Alternatives to BizBuySell: Top Platforms for Buying and Selling Businesses

When it comes to buying or selling a business, BizBuySell is often the first name that comes to mind – after all, it’s the largest online business-for-sale marketplace in the U.S.

However, it’s far from the only option, and it’s also not the best option for everyone.

One of the most common complaints we hear about BizBuySell is that its sheer volume and broad approach make it hard to find serious, high-quality opportunities. Buyers often struggle with listings that lack detailed financials, minimal vetting, and basic search tools—forcing them to waste a lot of time sifting through hundreds of bad listings. On the seller side, it’s not uncommon to spend heavily on premium listings without much traction. 

Below, we explore the best BizBuySell alternatives. Each platform review includes an overview of its credibility and standout features, key facts, target audience, how it works, pricing, and pros and cons.

Investors Club is a strong alternative to BizBuySell for buyers and sellers specifically interested in online businesses. The platform specializes in digital assets, offering for-sale-by-owner and broker-managed opportunities. You will find a variety of turnkey, established, and passive income businesses. There are no franchise opportunities or traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.

BizQuest

BizQuest is a major business-for-sale marketplace often described as BizBuySell’s “younger sister”. Founded in the mid-2000s and acquired by LoopNet in 2010, BizQuest has grown under the umbrella of CoStar Group – the same parent company behind BizBuySell and commercial real estate portal LoopNet. BizQuest stands out by offering a similarly extensive inventory of businesses and franchises for sale as BizBuySell, but with its own dedicated user base and branding. BizQuest’s integration into CoStar’s network means many listings get cross-posted on multiple sites, increasing their visibility.

Key Facts:

• Founded: 2000s
• Ownership: CoStar Group (owner of BizBuySell and LoopNet)
• Mission: To connect small business buyers and sellers in an easy-to-use online marketplace
• Primary Offerings: Listings of businesses for sale across all industries, plus franchise opportunities and related resources
• Size & Deal Types: ~17,000 active business-for-sale listings (mainly main street and lower middle-market businesses), including restaurants, retail, services, manufacturing, and franchise resales
• Business Model: Online classified marketplace – sellers pay for listing packages, and BizQuest syndicates listings across a partner network; no commissions on sales

How It Works: 

Sellers (either business owners or their brokers) create an account on BizQuest and purchase a listing package to advertise their business. They input details about the company – industry, location, financials, asking price, photos, a summary description, etc. BizQuest’s interface guides sellers through protecting sensitive details; usually the exact business name and location are masked until a buyer registers interest and signs an NDA. Once the listing is live, it is visible to BizQuest’s user base and is often cross-listed on BizBuySell and other network sites automatically. 

Buyers can search and browse listings by category, location, price range, etc. When a buyer finds a business of interest, they inquire through the platform by filling out a contact form or signing an electronic non-disclosure agreement if required. BizQuest then passes the inquiry to the seller, who can then communicate with the buyer offline. In essence, the buyer experience on BizQuest – from searching listings to making contact – closely mirrors BizBuySell’s process. Overall, it’s a self-service listing marketplace; it doesn’t broker the deal but facilitates the initial connection.

Pricing and Fees: 

Browsing BizQuest and contacting sellers is free for buyers. 

For sellers, BizQuest charges a listing fee to advertise a business. The standard rates are comparable to BizBuySell: around $59.95 per month with a six-month minimum term for a basic listing. In practice, this might be billed as roughly $360 for a 6-month listing placement. Enhanced packages (with features like highlighted placement or longer durations) come at higher price points (often $100–$150 per month for premium tiers, depending on promotions). There are no success fees or commissions charged by the platform – if the business sells, BizQuest does not take a cut of the sale price. 

