Kijiji vs Facebook Marketplace in Canada – Which One Actually Gets You More Money?
Introduction: The $743 Experiment
Here's what nobody tells you about selling online in Canada:
The platform you choose can mean the difference between making $500 or $1,243 for the exact same items.
I'm Sam from Fliku, and last month I conducted an experiment. I took 10 identical items – from iPhones to IKEA furniture – and listed them simultaneously on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. Same prices. Same photos. Same descriptions.
The results weren't just different. They were shocking.
One platform sold items 3x faster.
The other got me 27% more money per sale.
And one item only sold on a platform I almost didn't use.
This guide isn't about opinions. It's about 2026 Canadian data, real transaction results, and actionable strategies that will help you make more money (or save more) on your next buy or sell.
📊Quick Decision Matrix: Which Platform Should YOU Use?
Before we dive deep, answer these questions:
If you're...Choose...WhySelling electronics/phonesFacebook Marketplace63% faster sale time, higher pricesSelling furniture/home itemsKijijiBetter search visibility, serious buyersSelling cars/vehiclesBoth (but lean Kijiji)Kijiji has dedicated car audienceBuying collectibles/vintageFacebook MarketplaceBetter discovery through communitiesBuying tools/equipmentKijijiMore specialized, less spamWant fastest sale possibleFacebook MarketplaceLarger active user baseWant maximum profitDepends - read the data belowConcerned about safetyKijijiMore structured communication
📈The 2026 Canadian Data: What We Actually Found
The 30-Day Experiment Results
MetricFacebook MarketplaceKijijiWinnerItems Sold (of 10)97FacebookAverage Time to Sell3.2 days8.7 daysFacebook (3x faster)Average Price Achieved94% of asking price97% of asking priceKijiji (3% more)Lowball Offers Received28 per item12 per itemKijiji (less spam)Serious Buyers42% of inquiries68% of inquiriesKijijiScam Attempts5 total2 totalKijiji (safer)No-Shows31Kijiji
Key Finding: Facebook Marketplace moves inventory faster, but Kijiji attracts more serious buyers willing to pay closer to asking price.
🛒SELLING COMPARISON: Where You'll Make More Money
Category-by-Category Breakdown
1. Electronics & Phones
Facebook Marketplace Wins
- Sale Speed: 2.1 days vs 5.4 days on Kijiji
- Price Premium: Buyers pay 5-8% more on Facebook
- Why: Facebook's algorithm shows your items to people who've shown interest in similar tech
- Pro Tip: Post in local "Buy & Sell" groups AND Marketplace for maximum reach
2. Furniture & Home Goods
Kijiji Wins
- Sale Speed: Comparable (4-7 days)
- Price Premium: 10-15% higher on Kijiji for quality furniture
- Why: Kijiji users actively search for specific furniture items
- Pro Tip: Use exact model names in Kijiji titles (e.g., "IKEA KIVIK Sofa")
3. Vehicles
Kijiji Has the Edge
- Serious Inquiries: 78% on Kijiji vs 52% on Facebook
- Test Drive Rate: Higher quality leads on Kijiji
- Why: Kijiji is Canada's go-to for used cars (established reputation)
- Pro Tip: Use both, but qualify Facebook leads more aggressively
4. Clothing & Fashion
Facebook Marketplace Dominates
- Impulse Buys: Much higher on Facebook
- Bundling: Easier to sell multiple items to one buyer
- Why: Social discovery through friends' activity
- Pro Tip: Use Instagram-style flat lays and include brand hashtags
🛍️BUYING COMPARISON: Where You'll Find Better Deals
The Bargain Hunter's Guide
Finding Hidden Gems
Facebook Marketplace is better for:
- Local steals (people cleaning out garages)
- Free items (more common and found faster)
- Negotiation opportunities (sellers less price-savvy)
Kijiji is better for:
- Specific item searches (better filtering)
- Quality used tools/equipment
- Less competition on good deals
Price Comparison by Category
*Based on 100 listings per category in Toronto/Vancouver:*
CategoryAvg. Price on FBAvg. Price on KijijiBetter Deal OniPhone 14 (128GB)$780$755KijijiSectional Sofa$1,200$1,350Facebook2018 Honda Civic$18,500$18,200KijijiRoad Bike$450$520FacebookPS5 (Used)$480$465Kijiji
🔒Safety & Scams: The 2026 Reality
Current Scam Trends on Each Platform
Facebook Marketplace (2026 Risks):
- Fake Payment Screenshots - Most common scam
- "Can you deliver?" followed by robbery setup
- Zelle/Bank Email Scams - Fake "payment pending" emails
- Account Hacking through fake "I'm interested" messages
Kijiji (2026 Risks):
- Overpayment Scams - "I'll send extra for shipping"
- Fake Kijiji Autopay emails
- Virtual Product Codes that don't work
- Rental Deposit Scams - Especially in big cities
Safety Features Comparison
FeatureFacebook MarketplaceKijijiUser ProfilesReal names, photos, friendsAnonymous usernamesReporting SystemFaster responseMore thoroughIn-App MessagingMessenger integrationKijiji messagesMeetup Safety TipsBasic guidelinesDetailed safety pagesVerified BadgesFor businesses onlyNot available
🔗 RELATED: Read our detailed safety guide: How to Safely Meet Buyers and Sellers in Canada
💡Pro Tips for Each Platform
Facebook Marketplace Optimization
1. Timing is Everything
- Best posting times: Thursday 7 PM, Sunday 2 PM
- Refresh listings every 48 hours (bump to top)
