Vinted App Development Guide: Features, Steps & Cost Analysis!

The rise of secondhand clothing apps like Vinted has revolutionized the way we buy and sell pre-owned fashion.  The appeal of a platform that combines sustainability, affordability, and community has made Vinted a resounding success.

Let’s talk numbers: According to ThredUp, the global secondhand market is expected to reach $350 billion by 2028, with fashion resale leading the trend. 

Whether you’re a startup or an established business looking to create the next big resale marketplace app like Vinted – this comprehensive guide is for you. We will walk you through the essential elements of Vinted, its working, crucial features, step-by-step resale app development process, secondhand fashion development cost, and much more that will help to build a peer-to-peer fashion marketplace platform.

Let’s get started!

What is Vinted & How Does it Work?

Founded in 2008, the platform has grown into one of the leading peer-to-peer resale platforms in Europe and beyond. 

Vinted is a popular resale marketplace app that allows users to buy, sell, and swap secondhand fashion items. It offers a sustainable and affordable way to declutter their closets while earning money.

About Vinted App: Statistics & Facts

• Global Presence: Vinted operates in 19 countries, including major markets like France, Germany, the UK, Spain, and the US.
• User Base: As of 2024, Vinted has over 80 million registered users worldwide.
• Revenue Growth: Vinted reported €596.3 million in revenue for 2023, marking a 61% increase from the previous year’s €370.2 million, and achieved its first-ever annual profit.
• Average Item Price: The average price of an item on Vinted ranges from €10 to €30, making it an affordable platform for buyers.

How Vinted Works?

Let’s find out how Vinted works:

3 Reasons to Invest in Resale App Development Like Vinted

Following, we’ve listed reasons why you should consider building a resale app development like Vinted. Let’s find out:

1. Growing Demand for Sustainable Fashion

A recent study by NielsenIQ found that 78 per cent of US consumers say a sustainable lifestyle is important to them. 

Sustainable fashion is trending among consumers, leading to the growth of the resale market. According to ThredUp, the US secondhand market to hit $73B by 2028

Apps like Vinted capitalize on this growing demand by offering a convenient platform to buy and sell pre-loved secondhand items. 

Investing in a resale app can encourage environmentally conscious customers to buy and tap this lucrative and quickly growing market. 

2. High Profitability with Low Inventory Costs

According to a ThredUp 2023 Resale Report, the resale market grew 5x faster than the broader retail market over the past five years, with platforms like Vinted, Depop, and Poshmark reporting significant profitability due to their low inventory costs and high transaction volumes.

Low operational costs are one of the biggest advantages of resale app development. 

Unlike traditional eCommerce platforms, resale apps don’t require large inventory investments. In fact, they act as intermediaries that allow users to list and sell their items. This reduces overhead expenses related to warehousing, product sourcing, and inventory management, making the business model highly cost-effective.

Investing in a resale app can build a highly profitable, low-cost business in a rapidly growing market.

3. Increased User Engagement Through Personalization

According to Accenture, 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that offer relevant recommendations and personalized experiences. 

Resale platforms that implement AI-powered personalization see a 15-20% boost in conversion rates and higher customer satisfaction. Modern resale apps leverage AI-powered recommendations, image recognition, and secure payment gateways to enhance the user experience. 

Features like virtual try-ons, personalized feeds, and instant messaging boost engagement and retention. Integrating such advanced functionalities allows you to create a user-centric app that stands out in the competitive resale market, attracting buyers and sellers.

Build an App Like Vinted: Step-Step Process

Following, we’ve listed steps to build an app like Vinted. Let’s get into Vinted like eCommerce app development process:

Step 1: Market Research & Planning

Statistics show that approximately 80% of new apps fail within the first year. One of the primary reasons is poor market research & planning. 

Here’s how you can conduct market research in two segments:

a) Quantitative Research (Data-Driven Insights & Numbers)

Here, you must focus on measurable data, providing statistical insights into the market size, customer preferences, and behaviour patterns. 

Key Factors to Consider for Quantitative Research:

b) Qualitative Research (Behavioral & Emotional Insights)

Qualitative research focuses on understanding customer motivations, experiences, and opinions through in-depth analysis.

Key Factors to Consider for Qualitative Research: 

Step 2: Outline Must-Have Features

Once you’ve identified the market needs, it’s time to outline features that you want to incorporate into your second-hand app like Vinted. 

