BusinessFinder vs Empire Flippers: Complete Comparison 2026

An honest, detailed comparison of two leading online business marketplaces to help you decide which platform is right for your next acquisition or exit.

TL;DR

Empire Flippers is ideal for larger deals ($100K+) with its curated, selective approach and strong track record processing $2B+ in transactions. BusinessFinder offers a wider range of deal sizes, lower fees, and a more accessible platform for first-time buyers and sellers across all digital business categories. Choose Empire Flippers for premium, larger acquisitions; choose BusinessFinder for more options, lower costs, and a broader marketplace.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureBusinessFinderEmpire Flippers
Founded20202012
Business ModelOpen marketplace with verificationCurated, broker-led marketplace
Deal Size Range$10K — $10M+$100K — $30M+
Seller Fees10-15% success fee15% (under $700K), scaling to 2%
Buyer FeesFreeFree
CategoriesSaaS, E-com, Content, Agency, Apps, MarketplacesSaaS, E-com, Content, Amazon FBA, Apps
Vetting ProcessFinancial verification, ownership confirmationRigorous vetting, 80%+ rejection rate
EscrowYes, secure escrow includedYes, managed by Empire Flippers
Migration SupportGuided transfer assistanceFull migration team
Best ForAll buyers, first-timers, wider price rangeExperienced buyers, larger acquisitions

Listing Quality and Selection

Empire Flippers is known for its highly selective vetting process, reportedly rejecting over 80% of submissions. This means fewer listings but generally higher quality. Each listing goes through a thorough review of financials, traffic, and operations before appearing on the marketplace.

BusinessFinder takes a balanced approach — verifying financials and ownership while accepting a broader range of businesses. This gives buyers more options across different price points and business types, from $10K starter sites to multi-million dollar SaaS companies.

Fee Structure

Empire Flippers uses a tiered commission structure: 15% on the first $700K, 8% on $700K-$5M, and 2% on amounts over $5M. This means a $500K deal costs $75K in fees, while a $1M deal costs $129K.

BusinessFinder charges a competitive success fee of 10-15% for smaller deals, with lower rates negotiated for larger transactions. Both platforms are free for buyers to browse and make offers.

Buyer Experience

Empire Flippers provides a premium, guided experience with dedicated sales advisors, detailed listing presentations, and a proprietary platform for managing the entire transaction. They also offer financing through their partnership with lending providers.

BusinessFinder offers a self-service marketplace with optional advisor support for larger deals. The platform provides due diligence checklists, valuation tools, and educational resources to help buyers make informed decisions independently.

Choose Empire Flippers If...

  • You are looking to buy a business valued at $100K+
  • You want a highly curated, vetted selection of listings
  • You prefer a fully managed, broker-led transaction process
  • You are an experienced buyer looking for premium deals
  • You want full migration support included

Choose BusinessFinder If...

  • You want to browse businesses across a wider price range ($10K-$10M+)
  • You are a first-time buyer looking for guidance and resources
  • You want lower seller fees and competitive pricing
  • You want access to all digital business categories including agencies and marketplaces
  • You prefer a self-service approach with optional expert support

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BusinessFinder better than Empire Flippers?

It depends on your needs. BusinessFinder offers a wider range of deal sizes and lower fees, making it more accessible for first-time buyers. Empire Flippers excels with larger, curated deals ($100K+) and has a longer track record in the industry. Both platforms verify financials and provide transaction support.

What are Empire Flippers fees compared to BusinessFinder?

Empire Flippers charges sellers a commission starting at 15% for deals under $700K, scaling down to 2% for portions over $10M. Buyers pay no fees. BusinessFinder charges a competitive success fee of 10-15% for smaller deals with lower rates for larger transactions. Both platforms are free for buyers to browse.

Which platform has better listings quality?

Both platforms verify financial data and vet listings. Empire Flippers is highly selective and rejects many submissions, resulting in fewer but more curated listings. BusinessFinder accepts a wider range of businesses while still maintaining verification standards, giving buyers more options across different price points.

Can I buy a small business on Empire Flippers?

Empire Flippers focuses on larger deals, typically starting around $100,000+ asking price. For smaller acquisitions under $100K, BusinessFinder or Flippa may offer more options. Empire Flippers minimum monthly net profit requirement is typically around $2,000+.

How long does it take to sell on each platform?

On Empire Flippers, the average time to sell is around 45-60 days for well-priced listings. On BusinessFinder, average time to sale is 4-6 months, though well-priced, profitable businesses often sell within 2-3 months. Both platforms offer seller support throughout the process.

Ready to Find Your Next Business?

Browse thousands of verified online businesses for sale on BusinessFinder.