GunBroker is the biggest online gun auction site, and for many buyers it is the first stop. It is not the only option, and depending on what you are buying or selling, it may not be the best one. Here is a straightforward look at the main alternatives, including where each one shines.
Quick comparison
| GunBroker | Armslist | Local gun shop | Liberty Gun Trader | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Auctions and fixed price | Classified ads | In-store retail | Auctions, fixed price and offers |
| Built-in payment | Yes (several methods) | No, buyer and seller arrange it | Yes | Yes: GunTab escrow and card |
| Escrow available | GunTab is an option | Only if the seller adds GunTab | Not needed | GunTab built into checkout |
| Seller fees | Fees on completed sales (see GunBroker’s current schedule) | Free basic listings; paid upgrades | Dealer margin or consignment fee | Free during launch, no commission |
| Who can sell | Individuals and dealers | Individuals and dealers | The shop | Approved individuals and verified FFLs |
| Best for | Largest selection, collectibles | Local face-to-face deals | Seeing a gun in person | Low-cost selling, escrow-protected private sales |
GunBroker
Strengths: enormous inventory, a long track record, and deep auction history that helps with pricing collectibles. GunTab is available as a payment option there too.
Trade-offs: seller fees on completed sales add up, especially for dealers moving volume, and the sheer size means a new seller’s listings can get buried. Check GunBroker’s current fee schedule before listing.
Armslist
Strengths: free classified listings and lots of local inventory, good for meeting a buyer or seller in person.
Trade-offs: Armslist is a listing service only. Its own FAQ says it does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow or offer buyer protection. Buyers and sellers arrange everything themselves, which is where scams and unsafe meetups happen. We cover safer approaches in Armslist alternative: safer private-party gun sales.
Your local gun shop
Strengths: see and handle the gun, get advice, and walk out with it the same day if your state allows. Many shops also consign private-party guns.
Trade-offs: selection is limited to what is on the shelf, and consignment typically costs the seller a percentage.
Liberty Gun Trader
We built Liberty Gun Trader for buyers and sellers who want a marketplace with safeguards built in and lower costs to sell.
- Free during launch: no listing fees and no commission. Individuals can keep up to three active listings; verified FFLs get unlimited listings.
- Every format: fixed price, auctions with automatic bidding, reserves and Buy Now, plus best offers.
- Payments built in: GunTab escrow for any approved seller, and card payments straight to verified FFLs’ own merchant accounts. Liberty Gun Trader never holds buyer funds.
- Every firearm through an FFL: checkout collects the buyer’s receiving dealer, and FFL dealers are verified before getting dealer features.
- Dealer storefronts and search by distance so local buyers can find you.
We are newer and smaller than GunBroker, so selection is growing. For sellers, that means less competition for attention and no fees while we grow.
Which should you use?
- Hunting for a rare collectible? Check GunBroker and Liberty Gun Trader, and set a saved search on both.
- Selling one or two guns from your collection? List free on Liberty Gun Trader with GunTab escrow so you get paid safely.
- Dealer looking to cut selling costs? Add Liberty Gun Trader as a no-commission channel and import your catalog.
- Want a local cash deal? Meet at a licensed dealer and run the transfer through them, even where your state does not require it.
Create a free account or browse the marketplace. New to buying online? Start with how to buy a gun online.
Comparison based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Other platforms change their features and fees; check each site for current terms. GunBroker and Armslist are trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated with Liberty Gun Trader.