Sites Like Zappos: 12 Online Shoe Retailers With Better Prices
Text
About Zappos
Founded
1999
USA
Ships to
US
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
The thing Zappos actually invented — the 365-day return window, the no-questions overnight upgrade, the call-center reps famous for staying on the phone for hours — has quietly leaked out into the rest of the internet. Nordstrom copied the free-returns-forever ethos. Amazon absorbed it in the most literal way possible when it bought the company. And the 24/7 phone line that once felt like a friendly weirdness now feels like a relic, because everybody does free shipping both ways.
What's left is a very large, very well-organized shoe catalog that mostly sells at full MSRP.
That's the rub. The selection is still genuinely deep — you can find that one Brooks Ghost width or the Naot sandal nobody else stocks — but you'll rarely find it on sale, and 6pm (Zappos' own outlet arm) exists precisely because Zappos itself won't discount. Plenty of shoppers also just don't want to feed the Amazon machine any more than they have to. The alternatives below hunt the same territory: enormous brand range, painless returns, and in most cases the markdowns Zappos refuses to show you.
What's left is a very large, very well-organized shoe catalog that mostly sells at full MSRP.
That's the rub. The selection is still genuinely deep — you can find that one Brooks Ghost width or the Naot sandal nobody else stocks — but you'll rarely find it on sale, and 6pm (Zappos' own outlet arm) exists precisely because Zappos itself won't discount. Plenty of shoppers also just don't want to feed the Amazon machine any more than they have to. The alternatives below hunt the same territory: enormous brand range, painless returns, and in most cases the markdowns Zappos refuses to show you.
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Zappos
1
6pm
Est. 2007
Las Vegas, USA
$
cheaper
Shoppers who love the Zappos catalog but refuse to pay MSRP
Literally Zappos' own outlet sibling, running the same inventory and logistics but with markdowns of 40-70% off retail.
Pros
- Same warehouse and brands as Zappos at deep discounts
- Great for last-season styles
- Frequent flash sales
Cons
- Returns are 30 days, not Zappos' 365
- Stock is leftovers, so sizes sell out fast
Visit 6pm
Full guide: Sites Like 6pm
2
DSW
Est. 1991
Columbus, USA
$
cheaper
Rewards-driven shoppers who buy shoes several times a year
Massive multi-brand shoe selection with a strong online store and a loyalty program that Zappos lacks.
Pros
- VIP rewards give real cash-back certificates
- Clearance racks online and in-store
- BOPIS pickup available
Cons
- Return window shorter than Zappos
- Luxury/premium brands are thin
Visit DSW
Full guide: Stores Like DSW
3
Nordstrom
Est. 1901
Seattle, USA
$$$
pricier
Shoppers who want service plus premium brand depth
The original free-returns customer-service benchmark Zappos modeled itself on, with a deep designer and mainstream shoe wall.
Pros
- Legendary no-receipt return culture
- Huge designer-to-mainstream range
- Free shipping and returns
Cons
- Full-price items run higher than Zappos
- Best deals live on Nordstrom Rack, a separate site
Visit Nordstrom
Full guide: Stores Like Nordstrom
4
Nordstrom Rack
Est. 1973
Seattle, USA
$
cheaper
Deal hunters who want name brands cheap
Off-price arm of Nordstrom with rotating shoe deals and the same brand names at 30-70% off.
Pros
- Steep markdowns on premium brands
- Inventory refreshes constantly
- Tied into Nordstrom's loyalty program
Cons
- Selection is unpredictable
- Return policy tighter than parent Nordstrom
Visit Nordstrom Rack
Full guide: Stores Like Nordstrom Rack
5
Zalando
Est. 2008
Berlin, Germany
≈
similar
UK and EU shoppers wanting Zappos-style breadth
Europe's Zappos equivalent — enormous multi-brand shoe and apparel range with 100-day returns.
Pros
- 100-day free returns
- Huge European brand catalog
- Strong sale section and outlet
Cons
- Not available in the US
- Sizing conversions can confuse first-timers
6
Schuh
Est. 1981
Livingston, UK
≈
similar
UK shoppers wanting mainstream trainers and boots
UK footwear specialist with big brand range, fast delivery, and a strong sale rail.
Pros
- Wide sneaker and boot selection
- Next-day delivery options
- Regular clearance events
Cons
- UK/Ireland focus
- Premium designer lines limited
7
Shoes.com
Est. 1999
Vancouver, Canada
≈
similar
Shoppers who want a Zappos-style shop without Amazon
Pure-play multi-brand shoe retailer with a straightforward catalog and free shipping, minus the Amazon connection.
Pros
- Independent, not Amazon-owned
- Free shipping and returns
- Decent everyday brand mix
Cons
- Selection narrower than Zappos
- Fewer niche or wide-width options
8
Famous Footwear
Est. 1960
St. Louis, USA
$
cheaper
Family shoe shopping on a budget
Value-focused multi-brand chain with a solid online store and constant BOGO promotions.
