Specialized vs. General Marketplaces

When buying or selling a mobile app, the choice of marketplace significantly affects the quality of the experience and the outcome of the transaction.

General Marketplaces (Flippa, Empire Flippers, etc.)

General-purpose digital asset marketplaces list everything from blogs and SaaS products to e-commerce stores and mobile apps. They serve the broadest possible market.

Pros: Large buyer pool, established brand, wide variety of listings.

Cons:

• No specialized expertise in mobile app subscriptions — listings aren't deeply vetted for subscription-specific metrics
• High commissions (often 10–15%+)
• Mixed quality — serious apps listed alongside low-quality or misleading listings
• No guidance on subscription-specific valuation, ASO analysis, or cohort modeling
• Buyer must bring their own expertise or risk overpaying

Specialized Subscription App Marketplaces

Niche platforms focused exclusively on subscription-based mobile applications operate differently. They combine marketplace functionality with domain expertise.

Pros:

• Deep verification — every listing is analyzed for MRR accuracy, traffic source integrity, and revenue sustainability
• Expert guidance — marketplace managers understand subscription metrics, cohort analysis, and fair pricing
• Curated listings — only apps that pass due diligence are listed, reducing the buyer's risk
• Negotiation support — managers help both sides reach a fair deal, balancing seller expectations with buyer economics
• Escrow/guarantee services built in
• Lower or seller-only commissions (typically 5–10%)