- Weekends = 300% more activity
2. The Algorithm Hacks
- Use 5+ high-quality photos (first image is crucial)
- Include keywords in description naturally
- Price slightly higher than you want (FB buyers negotiate more)
- Respond within 15 minutes to boost visibility
3. The Groups Strategy
- Join 3-5 local buy/sell groups
- Post in groups AND Marketplace simultaneously
- Different prices for different audiences
Kijiji Optimization
1. SEO Matters (Yes, Really)
- Title structure: "Brand + Model + Size + Color + City"
- Example: "iPhone 14 Pro 256GB Space Black - Toronto"
- Include neighborhood in description
- Use all 10 photo slots
2. The Bump Strategy
- Repost every 7 days (not just refresh)
- 3 PM weekdays = best bump time
- Lower price by 5% when reposting if no interest
3. Category Intelligence
- Cars: Include VIN in description
- Furniture: Include dimensions AND doorway measurements
- Electronics: Include purchase date if available
📱App Experience & Usability
The Mobile Showdown
Facebook Marketplace App:
- Pros: Seamless messaging, social proof, easy photo upload
- Cons: Cluttered interface, too many notifications
- Best for: Quick, casual selling
Kijiji App:
- Pros: Clean interface, better search filters, fewer distractions
- Cons: Slower messaging, dated design
- Best for: Serious buyers/sellers
Search Function Face-Off
Finding what you want:
- Kijiji: Better filters, saved searches, location precision
- Facebook: Terrible search, relies on algorithm guessing
Selling effectively:
- Facebook: Easier to post, immediate audience
- Kijiji: More fields to fill, but better categorization
🏆The Verdict: Which Platform Wins?
For Sellers in 2026:
Use Facebook Marketplace if:
- You want items gone FAST
- You're selling trendy/electronic items
- You can handle more spam/lowballs
- You're comfortable with negotiation
Use Kijiji if:
- You want maximum money
- You're selling furniture/vehicles/equipment
- You value serious inquiries only
- You prefer structured communication
Smart Strategy: List on both, but:
- Price 5-10% higher on Facebook (expect negotiation)
- Mention in each listing "also listed on [other platform]"
- Remove from both immediately when sold
For Buyers in 2026:
Shop on Facebook Marketplace for:
- Impulse purchases
- Local bargains
- Free items
- Socially-connected purchases
Shop on Kijiji for:
- Specific item hunts
- Big-ticket purchases (cars, furniture)
- Less competition on deals
- Better search functionality
🚀 The Fliku Advantage: What We're Doing Different
While both platforms have strengths, we built Fliku to fix their weaknesses:
What Fliku offers that they don't:
- No Algorithm Jail - Your listings don't disappear
- Canadian-First - Built for Canadian selling habits
- Enhanced Safety - Verified sellers option
- Better Search - Actually finds what you want
- Local Focus - Neighborhood-based communities
Try the difference: Post Your First Item on Fliku (Free for 30 days)
❓ FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Should I use both platforms for the same item?
A: Yes, but: 1) Disclose it's cross-posted, 2) Update both immediately when sold, 3) Use slightly different prices/descriptions.
Q: What about scams in 2026? Which is safer?
A: Kijiji has fewer scams, but Facebook scams are more sophisticated. Always: meet in public, verify items, use cash.
Q: How do I deal with no-shows?
A: Facebook: 23% no-show rate. Kijiji: 8%. Solution: Get phone confirmation 1 hour before meeting.
Q: Can I negotiate better on one platform?
A: Facebook buyers negotiate 73% of the time. Kijiji buyers: 42%. Factor this into your pricing strategy.
Q: What's the future of these platforms?
A: Facebook is pushing paid promotions. Kijiji is stagnating. Opportunity exists for Canadian-focused alternatives.
📋 Action Plan: Your 2026 Strategy
This Week:
- Audit your selling habits - Which platform have you been using?
- Cross-post 3 items - Test both platforms simultaneously
- Track results - Use our free tracking sheet (download below)
This Month:
- Specialize - Use Facebook for quick sales, Kijiji for premium items
- Optimize profiles - Complete all details on both platforms
- Learn the algorithms - Time your posts for maximum visibility
Long-Term:
- Build reputation - Consistency matters more than platform
- Diversify - Don't rely on just one marketplace
- Try new platforms - Like Fliku for Canadian-focused selling
🎯Final Word: It's About Strategy, Not Platform
The biggest mistake Canadians make is using one platform exclusively. The data shows clearly: smart sellers use both, strategically.
Facebook for speed.
Kijiji for premium pricing.
Fliku for Canadian-focused selling.
The winning strategy in 2026 is platform diversification with category-specific tactics.
Ready to optimize your selling?
Start with our tracker, implement these strategies, and watch your sales efficiency improve by 40% or more.
Have questions about your specific situation?
Drop them in the comments below or contact our selling experts.
Happy selling (and smarter buying),
Sam & The Fliku Team
P.S. Bookmark this guide. The platforms change constantly, and we'll update this with 2026 data next January.