Ensure to include basic features such as user registration & profile management, listing & product upload, payment processing, push notifications, ratings & reviews, and social integration. 

You can integrate features like product categorization, image uploads, and pricing tools for the seller's panel. For buyers, including wish lists, favourite items, and personalized recommendations. 

Consider advanced features such as AI-powered product suggestions, AR virtual try-ons, and in-app shipping label generation. Prioritizing a seamless and intuitive user experience (UX) will enhance customer satisfaction and boost app retention.

Step 3: Pick the Right Tech Stack

Choosing the right technology stack is crucial for your app’s performance and scalability. 

For the backend, use reliable frameworks like Node.js, Ruby on Rails, or Django, while React Native or Flutter can be used for cross-platform mobile app development. 

Additionally, select a secure database such as PostgreSQL or MongoDB to store product listings, user profiles, and transactions. 

Integrate trusted gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or Apple Pay for payment processing. Using scalable cloud infrastructure (AWS or Google Cloud) ensures your app can handle increasing traffic as your user base grows.

Step 4: UX UI Design

Invest in appealing, intuitive, and accessible UX UI design to attract and retain customers. 

Create a user-friendly interface with a simple navigation flow. This will help users to easily explore or browse products, list items, and complete transactions. 

Use consistent colour schemes, clear fonts, and high-quality images to enhance visual appeal. Implement smooth onboarding, interactive product galleries, and intuitive filtering options. 

Focus on building a responsive, seamless design for Android and iOS devices, ensuring a consistent platform experience. 

Step 5: Development & Testing

Once you’ve finalized the design and tech stack, the next step is to build and test your second-hand marketplace app. 

The development phase involves coding the core functionalities, setting up the backend, and creating the frontend interface. 

During this stage, developers build essential features like user authentication, product listings, search filters, payment integration, and shipping management. 

It’s important to use agile development practices to ensure smooth and efficient performance, breaking the project into smaller, manageable sprints. This allows for iterative development and regular testing to catch issues early.

 Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) with a small group of beta users to gather feedback on usability and performance. This process ensures your app is reliable, user-friendly, and ready for a seamless launch.

Step 6: Launch & Marketing

Once testing is complete, prepare for a strategic app launch. Publish your app on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Optimize the app’s title, description, and keywords for app store visibility. 

Promote your app through digital marketing campaigns, including social media ads, influencer partnerships, and content marketing. 

Offer launch promotions such as discounted listing fees or free shipping to attract early users. A strong promotional strategy will help you gain initial traction and grow your user base.

Features to Incorporate into App Development Like Vinted

Below are the top features to include in your second-hand fashion market app like Vinted. Take a look and decide which features would go best for your application:

1. User Authentication and Profiles

To build a trusted second-hand marketplace, include a secure and convenient user authentication system. Allow users to sign up and log in using their email, phone number, or social media accounts (Google, Facebook, or Apple ID). 

Enable profile creation with options for users to add a profile picture, bio, and location. Incorporate verification badges to build trust among buyers and sellers, promoting a safer trading environment.

2. Product Listings with Detailed Descriptions

Enable sellers to create product listings with detailed descriptions and high-quality images. 

Include fields for product title, category, condition (new, like-new, or used), size, color, and price. Add an image upload feature with multiple photo support and basic editing tools. 

To enhance the user experience, implement automated suggestions for product tags and categories based on the listing content.

3. Smart Search and Filtering

A powerful search and filter system is essential for a seamless shopping experience. Implement keyword-based search with auto-suggestions and voice search capabilities. 

Include advanced filtering options like category, price range, size, color, brand, and condition. Add sorting options (e.g., newest, lowest price, and most popular) to help users find relevant products quickly and easily.

4. In-App Messaging

Facilitate direct communication between buyers and sellers with an in-app messaging feature. Allow users to inquire about product details, negotiate prices, and coordinate shipping. Integrate message notifications to keep users engaged. To maintain privacy, consider masking personal information and implementing spam filters to prevent fraudulent activity.

5. Secure Payment Gateway

Integrate a reliable and secure payment system to ensure smooth transactions. Include multiple payment options such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. 

Add a built-in wallet feature that allows users to store earnings from sales and use the balance for purchases. Encryption protocols and PCI-DSS compliance are used to safeguard sensitive payment information.

