How to Build a Clothes Reselling App like Vinted?

Do you also have a wardrobe overflowing with clothes that you don’t even wear anymore? Almost everyone struggles with the same problem. They often opt to resell their clothes. But where can they sell it? They can resell it on the clothes reselling app like Vinted.

Vinted is one of the most popular apps you can find when searching for the best online resale apparel apps. It allows users to buy, sell, and swap clothes, shoes, and accessories using its app.

This means clothes reselling is a great business idea, and if you are also one of those who are into the same business and want to get your app built, you can do it because your business can become more successful when you have an app like Vinted.

However, how can you create it?

This blog will walk you through everything you need to know to build your clothes reselling app, step-by-step. So, let’s get into it without making you wait any longer.

Why Invest in Resale Clothes App Development?

More people now prefer buying secondhand clothes to save money, making it a great reason to invest in a resale clothes app. These apps are easy to run since users sell their clothes, so you don’t need to manage any stock.

The secondhand market is growing fast, and there is still space for new apps with fresh business ideas. If you want numbers to understand why investing in resale clothes app development is an excellent idea, check out the stats mentioned below.

🔘In 2025, the global market value of secondhand and resale apparel was expected to be worth 256 billion U.S. dollars.

🔘The value that is estimated in 2025 is also projected to increase in the coming years. It will rise by over 100 billion dollars by 2029.

🔘In March 2025, the online marketplace Vinted mobile app was downloaded around three million times.

🔘The app had the highest number of downloads in January 2021, at over four million. Throughout 2021, the app registered over 30 million downloads globally.

🔘In 2024, Vinted reported a 36% increase in revenue.

These statistics show why building a clothes reselling app like Vinted is a great business idea. So, before we learn how to build a clothes reselling app, let’s first understand the app, its business model, and how it works.

What is a Vinted App?

Vinted is a popular mobile app and online marketplace that enables users to buy, sell, and exchange secondhand clothes, shoes, and accessories directly with other individuals.

It was founded in Lithuania and then expanded to Europe. Their selling is also free, and the app doesn’t charge the seller fees. The app is user-friendly and supports sustainability by encouraging people to recycle fashion and reduce waste.

The users are able to upload pictures, set prices, sell, and be paid when the customers receive the product. Vinted makes secondhand shopping simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone.

1. Successful Vinted Competitors

Here are some of the competitors to Vinted. These competitors show that the resale fashion market is active and growing, offering different features to match different user needs.

🔘Depop:  A fashion marketplace with a social media feel, loved by Gen Z for selling trendy, secondhand styles.

🔘Poshmark: A US-based platform where users sell used clothing and home goods, offering a mix of individual and boutique sellers.

🔘ThredUp: An online consignment and thrift store that handles the selling for users, making it easier but more selective.

🔘eBay: A global platform where users can sell anything, including clothes, often through bidding or fixed prices.

🔘Mercari: A resale app where users can list anything from clothing to electronics, with easy shipping options.

🔘The RealReal: A luxury resale platform that specialises in authenticated designer fashion and accessories.

🔘Tradesy: A marketplace focused on pre-owned fashion, with built-in tools for managing returns and disputes.

How Does Vinted Work?

As we now know, Vinted is a user-friendly platform that allows users to buy and sell secondhand clothing and accessories. But how does it work? Let’s learn about it.

1. Selling on Vinted

The users can sell on the app, and this is how they can do it.

🔘for Free: Download the Vinted app, take photos of your item, write a description, set your price, and upload the listing, all without any listing fees.

🔘Sell and Ship: Once your item sells, package it securely, print the prepaid shipping label provided by the app, and drop it off at the designated location within five days.

🔘Get Paid: After the buyer confirms that everything is okay with the item, the payment is released to your Vinted Wallet. Since there are no selling fees, you keep the full amount.

2. Buying on Vinted

It is not an app only for selling. The users can also buy secondhand products from the sellers. They can:

🔘Find Items: Buyers can browse through millions of listings across various categories and brands to find items they love.

🔘Buy Securely: Buyers can communicate with sellers if needed, then purchase items using secure payment methods like credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your Vinted Wallet.

🔘Receive Your Purchase: The buyers can see the estimated delivery date at checkout, and you will be notified when your item is on its way.

Plus, when the buyers purchase through them, a fee of around 5% of the item price plus $0.70 is added. This fee safeguards your money, ensuring a secure transaction. If your item doesn't arrive, is damaged, or isn't as described, you can request a refund.

What is the Business Model of an App like Vinted?