Pros and Cons:

BusinessBroker.net

BusinessBroker.net (often abbreviated as BBN) is one of the longest-running online business marketplaces, launched in 1999, it it’s one of a top-five business-for-sale marketplace by volume. It established credibility as a go-to listing site for professional business brokers, and today it hosts tens of thousands of business-for-sale and franchise listings. What makes BusinessBroker.net stand out is its strong broker participation – the majority of listings are posted by licensed brokers rather than owners. This means buyers will often be dealing with intermediaries, which has its own pros and cons. The site itself has a more old-school interface and somewhat difficult to navigate. 

Key Facts:

• Founded: 1999
• Ownership: Privately owned
• Mission: To connect business sellers and brokers with qualified buyers through online listings
• Primary Offerings: Businesses for sale across the U.S. (all industries) and franchises.
• Size & Deal Types: ~17,000 active business-for-sale listings at any, skewing toward small and mid-sized businesses. Only ~6% of listings are FSBO (for-sale-by-owner) – the rest are broker-listed. Typical deal sizes range from under $50K small businesses up to $20M companies. 
• Business Model: Classified listings and lead generation. Sellers or brokers pay to list businesses. Franchise companies pay to advertise opportunities. No success commission charged by BBN; revenue comes from listing fees and advertising.

How It Works: 

Sellers on BusinessBroker.net are typically brokers or franchise marketing reps. They sign up for an account and purchase a listing plan to post a business for sale. Creating a listing involves filling out a form with the business’s details (financials, description, etc.). The site allows confidential listings – you can post a listing without revealing the exact business name or address. 

Buyers navigate the site via search filters (industry, location, price, cash flow, etc.) or browse by category. When a buyer finds a listing of interest, they click to view a summary. To get more details or contact the seller, BBN requires the buyer to express by adding the listing to a cart or account (a quirk of BBN’s interface is that contacting a seller can feel like an e-commerce transaction). The inquiry is then sent to the listing broker/seller. Communication from that point usually happens off-platform: the broker may email the buyer asking for an NDA and proof of funds before releasing the full confidential information memorandum. BusinessBroker.net itself does not intermediate the deal – it’s purely a classifieds/lead-gen platform.

Pricing and Fees: 

For buyers, using BusinessBroker.net is free – there’s no charge to search listings or to contact sellers. 

The platform makes money from the sell side. For sellers, listing fees vary by package. A typical standard listing on BBN costs about $129.95 per month with a 2-month minimum, which comes out to roughly $260 for a basic two-month run. They offer longer-term and premium listing options as well: for example, a 6-month package might be a few hundred dollars more. Unlike some competitors, BBN doesn’t have a super cheap short-term option; it emphasizes multi-month postings. Franchise listings and broker subscriptions are arranged separately (franchisors might pay for a certain number of leads or a monthly fee to be featured). BusinessBroker.net does not charge any success fee or commission on a completed sale. For sellers on a budget, BBN also owns a sister site called BusinessMart.com that offers cheaper listings (as low as ~$20/month), though with much lower traffic. Overall, the pricing is straightforward advertising: buyers pay $0; sellers pay a flat listing fee.

Pros and Cons:

BusinessesForSale.com

BusinessesForSale.com is a global business marketplace that has been connecting buyers and sellers since the mid-1990s. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in London, it has grown to become one of the world’s largest platforms for businesses for sale, with a strong presence not only in the U.S. and UK but across Europe, Canada, Australia, and beyond. What makes BusinessesForSale.com (often abbreviated as BFS) stand out is its international reach and diverse range of listings – from small local businesses to multimillion-dollar enterprises, including some truly unique and niche.

Key Facts:

• Founded: 1996 by Andrew Markou (CEO)
• Headquarters: London, UK (with regional sites for over 10 countries)
• Mission: To be the world’s go-to online marketplace for buying and selling businesses, empowering entrepreneurs with information and opportunities globally
• Primary Offerings: Listings of businesses for sale worldwide across all sectors; also features franchise opportunities and commercial property for some regions. 
• Size & Deal Types: Over 60,000 active listings globally. It advertises businesses ranging from small mom-and-pop shops to large enterprises worth tens of millions. Notably, BFS often has niche and unusual listings – you will find everything from pubs and hotels to an English football club, a platinum mine, or an airport. Major markets include the US, UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Europe.
• Business Model: Online listings marketplace funded by seller listing fees and advertising. BFS operates region-specific portals (e.g., us.businessesforsale.com) but all feed into the main database. No commission on sales; revenue comes from listing subscriptions and upsells to sellers, as well as advertising to users.

