Types of NFT Marketplaces- 

When deciding where to buy NFT tokens, it’s vital to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various types of NFT marketplaces on offer. Presented below is a breakdown of the main types, ensuring you’re able to choose one that suits your needs:

NFT Art Marketplaces

As the name implies, these marketplaces focus exclusively on NFT art. Leading marketplaces within this category include OpenSea and Rarible, which allow creators to mint digital art NFTs and sell them to collectors.

NFT Music Marketplaces

A recent article by Forbes stated that NFTs could shape the future of music, with songs, albums, lyrics, and soundbites all able to be structured as NFTs. NFT music marketplaces specialize in this area, allowing collectors to buy these music NFTs that tend to be offered by leading artists. 

Ethereum NFT Marketplaces

These marketplaces are built on the Ethereum blockchain and offer digital assets denoted in ETH. The largest Ethereum marketplace right now is OpenSea, which was recently estimated to be worth a remarkable $13.3bn. 

Solana NFT Marketplaces

Solana NFT art marketplaces are hosted on the Solana blockchain, which offers a faster alternative to Ethereum. Furthermore, Solana is also highly scalable, which provides scope for lower network fees. There aren’t many significant marketplaces hosted on Solana at present, although Solanart and Solsea are the two largest. Check out our guide on how to buy Solana if you want to invest in NFTs using this crypto.

Algorand NFT Marketplaces

Algorand is another blockchain network that has delved into NFTs recently, with multiple Algorand NFT marketplaces springing up. Since Algorand is a pure proof-of-stake (PPoS) blockchain, the entire investment process is considered greener and more scalable than the current Ethereum structure. 

Tezos NFT Marketplaces

Tezos is an open-source blockchain that functions using its native token, XTZ. Tezos NFT marketplaces have become more popular over the past year, with major marketplaces such as Rarible now offering Tezos-based NFTs. 

BNB NFT Marketplaces

Finally, BNB NFT marketplaces leverage the popularity of Binance Coin – the native token of the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. The most prominent marketplace is the Binance NFT Marketplace itself, which allows users to buy NFTs denoted in BNB. 

NFT Marketplace Gas Fees

When using the best Ethereum NFT marketplace, you’ll need to be aware of gas fees. Put simply, these fees correlate to the computing energy that is required to complete certain transactions. Relating this to NFTs, gas fees accrue when an action takes place on the blockchain network – for example, transferring ownership of an NFT to another person.

One-Off Gas Fees

Certain NFT marketplaces (such as OpenSea) will require users to pay a one-off fee to initialise their crypto wallets. This fee applies to users who have not previously sold an NFT on the marketplace. Again, there is no set fee for this, although it tends to be quite expensive and can range between $50 to $300 depending on congestion levels.

Recurring Gas Fees

Recurring fees also apply when you conduct general network tasks. These include accepting an offer on an NFT that you listed, transferring ownership of an NFT to someone else, purchasing an NFT, canceling a bid that you placed on an NFT auction, and more.

To help you gain a clearer understanding, let’s dive in and review each platform individually:

1. Crypto.com – Overall Best NFT Marketplace in 2022

When deciding where to buy NFTs, another great option is Crypto.com. This popular NFT marketplace is one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges globally and is used by over ten million people. Aside from its popular crypto-trading services, Crypto.com has recently launched its own NFT marketplace. The marketplace was established in 2021 and offers NFTs from categories such as art, celebrities, gaming, sport, music NFTs, and of course crypto.

Crypto.com aims to make the entire investing process easy, as users can sign up for a Crypto.com NFT account in minutes. NFTs are available via auction or for a fixed price – and users can purchase NFTs using their credit or debit card. Alternatively, NFTs can be bought using cryptocurrency through the ‘Crypto.com Pay’ gateway. The most appealing thing about the buying process is that there is no transaction fee to purchase an NFT with Crypto.com, which is in stark contrast to many other platforms. You’ll also be able to find some of the most expensive NFTs on the market with Crypto.com

The NFT marketplace itself is easy to navigate and is accessible to beginners as well as experienced investors. Crypto.com has already collaborated with many high-profile names, such as Snoop Dogg and Boy George, adding a level of hype to the platform’s NFTs. Finally, a recent press release from Crypto.com announced that the platform now supports Ethereum-based NFTs – greatly expanding the options for investors!

Additionally, Crypto.com also offers the best NFT app allowing you to buy and sell NFTs directly from your mobile device. You can read our Crypto.com NFT Marketplace review to learn more about our recommended NFT platform.

