Where to find startups for sale: marketplaces compared

You can find startups for sale on open marketplaces such as Flippa, on startup-focused platforms such as Acquire.com, on curated marketplaces such as Empire Flippers, through advisory firms such as FE International, and on niche boards. The best choice depends on your budget, how much checking you want to do yourself, and how much protection you need.

This is general education, not financial or legal advice. Fees and rules change, so confirm them on each platform before you commit.

The four types of places to buy

Type	Examples	Best for	Main trade-off
Open marketplace	Flippa	Wide choice, small budgets	Quality varies, more checking on you
Startup-focused platform	Acquire.com	Software and SaaS buyers	Competition for good listings
Curated marketplace	Empire Flippers	Buyers who want pre-screened deals	Smaller selection, often higher prices
Advisory firm or broker	FE International	Larger deals	Mostly sell-side, buyers get introductions

Details below come from each platform's own public pages, so treat them as the company's description of itself and verify the specifics before relying on them.

Acquire.com

Acquire.com says it hosts listings of vetted online businesses and shows live metrics on each one, such as web, customer and financial figures. It describes buyers as having "verified funds," lets you build letters of intent and asset purchase agreements on the site, and says deals close through Escrow.com. It also mentions help with acquisition financing.

Good for: software and SaaS buyers who want standard documents and a clear process.

Watch for: the page does not explain exactly how metrics are verified, so ask. Fee details are on separate pricing pages.

Flippa

Flippa is the broadest marketplace of the group. Its categories include websites, e-commerce, SaaS, AI apps and tools, mobile apps, plugins and domains. Listings can be marked as open or under letter of intent, and some are managed by Flippa. Buyer profiles can show badges for verified identity and proof of funds. It also offers a deal room, a data room, escrow through Escrow.com and an optional broker.

Good for: buyers who want variety, including small AI tools and apps at lower price points.

Watch for: a wide open marketplace means a wide range of quality. Do your own checking on revenue and ownership, and read red flags in startup listings before you bid.

Empire Flippers

Empire Flippers presents itself as a curated marketplace. It says it rejects most businesses before they go live, and a buyer testimonial on its site says the firm validates that revenue and profit are real. Buyers register for free, unlock listings to see materials such as the URL, analytics and a profit and loss statement, and then contact the team to make an offer. The site also says it handles transfer of the business.

Good for: buyers who prefer a screened selection and structured handover.

Watch for: the page does not describe its criteria in detail, and listing prices in the examples run from roughly $107,000 to about $1 million, so smaller budgets may find fewer options.

FE International

FE International works as an advisory firm for founders selling profitable digital businesses, including SaaS and e-commerce. It publishes some of the more detailed free guides on valuation and preparation, which are useful to buyers too. Its valuation multiples guide is a good reference when you check an asking price.

Good for: larger deals and buyers who want a professional process.

Watch for: advisory firms mainly serve the seller, so introductions may depend on your proof of funds and background.

StartupsIntel Buy a startup

The Buy a startup marketplace on StartupsIntel lists startups with revenue verified from the payment provider. That addresses the most common problem in this market, which is unverifiable numbers. It is a good place to compare asking prices with the modelled traffic and revenue data elsewhere on the site.

Other places worth checking

• Founder communities and newsletters. Indie founder groups and small-deal newsletters sometimes share businesses before they reach a marketplace.
• Direct outreach. Browsing the AI startups directory by category and contacting founders of small, steady tools can turn up deals that were never listed. Expect many to say no, and be respectful.
• Acquisition lists from product directories. Some directories flag products as available. Treat these like any other lead and verify everything.
• Local business brokers. For startups with real-world operations, a general business broker may also be relevant.

How to compare platforms before you commit

Ask each platform the same questions.

1. How is revenue verified? Direct connection to the payment provider is stronger than screenshots or uploaded reports.
2. How are buyers verified? Proof of funds protects sellers and speeds up serious deals.
3. Is escrow built in? Both Acquire.com and Flippa describe escrow through Escrow.com.
4. What are the fees and who pays them? Fees can be charged to sellers, buyers or both, and can change.
5. What does the platform do after closing? Some offer transfer help, others leave it to you.
6. Can you talk to the seller directly? Direct messaging helps you judge how honest and organized someone is.

Matching a platform to your budget

Budget is the simplest filter. If you have a few thousand dollars, open marketplaces such as Flippa carry the widest range of tiny apps, extensions and AI tools. If you have mid five figures or more, startup-focused platforms and curated marketplaces put better-documented businesses in front of you. Above that, advisory firms and brokers start to make sense because the price of a mistake is much higher.

Time is the second filter. A curated marketplace saves your hours but may cost more per deal. An open marketplace costs more of your time in checking, which is fine if you enjoy the work and know what to look for.

A practical search workflow

Set your filters

Pick a price range, a category such as AI writing or AI image tools, and a minimum age. Young products with six months of history carry more risk than products that have survived a few years.

Build a shortlist of five to ten

Save listings that fit, then check each with outside data. Run the domain through the traffic checker and the bulk checker if you have several, so you can see modelled visits, tech stack and domain age in one pass.

Contact sellers with specific questions

Ask about churn, support hours per week, reasons for selling and the largest cost items. Sellers who answer quickly with detail are usually easier to deal with.

Verify before you negotiate

Move to a letter of intent only after you have seen revenue at the source. Then follow the due diligence checklist.

Mistakes buyers make when browsing

• Chasing the cheapest listing. A low price often reflects a real problem.
• Ignoring the reason for selling. Burnout is common and fine. Sudden sales after a traffic drop are not.
• Bidding without proof of funds. Serious sellers prioritize serious buyers.
• Moving off the platform too early. Staying within escrow and standard documents is safer than a private payment deal.

FAQ

What is the best marketplace to buy a startup?

There is no single best. Acquire.com suits software buyers, Flippa gives the widest range, and Empire Flippers offers a curated selection. Choose based on budget, category and how much checking you want to do yourself.

Are startups on open marketplaces safe to buy?

Many are fine, but quality varies. Use escrow, verify revenue at the payment provider, and have a lawyer review the agreement.

Can I buy a startup without using a marketplace?

Yes, by contacting founders directly. Direct deals can be cheaper but have fewer protections, so use a lawyer and escrow service.

How much should I budget to buy a small AI tool?

Prices range widely, from a few thousand dollars for tiny projects to much more for tools with steady profit. Use profit-based multiples and compare similar listings before you set a budget.