How It Works: 

Sellers (business owners or brokers) create an account on BusinessesForSale.com and choose a listing package (there are DIY packages as well as broker packages). When creating a listing, the seller specifies the location, industry, summary, financial details, and can upload photos or documents. Sellers can list anonymously, and the platform provides options to hide exact identifiers if confidentiality is wanted. Once live, a listing will appear on the region-appropriate site (e.g., a Canadian listing shows on businessesforsale.com/ca) as well as in global search results. Sellers can manage inquiries through a dashboard.

For buyers, the experience is very straightforward. The easiest way to start is the homepage by selecting a country or browsing “Businesses for sale in [Location]” or by industry. Advanced search filters include location (down to state or region), industry sector, asking price range, annual revenue, and keywords. When a buyer finds a listing of interest, clicking it shows a profile with a description, some high-level financials (e.g., revenue, cash flow if provided), and the seller’s contact options. Buyers need to create a free account to contact a seller. They can then send a message through the site. The inquiry goes to the seller via email and the BFS dashboard, and communication continues off-platform.

One unique feature of BFS for buyers and sellers is the wanted listings: buyers can post what type of business they are looking for, and sellers can contact them. 

Pricing and Fees: 

For buyers, BusinessesForSale.com is free to use. Buyers can search and send inquiries without being charged. 

The platform monetizes through sellers. For sellers, listing fees are typically structured as subscription packages. A standard listing might cost around $59 per month with a six-month minimum. There are also packages tailored for brokers with multiple listings and for franchisors. Because BFS operates in many countries, the pricing may vary slightly in different currencies/regions. There is no success fee on sales; similar to other marketplaces, it’s all upfront or subscription-based. Sellers who are brokers or represent franchises may have custom pricing (bulk discounts). 

Pros and Cons:

DealStream (formerly MergerNetwork)

DealStream is a unique player in the business-for-sale arena, blending a marketplace for businesses and other investment opportunities with a social network aspect. Formerly known as MergerNetwork, it rebranded to DealStream and expanded its scope. The platform has been around for many years and has carved out credibility especially among those looking for deals beyond the standard main street businesses. DealStream stands lists not just businesses for sale, but also franchises, real estate, capital leads, and even crypto and commodity deals – a broad “deal marketplace. DealStream operates on a freemium model where sellers can list for free, and the platform makes money by charging buyers for premium access. DealStream has a global reach and tends to have opportunities that are more “niche” or non-traditional alongside regular businesses. With tens of thousands of members, DealStream has a community vibe, including discussion boards and the ability to see other buyers’ profiles, adding to its credibility as a network for dealmaking.

Key Facts:

• Founded: 1995 (as MergerNetwork) and changed to DealStream in 2018 to reflect broader offerings
• Mission: To create a global online exchange for business opportunities, where entrepreneurs, investors, and brokers can connect and trade everything from businesses and franchises to investments and assets
• Primary Offerings: Business-for-sale listings (all sizes), franchise resales, startup investment opportunities, real estate projects, mining/oil leases, crypto projects, and more. Essentially, classified ads for any deal.
• Size & Deal Types: ~13,000 active listings in the business-for-sale category at a given time, from small $50K websites up to multi-million dollar international deals. Many listings are U.S. and Canada, but it’s very international-friendly.
• Business Model: Freemium model – Listing an opportunity is free for basic service, which draws in inventory. Revenue comes from membership plans for buyers/investors who want full access. A free account allows browsing and some communication, but a paid membership unlocks additional features. No commission on deals; also no listing fee for basic listings, paid add-ons available.

