The best NFT-Marketplaces are websites that allow users to buy, sell, and trade NFTs in all their forms, including art collections, music, virtual real estate, and memes, with minimal gas fees and carbon footprint.
You can consider the best sites for NFT trading, where users can buy, sell, and even create their own NFTs.
- What are NFT marketplaces?
- How do NFT marketplaces work?
- 10 best NFT trading sites
- Comparison of the best NFT marketplaces
What are NFT marketplaces?
An NFT marketplace is an online platform where users can interact with non-fungible tokens. These platforms use blockchain as their underlying technology to ensure transparency in each transaction and record the trading and tokenization process of assets.
NFT marketplaces are particularly popular in gaming, social networks, music, and art, but can operate with any digital assets and have become even more widespread with the advent of the Metaverse.
The new generation of NFT sites aims to address issues such as lack of NFT interoperability, NFP swapping, cross-chain bridging, and Metaverse compatibility.
How do NFT marketplaces work?
NFT marketplaces connect buyers and sellers of digital collectibles stored on the blockchain. On these platforms, users can buy, sell, or trade crypto assets in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These NFTs have unique attributes such as ownership history and scarcity, making them attractive for trading.
Most NFT marketplaces offer various features designed for convenience and efficiency in making smart investment or trade decisions:
- Pre-sales are great if you don’t have the funds yet but want to secure an item before its release date.
- Auctions allow you to bid for items against other users.
- Discounts allow purchasing multiple items at once, just like buying in bulk.
Users can search through listings, find pieces they like, view images of the artwork and information about its creator and provenance, and then bid for them in auctions. When a transaction is completed, payment is handled via smart contracts, which safely transfer funds between buyers and sellers. Several security protocols protect all users’ personal information from misuse or theft.
Additionally, most NFT marketplaces have implemented regulatory frameworks to comply with international laws and regulations related to cryptocurrency purchases.
10 best NFT trading sites
10 best NFT trading sites for non-fungible token sellers and buyers
Some NFT marketplaces are more reliable and trusted by users due to their transparency, reasonable fees, and large volume of NFT catalogs. Below are 10 of the best NFT marketplaces that excel in these qualities.
Rarible
On the Rarible platform, users can easily see available and trending NFTs, with clearly and distinctly displayed listings. This platform allows users to mint, buy, and sell digital tokens in various categories.
Live auctions, hot collections, and best-sellers are prominently showcased. Additionally, users can contribute their opinions on platform upgrades and participate in moderation discussions. Rarible allows trading in NFTs such as digital art, music, games, metaverse, memes, and photos.
OpenSea
Founded in 2017, the OpenSea platform is one of the first and largest NFT trading platforms, serving holders of digital assets from Polygon, Ethereum, and Bitcoin.
Creators can sell their NFTs at a fixed price or through auctions. Buyers can also choose between these two options, acquiring unique tokens such as art collectibles, games, music/sound loops, domain names, sports products, or other digital assets.
The platform provides valuable insights into sellers’ volume ranks, the number of NFTs sold, average sale price, and other important details.
Crypto.com
Founded in 2021 on the Ethereum blockchain, the Crypto.com platform has since gained over 100 million users in 90 countries. Users can trade NFTs in categories such as art, games, sports, and music on this platform.
Having grown into one of the most popular cryptocurrency and NFT exchange networks, Crypto.com offers numerous celebrity NFTs that can be purchased via bidding or at a fixed price.
One of the main advantages of this platform is the absence of transaction fees, and users can also trade NFTs via their mobile devices.
KnownOrigin
One of the first NFT marketplaces, KnownOrigin, focuses on providing access to collectible, rare art released in limited editions. These tokens allow creators to control the number of available copies to ensure scarcity and boost prices.
The KnownOrigin platform is exclusive, with NFT creators vetted after they apply. It also supports collaborations in creating NFTs and provides advice on releases and sales. Additionally, as an Ethereum-based platform, it comes with certain fees.
Mintable
Supported by billionaire Mark Cuban, the Mintable platform allows users to buy, sell, and create or "mint" NFTs. This marketplace is based on the Ethereum blockchain, meaning transactions are processed directly between users without third-party involvement, and it uses MetaMask to onboard users with crypto wallets.
On this platform, you can mint NFTs without gas fees, printables, transaction-based, or open for bidding. Mintable allows users to trade NFTs in categories such as digital art, photography, videos, games, domain names, and more.
Super Rare
As an art-focused NFT marketplace, Super Rare is dedicated to artistic intent and expression, showcasing its offerings in a gallery format. This highly exclusive platform accepts only 1% of applications to ensure a high-quality art collection.
