"Swap sites" cover a lot of ground, some let you give things away, some let you borrow, and some let you trade directly. If you're trying to get rid of things you don't need and find things you actually want without spending money, here's where to look in the UK.
1. Swapster — direct item-for-item and service-for-service trading
Swapster is a UK-built peer-to-peer swap marketplace: you list what you have, say what you'd like in return (or tick "Open to offers"), and a matching engine finds you a trade — including chain swaps that link three or more people together when no single direct match exists. Unlike most of the platforms below, which are built around giving things away for free or borrowing, Swapster is built specifically for direct trading: no money changes hands, and you walk away with something you actually wanted instead of just an empty shelf. It's free to list and swap, covers physical items and services, and includes ratings so you can trade with confidence.
2. Freecycle — give it away, take what you need
Freecycle is a long-running network of local groups where members give away items they no longer need, entirely for free. It's a great option if you just want something gone with no expectation of getting anything specific back.
3. Freegle — the UK's other give-and-get network
Freegle works on the same free-giving model as Freecycle, with its own network of local UK groups. Post what you're giving away or looking for, and a local member picks it up.
4. Olio — sharing surplus food and household items with neighbours
Olio is an app focused on sharing surplus food and household items locally, often used to pass on food that would otherwise go to waste before it goes off. Handy for perishables that other swap and give platforms aren't really built for.
5. Streetbank — borrowing, lending, and sharing skills locally
Streetbank is built around lending rather than swapping outright — borrow a tool you'll only use once, or offer a skill to a neighbour. Good for things you don't need to own permanently.
6. Library of Things — borrow equipment instead of buying it
Library of Things runs physical lending libraries for tools and equipment — drills, carpet cleaners, camping gear — so you're not buying something you'll use twice a year.
Which one should you use?
If you want to trade — get something specific back for what you're giving up — Swapster is built for exactly that. If you just want to give something away for free, Freecycle or Freegle are the simplest routes. For food and short-term borrowing, Olio, Streetbank, and Library of Things cover those specific needs well. Most people end up using more than one, depending on what they're trying to do with a particular item.
Photo by Lisheng Chang on Unsplash
