Looking to buy or sell an online business? Flippa and Acquire.com are two popular platforms with different strengths, catering to distinct needs.
- Flippa: Best for a wide range of businesses, especially smaller ones under $100,000. Offers tools like a Deal Room and flexible options for buyers and sellers.
- Acquire.com: Focused on tech startups and SaaS businesses over $100,000. Prioritizes privacy, verification, and includes free escrow and legal services.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Flippa | Acquire.com |
|---|---|---|
| Target Market | General businesses, <$100K deals | SaaS/tech startups, >$100K deals |
| Listing Fee | $49 - $599 | None |
| Success Fee | Up to 10% | 4% |
| Buyer Access | Free + $49/month (Premium) | $390/year (Premium), $780/year (Platinum) |
| Confidential Listings | $199 upgrade | Included |
| Escrow Services | Extra cost | Included |
| Identity Verification | Optional | Mandatory |
Choose Flippa for variety and affordability, or Acquire.com for secure, high-value SaaS and tech acquisitions.
Platform Features
Business Types and Focus
Flippa offers a variety of digital assets, such as content sites, e-commerce stores, and apps. On the other hand, Acquire.com primarily targets SaaS businesses (making up over 50% of its listings) and carefully selected tech startups.
Acquire.com focuses on curated listings, showcasing selective e-commerce businesses, agencies, and mobile apps with proven growth records.
| Business Category | Flippa | Acquire.com |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS Companies | Available | Over 50% of listings |
| E-commerce | High volume | Selective |
| Content Sites | Extensive | Limited |
| Mobile Apps | Common | Tech-focused |
Main Features
Flippa provides tools like integrations with 15 data partners to offer financial and operational insights [1]. It also features a Deal Room, which includes transaction documents such as Letters of Intent and Asset Purchase Agreements. The "Verified by Flippa" program adds another layer of due diligence for premium listings.
Acquire.com emphasizes security with an identity verification system and offers free escrow services via Escrow.com. It also includes legal documentation for all transactions. These features impact buyer costs differently, which will be covered in the next section on Costs and Fees.
Buyer Resources
Flippa's Premium membership ($49/month) includes:
- Early access to listings through the First Access program
- AI-powered deal matching
- Increased visibility for buyers
Acquire.com focuses on quality and reliability by offering:
- Pre-verified financial data
- Specialized SaaS metric filters [2]
- Free escrow and legal services
Flippa continues to develop its AI tools, while Acquire.com leans heavily on verification processes, reinforcing their roles as a general marketplace and a tech-focused platform, respectively.
Costs and Fees
Fee Structure Comparison
Flippa and Acquire.com have different pricing approaches, which influence costs for both buyers and sellers. Flippa uses a tiered fee system, while Acquire.com opts for a subscription-based model.
| Cost Component | Flippa | Acquire.com |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | $49 - $599 | None |
| Success Fee | Up to 10% | 4% |
| Buyer Access | Free + $49/month (First Access) | $390/year (Premium) or $780/year (Platinum) |
| Legal Documents | $199 | Included |
| Escrow Services | Additional cost | Included |
| Confidential Listings | $199 upgrade | Included |
For larger transactions, Flippa offers a brokered service for listings over $100,000. This service costs $999 for a nine-month term and includes a 3-8% success fee, providing extra support throughout the sale process.
Cost Impact on Buyers
The fee structures of these platforms affect buyers differently depending on their investment habits and acquisition frequency.
Acquire.com's subscription model requires an upfront payment but includes key services. The Premium plan costs $390/year and covers businesses with up to $250,000 in trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenue. The Platinum plan, at $780/year, offers access to all listings, including exclusive opportunities.
Here’s how buyers might approach these costs:
- Occasional buyers: Flippa's free account might be appealing, but acting quickly on new listings is essential.
- Frequent buyers: Acquire.com's annual subscription often offers better value, as it includes legal documentation and escrow services that Flippa charges extra for.
Buyers should carefully consider:
- Platform access fees
- Additional costs for due diligence tools and services
These pricing models highlight the platforms' different focuses: Flippa caters to a broader audience with flexible options, while Acquire.com targets tech-focused buyers with a subscription-based premium experience.
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Platform Experience
Website Design and Usage
The way a platform is designed plays a big role in how easy it is to use and how efficiently users can find opportunities. This is especially important given the differences in fees between platforms. Flippa offers a straightforward interface with advanced filtering options, making it easy to sort by business type or key metrics. On the other hand, Acquire.com's 2024 update focuses on providing data-heavy displays tailored for users who prefer detailed insights.
| Feature | Flippa | Acquire.com |
|---|---|---|
| Search Filters | Advanced options with multiple parameters | Basic filters centered on revenue/niche |
| Listing Display | Public by default | Confidential by default |
| Data Visualization | Integrates with 15 data partners | Prioritizes verified metrics |
These differences in design and tools directly affect how transactions are handled, which becomes even clearer when looking at their deal support features.
Deal Support
Each platform takes a unique approach to supporting deals. Flippa consolidates the process with its Deal Room tools, while Acquire.com simplifies steps like NDA management and verification.
Flippa's Deal Room offers:
- Letter of Intent (LOI) builder: Draft and customize LOIs directly within the platform.
- Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) generator: Streamline agreement creation.
- Direct messaging system: Facilitates clear communication between buyers and sellers.
Acquire.com focuses on automation and verification, including:
- Automated NDA processing: Ensures confidentiality for all listings.
- Identity verification with Persona: Confirms the legitimacy of users.
- Required business documentation: Adds an extra layer of credibility.
Listing Quality
The quality of listings is another key factor, closely tied to the verification processes of each platform. Flippa relies on external data partners to cross-check listings, while Acquire.com takes a more hands-on approach by pre-verifying financials and enforcing strict identity checks.
These quality measures influence how users choose between platforms - something that will be explored further in the recommendations section.
Flippa vs Acquire.com
Making Your Choice
When deciding between these platforms, it's important to align their strengths with your specific goals.
Key Advantages
Flippa is ideal for buyers looking for a wide range of businesses, especially those priced under $100,000. Its user-friendly tools, like the Deal Room and optional escrow services, make it a great pick for first-time buyers exploring smaller, established businesses.
On the other hand, Acquire.com focuses on tech startups and SaaS companies. With its emphasis on confidentiality and identity-first verification, it's a strong option for those seeking acquisitions above $100,000 in the tech space.
| Platform | Best For |
|---|---|
| Flippa | First-time buyers, varied business types |
| Acquire.com | Tech startups, SaaS companies |
Platform Selection Guide
Go with Flippa if you:
- Are looking for acquisitions under $100,000
- Want content sites or e-commerce stores
- Need built-in tools for structuring deals
Opt for Acquire.com if you:
- Are targeting tech or SaaS acquisitions over $100,000
- Require features like automated NDAs and identity verification
To enhance your buying process, consider using third-party resources like businessbuyers.co for additional due diligence support.