over saving commission, Quiet Light is a strong broker choice.
What we like- Full brokerage with valuation call and managed process
- Reports 85% of listings sold within 90 days or less
- Advisor guidance from listing to close
Watch out for- Commission is negotiated and not published
- Third-party reports put it around 10% sliding lower on larger deals
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
FE International is an M&A advisory firm for technology businesses, with a track record of more than 1,500 transactions and more than $50 billion in combined deal value across its history. Its process covers valuation, buyer outreach, due diligence, and closing, with advisors who specialize in SaaS, e-commerce, and content businesses. That depth suits seven-figure deals where deal structure, earn-outs, and tax treatment matter as much as price.
Fees are negotiated and not published, and third-party comparisons report tiers around 5% under $250,000, 4% to $1 million, and 3% above. Small businesses will find the minimum engagement too large, but for a technology business selling in the seven figures, FE International offers advisory depth that marketplaces cannot match.
What we like- More than 1,500 transactions and $50 billion in combined deal value
- M&A advisory for larger tech deals
- Structured process with due diligence support
Watch out for- Commission is negotiated and not published
- Third-party reports put it at 5% under $250,000, 4% to $1 million, 3% above
#8
Transworld Business Advisors
Best for: Local Main Street sales through a broker
Visit tworld.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Transworld Business Advisors is a business brokerage network with more than 45 years of experience, more than 250 offices, and more than 15,000 businesses sold. A local broker values the business, markets it to buyers, and manages negotiation and closing, which suits owners who want a face-to-face process rather than an online listing. The network covers Main Street categories from restaurants to manufacturing.
Commission is set by the broker and not published, and third-party comparisons report around 10% to 12% of the sale price. Sellers should confirm the exact rate and what services it includes before engaging. For a local business owner who wants a broker in their own market, Transworld is the most established option in this list.
What we like- 45+ years in business sales with 250+ offices
- More than 15,000 businesses sold
- Local broker handles valuation, marketing, and negotiation
Watch out for- Commission is broker-set and not published
- Third-party reports put it around 10% to 12%
How we chose
We reviewed vendor sites, marketplace listings, and public fee comparisons, alongside buyer traffic, vetting standards, deal-size fit, and fee transparency. Companies qualified only when they actively help owners sell a business, through a marketplace, a curated platform, or a brokerage, with a real track record of completed sales. Where fees are negotiated rather than published, we said so and cited third-party comparisons rather than presenting them as vendor prices.
How to choose where to sell your business
The right channel depends on your deal size, your experience, and how much of the process you want to handle yourself.
Marketplace or broker
Choose a marketplace such as BizBuySell, BizQuest, or Flippa when you want control and lower costs, and you are comfortable answering buyers and negotiating. Choose a broker such as Quiet Light, FE International, or Transworld when you want valuation help, buyer vetting, and a managed process, and you accept a commission for that service.
What fees really cost on your deal size
Work out the fee on your expected price, not the headline rate. A $29 Flippa listing plus a 10% success fee costs far more than a $74.95 per month BizBuySell listing on a $300,000 sale. Ask every broker for its exact fee schedule in writing, and compare total cost across channels on the same sale price.
Vetting and timeline
Vetted platforms such as Empire Flippers and Acquire.com attract more serious buyers but reject many businesses, which costs time. Unvetted marketplaces list faster but bring more casual inquiries. If speed matters, list on a broad marketplace and prepare financials in advance, since missing documents slow every channel down.
Prepare your financials first
Clean, verified financials sell a business faster than any listing copy. Gather three years of profit and loss statements, tax returns, and a clear owner-benefit calculation before listing. Buyers on every platform in this list will ask for them, and sellers who have them ready close faster.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell a business?
Marketplace listings cost from about $29 to about $200 per month, while broker commissions usually run from 8% to 15% of the sale price. Flippa adds a 10% success fee on sales under $500,000, and Empire Flippers charges 15% up to $700,000. Always calculate the total fee on your expected sale price before choosing a channel.
How long does it take to sell?
Timelines vary by price, category, and preparation. Quiet Light reports 85% of its listings sold within 90 days or less, while typical Main Street sales take several months from listing to close. Clean financials, realistic pricing, and fast responses to buyers shorten the timeline on every platform.
Do I need a broker to sell my business?
No, but a broker helps first-time sellers and larger deals. Marketplaces let experienced sellers keep more of the price, while brokers handle valuation, buyer vetting, and negotiation. If you have never sold a business before, a broker consultation is worth the cost even if you later list yourself.
What is a letter of intent?
A letter of intent, or LOI, is a written statement from a buyer that outlines the proposed price, terms, and timeline for a purchase. It is usually non-binding except for confidentiality and exclusivity clauses, and it leads into due diligence and a final purchase agreement. Treat an LOI as a serious step, not a done deal.
Should I list on multiple platforms?
Listing on more than one platform can widen exposure, but it also multiplies inquiries and the risk of conflicting buyer conversations. If you list on two marketplaces, keep one point of contact and one set of financial documents, and tell each platform's buyers the same asking price and terms.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Selling a business has tax and legal consequences that depend on your situation, so talk to an accountant and an attorney before accepting an offer or signing a purchase agreement.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://bizbuysell.com
- https://bizquest.com
- https://flippa.com
- https://empireflippers.com
- https://acquire.com
- https://quietlight.com
- https://feinternational.com
- https://tworld.com
- https://www.exitbid.io/blog/where-to-sell-your-business
- https://www.baton.com/blog/best-marketplaces-to-sell-your-business
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.