Vinted operates on a unique business model centred around a commission-free strategy with multiple alternative revenue streams. Here is an overview of how this clothes reselling app makes money.

1. Buyer Protection Fees

Vinted's primary source of revenue comes from a “buyer protection” fee, which buyers pay during checkout. They charge a fixed fee of $0.70 on each transaction plus a variable percentage of 5% of the item’s price.

This fee covers services like payment processing, customer support, and guarantees against fraud or items not as described. The app retains this fee as revenue if a transaction is completed smoothly.

2. Promotional Tools for Sellers

The listing items are free, but sellers can go for paid promotional features to increase visibility. Sellers can pay for:

🔘Item Bumping: Sellers pay to "bump" their listings, pushing them to the top of search results for a set period. However, the fees vary based on item category and duration.

🔘Closet Spotlight: This feature promotes a seller's all listings to more users, enhancing exposure and sales.

3. Advertising Revenue

Vinted generates income by displaying third-party advertisements within its platform. These ads are targeted based on user behaviour and preferences, which provides an additional revenue stream.

4. Shipping Partnerships

Vinted partners with shipping carriers to provide users with discounted rates. Through negotiating volume shipping deals and adding a small margin, it generates revenue from each shipping label that is purchased using the platform.

5. Data Monetisation

Through analysing the latest market trends and user data, Vinted can provide helpful insights to brands and retailers. This allows them to make a profit from this data through partnerships or services.

Also Read: How Does Airbnb Make Money: Business Model & Revenue Source

Steps to Build an App Like Vinted

We have learned everything about the Vinted app, from its working process to its business model. Vinted's success has inspired many businesses, which is why they also want to create an app like that. But how to build such a clothes reselling app in the UK?

Below are the steps to make a clothes reselling app.

1. Market Research & Idea Validation

Before jumping into design or code, you need to understand the secondhand fashion market inside out.  Study the secondhand fashion market, check out competitors like Vinted, Depop, and Poshmark, and understand what users love or complain about.

Then, validate your idea by talking to potential users and getting feedback on your app concept. This will help you confirm that your concept has a demand in the market.

2. Define Core Features

Next, you need to determine the feature you want to include in your app. The features you choose will play an essential role in creating the best user experience and engagement.

You can select and add features based on the market research you have done and your budget. However, here are some essential features you will need to build an app like Vinted.

3. Must-have Features to Build an App Like Vinted

You can choose among these options which features you want. Select the ones that meet your business needs and users' demands.

🔘User Registration & Logging: It allows users to sign up and log in using email, phone number, or social media accounts for quick access.

🔘User Profile Management: It lets users create and edit their profiles, add profile pictures, and view their activity (like listings, purchases, and reviews).

🔘Product Listing Feature: Sellers can upload photos, write descriptions, choose categories, set prices, and post items easily.

🔘Search & Filter Options: With the help of these features, buyers can search items using filters like size, colour, brand, price, location, and item condition.

🔘In-App Messaging: Buyers and sellers can ask questions, negotiate prices, and communicate easily with the in-app chat system.

🔘Secure Payment Integration: Use trusted gateways (like PayPal or Stripe) for secure transactions within the app.

🔘Ratings & Reviews: It lets users rate each other and leave reviews after transactions to build trust and reliability.

🔘Push Notifications: This feature notifies users about new messages, order updates, promotions, or new items listed.

🔘Favourites or Wishlist: It allows buyers to save items they like for later viewing or purchasing.

🔘Order History & Tracking: With the order tracking and history feature, users can easily track their current orders and view past purchases or sales.

🔘Customer Support/Help Centre: It provides easy access to FAQs, support chat, or email for user assistance.

4. UI/UX Design Considerations

The UI/UX design of the app is the most essential step. This is because this is how the users will see your app, and it will affect their decision of whether they will stay or leave.

The design should be user-friendly and simple. You should focus on clean layouts, easy navigation, and quick access to key actions (like listing or purchasing items). You can make navigation easy using warm colours, readable fonts, and visual hierarchy.

5. Choosing the Right Tech Stack

In this step, you will need to choose the tech stack that is right for your project. You will need different development tools for building your clothes reselling app. Your selected tech stack will also impact your app’s performance, scalability, and maintenance.

Here are the tools that are used to build a Vinted-like app.

🔘Frontend: React Native or Flutter for cross-platform development

🔘Backend: Node.js, Ruby on Rails, or Django

🔘Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB

🔘Cloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure

🔘Payment: Stripe, PayPal

🔘Messaging: Firebase, Twilio

6. Building the App Like Vinted

Now, let’s come to the main part, where you will learn what goes into building an app like Vinted.