6. Shipping and Tracking Integration

Simplify the shipping process by integrating real-time tracking and automated label generation. Partner with trusted logistics providers to offer shipping services directly within the app. 

Enable sellers to print shipping labels and buyers to track orders. Include estimated delivery times and push notifications to inform users about shipping status.

7. Wishlist and Favorites

Enhance the shopping experience by allowing users to create wishlists or mark items as favourites. 

This feature helps users keep track of products they’re interested in, making it easier to revisit and purchase later. Use the wishlist data to offer personalized recommendations and targeted promotions.

8. Rating and Review System

Build credibility by implementing a rating and review system. Allow buyers to rate sellers based on their transaction experience and product quality. 

Display verified buyer reviews on product listings to help future customers make informed decisions. Encourage honest feedback by offering review incentives or badges for reliable sellers.

9. Push Notifications

Studies show that push notifications can boost engagement by 88% and lead to doubling retention rates. 

Integrate push notifications feature to keep customers engaged with real-time notifications. Send alerts for new product listings, messages, price drops, and order status updates. 

Use personalized notifications to suggest products depending on user interests and browsing habits. Ensure that users can change their notification preferences in the app's settings.  

10. AI-Powered Recommendations

AI-powered personalized shopping experiences significantly enhance customer retention, driving an average of 44% of repeat purchases globally. To boost customer loyalty and sales, consistently delivering a tailored and engaging shopping experience is essential.

Boost user engagement with AI-driven product recommendations. Use machine learning algorithms to analyze browsing patterns, purchase history, and wishlist items. Display tailored suggestions on the homepage, product pages, and checkout section. This personalization enhances the shopping experience and increases conversion rates.

11. In-App Analytics and Reports

For sellers, include an analytics dashboard to track their performance. Provide insights into product views, sales trends, and revenue generation. Allow sellers to see which products are performing well and identify areas for improvement. This feature helps sellers make informed decisions to optimize their listings.

12. Admin Panel for Management

Develop an intuitive admin panel to manage the app’s operations efficiently. Admins should be able to oversee user activity, moderate listings, handle disputes, and manage payments. Include detailed reports and analytics to track app performance, user growth, and revenue generation.

13. Multi-language and Multi-Currency Support

To expand your app’s reach, offer multi-language and multi-currency support. This ensures accessibility for users from different regions. Include automatic currency conversion and location-based language preferences for a seamless cross-border shopping experience.

How Much Does it Cost to Build an App Like Vinted?

The development cost of an app like Vinted ranges from $5,000 to $1,50,000 or above, depending on several factors. These factors include the project’s complexity, platform type, features & functionality, UX UI design, tech stack, location of mobile app development, etc. 

Incorporating basic or limited features in your second-hand marketplace app like Vinted will cost you less. On the other hand, the cost will be higher if you want a fully-developed app with advanced features & functionalities. 

Check the table below for a better understanding:

It is crucial to contact top mobile app company experts to build an app like Vinted and grow your business exponentially. 

Proven Monetization Strategies for Resale Apps Like Vinted

Check how to make money from resale apps like Vinted. Let’s discuss:

1. Seller Fees and Commissions

Generally, Vinted earns revenue by charging sellers a fee when they make a sale. Unlike some platforms that charge listing fees, Vinted allows users to list items for free. 

However, once a product is sold, the seller pays a commission, which includes a fixed fee plus a percentage of the selling price. This commission structure ensures that Vinted profits from every successful transaction, making it a scalable and consistent revenue stream. 

2. Buyer Protection Fees

Buyers pay a “Buyer Protection Fee” when purchasing an item. This helps to safeguard their money and provide protection, which is calculated as 5% of the item price plus a fixed amount of $0.70.

This fee covers services like payment security, purchase protection, and customer support that ensure buyers receive their items as described. 

The buyer protection fee contributes significantly to Vinted's revenue, as it applies to every transaction.

3. Shipping Service Partnership

Vinted offers integrated shipping solutions that allow sellers to print pre-paid shipping labels directly through the platform. The company collaborates with logistics providers and earns a margin on shipping fees. 

By negotiating bulk costs with shipping companies, Vinted can slightly increase the shipping fee, increasing revenue from each shipment.

