The 12 Best Sneaker Apps For Alerts, Buying & Reselling [Complete Guide]
In this complete guide, we share our favorite apps for sneaker alerts, sneaker reselling, and sneaker buying along with pros and cons for each. This is a great resource for new sneakerheads and resellers.
The Best Apps For Sneaker Alerts
Knowing exactly when a sneaker is drops or restocks is critical when attempting to cop shoes online without the help of bots.
The apps listed in this section will help you stay on top of those sneaky releases and restocks that will increase your chances of securing the shoes that are in high demand.
more about the solelinks app
SoleLinks is a free app available for Apple and Android users that sends notifications straight to your phone when certain shoes release or restock.
Pressing Solelinks notifications sends users directly to the site which saves valuable time and increases your chances of copping during those hectic releases.
In addition to the alerts, the app also includes sneaker release information and a list of retailers that will be selling the shoes online which is extremely helpful when for manual users.
As with most apps and technology, the SoleLinks app does have a few shortcomings.
On some occasions, the app notifications don’t always come through to a users phones which can be a bit frustrating.
As a backup to their app, we suggest following their Twitter account and turning on their Tweet notifications.
PROS:
App sends notifications as direct links
Good for releases and restocks
Provides links to US and International retailers
CONS:
App can freeze during certain releases
Some app notifications don’t come through
Download the solelinks app
more about the j23 app
If you’re new to sneakers or a seasoned Jordan fanatic, then the J23 app is tailor-made for all. Not only does it include current release information and alerts, the app also provides a tons of historical and technical information regarding different shoes.
For instance, if you want to know when a Jordan retro originally released or the technology baked into a shoe, the J23 app has that information available for many shoes. Although the app isn’t consistent with the amount of information it provides for each shoe, it’s more than what’s available on any other app.
Coming in at $1.99, it’s not free, but a reasonable purchase in our opinion.
PROS:
Great amount of images and information
Sneaker alerts and release information
CONS:
Detailed information is not provided for each shoe
It’s not a free app
Not the most attractive interface
Download The j23 app
The Best Sneaker Apps For Sneaker Reselling
Want to flip sneakers for a profit or clear-out some old sneakers to make space for new ones? These apps connect you with buyers and sellers around the world who are serious about buying and selling new and used sneakers.
more about the goat app
GOAT is our personal favorite when it comes to online sneaker marketplaces. GOAT has a great customer service component and sneaker authentication process that prevents buyers from getting scammed with fake sneakers.
After a sale is made, sellers ship their item to GOAT where they check the authenticity of the shoe. After the shoe is authenticated, the seller receives their earnings and the shoe is shipped off to the buyer.
Setting up an account is easy, and buying and selling shoes on the platform is equally as painless. From a sellers perspective, some may not like that there’s no way to reduce seller fees on the platform, however, the higher selling prices compared to other platforms, generally makes up for the higher fees.
On the other hand, buyers have the option to purchase both new and used shoes and potentially get the shoe they want that’s gently worn, but for a lower price.
Lastly, Foot Locker recently invested millions in the company which solidified the apps legitimacy and gives the app the edge over its competitors in my opinion.
PROS:
Awesome customer support
Higher resell prices compared to StockX
Sellers have 3 days to ship sold items.
New and used items are listed
CONS:
Seller feeds cannot be lowered over time
Very little historical pricing data available
download The goat app
more about the stockx app
StockX is probably the most widely known and used sneaker marketplaces available today. It serves as a platform for people to buy and sell sneakers and other collectibles in a way that minimizes the risk of getting scammed.
How does it all work?!?!?!?
As each shoe/item is sold, it is sent to StockX to be “authenticated” by professionals to ensure the authenticity of the item. Once the item passes inspection, the seller gets paid and the item is shipped off to the buyer and everyone is happy.
Even though some have questioned the integrity of StockX’s authentication process, it is still one of the largest players in the resell industry and has continued to grow over the years.
Lastly, another major plus to the StockX platform is the historical pricing data that is provided that gives users a good idea of how prices have fluctuated over time for a shoe.
PROS:
Seller fees can be reduced after reaching specific sales volumes
Great place to buy streetwear and other collectibles
Easy-to-read graphs that display historical pricing data.
CONS:
Questionable authentication process
Sellers have only 2 days to ship sold items
download The stockX app
more about the Poshmark app
Poshmark is an online marketplace/app that allows users to conveniently buy and/or sell new and used apparel and footwear items.
Both buying and selling on the platform is easy, however, Poshmark doesn’t facilitate an “authentication” process that verifies the authenticity of the product like GOAT or StockX.
After a sale is completed, the seller sends the items directly to the customer. To protect the interest of its users against fraudulent behavior, Poshmark has buyer and seller guidelines that make the platform safer to use.
Personally, I’ve sold dozens of used items on the platform and find it to be a great option for people looking to git rid of items they no longer want or need, but I’m not a big fan of the high seller fees that can be as high as 20%.
