Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets that use blockchain technology. These assets are rapidly gaining importance today by offering new ways for creators to monetize their work and for buyers to own exclusive digital items.
In this guide, our experts discuss the trading aspects of NFTs: where to buy them and why investing in NFTs could be a smart investment.
Key Points
- NFTs are one-of-a-kind blockchain-based digital assets that provide new opportunities for creators to monetize their work and for buyers to own exclusive digital items.
- OpenSea is one of the largest and best marketplaces for buying and selling NFTs, followed by Mintable, Zora, and Rarible.
- Consider your NFT marketplace carefully based on the type of NFT you’re looking to buy, safety mechanisms in place, and the fees involved.
- You can start purchasing NFTs by setting up your crypto wallet, connecting it to a marketplace, and buying your desired token.
Table of Contents
What Are NFTs?
NFTs are one-of-a-kind blockchain-based tokens that authenticate ownership of digital assets and can be traded online. As uniquely identifiable pieces of data, NFTs belong solely to their respective owners. They can represent digital art, collectibles, videos, or any other form of digital content. NFTs are generated, or “minted,” from a specific digital asset or cryptocurrency, such as Ethereum.
In other words, NFTs enable digital creators to release their work to the public through dedicated marketplaces and NFT websites, eliminating the risk of duplication or counterfeiting. It’s impossible to replicate or distribute a screenshot of someone else’s NFT because they are essentially cryptocurrency-based codes that guarantee their authenticity.
15 Best NFT Websites and Marketplaces
The simplicity of creating, buying, and selling non-fungible tokens, their novelty, and potentially lucrative trading has made them an extremely popular type of digital asset in 2024. NFT marketplaces are popping up left and right to match the accelerating popularity of these tokens and keep up with the trade demand.
We’ve narrowed our list of the best NFT websites and platforms to the top 15 based on the number of reliable buyers and sellers and the sheer volume of offerings:
- OpenSea
- Mintable
- Zora
- Rarible
- Nifty Gateway
- Crypto.com
- Venly
- SuperRare
- CryptoPunks
- Decentraland
- Binance NFT
- Axie Infinity
- ArtBlocks
- Foundation
- Sorare
1. OpenSea
OpenSea is one of the best places to buy NFTs today. This marketplace was founded in 2017 by New York developers Devin Finzer and Alex Atallah and is one of the first and largest websites for buying and selling non-fungible tokens, such as Ethereum, Polygon and Klaytn.
The buyers on this platform can acquire NFTs directly from sellers for a fixed price or bid for them on NFT auctions.
OpenSea users can filter NFTs by their price and how rare they are to buy or sell:
- Art collectibles
- Music and original sound loops from the world's eminent artists
- Games
- Domain names
- Sports goods
- Virtual real estates
- Other types of digital assets
The users can also have insight into the sellers’ ranks by volume, average sale prices and number of NFTs sold.
2. Mintable
Mintable is another well-known website for purchasing NFTs. The marketplace lets you buy and sell a range of tokens while getting its support from billionaire Mark Cuban.
It uses Ethereum and Zilliqa blockchains as well as MetaMask for users to set up their digital crypto wallets. As per the platform’s name, the users can generate or "mint” NFTs that are “gasless,” printable, or transaction-based.
After the users fund their wallets and set up their profiles, Mintable users can buy all the listed items straight from the source and partake in auctions dealing with:
- Digital art
- Photography
- Videos
- Games
- Domain names, etc.
3. Zora
Another popular site for NFT, Zora is an open marketplace that began as an invite-only platform, restricting its access to only the most eminent of NFT artists. On this platform, creators get to enjoy a higher degree of ownership of their art. It also allows for perpetual bids in which platform users can pay in any currency.
Zora's user-friendly interface and minimalistic layout make it very simple to use and get around. It frequently sells physical items, limited edition units, and is one of the best platforms for buying music sound-bite NFTs.
4. Rarible
One of the top places for NFT trading is Rarible, where users can mint, purchase, and sell NFT collectibles in all shapes, types, and sizes. Sporting a distinctly NFT-centric UI, this marketplace puts the available non-fungible tokens at the forefront and displays them under numerous categories and tags.
A scrollable stack of columns features best sellers, live auctions, and hottest collections. The token this marketplace uses is called RARI and it lets active users vote for platform upgrades and take part in decisions regarding the moderation of the website.
At Rarible, users can buy and sell:
- Digital art
- Photography
- Music
- Games
- Metaverse memes
5. Nifty Gateway
Nifty Gateway is another excellent NFT platform for buying NFTs. It accepts brands and artists creating non-fungible tokens and markets them via the so-called drops that make all collections available for a limited time only.
After the artwork sells or a drop ends, NFTs – or "nifties," as this platform calls it – are resold via the peer-to-peer marketplace. The platform has a collection discovery page and a detailed log of all activity on the website.
Some of the brands that have minted and sold their digital art and collectibles on Nifty Gateway are Forbes, Playboy and Beeple.