How It Works: 

Sellers (or anyone with an opportunity) can post a listing on DealStream by choosing the appropriate category and filling in details. For example, to sell a business, you’d select “Businesses For Sale” and then the sub-category/industry. The platform will prompt for key info: location, asking price, financials, and a description. You can list anonymously and choose how interested parties contact you. Basic listings are free, paid upgrades are available. 

For buyers, browsing the site is free. Buyers can filter by location, industry, keyword, and deal type. There’s also a social aspect – users have profiles, and one can see how active a user is or their trust points. To unlock full functionality (like seeing the seller’s contact info or sending unlimited messages), you will need a paid membership. Once a connection is made, buyer and seller usually move to direct communication off-platform. 

DealStream also implements a rating/review system for deals closed or members interacted with, which adds a trust layer. And since it’s free to list, you might see duplicate listings that are also on other sites (brokers often copy their BizBuySell listings onto DealStream for extra reach). To sum up, DealStream works like a marketplace + network: it introduces buyers and sellers of all sorts of opportunities, mostly leaving them to transact offline, while offering a platform for communication and community feedback.

Pricing and Fees: 

For sellers, listing a basic opportunity is free. There are optional paid services: for instance, you can pay to “feature” your listing or to get it promoted in emails. These costs might range from tens to a couple of hundred dollars. There are no success fees on deals, and the platform doesn’t take a cut from either party.

For buyers, you’ll likely need a paid membership. DealStream offers subscription plans (monthly or annual). Expect to pay ~$30 per month (or a discounted annual rate) for a basic buyer membership, and more for higher tiers with extra benefits. The paid membership lets you view complete information on listings and contact as many sellers as you want.

Pros and Cons:

Sunbelt Business Brokers

Sunbelt Business Brokers isn’t an online marketplace per se – it’s the world’s largest business brokerage network, with over 200 offices. We include Sunbelt as an alternative path to buy/sell a business because it offers a comprehensive brokerage service and its own listing platform that rivals BizBuySell in inventory (often Sunbelt brokers list on Sunbelt’s site and BizBuySell). Founded in 1978 in the U.S, Sunbelt has built immense credibility through decades of facilitating small and mid-sized business sales. It stands out for its local presence and hands-on brokerage: if you engage Sunbelt, you’re working with a local broker who provides valuation, confidential marketing, buyer screening, and deal negotiation. For buyers, Sunbelt provides pre-vetted opportunities and guidance through the buying process. Essentially, Sunbelt brings the “high-touch” brokerage model to main street businesses on a global scale. It’s ideal for those who prefer a broker’s expertise over a do-it-yourself listing site.

Key Facts:

• Founded: 1978 by Ed Pendarvis in Charleston, SC
• Network Size: 200+ offices worldwide (franchise offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia); over 1,000 brokers and advisors in the network
• Mission: To help people buy and sell businesses successfully by providing professional brokerage services and leveraging the largest network of buyers/sellers
• Primary Services: Full-service business brokerage for small to mid-market companies: business valuation, confidential listing, buyer search/marketing, negotiation, and closing coordination. Sunbelt’s website also serves as a marketplace for its brokers’ listings with thousands of businesses for sale globally.
• Deal Size Focus: Typically “main street” and lower middle market businesses. Sunbelt offices handle transactions from as low as ~$50,000 up to around $20+ million. The sweet spot is often businesses with revenues between $500,000 to $5 million, though many offices also handle larger $10M+.
• Business Model: Franchise brokerage network. Individual Sunbelt offices are owned by franchisees who earn commissions on deals. Sunbelt corporate provides training, brand, and the central website. The brokerage earns success-based commissions from sellers when deals close (usually 8-12% of sale price, or a minimum fee). There’s typically no upfront cost to list with a Sunbelt broker (sometimes a small retainer for larger deals).

