We’re here to help you find the best apps for sneaker drops.
If you’re anything like us, you love a good pair of kicks. The problem is, there are so many good pairs! And it’s so hard to know where to start.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of our favorite apps for sneaker drops—so you can easily find out which pair of kicks is right for you, without having to search through thousands of options.
Best Apps For Sneaker Drops
Once upon a time on the day of a hyped sneaker release, we would stand outside whatever store was offering that specific drop, and wait in a ridiculously long line before finding out whether or not the shoe was still in stock upon getting in. Those lines were full of adventures, surprises, disappointments, and even…fights. While in-store drops are still very much a thing (the recent Carmine release for example), more and more of our sneaker transactions are being done not just online, but via specific apps.
Most sneakerheads have a love/hate relationship when it comes to sneaker apps as a whole. The ability to purchase online is supposed to make the process smoother, but a legitimate argument could be made that you stood more of a chance waiting in line outside of Nike to get the latest Dunks, then you now do on SNKRS participating in ‘drawing.’ When you snag a W, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world, and when you take an L, it stinks (especially knowing that you are going to have double or triple the price via resellers).
We aren’t here to turn this into a conversation about bots, resellers, and the general inconveniences of dealing with online drops, we are here to help you navigate the process better by giving you the pros and cons of ten different sneaker apps that can help you out with getting your most desired sneakers. While we can’t guarantee a win, it is our hope that this list can make your life slightly easier. Here we go.
- StockX
StockX has a case for being the most reliable platform for buying sneakers. They offer some of the latest releases, as well as the rare older gems that may be harder to find on other websites. Just a general warning for sneaker apps on the secondary market: you probably aren’t going to find any sneaker for its original retail price. Once the drops make its way to resell, it is pretty much a guarantee that you will be spending a little extra. That said, the selections on StockX are worth checking out, the ask/bid prices are decent (though youth sizes can be a little harder), and everything is automatically authenticated so that you don’t have to worry about any fakes.
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- GOAT
GOAT is another awesome sneaker marketplace with a vast selection. You can choose to buy for the seller’s asking price, or you could go the route of ‘haggling’ for a lower price. GOAT gives you the option to buy sneakers both used and new, and similar to StockX, all sneakers are authenticated, with everything going to GOAT first for verification. The GOAT inventory is sick with a great mixture of new and retro, and the consumer experience is very simple and easy.
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- SNKRS
WMNS Nike Blazer Low ‘77 ‘White’https://t.co/sZBy3c79RI#AD pic.twitter.com/DPX0z7JP0E
— SNKR_TWITR (@snkr_twitr) April 6, 2021
We know that you are probably rolling your eyes at the mere mention of SNKRs, but for the time, SNKRS still remains our best chance at being able to snag any pair of Nike and Jordan brand sneakers at retail value. To give you an example; the Nike Dunk High ‘Syracuse’ sneakers were released this past March on the SNKRS app for a retail price of $110. As of this writing, the lowest asking price on StockX for those Dunks is $195 for a size 8 in mens, and the highest asking price is $490 for a 4.5 (which is considered a youth size). Based on your size, you could be spending anywhere from $100 to $400 more than the original retail price. So while we understand how much of a frustrating experience SNKRS can be, it is still our recommendation to try buying through the app first, because if you do get a W, it will save you from paying ridiculous resell prices. Ok, rant over.
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- Confirmed App
So since we covered SNKRS, we might as well work our way to the Confirmed App. Adidas is definitely better than Nike in the sense that their overall website catalogue is more diverse in terms of newer releases, but many of the exclusive sneaker releases (Yeezys for example) still drop via the Confirmed App. Confirmed offers a specially curated selection of exclusive sneakers and collaborations, that can be purchased only on the app.
The process of buying sneakers through Confirmed is pretty similar to SNKRS; you put your name in and hope for the best. Our sentiments for Confirmed are pretty much the same as SNKRs—it’s better to try getting those select releases on the app first, before potentially spending hundreds of dollars more on the secondary market. It doesn’t hurt to try right?