6. Crypto.com
One of the most popular global cryptocurrency exchanges, Crypto.com is an Ethereum-based NFT marketplace with a massive user base of over 10 million users. The site's marketplace was established in 2021 and offers art, gaming, music, crypto, and sport NFTs.
On this Ethereum-powered platform, NFTs are available for a fixed price or via auction. With a user interface that’s easy to navigate and understand for beginners as well as seasoned investors, users can buy NFTs with their credit cards or cryptocurrency through the platform's proprietary gateway. There are no transaction fees when buying an NFT on this marketplace.
Crypto.com has accepted NFTs made by some of the most popular music stars like Snoop Dogg. This marketplace provides an NFT app that lets users buy and sell NFTs from their mobile devices.
7. Venly
Venly is a well-known NFT marketplace for many users worldwide. The blockchain technology provider behind the platform provides a peer-to-peer NFT exchange and digital wallet that consists of well over 200,000 gamers. Users here can create, buy, sell and trade game characters and diverse in-game collectibles.
This platform also works with various cryptocurrencies like Polygon, Avalanche and Binance and, therefore, provides a “blockchain agnostic” service. However, it also allows paying with Fiat money via PayPal. A Venly or MetaMask wallet is required for users that want to pay with cryptocurrencies.
The platform incurs a 2% fee on each transaction but also offers a 10% royalty on resales.
8. SuperRare
SuperRare is one of the top NFT marketplaces today specializing in high-end digital art. Artists can tokenize their works as unique NFTs, ensuring provenance and scarcity.
Collectors and investors can buy, sell, and trade these authenticated pieces, with some artworks fetching substantial prices, making it a hub for the blockchain-based art world.
9. CryptoPunks
CryptoPunks, another popular NFT marketplace, is a pioneering platform known for its unique collection of 10,000 algorithmically generated 24x24 pixel art characters. These quirky and iconic digital punks serve as rare and collectible NFTs.
They appeal to both collectors and crypto enthusiasts, while contributing to the popularity of pixel art within the blockchain and NFT space.
10. Decentraland
One of the most popular NFT marketplaces today is Decentraland. Much like trading blockchain real estate assets, this blockchain-based virtual world allows users to buy, sell, and trade virtual land. Using the Ethereum blockchain, Decentraland allows users to create, explore, and interact within a decentralized metaverse.
It's a unique platform where ownership and content creation drive a virtual ecosystem, blending gaming and NFTs.
11. Binance NFT
Binance NFT is also one of the top NFT marketplaces for traders today. This platform is affiliated with the popular Binance cryptocurrency exchange and offers a diverse range of digital assets, including art, collectibles, and more.
With the backing of Binance's reputation, it provides a secure and accessible platform for both creators and collectors to engage in the growing NFT space.
12. Axie Infinity
Another excellent platform for trading non-fungible tokens is Axie Infinity. It’s a pioneering NFT marketplace that combines gaming with blockchain technology.
Users here can collect, breed, and battle fantasy creatures called Axies, each represented as NFTs. These digital pets can be bought and sold, creating a unique ecosystem where players can earn cryptocurrency through gameplay and trading.
13. ArtBlocks
ArtBlocks is another well-liked NFT marketplace that specializes in generative art. Artists create algorithmic processes that generate unique, one-of-a-kind digital artworks, which are then sold as NFTs.
This platform provides a space for creators to explore the intersection of art and technology, appealing to collectors who value algorithmically generated art.
14. Foundation
People looking for a great NFT marketplace designed to foster a direct connection between creators and support will find Foundation an excellent choice. The platform enables artists to issue unique social tokens and auction digital art.
It also provides a way for aspiring and veteran artists to monetize their work while building and engaging with their own community of patrons.
15. Sorare
Sorare is a top NFT marketplace specializing in catering to football (soccer) enthusiasts. It offers officially licensed digital player cards representing real footballers. Users collect, trade, and manage these cards to create fantasy football teams, combining sports fandom with NFT technology.
Sorare's platform has gained popularity among both collectors and football fans.
Considerations When Choosing Where To Buy an NFT Crypto
The appeal of these digital assets lies in their collectability and rarity, wherein all NFT are unique and cannot be mass reproduced. This resulted in several high-profile NFT multimillion-dollar sales, such as Pak’s “The Merge” which sold for a staggering $91.8 million!
However, before jumping onto the NFT bandwagon, potential buyers should be aware of the NFT trading mechanism currently in place.
- NFTs can be bought directly from a creator on any of the independent NFT trading platforms or marketplaces. These communities are growing daily and offer a convenient way to browse through thousands of different types of non-fungible tokens.
- Well-established business entities and companies such as Gucci, Walmart, New York Stock Exchange and Time have announced that they too will launch their proprietary NFT marketplaces.
Types of NFT Marketplaces
There are several types of NFT marketplaces fit for collectors, artists, gaming fans, etc. They vary in size, format and subject:
- Universal NFT marketplaces – These are platforms where a wide variety of NFTs are sold. This can be almost any kind of digital assets, from art and music to videos and games.
