Comparison

Bookends Marketplace vs PolyBuys

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Bookends Marketplace

This app is a dedicated marketplace for creators to buy and sell used creative gear and supplies. It connects filmmakers, artists, and designers to find unique items or monetize their own tools and creations. Facilitates secure transactions and fosters a sustainable creative community.

Highlights
  • Sell creative gear and supplies
  • Buy unique creator items
  • Connect with a creator community
  • Secure payment processing
  • Shipping integration
  • Discover new creative trends
Features
Read full description

Turn your unused creative gear and supplies into cash- or find incredible deals on film, photo, studio and more creative essentials. Bookends is the first marketplace built for content creators, filmmakers, artists and creatives of all kinds. From cameras to canvas, props to paint- shop unique finds or sell the tools of your craft and creations! FOR SELLERS: List cameras, lighting gear, paint, props, wardrobe, art supplies, and more. Reach a dedicated community of fellow creators and industry professionals. Streamlined transactions with secure payments and shipping integration. FIND YOUR VOICE Your creativity is valuable- turn it into income. Whether you're a filmmaker, artist, designer, photographer, or crafter, Bookends gives you the platform to sell, connect, and grow. Build your creative business, discover and connect with unique artist, and make your passion profitable. MAKE MONEY Looking to turn your extra gear into cash or dreaming of launching your own creative business? We've got you covered. Sell on Bookends and invest in your next creative venture. It’s simple to start. Snap a few pictures, jot down the details, and you’re live. With our streamlined payment management, you’re in control, from the first sale to restocking for the next. Sell your gear and fund your next masterpiece. Contribute to a more sustainable creative world by choosing pre-loved equipment. Transactions are smooth and secure with Stripe and credit and debit cards. Signing up is swift, easy, and free. FOR BUYERS: Find rare and hard-to-get creative equipment at a fraction of retail price. Shop from vetted sellers, independent creators, and professional studios. Get creative supplies from a vibrant community of sellers who breathe life into every creative endeavor. Stay ahead with the latest trends and gather inspiration with each scroll. Connect with friends and top creatives to see what sparks their imagination now. GET INVOLVED Joining Bookends connects you to a global community of creatives. If it's about pushing creative boundaries, you'll find it on Bookends - discover something new every time you dive in. MAKE AN IMPACT Engage with Bookends and play a role in minimizing waste in the creative sector. Be part of the community transforming creativity into a force for good. Join the movement redefining creativity for the better. POPULAR CATEGORIES We’ve curated a collection spanning all your production needs. From vintage lenses to modern lighting, find exactly what you’re seeking in one spot. Cameras & Lenses Lighting & Audio Gear Costumes & Props Paints & Drawing Supplies Crafting & Fiber Arts Studio Equipment FIND US HERE Website: BookendsMarketplace.com Download the Bookends app now and start exploring the endless possibilities.

About

PolyBuys

A secure student marketplace exclusively for Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Verified users can easily buy and sell items like textbooks, furniture, and electronics directly within the app. Enjoy a safe, campus-focused trading experience with direct messaging and saved listings.

Highlights
  • Verified Cal Poly student community
  • Fast listing creation
  • Direct in-app messaging
  • Save favorite listings
  • Report and block suspicious content
  • Campus-exclusive trading
Features
Read full description

PolyBuys is the student marketplace built for Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Every user is verified with a Cal Poly email, so you always know you're dealing with a real student on campus. Buy and sell textbooks, event tickets, dorm furniture, electronics, clothing, and anything else students need. Browse listings, message sellers directly, and close deals — all within a single app designed around how students actually trade. What makes PolyBuys different: • Verified students only - sign in with your Cal Poly email to join a trusted, campus-only community • Built for speed - post a listing with photos, set your price, and publish in under a minute • Direct messaging - chat with buyers and sellers without sharing your phone number or social media • Save listings - bookmark items you're interested in and come back to them later • Report and block - flag suspicious content and keep the marketplace safe for everyone No ads. No processing fees. No strangers from the internet. Just Mustangs buying and selling to each other. Built by Cal Poly students, for Cal Poly students.

Screenshots

Bookends Marketplace4 screens
PolyBuys4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PolyBuys at 5.0 against Bookends Marketplace's 4.4. PolyBuys also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PolyBuys holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 7 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bookends Marketplace ships an update every 3 weeks, PolyBuys daily. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Bookends Marketplace versus PolyBuys: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBookends MarketplacePolyBuys
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (7 ratings)5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings77
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.215.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB37 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperBookends Co.Taylor Labs

Customer experience

Bookends Marketplace

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

PolyBuys

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Bookends Marketplace

No in-app purchases

None

PolyBuys

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bookends Marketplace free?
Bookends Marketplace is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PolyBuys free?
PolyBuys is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bookends Marketplace or PolyBuys?
PolyBuys is rated higher. Bookends Marketplace averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while PolyBuys averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.
Do Bookends Marketplace or PolyBuys have ads?
Neither Bookends Marketplace nor PolyBuys shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bookends Marketplace or PolyBuys?
Bookends Marketplace ships an update every 3 weeks, and PolyBuys daily. Most recently, Bookends Marketplace was updated on October 24, 2026 and PolyBuys on October 24, 2026.

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