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- KicksonFire
Since we have covered so many apps dedicated solely to buying sneakers, we figured we would put an app on the list for sneaker release dates. While you can definitely use KicksonFire to shop, the app is globally recognized as being one of the best go-to places for upcoming sneaker releases. KicksonFire doesn’t just cover Jordan/Nike releases, they also give you the lesser covered sneakers that aren’t garnering as much attention. Now as far as their shoe collection—they have a decent selection as well, but certain shoes are overpriced compared to other outlets. For example: KicksonFire offers the Nike Air Force 1 07s for around $140, whereas Nike is offering that exact same shoe for $90. That is where KicksonFire falls short from a retail standpoint in our opinion, however, they still remain among the best at giving you the most diverse sneaker calendar.
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- Stadium Goods
Similar to StockX and GOAT, Stadium Goods is a quality app that offers sneakers on the secondary market. The app is user friendly, with an assortment of many newer and older releases. Now as far as their overall prices, we have to be honest—Stadium Goods tends to be more expensive than other apps such as StockX.
The newer releases aren’t too far off from other outlets, but the retros (especially Jordans) can be a lot pricer on Stadium Goods. While not at the top of our list, they are still a good place for sneaker shopping.
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- Ebay
In our experience, eBay has been one of the best places to cop sneakers. Now there are some pros and cons to buying sneakers through eBay, so let’s get into them. Here are pros: you can find loads of rare sneakers on eBay, and it is a lot easier to get your hands on youth sizes. Youth sizes can be a hit or miss on other sneaker apps, and many times it is borderline impossible to find certain sneakers in kids sizes (some of us adults have smaller feet too.) Now as far as the cons: you could potentially run into an authentication issue. Some sneakers do come with an authenticity guarantee, but that isn’t the case with every pair being sold on eBay. If you aren’t careful, you could end up with a fake from somebody who is trying to recoup money from being duped themselves, or just simply unaware of the fact that they had a fake in their possession.
Here is our tip: As with every seller on eBay, make sure whoever you are buying from has a good rating, an authenticity guarantee for certain sneakers you know could have an issue with fakes, and a 30-day return policy so that you can return if need be.
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- Finish Line
Finish Line is another go-to for sneakers. While they may not have all of the latest releases, they do offer some new drops from time to time. However, like many other sneaker apps, those new releases can be extremely limited as well, and you can’t even begin to access the app or website on drop days (JD Sports doesn’t work either—trust us we’ve tried). That said, Finish Line has a good mix if you are just looking for ‘regular’ sneakers. You can find an assortment of sneakers from Nike, Adidas, Puma, athlete collabs etc., and they also do a solid job at keeping youth sizes in stock.
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- Laced
Buying through Laced is almost comparable to playing a video game, and it is probably your best shot at being able to get new releases at retail value (or anything close to it). If Laced isn’t anything else, it’s super fun. Each individual auction has a countdown in which users bid each other until the end of the auction. The winner is able to purchase the shoes at the final bidding price, while the other participants are awarded store credit. While it’s not likely that you’ll snag a pair of AJ1s for $2, there is technically a possibility that you could, and that in itself makes Laced worth the download.
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- Suplexed
Last but not least, we have Suplexed, a price comparison app that displays all prices for certain sneakers amongst competitors. It can get a bit confusing and time consuming going back forth between all the different sneaker websites to compare prices, so Suplexed saves you the hassle. The app is easy to use, and gives users the option to purchase through each sneaker app by taking them directly to the listing of whatever platform they choose from. Straightforward and simple.
cheap shoe apps
That demoralising feeling of taking an L may feel the same, but the ways you can take them have certainly evolved over the past few years. The art of the line-up isn’t dead just yet, but the emergence of the e-commerce juggernaut has certainly made it a less attractive option when planning your next prized cop.
Sneaker marketplace apps are now among the most popular options for buying sneakers, both new and used. And while the online shift has also brought fresh challenges – most notably those pesky bots – the convenience of copping on your smartphone sure beats the hell out of lining up overnight in the cold.
Much like the sneakersphere, the app market can appear a little saturated and daunting for those new to game. Lucky for you, we’ve got some expertise in the field. Here are the five best apps for buying sneakers.
Stockx App Screens
StockX
StockX have stamped themselves as the go-to platform for sneakerheads searching for secondary market cops. Specialising in sneakers, StockX also deals in the latest streetwear, accessories, and even handbags.
Importantly, peace of mind is assured, with the team’s ‘specialists’ authenticating all goods traded via the platform.