- Collectibles NFT marketplaces – These specialized platforms focus on selling collectible digital assets that are part of a collection.
- Games NFT marketplaces – These platforms mostly sell gaming-related NFTs, such as in-game assets, skins, characters, etc.
- Curated NFT marketplaces – These platforms feature specifically chosen or approved selection of NFTs by the operators, ensuring exclusivity and higher quality.
What To Consider When Buying NFTs
In case you’re unsure which type of NFT to buy, visit several NFT websites and browse through their offerings. Check the prices and evaluate the purchasing process on each of them.
When deciding on a specific NFT marketplace, you need to consider:
- The type of NFT you are looking to purchase
- Third-party information and disclosure on the chosen marketplace
- The safety mechanisms in place to make sure the NFT buyer makes a legitimate purchase
- What specific cryptocurrency is required to buy an NFT
- If any fees are involved in the transaction
- If there are other similar NFTs available to the one you're looking to buy
- What digital wallet you will use to store the NFT post-purchase
- How and where you can sell your NFT in the future
Tips for Choosing an NFT Marketplace
When selecting an NFT marketplace, consider these key tips.
- Assess the platform's reputation and security measures to protect your digital assets. Evaluate the marketplace's user interface and ease of use for both creators and buyers.
- Pay attention to the fees, including minting and transaction costs, which can impact your profitability.
- Research the marketplace's community and audience size to gauge exposure potential.
- Explore the platform's features and capabilities, such as the ability to create and manage NFTs.
- Verify the blockchain technology it employs, as well as its environmental sustainability.
5 Steps to Purchasing NFTs
Essentially, all NFT platforms employ a similar, if not the same process of purchasing non-fungible tokens. Here is the step-by-step guide for buying NFTs that you can replicate on the above marketplaces:
- Step #1: Set up your crypto wallet
- Step #2: Pick your NFT marketplace
- Step #3: Connect your digital wallet to a marketplace
- Step #4: Find an NFT and place a bid
- Step #5: Finalize the NFT purchase
Step #1: Set Up Your Crypto Wallet
An obligatory step when purchasing NFTs is to buy cryptocurrency and fund your crypto wallet. A digital wallet is a platform where you store your cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Cardano, etc. It is used to pay for services or goods and receive cryptocurrency from other parties.
Once you collect an NFT, it will be stored inside your digital wallet.
Step #2: Pick Your NFT Marketplace
After setting up your digital wallet and funding it with a cryptocurrency of your choice, pick among several NFT marketplaces (of course, you can choose to become a member on several instead of one).
As per our list above, there are numerous marketplaces you can opt for. What they have most in common is that they sell NFT art, music, videos, in-game items, virtual assets and other collectibles.
Evaluate each marketplace carefully and go for the one whose Terms and Conditions, registration process, and overall UX align with your preferences.
Step #3: Connect Your Digital Wallet to a Marketplace
Link your chosen NFT marketplace to the digital wallet you opted for in step 1. Your user account on the NFT buying platform should have a step-by-step explanation of how to connect. Once your wallet is all set up, you can start buying, selling, and trading non-fungible tokens on the site.
Step #4: Find an NFT and Place a Bid
Sift through the catalog of NFTs and find the one you like. If you’re looking for the best ROI over time, try identifying an NFT that will attract higher prices in the future: those would be digital assets that are popular, rare, and likely to go viral.
Then, you can either place a bid on the NFT you have set out to buy or purchase it for a fixed price. This will depend on the nature of the NFT sale, as determined by the seller. NFT sellers provide additional details on the buying process, such as the selling price, auction time limit and acceptable cryptocurrencies.
Step #5: Finalize the NFT Purchase
If you’re the highest bidder once the auction ends, the NFT marketplace will complete the transaction for you and proclaim you the new owner of the NFT. In some instances, the seller can choose to accept your offer even before the auction officially ends.
At this point, you now have the exclusive ownership of a unique digital asset! As NFTs can only have one owner (until and if you decide to sell them), you can hold onto it until it reaches a price that will make a sufficient profit for you — or you can just hold onto it indefinitely and have a unique item in your digital collection.
Buying NFTs Takeaways
Numerous NFT platforms and marketplaces now allow users to buy and sell NFTs, which can be anything from digital art, music and even digital real estate and fashion. Some of these websites also allow users to generate or "mint” their own NFTs.
The appeal of the NFTs is in their uniqueness — each NFT is essentially a non-replicable code that guarantees ownership of a token to a single person. This also provides them with a potentially great value that can appreciate over time.
Some of the most reputable websites where you can buy and sell NFTs include:
- OpenSea
- Mintable
- Zora
- Rarible
- Nifty Gateway
- Crypto.com
- Venly
When choosing a place to conduct your NFT trading, be wary of several things such as:
- Their terms and conditions
- Any additional fees per transaction
- Full ownership guarantee
- Full transparency of the sale
We have listed the best blockchain technology companies as well as software development agencies that can help you on your way.
