Buying a car is a tedious task in itself. You have to decide what you want, how much it should cost, and how you will pay for it. Well, thanks to the new normal, car-buying apps cut you some slack. All you need is a good device, strong Wi-Fi, a curious mind, and fingers ready to tap.
Online marketplace apps
Online marketplace apps collect listings for new and used cars, usually from online stores and multiple dealerships. Only a few of them have listings from people. When you find a car you like, the app will tell you how to get in touch with the seller so you can buy it.
Online auto retailers’ apps
Online auto retailers’ apps are provided by companies so that you can buy a used car online. On their apps, you can find used cars for sale and a way to pay for the car. Then finish the sale, and set up delivery. The retailers own the items on these apps, and if you’re not happy with your purchase, they usually have a return policy.
Traditional private-party sales platforms
Craigslist, eBay Motors, and Facebook Marketplace are some of the best traditional private-party sales platforms out there. You can find a great deal on these platforms. Many private sellers use them when they want to sell their cars quickly and close to home.
But practice with caution. Always look out for scammers and ask all the questions you need to make a decision. Craigslist and Facebook don’t do much to protect buyers, but eBay Motors does, as long as the sale is made through the site.
Way’s top best car-buying apps
The marketplace car-buying apps listed below are ranked by download volume and user reviews. All of the apps on this list have at least four stars, at least 20,000 user reviews, or both. They are free to use and are available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.
Autolist
Autolist has listings for both new and used cars from dealers. It also has a feature called “My Garage” that lets you keep track of your car’s market value and trade-in value. This is a helpful way to figure out how much car you can afford.
You can also put in the loan terms you want, and the app will give you an estimate. It will be of how much each car will cost each month. The app will put a “hot car” label on listings that it thinks will sell soon. It will also tell you how long a car has been on sale. And if the price is higher or lower than similar listings.
Features :
- Loan calculator
- Vehicle reviews
- Vehicle history reports
- Price alerts
Ratings : 4.4 ★
Downloads : 1M+
Available for free on both iOS and Android.
Autotrader
Many of the features of Autotrader are the same as those of other apps. It lets you search for and look through listings for both new and used cars. You can then sort the results by things like make, model, year, and mileage.
You can save multiple cars and compare them on the website. And you can also call, text, or email dealers directly to set up a test drive. And on the Autotrader website, if you want to buy a car but also want to sell or trade a car, you can get an instant cash offer.
Features :
- Vehicle reviews
- Vehicle history reports
- Price alerts
- Cash offers
Ratings : 2.9 ★
Downloads : 1M+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
CarFax
The CarFax app only lists used cars from dealerships, and most of the cars listed on the app come with a free CarFax report, which is the industry standard for vehicle history reports. Each listing has a CarFax rating that tells users whether they’re getting a “good value” or “great value” based on how much the car is worth on the market.
Listings have a loan payment calculator that estimates your monthly payment based on the amount you put down, the interest rate, and the length of the loan. The app also shows the price history of each listing since it was first put on the app. This could be helpful when it comes time to negotiate.
Features :
- Loan calculator
- Vehicle history reports
- Price alerts
- Cash offers
Ratings : 4.3★
Downloads : 1M+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
CarGurus
CarGurus can help you narrow down your search, whether you’re looking for a new or used car. The app keeps track of how much different makes and models of cars cost, and as you look around, its “deal rating” will tell you if the price of the car you’re looking at is a good one or not.
Expert reviews and the ability to apply for financing within the app make it easier to shop for a car. Once you save a search, the app will let you know when the price changes. You can also use CarGurus to sell your car if you want to buy a new one.
Features :
- Search and filter tools that helps to find good deals
- Review dealer ratings
- Current sales activities on different car models
Ratings : 4.7★
Downloads : 5M+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
Cars.com
If you believe the experts, you can count on this app. The main benefit is the short overviews of each car that show what professional testers liked and didn’t like about it. As a bonus, the app can also help you figure out how much your trade-in is worth and how much your loan payments will be if you change things like how much you pay upfront and your credit score.
You can also call, text, or email dealers from the app to set up an appointment or test drive, so you don’t miss the chance to see a car in person. The Cars.com app was one of the first ones that let you buy a car, but it can do a lot more than that. After you buy something, you can still use it to find local mechanics or watch videos on how to fix things yourself.
