Open source classifieds software: the options, honestly.
Open source classifieds software gives you the code for free and the server work for keeps. This guide covers the open source classifieds platforms that are maintained today, what running one yourself involves, when it is the right choice, and when a hosted site like Yclas costs you less. We began as an open source script ourselves, in 2009.
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The open source classifieds platforms worth knowing.
Few open source classifieds projects are still maintained. These are the ones most people end up comparing.
| Software | What it is | Licence and cost | You run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osclass | A standalone PHP classifieds script, maintained, with version 8.4.0 released on 2 October 2026 | Apache 2.0, free core; premium themes and plugins sold separately | A PHP and MySQL or MariaDB server |
| WordPress classifieds plugins | Classified Listing, HivePress, WPAdverts and others, with free versions on WordPress.org | GPL, free versions; paid add-ons or packages for features like payments and maps | A WordPress site and its hosting |
| Other PHP scripts | Several classifieds scripts are sold with their source code | Usually a paid licence, which is not the same as open source | A PHP server |
Check the licence and the latest version on each project's own site before you build a business on it.
Free classifieds scripts compared →Yclas began as Open Classifieds in 2009.
Yclas started life as Open Classifieds, an open source PHP classifieds script that people downloaded and installed on their own servers. A hosted version followed, and over the years it became the product.
Since October 2026 self-hosted Yclas is no longer sold. Every Yclas site is hosted by us, which is how we can ship updates, security fixes and new features to every site on the same day.
If you need to host the code yourself, Osclass is the maintained open source choice. If you would rather not, that is what Yclas is for.
Running an open source classifieds platform yourself.
The download is free. These are the jobs that come with it, for as long as the site runs.
| Job | How often | What happens if it is skipped |
|---|---|---|
| Server set-up and security | Once, then monthly checks | A hacked server, spam sent from your domain |
| Core and plugin updates | Every release | Known security holes stay open |
| Testing after updates | Every update | A theme or plugin breaks posting or payments |
| PHP and database upgrades | Every year or two | Old versions lose security support |
| Backups, and testing a restore | Daily backups, restore test now and then | A failed disk takes every listing with it |
| SSL certificates | Renewed automatically once set up | Browsers warn visitors away |
| Spam and bot defence | Daily | Fake listings and sign-ups pile up |
When open source classifieds software is the right choice.
Choose open source when
- You or your developer are comfortable running a PHP server and want full control of the code.
- You need to change how the core works, not only how it looks.
- Your data must stay on servers you own, for legal or company reasons.
- You are building something to learn from, and the server work is part of the point.
Choose a hosted platform when
- You want to spend your time on sellers and buyers instead of updates.
- Nobody on your team wants to be called when the server is down.
- You want payments, maps, messaging, moderation and SEO without collecting plugins.
- You want a fixed monthly cost instead of a list of renewals.
What you give up and what you get on Yclas.
On Yclas there is no access to the code, database or FTP. In return the server, updates, backups, SSL and spam filters are ours to run, and features such as payments, maps, messaging, reviews and AI moderation are included rather than added as plugins.
- Change the look with 109 looks, the visual editor and custom CSS on every plan.
- Add your own code with custom code sections on Professional and up.
- Connect other systems with the REST API on every plan and webhooks on Professional.
Your data comes with you, both ways.
A fair worry about any hosted platform is getting your data out. On Yclas, Export everything gives you one ZIP of listings, users, categories, locations, custom fields, pages and blog posts, with the photos.
Moving in from an open source script is as direct: the importer reads an Osclass database export (.sql or .sql.gz), shows a dry run, then imports listings, categories, locations, photos and users. Users set a new password, and you can undo the latest import within 7 days.
Moving from Osclass →
From a self-hosted script to Yclas in four steps.
- Start a free siteDescribe your site to the wizard; it takes about two minutes.
- Export your old databaseFrom Osclass as .sql or .sql.gz, or a CSV from any other script.
- Dry run, then importCheck the preview, run the import, undo it within 7 days if needed.
- Point your domainConnect your domain and add redirects for any old addresses.
What is the best open source classifieds software?
Osclass is the best known standalone open source classifieds script and is still maintained; version 8.4.0 came out on 2 October 2026. If your site already runs on WordPress, its classifieds plugins are the other option.
Is Yclas open source?
Yclas began as the open source script Open Classifieds in 2009. Today it is a hosted service, and self-hosted Yclas has not been sold since October 2026.
Is open source classifieds software free?
The code is free. Hosting, a domain, premium themes and plugins, and the time to update and back up the site are not.
Can I download Yclas and host it myself?
No. Every Yclas site is hosted by us. If you must host the code yourself, an open source script such as Osclass is the right choice.
Can I move from an open source classifieds platform to Yclas?
Yes. The importer reads Osclass database exports, Flynax, LaraClassifier and WordPress exports, and CSV files, with a dry run first.
Can I get my data out of Yclas?
Yes. Export everything as one ZIP with listings, users, categories, locations, custom fields, pages, blog posts and photos.
Is there free Yclas for schools?
Yes. Universities and colleges can apply for a free plan for a student marketplace; see Free for education.
Related pages.
The parts of Yclas this leans on.
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Photo credits
The screenshots show demo sites with made-up sellers. Their photos come from Wikimedia Commons, some cropped or with signs and plates blurred; these ones are under Creative Commons licences:
- Caterpillar 330 excavator on a pile of dirt by Matthew T Rader, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Excavator, Sany, 2021 Changsha International Construction Equipment Exhibition, Picture2 by Huangdan2060, CC BY 3.0
- JCB backhoe loader with hydraulic breaker, 2019 Szigetszentmiklós by Globetrotter19, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Polaris ATV Winch (53034864566) by Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
- Round baler 3070 by Flominator, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Heavy equipment 2022 by Lowcarb23, CC BY-SA 4.0