How It Works: 

As a seller, engaging Sunbelt means you’ll meet with a Sunbelt broker in your area. They will evaluate your business, often provide a valuation or pricing advice, and ask you to sign a listing agreement (typically exclusive for a period, e.g., 6-12 months). Once onboard, the broker prepares a marketing package. The business is then listed on various marketplaces – Sunbelt’s own website, likely BizBuySell/BizQuest, possibly others – but importantly, the broker will also directly reach out to their network of potential buyers. Sunbelt as a company cross-shares listings: if you list with a Sunbelt in Texas, their buyers in California can learn of it through the network. They effectively give you both online and offline marketing. As inquiries come in, the broker vets buyers (has them sign NDAs, verifies financial capability), then shares details. The broker facilitates meetings, offers, and negotiations between the seller and the buyer. They also assist through due diligence and closing. In essence, from listing to closing, Sunbelt brokers manage the process, aiming to get the deal done for the agreed commission.

As a buyer, you typically would start by browse listings on Sunbelt’s website. You can filter by industry, location, price, etc., just like other marketplaces. If you find a listing you like, when you inquire, you’ll be contacting the Sunbelt broker handling that listing. They’ll likely ask you to sign an NDA and possibly provide proof of funds before sharing detailed financials. Then they’ll facilitate meetings with the seller if you progress. 

Alternatively, you can reach out to a local Sunbelt office as a buyer and let them know what you’re looking for. Good brokers will then alert you when they have a listing that fits your criteria (sometimes before it hits public websites). They can also show you multiple listings and even help you refine your search or get pre-qualified for financing. 

The buyer process via a broker is a bit more formal than browsing a site like BizBuySell independently. You’ll be in a broker’s contact database, you might get required to fill out a buyer profile, etc.  

Pricing and Fees: 

Sunbelt typically operates on a success fee (commission) basis. That means sellers usually don’t pay them until their business is sold. The standard commission is in the range of 10-12% of the sale price for small businesses, with a minimum fee (often $15,000-$40,000 minimum). For larger deals, brokers may use a sliding scale (Lehman formula or similar), where the percentage goes down as the price goes up. In some cases (especially for businesses with value in the millions), a Sunbelt office might charge a small upfront retainer or marketing fee, but this varies. Overall, expect around 10% commission.

Buyers do not pay Sunbelt when buying a business. There are exceptions: in some cases, a buyer might hire a Sunbelt broker on a buy-side search mandate, in which case a fee arrangement would be made (either buyer pays a retainer or success fee). But this is less common in main street deals.

Pros and Cons:

Franchise Direct

Franchise Direct is one of the leading franchise opportunity marketplaces globally. Established in, it pioneered online franchise lead generation and has become a highly credible platform for connecting franchisors with prospective franchisees. Unlike the general business-for-sale sites, Franchise Direct specializes in franchises – mostly offering new franchise units, and some existing franchise resales. What makes Franchise Direct stand out is its international reach and comprehensive franchise directory. It operates nearly 15 regional websites covering North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Key Facts:

• Founded: 1998
• Headquarters: Originally founded in Ireland; now with offices in the US and worldwide, servicing franchise marketing globally
• Mission: To be the premier online portal for franchise and business opportunities, providing prospective franchisees all the information and connections needed to invest in a franchise, and delivering qualified leads to franchisors
• Primary Offerings: Comprehensive franchise directories by industry (food, retail, services, etc.) and by region.
• Size & Scope: Franchise Direct features 400+ franchise opportunities at any given time on the U.S. site alone. Globally, across all their regional sites, they cover hundreds more.Deals range from low-cost franchises (under $10K investment) up to major international franchise brands requiring $1M+. 
• Business Model: Essentially an advertising and lead generation model. Franchisors pay Franchise Direct to be listed and to receive leads. Franchise Direct does content marketing to attract buyers and then charges franchisors for exposure. It does not charge the prospective franchisees to use the site. No commissions on franchise sales – revenue is from advertising packages sold to franchise companies.