This high-end marketplace encourages users to create original artworks and mint single-edition NFTs to increase the rarity and uniqueness of the pieces, making it an ideal place for those looking to buy or sell NFTs that may appreciate over time.
Foundation
The Foundation platform was launched in February 2021 and has a unique advantage: all artists on the platform can perpetually earn 10% royalties from their works. Up to four NFT creators can receive earnings from primary sales and royalties from secondary sales.
Foundation operates as a community-curated collective, ensuring that only the best NFTs are accepted on the platform. This results in a high-end and exclusive collection for buyers to enjoy.
Users can follow artist profiles on the platform, add favorites to their wish lists, and engage in various other activities to enhance their experience. Foundation conducts transactions on the Ethereum network and has sold millions of dollars worth of NFTs since 2021.
Nifty Gateway
The Nifty Gateway platform uses limited drops to present works by renowned digital artists and brands, making them available for only a very limited time. NFTs on this platform are often referred to as "nifties." After the drop, they are sold through a peer-to-peer marketplace, which stands out for its detailed activity log.
Binance NFT
Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms, launched its NFT marketplace in June 2021. It supports over 1500 cryptocurrencies as payment methods and offers very low minting fees.
The platform features a simple interface that is easy to navigate, especially for users already familiar with the Binance ecosystem. Marketplace signups are free, and NFT buyers, sellers, and traders can immediately transact with other users on the platform.
Zora
The Zora platform began as an invite-only marketplace for artists and has since transitioned into a general NFT marketplace. It gives NFT creators more ownership of their art and enables perpetual bids in any currency. The platform is very easy to use thanks to its intuitive interface.
Zora is one of the best platforms for music NFTs, but you can also find physical items such as limited-edition Nike sneakers.
Comparison of the best NFT marketplaces
Comparison of the best NFT marketplaces
NFT Marketplace
Blockchain
NFT Types
Service Fees
Best For
Rarible
RARI Chain, Ethereum, Polygon, Immutable X, zkSync Era, Base, Astar zkEvm, Kroma
Art, Collectibles, Music
0.5% - for transactions worth $4,000+
1% - $2,000 to $4,000
2.5% - $400 to $2,000
5% - $100 to $400
7.5% - $1 to $100
Beginners and experts
OpenSea
Ethereum, Polygon, Klatytn, and more
Art, Collectibles, Domain Names, Music, Sports Assets, Utility NFTs, and more
2.5% - secondary sales
2.5% to 10% - mints from primary drops
Beginners and experts
Crypto.com
Ethereum, Polygon, Cronos, Cronos POS Chain
Art, Collectibles
1.99% - secondary sales
Beginners and experts
KnownOrigin
Ethereum
Digital Art
15% - primary sales
2.5% - secondary sales
Knowledgeable users
Mintable
Ethereum, Immutable X, Ripple
Digital Content
2.5%
Beginners and experts
SuperRare
Ethereum
Art
15% - primary sales
3% - marketplace fee on top of all sales
High-end buyers and traders
Foundation
Ethereum
Art
5%
Exclusive members
Nifty Gateway
Ethereum
Art, Collectibles
5%
Curated membership
Binance NFT
Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain
Art, Collectibles, Entertainment, Gaming
1%
Beginners, users in the Binance ecosystem
Zora
Ethereum
Art, Music, Physical Items
0.000777 ETH + 3% of the listed purchase price
Beginners and experts alike
Methodology for Selecting the Best NFT Marketplaces
The NFT marketplaces featured on our list can be compared based on critical factors for sellers, buyers, and traders:
Factor Description Fees Each marketplace has a set fee structure that can persuade or dissuade creators and collectors from signing up. User Base Popular platforms have large communities that create, collect, and share different types of NFTs in the hundreds or even thousands. The diversity of options ensures the marketplace will thrive for a long time to come. User Experience The platform should be intuitive and easy to navigate. Blockchain Many NFT marketplaces deal exclusively in Ethereum, but some platforms also accommodate other options with lower transaction fees. Security Protocols Robust security is crucial for users’ peace of mind. Secure wallets and transparent transactions protect against fraud and malicious parties.
NFT marketplaces offer various types of NFTs, from art and sports to memes and music, although some specialize in more niche options like utility NFTs and physical items.
When engaging with any NFT marketplace, ensure that your expectations align with the platform's offerings and methods, which will result in beneficial long-term activity on your chosen platform, whether you are a creator or collector.