Features :
- Loan calculator
- Vehicle reviews
- Vehicle history reports
- Price alerts
- Cash offers
Ratings : 4.7 ★
Downloads : 5M+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
Used Car Search Pro by iSeeCars
Used Car Seach Pro is an app made by iSeeCars that works best if you know exactly what kind of car you want or are very interested in the small details. With the app’s search filters, you can look for just the features you want.
And the price analysis tool uses an in-app system to figure out how much something is worth on the market and sort your search by best price. You will be able to look at listings from private sellers and dealerships, so be careful when looking at a new car.
Features :
- Vehicle history reports
- Price alerts
- Dealer Scorecard
Ratings : 4.2 ★
Downloads : 500K+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
TrueCar
This app is for you if you are competitive, always on the go, and not easily stressed out. With its easy-to-use interface and well-thought-out features, you can not only see how much other people in your area recently paid for any vehicle, but you can also scan window stickers at some dealerships to make sure they are charging a fair price.
Once you sign up for TrueCar, you’ll be connected to thousands of dealers who will have your phone number and lots of cars to try to sell you. When you find the perfect car, you’ll also be able to get discounts from TrueCar’s partner stores and factories. You can look at both new and used cars with this app.
Features :
- Loan calculator
- Vehicle reviews
- Vehicle history reports
- Price alerts
- Cash offers
Ratings : 4.4 ★
Downloads : 1M+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
Edmunds
The Edmunds app has a tool that helps you compare listings and find the best deal. This tool is based on real market prices. It also has reviews written by experts based on their research.
This app will tell you everything from the average gas price to last-minute deals in your area. In addition, you can search for cars, compare similar cars, save your searches, figure out how much your monthly loan payments will be, and even text dealers.
Features :
- Loan calculator
- Vehicle reviews
- Vehicle history reports
- Price alerts
- Cash offers via CarMax
Ratings : 4.2 ★
Downloads : 500K+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
Carvana
The Carvana app helps you buy used cars and trade in the one you already have. It lets you search using many of the same filters as other apps, but you’re not looking at dealer listings. Carvana, on the other hand, owns all of its own stock, and the price you see on the app is the price you pay.
If you live in an area that Carvana serves, the car you buy can be sent straight to your house. You can pick up your car at one of Carvana’s “car vending machine” locations if you live outside the service area. You can get financing through a third party or directly through Carvana if you need it.
Features:
- Can browse, finance, and purchase a car online
Ratings : 4.1 ★
Downloads : 1M+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
Kelley Blue Book
This app isn’t very flashy, but it makes up for it with its strong brand. Before making an offer on a car, you should always check its Kelley Blue Book value, which you can now do without opening your laptop or turning on your desktop.
You can use the app to get up-to-date KBB pricing on any car you’re looking at, whether you’re at home or at a dealership. KBB has a lot of helpful videos and suggestions for local dealerships, in addition to the usual comparison shopping that other apps offer.
Features:
- Search vehicle prices
- Compare vehicles
- Find a dealer
Ratings : 2.0 ★
Downloads : 1M+
Available for free on both iOS and Android
Best car buying app for one-stop resource: Edmunds
Whether you’ve bought a car before or not, you’ll probably have many questions as you go through the process. The Edmunds car app can help you sort through the details of new and used cars, such as prices and reviews of the cars. Here are some features that make Edmunds stand out:
Vehicle reviews
The Edmunds app is a great choice if you want an app with a lot of content, like reviews of cars. It has many car reviews written by people who work in the auto industry. In each review, the pros and cons of each model are mentioned. The app also has reviews written by people who own vehicles.
Buying and leasing calculators
Using the payment calculator in the Edmunds app, you can see how much you’re likely to spend with each choice.
Market pricing
Edmunds Suggested Price is a pricing system that helps you figure out how many different new and used cars sell on average in your area. This system can help you figure out if the price you’re paying for your car is fair by comparing it to prices listed in your neighborhood.
Media
Getting a closer look at the inside and outside of a car is helpful when deciding whether or not to buy it. On the Edmunds app, you can look at photos and in-depth videos of each car on your shortlist to get a clear picture of each one without going to the dealership.