How It Works: 

For a prospective buyer (franchisee), using Franchise Direct is straightforward. Simply navigate by industry or category (for example, “Food Franchises” or “Top Franchises Under $50K” etc.) or by using search if you have a specific brand in mind. Each franchise listed has a profile page with information such as: year founded, number of units, franchise fee, initial investment range, royalty fees, a description of the business, what kind of training/support is provided, ideal candidate criteria, and often some marketing copy about the brand’s success. If interested, you fill out a contact form on that page. The seller will then reach out to you, usually sending a franchise brochure or setting up a call. The subsequent process happens off-platform.

For a franchisor (seller), you would contact Franchise Direct’s sales team to get your franchise listed. They offer packages to showcase your franchise in certain categories or geographies. You might get a dedicated landing page, inclusion in newsletters, etc., depending on what you pay.

Pricing and Fees: 

For buyers, it’s free to browse and request information. 

Sellers typically pay for a listing package or per lead. Being featured as a Top franchise or being placed on the homepage costs more.

Pros and Cons:

Axial

Axial is a private M&A (mergers and acquisitions) platform that serves as an online deal network for the lower middle market. Launched in 2010, Axial has become a well-known marketplace where professional buyers (like private equity firms, search funds, family offices) and M&A advisors (investment bankers, brokers) connect for deals that are typically larger than Main Street but smaller than Wall Street. Axial stands out due to its membership-based model and deal-matching technology. Often dubbed a “Match.com for M&A” or even “Tinder for buying companies, Axial uses algorithms to match buyers’ investment criteria with sellers’ deal listings, while maintaining confidentiality. It is highly credible in the PE and M&A community, counting thousands of deal professionals as members, and has facilitated thousands of introductions leading to closed transactions. 

Key Facts:

• Founded: 2010 by Peter Lehrman
• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Mission: To help entrepreneurs and small business owners secure growth capital or exit their companies by connecting them with qualified buyers, investors, and advisors in a confidential online network. Essentially, to streamline and democratize deal sourcing in the lower middle market.
• Primary Offerings: A members-only online platform where sellers can post a confidential profile of a company for sale or capital raise. Axial is used for outright acquisitions, but also capital raises (debt/equity for growth) and minority investments.
• Deal Size & Types: Focus on lower middle market: generally you will find established profitable companies with $5 million to $100 million in revenue (or $1M to $15M EBITDA). Most industries are represented, though there’s emphasis on sectors like manufacturing, business services, healthcare, tech, etc.
• Business Model: Membership subscription model. Axial charges buyers annual fees to access the network. Axial does not charge transaction-based fees. It’s essentially SaaS for deal sourcing.

How It Works: 

Axial’s platform is private and members-only, so the process is a bit more involved than just browsing a public site.

Buyers must apply or be invited to join Axial. This often involves verifying that you are a legitimate investor or advisor. Buy-side members detail their investment criteria.

Sellers have to create a teaser profile on Axial. This profile is usually anonymous – it describes the company in general terms (industry, size, highlights) without revealing the name. They input specifics like location, industry tags, financial metrics, etc., into Axial’s system. Axial’s algorithms match the deal to buy-side members whose criteria align. The sellers can also manually select certain buyers to invite, and exclude others. The matched buyers get a notification that a new opportunity is available and can see the teaser. If interested, the buyer can “like” or express interest. The sell-side then reviews interested buyers and decides to grant access or not. Once connected, buyer and seller can communicate within the platform or move to off-platform. Axial provides some tools to track interactions but essentially, after the intro and NDA, the normal M&A process takes over, and it’s usually off-platform.

Pricing and Fees: 

Buyers might pay anywhere from $5,000 up to $50,000+ per year for membership depending on the size of firm and level of service. There’s no per-deal fee – it’s unlimited introductions during the subscription.

Historically, Axial didn’t charge sellers to post deals because they wanted inventory and made their money from buy-side. Axial does not take a cut of the transaction.

Pros and Cons