🔘Planning and Wireframing

This is where you define the functionality of the app and how each feature will work. You will need to make detailed wireframes to map out every screen, like login, home, search, listing setup, user accounts, etc.

Wireframing makes it clear where the flow of the app is and makes it easier to communicate your vision with designers and developers.

🔘Design and Prototyping

After wireframes are approved, proceed with designing the interface. Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch are standard tools used to create high-fidelity designs. These should include a colour scheme, buttons, icon sets, and complete page layouts.

Finalise the design, then create clickable prototypes to get feedback before starting development.

🔘Development and Coding

Here, start with backend development (database, user authentication, APIs) using backend frameworks and then move on to the frontend (user interface, forms, navigation). Use Agile methods and work in sprints so you can build, test, and tweak continuously.

🔘Testing and QA

Test everything: functionality, design, performance, and security. Test the application using testing tools for bugs, glitches, and performance on various devices and operating systems. Both manual and automated testing are crucial here.

🔘Launch and Monitor

After testing, it is time to go live. Launch a beta version first to gather feedback. Resolve any problems they encounter and release the app to the app stores.

After launch, track user behaviour, app crashes, and performance using analytics tools. Keep improving based on user feedback.

Also Read: How Much Does it Cost to Put an App on the App Store?

7. Monetisation Strategies

This step comes after your clothes reselling app is built. You can make money using multiple app monetisation strategies. Some of the methods you can use are:

• You can charge a small fee per transaction, as Vinted’s buyer protection fee does. 
  
• Offer promoted listings or “boosts” that sellers can pay for to get more visibility. 
  
• Premium subscriptions for power users who want extra features are another possibility. 
  
• Affiliate links and banner ads can generate additional income, but you should use them sparingly so they don’t affect the user experience.

8. Marketing Your App

After building your app, you also need to do something so that people will know about your app. You can use social media marketing and promote your business through platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Work with influencers to make it known. You can also provide referral bonuses to invite friends. SEO and App Store Optimisation (ASO) also help improve visibility in search results.

You can use various digital marketing strategies to make your business known or take the help of digital marketing agencies to do the work for you.

Different Ways to Make a Clothes Reselling App like Vinted

There are many options you can choose to make your clothes reselling app. Let’s learn in detail about these options.

1. Build It from Scratch

This is the best way to build your app, but also the most demanding. In this method, you or your development team will create the code for all the features your marketplace needs from the start.

This includes setting up your framework, creating user flows, designing the database, and adding essential functionalities like user authentication, listing of products, payment options, in-app chat system, reviews, and order tracking. You will also need to choose your tech stack.

For example, React Native or Flutter for the frontend, Node.js or Django for the backend, and cloud services for hosting and databases.

Whether you are a developer or hiring a full IT team, most of your budget will be used on coding, testing, debugging, and managing the technical basics of a marketplace platform.

2. Use App Builder Platforms

If you don’t have a technical background or an enormous budget, builder platforms such as Appy Pie, Thunkable, Adalo, or Builder.ai can assist you in building a functional reselling app without coding.

These platforms have ready-made templates and drag-and-drop tools that allow you to easily add features. They are great for quickly launching a basic version or testing your idea.

3. Use Open-Source Marketplace Software

Another method of building a clothes reselling app like Vinted is open-source marketplace software. These platforms offer core marketplace features; all you need to do is customise the design, branding, and features to suit your business.

With this approach, you can download, modify, and host the software on your own servers. However, this method costs less than building custom apps, but still needs some app developer knowledge to properly host, maintain, and secure the app.

4. Build Using a Combination of No-Code Tools (Hybrid Approach)

This method combines the speed of no-code platforms with the flexibility of integrating multiple tools.

For example, you could use Bubble or Glide to build the frontend interface, Airtable for managing product listings and user data, and Zapier or Make.com to automate workflows (like sending emails or updating order statuses).

Building with different no-code tools you are familiar with can help you create particular features and design the exact layout you are aiming for. But, to make it work, you need a good understanding of how marketplace platforms function and which tools can achieve what.

Also, learning to use all these no-code tools (and getting them to work together) can take considerable time, especially if you are doing it by yourself.

Challenges in Building a Vinted-like App

You can face various challenges when building a Vinted-like app. If you know these challenges, you can better prepare yourself to avoid them or already have a solution when the problem occurs.