Like its name suggests, the platform functions as a stock market where sellers place asking prices and buyers place bids. When a bid and asking price meet, a transaction is put through instantly – easy as pie!
The ask/bid structure has also led to StockX becoming a first point of call for checking average resale prices, all of which are tracked on the app’s interface.
Forget economics – this is sneakernomics.
Bump App Screenshot
BUMP
BUMP is an up-and-coming marketplace for all kinds of hyped sneakers and streetwear. With hefty clout in Europe, the platform already has close to two million registered users.
The app is unique in that it encourages community engagement and social sharing. The interactive approach has led to the app becoming most popular among the Gen Z sneakerheads out there, with the average user age quoted as 15 years old.
Unfortunately, the lack of authentication process can result in the occasional fugazi cop – an issue the BUMP team are continually looking to improve. That said, the app’s community always has your back, calling out shifty sellers and potential fakes. And if something phony does slip through the cracks, you’ve always got PayPal protection to fall back on.
Goat Screenshots 1 Header
GOAT
GOAT live up to their namesake by offering arguably the biggest and best sneaker marketplace to its users, with over 125,000 pairs of sneakers up for grabs.
One of the OGs when it comes to the secondary market, GOAT pride themselves on a simple user experience and product authenticity. A free-of-charge verification service is included with every pair sold, allowing you to cop without apprehension.
You can buy sneakers at sellers’ nominated rates, or leave a bid and hope to get lucky. Once you’ve scored your pair, it’ll be sent to a GOAT verification centre for an authenticity check before being shipped out to your address. This process can result in longer delivery times, but waiting a couple of days longer sure beats receiving a pair of counterfeit ‘Red Octobers’ in the mail.
Kixify App Screenshot
Kixify
Kixify call themselves the ‘world’s largest sneaker marketplace’, and they’ve shifted focus from their desktop platform to their app in recent years.
Using a commission-based sale framework, sellers from all over the world use Kixify to flip sought-after drops. The inventory is huge, but be sure to do your due diligence when it comes to authenticity.
To combat scammers, Kixify have introduced ‘Select’, which guarantees your kicks are legit – similar to initiatives from StockX and GOAT. Products purchased from Select are acquired directly from the platform’s inventory, with an in-house team making sure the product checks out first hand.
Jeff staple ntwrk
NTWRK
Offering perhaps the most unique shopping experience of the bunch, NTWRK makes use of watchable shows featuring the biggest sneaker and streetwear brands. Products drop exclusively via ‘episodes’, with limited edition and rare sneakers often appearing among the app’s inventory. The NTWRK Drawings aspect of the app also allows you to enter raffles for the more coveted items.
A coming together of entertainment and retail, NTWRK has brought on plenty star power to level-up their content, with the likes of Billie Eilish, Juice WRLD, DJ Khaled, Odell Beckham Jr, Eddie Huang, Blake Griffin, Alexander Wang, Jonah Hill, Gary Vee, A$AP Ferg, Wu-Tang Clan, and Doja Cat among some of the special guests.
copdate app
Copdate
Copdate are a relative newcomer to the sneaker app landscape, rising to prominence in 2020 off the back of the Nike SB renaissance. Retailers can use Copdate as a platform to roll out the latest sneakers releases, with skate shops making use of the app for many of the latest Dunk drops, most notably the 4/20 ‘Reverse Skunk’.
Essentially, Copdate aims to take away the crowds, lines, and hassle of the hyped sneaker drops, allowing the stores to deliver releases straight to the smartphones of hypefiends worldwide. Expect more shops to adapt the Copdate approach in the future.
Snkrs App Screens Main
Nike SNKRS
When it comes to app-based retail experiences, Nike continues to lead the way with SNKRS. The app gives users exclusive access to the latest launches, with plenty of product storytelling to boot.
You can also sign up for raffles, and all transactions are done seamlessly in the super-chic app interface.
To combat bots and improve user interaction, SNKRS have introduced a number of innovative ways to cop, most notably through augmented reality. The AR approach means you may need to leave the comfort of your home to cop a sought-after release, but it’s a small trade off to avoid paying resale.
If you’re a US-based sneakerhead and you haven’t installed it already – just do it.
Conclusion
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