The competition in the sneaker app market sure is a competitive one. Tried copping a pair on the Nike SNKRS app with no luck? I'm with you. Luckily, multiple other sneaker apps offer raffles and exclusive drops that you can turn to.
If you've already haplessly hit up all Twitter sneaker accounts, waiting for new notifications with anticipation — using several sneaker apps simultaneously can give you a headstart. Though copping an uber-hyped pair can still be a tricky quest, it can be a helpful way to get your hands on the most coveted sneaker releases without paying extortionate resale prices or cop moderately priced sneakers on the resale market.
With the ultra-competitive sneaker resale market, streetwear more ingrained in the mainstream than ever, and the rise of sneaker bots and add-to-cart programs that are notoriously dominating hyped drops, sneaker shopping in 2023 is more complex than it once was.
So, what is the best sneaker app? The sneaker apps you use can make all the difference in scoring the kicks you want. We've listed the best sneaker apps in the field to stay ahead of every drop you're excited about in 2023.
Best new sneaker app entry: Highsnobiety App
You better trust us on this one as we know quite a bit about. The new entry (and shameless plug) in the sneaker app world is our own personal Highsnobiety App. As we have been reporting on the sneaker game for so many years now, we have decided to develop a one-stop shop app catered for all your sneaker needs. From exclusive collaborations, to luxury sneakers, to timeless staples such as white and black sneakers, the Highsnobiety App allows you to quickly discover and shop the best releases today.
As you shop through our selection of sneakers, thanks to our brand new features, you catch up on the latest news and events in fashion, pop culture, design, art, and music - enjoy deep dives, interviews, and editorial content - explore our curated style content and learn from our editors on how to style the perfect fit for any occasion and season - save with exclusive deals on luxury goods.
If we know something about sneaker drops is that you always need to stay up to date with what’s happening and be the first in line. Our personally curated App takes care of both, and so much more.
Best sneaker resale app: GOAT
Long praised for its trustworthiness and seamless, clean design, the sneaker app GOAT has become a leader among shoe resale apps. The easy-to-navigate interface is far ahead of the competition's complicated, cluttered designs, and GOAT's double-verification process helps weed out scammers.
The GOAT app pays homage to the sneaker culture and its roots through shoe origin stories on product pages and has integrated AR into its giveaways. GOAT's huge selection also doesn't hurt, with a massive release calendar for customers to track future drops.
Best sneaker brand app: Nike SNKRS
Nike SNKRS is one of the world’s best sneaker apps. With its frequent exclusive collabs, general releases, and rich “Discover” stories, it’s no surprise that Nike SNKRS dominates the sneaker app market. In addition to its top-notch selection of Air Jordans, Air Force 1s, and OFF-WHITE collabs, the shoe app boasts an engaging design and beautiful editorial content.
In specific locations — usually big cities like Los Angeles or New York — users can also get a special SNKRS Pass to reserve shoes for pickup at a nearby store. The only real downside to the app is that a high volume of users means it can be harder to cop the shoes you want than on other platforms.
Best sneaker retail app: Finish Line — Shop Exclusive
Retail chain Finish Line is already an industry force in the athletic wear and sneaker market, and its mobile sneaker app is one of the best online shopping platforms out there. With a clean user interface, it doesn’t feel overwhelming to navigate despite a wide selection of goods. Raffles, personalized picks, and editorial content all boost Finish Line to the top of the retail sneaker app selection. It also lets you zoom in on hi-res product shots for crazy detail when it comes to textures and materials without ever needing to see a shoe in person.
Best resale sneaker app: StockX
One of the best sneaker apps, StockX, has quickly achieved the status of streetwear's favorite due to its ability to easily track the value of sneakers in real time, with brands like adidas, Jordan, Supreme, and BAPE selling on the marketplace.
The green and red interface is reminiscent of stock tickers, playing fully on the brand name's metaphor, and carries over into its app design in a fun, immersive way. Similarly to the stock market, the product prices on the StockX sneaker app are set considering their demand. Although the UI could definitely be simplified, its verified authentication process and high customer engagement make it a solid choice.
Best sneaker app for ease of use: Stadium Goods
Its intuitive navigation and ease of use make it a favorite amongst fans. Stadium Goods also makes it easy to place and track orders, something that can be surprisingly hard to come by in a sneaker app. The shoe app keeps it relatively simple design-wise and could use a little spice — but is otherwise a reliable resale marketplace.
Best peer-to-peer marketplace app: GRAILED
If you're into selling and reselling hyped sneakers, you've likely come across Grailed. The Grailed app offers millions of listings in the palm of your hand, plus the ability to list your own items easily.
While it's a peer-to-peer marketplace, it is less regulated than some of its competitor apps mentioned above. However, it also offers on-the-go access to Grailed's Dry Clean Only editorial section.
Best sneaker app for good deals: adidas CONFIRMED
Adidas CONFIRMED is adidas' version of the Nike SNKRS app. It is different from adidas' main app — the adidas CONFIRMED sneaker app that was launched in 2020 is focused on purchasing exclusive drops, allowing everyone to pick up the latest releases, such as Pharell Williams collabs.
In addition, the inspirational, branded design elevates the sneaker shopping experience to feel like you're in a curated adidas space. However, the lack of any release calendar or editorial content causes it to fall a little short of Nike this time.
Best app for tracking sneaker release dates: Eastbay
Sometimes we miss out on the most important shoe releases, not because of bots or bad luck but because we didn’t even remember that a sneaker was dropping. Keeping track of release dates is vital, and with no one dedicated sneaker app for that on the market, it can be hard to do. But popular footwear and athletic apparel supplier Eastbay has a surprisingly easy-to-navigate “Release” section that lets you track the sneakers coming out each month from brands such as PUMA, Nike, and adidas.
Best sneaker app for good deals: Foot Locker
The sneaker app from the popular retail chain Foot Locker stands out for its top-of-the-line brand selection and Launch Reservations feature, which lets customers reserve popular drops for in-store pick-up the next day. However, its hard-to-navigate interface, constant errors when ordering, and the high use of sneaker bots leave something to be desired and room for significant improvement.
Most innovative sneaker app: Wanna Kicks
Ever wanted to try on shoes without leaving your apartment? Now, with the advent of augmented reality, you can. While Nike and GOAT have dabbled with AR tech in their sneaker apps, neither lets you virtually try on shoes via AR. Wanna Kicks, a new app from Belarusian startup Wannaby, beat the giants to it.
The AR integration in the Wanna Kicks sneaker app lets you try on adidas Ultraboosts, Nike Air Max 270s, and classic Vans Slip-Ons anywhere in the world. The cutting-edge AR tech virtually superimposes shoes on the user's feet via a phone's camera, bridging the barrier between the in-store try-on experience and online retail.
Keep browsing? Here are the best sneaker brands to turn to when in doubt, the best basketball shoes to cop now, and the best sneaker websites to buy your kicks in 2023.
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