Network/Token Used	Crypto.org chain & Ethereum
Gas Fees	No
Collection Size	100,000+
Trade Volume	>50,000 ETH per week

What We Like:

• No gas fees
• No transaction fees when buying NFTs
• Only a 1.99% fee when selling NFTs
• Can buy NFTs with a credit or debit card
• Now offers Ethereum-based NFTs for purchase

2. NFT LaunchPad – Most Exciting New NFT Marketplace

Our pick for the most exciting new NFT marketplace in 2022 is NFT LaunchPad. NFT LaunchPad is an exciting new digital assets marketplace that only launched in February 2022 yet has already begun generating traction with investors. The marketplace offers NFTs minted on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) and Polygon blockchains, ensuring a massive variety of assets to choose from.

NFT LaunchPad’s assets are denominated in Wrapped BNB (WBNB), one of the most widely-used cryptocurrencies. The marketplace can be accessed through your web browser and features an easy-to-use interface with clearly-marked sections for buying and minting NFTs. For those interested in the former, NFT LaunchPad offers collections from numerous top creators – including the super-popular Lucky Block NFTs.

The variety of exciting new NFT collections on this marketplace makes it the perfect place to flip NFTs.

Network/Token Used	Binance Smart Chain (BSC) + Polygon
Gas Fees	No
Collection Size	10,000+
Trade Volume	N/A

What We Like:

• Easy minting process
• Huge variety of NFT categories
• Can design your own creator page when minting
• Supports BSC and Polygon NFTs
• Numerous high-profile collections
• Full support for MetaMask wallet

3. Binance – Low-Fee NFT Trading Platform

Another highly-recommended platform if you’re looking to buy NFTs is the Binance NFT Marketplace. As the name implies, this marketplace is run by Binance – the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, according to CoinMarketCap. Binance prides itself on offering low fees, and this extends to the NFT marketplace, as users can buy NFTs with only a 1% transaction fee. Furthermore, the Binance NFT Marketplace offers NFTs on the Binance Smart Chain and the Ethereum blockchain, ensuring a vast selection of tradeable assets.

The Binance marketplace’s interface is easy to navigate and features NFTs in collections that include art, sports, entertainment, gaming, collectibles, and more. Binance also offers an attractive ‘Mystery Box’ feature, in which users can purchase a box and obtain a random NFT that could be extremely valuable. The great thing is that if you already have an account with Binance, you can use the same credentials to use the NFT marketplace.

Finally, Binance’s marketplace even allows users to mint their own NFTs, with low fees paid in BNB – the platform’s native token. Read our full Binance NFT marketplace review.

Network/Token Used	Binance Smart Chain
Gas Fees	Yes – when making payment
Collection Size	100,000+
Trade Volume	>$40m per month

What We Like:

• Low transaction fees
• Innovative mystery box feature
• Offers NFTs on Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain
• Can buy crypto on Binance in exchange for NFT purchases

4. OpenSea – Top NFT Marketplace with Huge Asset Selection

Many people believe OpenSea is the best place to buy NFTs, as this marketplace is the largest in the world when it comes to trading volume. OpenSea was the first platform to bring NFT trading into the mainstream and has reached over one million users since its launch. The marketplace is built on the Ethereum blockchain and offers various NFT types, such as art, domain names, in-game items, and more.

Finally, OpenSea supports 14 different crypto wallets and allows users to link their wallets to the marketplace in just a few clicks.

Network/Token Used	Ethereum
Gas Fees	Yes – for account registration and when making payment
Collection Size	1,000,000+
Trade Volume	>$5bn per month

What We Like:

• Huge selection of NFTs
• Accepts over 150 cryptos
• Supports 14 different crypto wallets
• Wide range of NFT categories

5. Nifty Gateway – Best NFT Platform for Rare Drops

Another of the top NFT marketplaces to consider is Nifty Gateway. Nifty Gateway focuses on ‘premium’ NFT drops, which are NFT releases with a limited number of assets. The platform features a wide variety of famous artists and creatives, with drops in the past coming from the likes of Steve Aoki and Grimes. Due to these NFTs being highly sought after, Nifty Gateway’s selection is tailored more towards high-end investors.

Finally, Nifty Gateway charges a 5% fee to the seller of each NFT, along with a $0.30 transaction charge.

