What is the Best Car Buying App?

Searching for used cars for sale online? There are a lot of car listing sites and car buying apps available. Let’s compare them to find the best.

While platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist show you a lot of cars for sale, they leave you in the lurch when it comes to getting the deal done and sending payment.

There’s a better way.

PrivateAuto gives you end-to-end transactionality. From built-in messaging to instant digital payments, we do more than connect you to a car for sale—we help you get the deal done.

Buying from an individual can be a smart way to get more bang for your buck. Here are the advantages of skipping the dealership and buying from a private party:


We admit that buying from a dealer provides a level of convenience that is not typically available when buying from a private seller. That is, after all, why we exist. We give you dealer-like convenience while also allowing you to transact with regular people like yourself.

Cutting out the middleman unlocks major savings. Our self-serve technology solution gives you verified sellers, vehicle history reports, instant payments, and secure messaging. Buy directly from motivated sellers on your terms, and enjoy peace of mind.

Shop used cars for sale today to find your dream ride.

The following car listing sites have mobile apps that you can use to browse vehicles for sale:


While these connect you with vehicles, they each fall short in one or both of the following ways:

1. They are online dealers (Carvana, Vroom). If you’re looking to buy from a private seller and avoid middleman fees and markups, skip these.
2. They lack transactional infrastructure (Facebook Marketplace, eBay Motors, Autotrader, CarGurus, Craigslist, Cars.com, Edmunds, Truecar). You’re left unprotected and trying to figure out how to handle payment and other details.

Let’s get into more detail on point #2 to understand why a lack of transactional infrastructure is such a big deal and how PrivateAuto fixes the used car buying experience.

There are many places you can buy a vehicle, but they don't give you the transactional features to get the deal done safely, securely, and inexpensively like PrivateAuto does.

Other car listing sites are “meetingplaces” rather than true marketplaces; they connect you to the vehicle owner but leave the two of you to sort out how you’re going to meet up, send payment, and handle the other aspects of the transaction.

We are the only transactional marketplace that offers a full suite of tools that let you get the deal done quickly, securely, and easily

We don’t hate these “meetingplaces” at all. In fact, if you find a car on one of them and want to buy it, you can still use our transactional infrastructure to get the deal done. Simply invite the seller to our DealNow fast-track feature to enjoy the security, privacy, and immediacy of PrivateAuto Pay and our other features.

Learn how we are doing something very different from other car buying apps and sites.

PrivateAuto gives you end-to-end functionality to buy a car from a private seller conveniently and securely.

Here are some of the ways we are reinventing private-party used car transactions in ways that none of the “meetingplaces” could even dream of:


Private Auto allows you to purchase a vehicle quickly, safely, and easily from a private seller. Protect yourself by choosing a secure, instantaneous, and convenient online platform. You have a full suite of self-serve technological solutions that make car buying a breeze.

PrivateAuto Pay is our integrated banking gateway. It’s the only safe, instantaneous, convenient, and contactless payment option for a used car transaction over $5,000.

When it comes to buying and paying for your car, the benefits of PrivateAuto Pay include.

Your PrivateAuto Pay account is actually a bank account that you own, on the PrivateAuto app.
Easily move money between your PrivateAuto Pay and your external bank account via a balance transfer.
Send up to $1 million instantly from your PrivateAuto Pay account to the seller’s.
No exchange of contact information or banking info.
Contactless payment reduces disease risk.
Encrypted info protects your data from hackers.
Peace of mind knowing you can pay immediately with no coordination needed.
Conclude the entire transaction when you meet the seller for a test drive.
Buy a car remotely and forgo costly and inconvenient escrow services.

Protect yourself by choosing PrivateAuto Pay. Avoid fees and transfer limits that come with paying for a car via PayPal or Venmo.

If you’ve already found a car that you want to buy—even if it’s not listed for sale on PrivateAuto—you can enjoy the power and convenience of our transactional infrastructure to get the deal done. Our DealNow feature allows you to skip the initial shopping and negotiation process, and go straight to the transaction.

Whether your dream car is listed on Facebook Marketplace, is being sold by a friend of a friend, or is being auctioned on a site such as Bring a Trailer, you can invite the seller to DealNow and enjoy unparalleled security and convenience.

DealNow uses PrivateAuto Pay for payments and offers all the same conveniences, along with a fast-tracked dealflow.

Here are some of the advantages of using DealNow:

PrivateAuto connects you with a third-party FDIC lender that is integrated into our technology infrastructure. This integration makes the financing process a seamless part of your PrivateAuto deal flow. Here’s how it works:

1. Apply for financing through the PrivateAuto app and get approved after a credit check.
2. Our lending partner funds your PrivateAuto Pay account.
3. You buy the car and pay the seller instantly via PrivateAuto Pay.
4. You make car payments to the lender.

It’s so smooth, you’ll wonder why this wasn’t available all along. Gone are the days of coordinating between seller and lender and trying to get everything lined up.

Here are some other key advantages:


If you’re in the market, feel free to get started with car financing here!

Unfortunately, when purchasing a car privately, fraud is a major problem. Scammers use a variety of methods, such as faked vehicle histories, odometer tampering, or salvage title scams.

We offer vehicle history reports with all premium listings and also have identity verification. These measures cut down significantly on fraudsters, but it always pays to be vigilant.

Don't let a seller rush you into accepting a high price or paying without verifying the details and test driving. If a seller gives you a high-pressure "act now or lose out" ultimatum, it's best to walk away. If the car is priced fairly, there will be other listings available without undue seller pressure.

The key is taking your time—carefully inspecting the car, verifying the VIN, test driving carefully, and not paying until you're confident about going through with the transaction.

PrivateAuto gives you safeguards such as seller identity verification, keeping your sensitive info secret, test drive scheduling, and instant payments via PrivateAuto Pay.

You’ll love how smooth and secure the car buying process is when you use the PrivateAuto mobile app.

1. Browse used cars for sale by owner. Filter by location, vehicle type, or other criteria
2. Make offers on vehicles you like (PrivateAuto lets you offer less than the asking price)
3. Message the seller with any questions without giving your contact info
4. Schedule the test drive while keeping your personal details private
5. Electronically sign the bill of sale along with the seller
6. Instantly send payment and take ownership of the car when the seller signs the title and gives you the keys

Looking to sell your car? Create a listing on PrivateAuto and connect with interested buyers today!