Best for buying a used car from a dealer: Carvana
With the Carvana app, you can buy a car online instead of going to a dealership, which is convenient. It comes with a guarantee that lets you send back a used car you bought within seven days if you decide it’s not right for you. Also, if you live in one of its local markets, all cars can be sent to you for free. Here are some features that make Carvana stand out:
Money-back guarantee
If you buy a used car online without first seeing it in person and taking it for a test drive, there’s a chance you won’t like it. That’s why it’s nice that Carvana gives you a seven-day money-back guarantee on all purchases, as long as you meet certain conditions. This gives you the option of getting a full refund or exchanging the car you bought.
Track delivery
With the Carvana app, you can set up a delivery time and keep track of it as it makes its way to your door.
Get financing
If you need to finance your car, it can take time to find lenders. This process is made easier by the Carvana app, which is a one-stop shop where you can find a car and apply for financing at the same time.
Recall information
The Carvana app will let you know if the vehicle you bought has been recalled.
Trade-in valuation
If you have a car you want to trade in for the one you want to buy, you’ll want to know how much it’s worth. The Carvana app has a tool that can tell you in just a few minutes how much your trade-in is worth.
Best for buying a used car from a private seller: Tred
When you buy a used car from a private seller, you have to do more work to set up things like a test drive and payment. The Tred app stands out from the rest because it has features that make the most time-consuming parts of buying a used car from a private party easier. Here are some features that make Tred stand out:
Test-drive scheduling
Once you find a car you like, the Tred app makes it easy to schedule a test drive. You can set up a time for your meeting with the help of the app.
Customer support
You can ask the seller questions about a car that is for sale. There is a feature in Tred that lets you talk to the seller right in the app.
Offers
If you decide that a certain car is the right one for you, the Tred app has a feature that lets you make an offer to the seller.
Online payment
When you’re ready to pay for your purchase, you can use the Tred app to easily pay online with money from your bank. You can also use a wire transfer, ACH, credit card, or debit card to pay online. And Tred has financing options that can help you pay for what you want to buy.
Vehicle history report
Tred gives you free Carfax reports that tell you if a used car you are thinking about buying has ever been in an accident.
Best for used-car shoppers with specific requirements: Used Car Search Pro
Filtering your online search can save you time if you’re looking for a used car and have certain needs. The iSeeCars app, which is also called Used Car Search Pro, gives you access to over 50 search filters that can help you find the right used car quickly. Here are some features that make Used Car Search Pro stand out:
Diverse search filters
The iSeeCars app has a lot of different search filters. You can search for vehicles, for example, by transmission, mileage, towing capacity, or cargo capacity. You can even look for cars that are easy to drive for people your height.
Market pricing
Are you not sure if the price of the used car you want is fair? With the ISeeCars app, you can find out if the price of a car is higher or lower than the price of other cars on the market.
Price alert
This app will let you know if the price of a car you are interested in drops.
Dealer ratings
It’s not always easy to tell if a used car lot is a good one. This app has a database of 40,000 dealers and gives ratings for each. In addition, dealers are rated on things like how honest they are and how quickly they answer customer questions.
Best for on-the-lot comparison shopping: Cars.com
If you like a new or used car on a dealer’s lot, you’ll be able to negotiate more confidently. Only if you know how much that model costs at other dealerships nearby. With the Cars.com app, you can scan window stickers to get this information quickly and easily. Here are some features that make Cars.com stand out:
On-lot price comparison
This app makes it easy to compare prices while you are at the dealer. It lets you find out how much a car costs by scanning a bar code on the window sticker that is linked to the car’s VIN number. Once a price has been figured out, the Cars.com app will compare it to the prices at nearby dealerships for similar models.
Price alerts
Sometimes, you must move quickly to get the best deal on a car. So the app has a price alert feature that will send you a push notification if the price of a model you’re interested in goes down.
Vehicle reviews
The Cars.com app gives you access to 5 million driver reviews so you can find out a model’s pros and cons before buying it.
Loan payment calculator
The loan payment calculator in the app lets you know how much you’ll have to pay each month if you finance your purchase.
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