1. High Market Competition

As many want to build an app like Vinted, there are many other businesses that may be planning to develop it, or there are already successful players like Depop, Poshmark, etc.

These platforms already have a name and brand, so competing with them can be tough. Your clothing reselling app needs to offer something that others are not providing, meaning you will need a different, unique selling point (USP).

2. Building User Trust

When we talk about a peer-to-peer marketplace, trust is always the main factor. Buyers want to feel like they can trust your app and that they will receive what they have paid for, while the sellers want to know they will get paid, or is it another scam app?

However, you can build digital trust by including features that are essential for trust building, such as:

🔘User Reviews

🔘Profile Verification

🔘Secure Payments

🔘Refund Policies

🔘Customer Support

It is a fact that users will not use your app if they don’t feel safe.

3. Managing Payments and Refunds

Another challenge is managing payments and refunds. Your app should have payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or local options. Also, you will have to manage refunds, cancellations, and fraud.

If the payment process is delayed, your users will quickly turn away. This makes it essential to ensure users experience smooth transactions.

Also Read: Accept Payments Online: A Complete Guide to Payment Gateway Integration

4. Creating a Smooth User Experience

In the end, you are building the app only for your users and to meet their demands. That is why focusing on providing the best user experience is essential. It will require you to build an app that loads quickly, can be used easily, and looks stunning.

If your users don’t find all these features, they will not use your app. So, invest in creating the best UI/UX design to ensure your users enjoy using your app.

5. Legal and Compliance Issues

You need to follow various legal and compliance rules when you develop your app. Sometimes, many businesses fail to follow the privacy laws that are required in order to ensure your clothes reselling app stays secure.

Plus, you must clearly explain user rights, policies, and terms to avoid issues in the future. Ignoring legal stuff can get very expensive.

How Much Does it Cost to Build an App like Vinted in the UK?

If you also want to build an app like Vinted, but are confused about its cost, we can help you. The cost involves many elements, from basic features to advanced ones. The total app-making charges can be between £25,000 to £150,000 or more.

The cost can be different from the way or the type of clothes reselling app you are planning to develop. Also, the cost can vary based on whether you hire a UK-based agency or outsource, and you will need to consider ongoing expenses like maintenance, server hosting, and marketing.

Here's a quick table to help you visualise the estimated cost ranges:

Let Arramton Help You Build a Clothes Reselling App Like Vinted

Arramton can help you build a smooth and easy-to-use clothes reselling app like Vinted. Our team has strong experience in creating fast, secure, and user-friendly apps.

We handle everything, from planning and designing the app to developing, testing, and launching it. We can also include features based on your requirements and business needs, like product listings, filters, payments, messaging, and more.

With Arramton, you get a complete solution that helps you confidently enter the resale market and grow your business step by step.

Concluding Thoughts

So, we have learned about the Vinted app, from what it does to its business model. We have also explored the steps required for building a clothes reselling app like Vinted, such as:

🔘Researching the market

🔘Defining core features

🔘Deciding UI/UX design

🔘Choosing the right tech stack

🔘Building an app step-by-step

🔘Monetisation

🔘Marketing

There are different ways to build the app, such as starting from scratch, using open-source platforms, or combining no-code tools. Although challenges like competition, user trust, and security can be tough, they can be solved with the right strategy and tech expertise.

Also, the cost of building a Vinted-like clothes reselling app depends on features, design, and team choice, but if it is executed correctly, you can get great ROI.

If you are also ready to launch your own resale app, contact Arramton today to create a professional and stunning clothes reselling platform. Our expert team will guide you through every step and help convert your idea into the best functioning app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 What software does Vinted use?

Ans Vinted uses a mix of technologies to build and run its platform. Their tech stack includes programming languages, frameworks, development tools, libraries, and data stores. Some key technologies include Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, React, Kubernetes, and Elasticsearch.

Q2 How does a clothes reselling app make money?

Ans Most reselling apps make money by charging a service fee on each sale, offering premium listings, and sometimes taking a cut from shipping or buyer protection services. Some also earn by displaying in-app ads or offering subscription plans for power sellers.

Q3 How long does it take to build an app like Vinted?

Ans The timeline for building an app like Vinted can take around 4 to 8 months or more. It depends on whether you want to build a basic version or an app with more advanced features.

Q4 Is it expensive to build a reselling app?

Ans It can vary a lot. A simple version can cost around $15,000 to $30,000, while a fully-featured app like Vinted could go up to $100,000 or more. The price depends on who you hire, the number of features, and the platforms (Android, iOS, or both) you are building for.