Youla.ru

Youla (Юла) was launched in 2015 by Mail.ru Group, the company now called VK, and was designed for smartphones from the start, as a rival to Avito, long the leading classifieds site in Russia. It has become one of the country's main general classifieds platforms, and its integration with the VKontakte social network gives each listing more visibility. The app puts nearby items first so that deals can be closed in person, and small businesses sell alongside private individuals through their own storefronts.

For collectors, Youla offers a view of a scene that followed its own path, largely cut off from the West: electronics from the Soviet period, regional editions of video games and objects manufactured in Russia itself, sold at local rather than international prices. Listings are in Russian and prices in roubles; many deals are closed in person and buying from abroad comes with its own logistical hurdles, so it is best to confirm first whether the seller ships.