The 12 Best Sneakers App For Alerts, Buying, & Reselling [Guide] | The Retro Insider (2024)

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.

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

Download SoleLinks App (Apple)

Download solelinks app (android)

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

download j23 app (apple)

download j23 app (android)

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

download GOAT for (apple)

download GOAT for (android)

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

download the stockx app (apple)

download the stockx app (android)

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

download the postmark app (apple)

download the postmark app (android)

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

Download snkrs app (android)

download snkrs app (apple)

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

download foot locker app (apple)

download foot locker app (android)

download footaction app (apple)

download footaction app (android)

download champs app (apple)

download champs app (android)

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

download hibbett app (apple)

download hibbett app (android)

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

download sns app (apple)

download sns app (android)

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

download finishline app (apple)

download finishline app (android)