How Much Does Machinery Trader Cost? 2026 Pricing and Alternatives
Last updated: October 2026
If you sell used construction equipment, Machinery Trader is probably one of the first marketplaces you have heard of. It has a long track record and a large audience of buyers. But it does not publish its prices, so it can be hard to know what you will pay before you talk to a sales rep.
This guide covers what Machinery Trader is, what it typically costs in 2026, how it compares to listing on FleetNow, and when each option makes sense.
In this guide:
Machinery Trader at a Glance
Machinery Trader is one of the largest marketplaces for used construction equipment. It is owned by Sandhills Global, the company behind TractorHouse, Truck Paper and AuctionTime. Sandhills was founded in 1978, and Machinery Trader still runs a weekly print magazine in regional editions alongside its website and app.
Machinery Trader offers sellers:
- Online equipment listings, with featured placement for listings that also run in print
- Print ads in the weekly regional magazines
- A dealer program that lists a dealer’s full inventory
- Dealer website hosting
- Online auctions through its sister site, AuctionTime
Buyers also use the site for auction results, parts searches and a dealer directory, which helps keep its audience large.
How Much Machinery Trader Costs in 2026
Machinery Trader does not list its prices online. To get pricing, you contact a sales rep, and your quote depends on the package, whether you add print ads and how many machines you list. Here is what sellers can expect based on available information:
| Option | What You Get | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Online listing | A classified listing on MachineryTrader.com | About $99 – $299 per listing per month (third-party estimate) |
| Print + online ad | Photo ad in the weekly print magazine plus featured placement online | Quote from sales rep |
| Dealer program | Your full inventory listed online, plus featured listings | Quote from sales rep |
| Website hosting | A dealer website, HTML or WordPress | Quote from sales rep |
| AuctionTime auction | Online auction through Sandhills’ auction site | Auction fees vary |
The per-listing estimate comes from HeavyDutyYard’s 2026 platform comparison. Machinery Trader does not charge a commission on classified listings, so your cost is the advertising fee.
FleetNow Listing Plans and Pricing
FleetNow publishes its pricing, and you can sign up and start listing on your own in minutes:
| Plan | Listings | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single Listing | 1 listing | $49/month |
| Five Listings | Up to 5 listings | $79/month |
| Twenty-Five Listings | Up to 25 listings | $159/month |
| Custom | Dozens to thousands of machines | Contact sales |
Every plan includes direct buyer inquiries, easy photo and detail updates, and AI-powered pricing recommendations. There is no long-term contract, so you can cancel anytime.
Machinery Trader vs. FleetNow
| Machinery Trader | FleetNow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Quote from a sales rep | Published plans |
| Starting cost | About $99+ per listing per month (estimate) | $49/month for 1 listing |
| 5 machines | About $495 – $1,495/month (estimate) | $79/month |
| Contract | Varies by package | Monthly, cancel anytime |
| Print advertising | Yes, weekly regional magazines | No, online only |
| Sign-up | Through a sales rep | Self-serve online |
| Strengths | Large, long-established audience; print reach; auction data and analytics | Low, transparent cost; AI pricing recommendations; built for used construction and rental fleet equipment |
Both marketplaces let buyers contact you directly, and neither takes a commission on the sale.
When Machinery Trader Is Worth the Cost
It depends on what you are selling and how much of it.
Machinery Trader can be worth it for high-value or specialized machines, where the extra exposure to a large national audience can pay for the listing fees, and for dealers who want print advertising or a full dealer program with website hosting.
For most rental yards, contractors and owner-operators selling a few machines at a time, per-listing fees add up fast. Five listings at estimated Machinery Trader rates could run $495 to $1,495 a month, compared with $79 a month on FleetNow. With that difference, FleetNow can pay for itself with a single sale.
Many sellers use both: FleetNow for affordable, always-on listings, and a premium marketplace for select high-value machines.
Machinery Trader Cost FAQs
Machinery Trader does not publish its prices. Sellers get a quote from a sales rep, and the cost depends on the package, print placement and how many machines you list. Third-party estimates from early 2026 put individual online listings at roughly $99 to $299 per month per listing, while dealer programs that bundle print ads, full-inventory listings and website hosting cost more.
Classified listings on Machinery Trader are generally paid through advertising fees rather than a commission on the sale price, so you keep the full sale price. Selling through its sister auction site, AuctionTime, works differently, with fees tied to the auction.
Machinery Trader is owned by Sandhills Global, the company behind TractorHouse, Truck Paper and AuctionTime. Sandhills was founded in 1978 and publishes Machinery Trader as both a print magazine and a website.
FleetNow publishes its plans: $49 per month for a single listing, $79 per month for up to 5 listings and $159 per month for up to 25 listings. Every plan includes direct buyer inquiries, easy photo and detail updates and AI-powered pricing recommendations, and you can cancel anytime. Custom plans are available for larger inventories. See plans and list your equipment.
Yes. Many sellers list on more than one marketplace to reach more buyers. Keep your price and details consistent across sites, and mark machines as sold everywhere as soon as they sell.
No. FleetNow listing plans are billed monthly and you can cancel anytime.
Want to Talk With Someone Directly?
Contact Matt at: 216-556-4473 –or– sales@buyfleetnow.com