4. Premium Membership & Promotions

Vinted offers sellers premium services to enhance their visibility on the platform. Sellers can pay for:

• “Wardrobe Spotlight”: This feature boosts a seller’s listings by promoting them at the top of search results for a specified time.
• “Bump” feature: This allows sellers to highlight specific items, making them more visible to potential buyers.
  These paid promotion features provide Vinted with a recurring income stream from sellers seeking greater exposure.

5. Advertising and Partnership

Vinted collaborates with brands and advertisers to display sponsored content and targeted ads on the platform. By leveraging its large user base, Vinted offers businesses a channel to promote their products, earning revenue from advertising deals. Additionally, Vinted may engage in affiliate marketing or co-branded campaigns, boosting its income through partnerships.

Emerging Opportunities in Resale App Development Like Vinted

Following, we’ve listed the top opportunities in resale app development like Vinted. Let’s learn:

1. Growing Demand for Sustainable Fashion

The resale clothes industry is growing 3x times faster than traditional retail. Customers' increasing knowledge of their buying habits fuels the need for sustainable fashion.

The Thai shift is driven by younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, who like to shop cost-effectively and sustainably.  

Resale platforms like Vinted thrive in this industry by offering a circular economy model that enables customers to buy and sell used goods instead of contributing to the garbage produced by rapid fashion.

By investing in reseller app development, businesses may encourage this sustainability trend and attract environmentally conscious clients. 

2. Expansion into Niche Markets

While general resale websites like Vinted focus on the fashion business, niche resale markets such as collectables, luxury goods, children's apparel, and sports gear offer fresh prospects. 

The popularity of websites like The RealReal that focus on validated luxury resale shows that consumers are prepared to pay more for old premium goods when authenticity is confirmed. 

Resale applications can obtain a competitive edge by focusing on certain buyer groups and serving consumers looking for well-chosen, premium, used items.  

3. Monetizing Through Value-Added Services

Resale platforms generate several revenue streams through value-added services and transaction fees. Platforms can make more money by providing premium seller memberships, where users pay for increased visibility. 

Integrated shipping systems enable apps to profit from shipping fees by optimising logistics. Several websites even provide item verification services to reassure customers and justify additional costs, particularly for expensive clothing and equipment. Profitability is increased while the user experience is improved by monetising such services.  

4.Leveraging AI for Personalization

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the resale market by providing personalised shopping experiences. 

AI-powered recommendation engines look at user activity, browsing patterns, and previous purchases to suggest goods that fit individual preferences. Visual search and image recognition technology allow users to upload photos and quickly find related items. AI-driven pricing analytics can help sellers improve their listings based on market demand. 

AI integration is revolutionising the development of reseller apps because of these customisation features, which boost user engagement, conversions, and client retention. 

Partner With Apptunix to Build a Game-Changing Resale App Like Vinted

Apptunix, a leading eCommerce app development company, specialises in building scalable, feature-rich, and market-ready resale apps designed to drive profitability and user engagement. Our team of expert developers, UI/UX designers, and AI specialists ensure your app stands out with:

• Custom-Built Features: From AI-powered product recommendations to seamless in-app payment systems, we create tailored features that enhance the shopping experience.
• User-Centric Design: Our apps prioritize intuitive navigation, sleek design, and fast performance, ensuring a seamless experience for both buyers and sellers.
• Scalable Architecture: Whether you’re starting small or aiming for large-scale growth, we build apps with scalable infrastructure to handle high traffic and expand user bases.

Maximize Your ROI with Advanced Monetization Strategies

We don’t just build apps—we help you create profitable business models. With Apptunix, you can implement multiple revenue streams, including:

• Commission-based transactions to earn from every sale.
• Premium seller memberships for increased visibility.
• In-app advertising to boost profits.
• Value-added services like shipping partnerships or item authentication.
  Our strategic approach ensures consistent revenue growth while keeping operational costs low.

Stay Ahead with Cutting-Edge Tech

Apptunix integrates the latest AI and machine learning technologies to offer personalized shopping experiences. Features like smart search, automated pricing insights, and dynamic recommendations enhance user engagement, boosting conversions and retention rates.

By partnering with Apptunix, you gain a trusted technology partner dedicated to turning your resale app idea into a profitable, scalable, and market-leading platform. Let’s build the next big thing in resale together!