PROS:
Easy listing and selling process
Allows communication between potential buyers and sellers
CONS:
Seller fees are higher than average
No “authentication process”
Hit or miss
download The poshmark app
The Best Sneakers Apps For Buying Hyped Sneakers [For Retail]
It’s no surprise that TONS of people are opting to shop online these days as opposed to heading to traditional retail store. Not only is shopping online viewed as being more convenient, but it’s also the more cost-effective option as well.
When it comes to shopping for hyped and discounted sneakers online, here are a few of our favorites apps that will help you get the sneakers you want at or below retail.
more about the Nike SNKRS app
A few years ago, Nike launched the Nike SNKRS app to serve as the brand’s primary online distribution channel for their more highly-coveted sneakers. Since day one, the app became the go-to platform for purchasing limited sneakers directly from Nike and Jordan Brand.
To gain full access to the app, users must first create a Nike+ account, then they’ll be greeted by a list of upcoming/past sneaker releases on the home screen. Tapping any of the sneakers will display more images and background information regarding each release.
When it comes to purchasing sneakers off the SNKRS app, there’s no guarantee that everyone that submits an order will actually make a purchase.
Essentially, each sneaker drop is conducted as a raffle and users who place orders are randomly selects to have their orders go through. “Winners” and “losers” are notified of the results only after a few minutes.
PROS:
App is home to almost all hyped releases
Clean, easy-to-use interface
Sneaker reservation opportunities
CONS:
Randomized raffle process
Some products cost more in-app than in-store
More product exclusions for store coupons
more about the Foot Locker app
Foot Locker is one of the largest retailers in the world and is the parent company of Footaction, Champs, and Eastbay. Since all of their apps function the same way, we’ll cover them all in this section.
Users can use the app without an account, but signing up for the Foot Locker loyalty program improves the shopping experience. Loyalty members can accumulate points as they shop, which leads to coupons and a better shot at reserving limited sneakers.
Although the apps have a tendency to crash during major releases, they make it easy to browse their huge selection of products, check release dates, and make purchases directly through the apps.
PROS:
Huge product selection
Awesome loyalty program
Sneaker reservation opportunities
CONS:
Crashes during big releases
Some products cost more in-app than in-store
More product exclusions for store coupons
Foot locker app download links
Footaction app download links
app download links
more about Hibbett | City Gear
Hibbett is a sporting goods retailer that has been around for over 50 years and has 100s of brick and mortar stores across the country. Recently, the company purchased City Gear and is quickly growing in notoriety within the footwear industry.
Their mobile app happens to be one of the best around as far as the user interface is concerned. In addition to its great design, it’s also a great option when it comes to securing limited sneakers like Air Jordan 1s and other retro Jordans..
As with most apps, the more limited shoes can be reserved through their raffle process prior to release. You must first create an account to enter, and if selected, users can purchase the sneakers in-store on release day.
In addition to reserving sneakers, the Hibbett | City Gear loyalty program is also a great way to earn coupons that can be used like cash on any sneaker purchase.
PROS:
Clean user interface and design
Free sneaker raffles
Great rewards program benefits
CONS:
Fewer hyped sneaker releases available via app than other retailers
Lack of online bot protection during popular releases.
download THE HIBBETT APP
more about sns app
Sneakersnstuff is a European retailer that consistently offers many of the hyped sneakers that most sneakerheads want to get their hands on.
In most cases, their releases are handled as a raffle or drawing, where customers can enter through their mobile app that is available for both apple and android devices.
Although I’ve personally never won any sneakers through the app, I appreciate the ease of use of its user interface and continue to enter most of their drawings for they latest hyped drops.
In order to enter drawings through the app, you must first create a Sneakersnstuff account, enter your billing and shipping information and select the size for the shoe you’re going for.
If you’re chosen to purchase the shoe, you’ll automatically have your order placed and payment taken on the date the drawing closes.
PROS:
Clean and minimal user interface that’s easy to use
The offer a wide selection of hyped sneaker releases
Plenty of quality product photos
CONS:
Higher prices than other US retailers
App sometimes takes a long time to load or doesn’t load at all
Low win probability
download THE SNS APP
more about Finishline app
Finishline is one of the largest sneaker retailers in the world and offers a wide variety of products, including some of the most highly-coveted sneaker models.
For these releases, potential buys must go to the Finishline app and go through a release reservation process that only takes seconds to complete. Generally, the reservations open up about 9 or 10 days before the release and results are sent out 7 days ahead of release.
I’ve personally reserved multiple pairs of Jordan Retros and Yeezys through the app and consider it a must-have for any sneakerhead looking to score the hottest sneakers.
PROS:
Clean and intuitive user interface
Rewards coupons can be used on all sneakers
Simple raffle/reservation process
CONS:
Frustrating waiting queue appears during busy releases
Low win probability for most raffles/reservations
Limited amount of hyped sneaker releases.
app download links
Your Turn:
Do you know of anymore sneaker apps that you can’t live without? if so, let us know what we missed in the comments below.
Founder & Chief Editor
Jared has merged his creativity, business acumen, and passion for helping others, to form a digital space committed to educating, engaging, and empowering people across the globe. #RetroSneakerLover