Network/Token Used	Ethereum
Gas Fees	Only when transferring NFTs onto Nifty Gateway
Collection Size	6,000+
Trade Volume	>$100m per month

What We Like:

• Backed by the Gemini exchange
• Can purchase NFTs using a credit or debit card in the US
• Focuses on ‘premium’ drops
• Has attracted numerous high-profile names

6. GameStop – Upcoming NFT Platform for Blockchain Gaming

The GameStop marketplace is one of the most exciting NFT platforms due to launch this year. As referenced in an article by The Verge, GameStop looks to expand out of purely selling video games and create a foothold within the NFT games space. The company is developing a massive fund for game developers that opt to use the GameStop marketplace over alternatives, with the NFT platform being built on Immutable X – a Layer-2 protocol for Ethereum.

 However, most reports state that GameStop will look to partner with giant video game developers to offer collectible NFTs that will appeal to fans of specific franchises.

Network/Token Used	Immutable X
Gas Fees	Not stated
Collection Size	Not launched yet
Trade Volume	N/A

What We Like:

• Being built on a Layer-2 Ethereum protocol
• Focus on game-based items
• Looks to partner with video game developers
• Creating a fund for game developers

7. DraftKings – Popular NFT Marketplace for Sports Collectibles

DraftKings is a huge US-based betting company that primarily focuses on sports betting. The company launched its own NFT marketplace in late 2021 and boasts limited-edition assets from many top sportspeople. Notable NFTs that have been listed on the DraftKings marketplace include items from Tom Brady, Tony Hawk, Wayne Gretzky, and more. Users who already have a DraftKings account can easily access the marketplace with their standard login credentials.

Finally, transaction fees for initial drops are unclear, although sales in the secondary market will accrue a 10% royalty fee to the initial creator and a 5% transaction fee.

Network/Token Used	Polygon
Gas Fees	Yes – when buying an NFT
Collection Size	300+
Trade Volume	Not stated

What We Like:

• Partners with high-profile sports names
• Various price points on offer
• Can buy NFTs using PayPal
• Numerous limited-edition collections

8. Rarible – Leading NFT Art Marketplace

Rarible is one of the best NFT art marketplaces for investors, as the platform hosts a vast selection of digital art, along with photography, games, music, domains, and even metaverse items. The platform charges a 2.5% fee to both buyers and sellers, putting it at the higher end of the cost spectrum. However, Rarible does have multi-chain support and can host NFTs built on Ethereum, Flow, and Tezos.

Finally, Rarible also supports a range of wallets, such as MetaMask and Coinbase, ensuring investors can store their assets safely post-purchase.

Network/Token Used	Ethereum (with support for Flow and Tezos)
Gas Fees	Yes – an average of 0.010 ETH when purchasing NFTs
Collection Size	400,000+
Trade Volume	>$390,000 per week

What We Like:

• Multi-chain support
• Can purchase NFTs using a credit or debit card
• Offered in over 190 countries
• Supports a range of crypto wallets

9. WAX – Popular NFT Marketplace with Over 140,000 Assets

WAX is a blockchain network launched in 2017 that is designed to improve the efficiency of e-commerce transactions. The network is compatible with EOS and leverages the power of the blockchain to compete with Ethereum, aiming to be the leading network in the space. The WAX NFT marketplace itself is called ‘SimpleMarket’ and offers over 140,000 digital assets to trade.

Finally, the fee structure is relatively unclear for initial NFT releases, although WAX does charge a 2% transaction fee in the secondary market.

Network/Token Used	WAX blockchain
Gas Fees	No
Collection Size	140,000+
Trade Volume	Reached over $10m per day in late 2021

What We Like:

• Used by numerous high-profile brands
• A viable alternative to Ethereum-based marketplaces
• Compatible with EOS
• Over 140,000 NFTs to trade

10. Foundation – Premium NFT Marketplace for Exclusive Art

If you’re wondering where to buy NFT art, then Foundation is worth considering. Foundation is a leading NFT marketplace that primarily focuses on offering exclusive art drops. The NFTs listed on the Foundation marketplace are offered via auction, with most running for 24 hours after the first bid is placed. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, Foundation’s interface is sleek and makes it easy to find the digital art you’re looking for. In terms of fees, Foundation charges a 15% service fee to the seller on each transaction – the highest charge on our list.

At present, Foundation only supports wallets set up through MetaMask or WalletConnect, which can limit the accessibility for investors.

Network/Token Used	Ethereum
Gas Fees	Yes – when buying an NFT
Collection Size	100,000+
Trade Volume	>$60,000 per week

What We Like:

• Focuses on exclusive art drops
• 10% royalties on secondary sales
• Supports MetaMask and WalletConnect
• User-friendly trading interface