Pros
- Frequent buy-one-get-one deals
- Rewards program with points
- Strong kids' selection
Cons
- Fashion-forward and designer brands scarce
- Site feels basic vs Zappos
9
Road Runner Sports
Est. 1983
San Diego, USA
≈
similar
Serious runners needing exact model and width
Running and walking shoe specialist with the width/model depth Zappos athletic shoppers rely on, plus fit expertise.
Pros
- Deep running-brand catalog and widths
- 90-day wear-test returns
- VIP membership perks
Cons
- Focused on athletic, not fashion
- Best pricing requires paid membership
10
Backcountry
Est. 1996
Park City, USA
$$$
pricier
Hikers and outdoor shoppers
Outdoor retailer with strong hiking and trail footwear range and Zappos-level customer help via Gearheads.
Pros
- Expert Gearhead chat support
- Serious hiking and trail footwear
- Good seasonal sales
Cons
- Pricey outside sale events
- No casual/fashion shoes
11
ASOS
Est. 2000
London, UK
$
cheaper
Trend-led shoppers under 35
Fashion megastore with a big shoe department, free returns, and the trend-driven styles Zappos underplays.
Pros
- Huge trendy shoe range
- Frequent discount codes
- Free returns in many markets
Cons
- Quality varies by brand
- Fewer premium performance brands
12
Rack Room Shoes
Est. 1920
Charlotte, USA
$
cheaper
Whole-family shoe runs at low prices
Family-oriented value footwear retailer with a full online catalog and buy-one-half-off deals.
Pros
- Buy-one-get-one-half-off staples
- Rewards program
- Strong kids and athletic basics
Cons
- Limited designer selection
- Less polished online experience
Where the discounts actually live
Zappos famously won't mark things down, which is exactly why it spun off 6pm. For the same catalog at real prices, 6pm and Nordstrom Rack are your best bets, with DSW, Famous Footwear, and Rack Room Shoes stacking loyalty rewards and BOGO deals on everyday brands. If you routinely buy shoes at MSRP just for the return policy, you're leaving money on the table.
If you want the service without Amazon
The Amazon ownership is the deal-breaker for a lot of former Zappos loyalists. Nordstrom carries the original service DNA Zappos copied — no-receipt returns, help that stays on the line. Shoes.com gives you an independent pure-play shop, and Backcountry's Gearhead chat is the closest thing left to a rep who genuinely knows the product.
For runners and hikers specifically
A big reason people trust Zappos is width and model depth for athletic shoes. Road Runner Sports beats it for running, with proper fit tools and a 90-day wear-test return. Backcountry owns the trail and hiking side. If you're buying a specific Brooks or Hoka width, these specialists carry more of the lineup than a general marketplace.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Chasing the deepest discounts on the exact brands Zappos stocks? Start with 6pm — it's the same warehouse, just cheaper. Want the white-glove service and no-hassle returns Zappos was built on, minus the Amazon connection? Nordstrom is the closest cultural match, with Shoes.com as an independent runner-up. Runners and hikers should skip the generalists entirely and go to Road Runner Sports or Backcountry, where the width and model depth is deeper and the staff actually know shoes. Budget-focused families will get the most mileage from DSW, Famous Footwear, and Rack Room Shoes and their constant BOGO and rewards deals. UK and EU shoppers have it easiest of all: Zalando and Schuh cover the same breadth with generous return windows. Frequently Asked Questions
QIs 6pm the same as Zappos?
Yes and no. 6pm is owned by Zappos and pulls from the same inventory and logistics, but it operates as the outlet arm, selling last-season and overstock styles at 40-70% off. The trade-off is a 30-day return window instead of Zappos' 365 days, and popular sizes disappear fast.
QWhat's a good alternative to Zappos that isn't owned by Amazon?
Shoes.com is the cleanest independent option — a pure-play multi-brand shoe store with free shipping and returns. Nordstrom and DSW are also fully independent, and Nordstrom in particular carries the same service-first return culture Zappos originally imitated.
QWhich site has the best return policy for shoes like Zappos?
Zappos' 365-day window is still the most generous in the US. Nordstrom's practically-unlimited, no-receipt return culture comes closest. In Europe, Zalando offers 100-day free returns, well beyond most retailers.
QWhere can I buy running shoes with specific widths instead of Zappos?
Road Runner Sports is the specialist pick — it carries deeper width and model runs for brands like Brooks, Hoka, and New Balance, plus a 90-day wear-test return. For trail and hiking footwear, Backcountry is the stronger choice.
QWhy is Zappos more expensive than other shoe sites?
Zappos maintains strict MAP pricing and almost never discounts, which is precisely why it created 6pm to clear stock. Competitors like DSW, Nordstrom Rack, Famous Footwear, and Rack Room Shoes routinely run markdowns, BOGO offers, and rewards programs that Zappos doesn't.
Our Verdict
The Best Zappos Alternative For You
Chasing the deepest discounts on the exact brands Zappos stocks? Start with 6pm — it's the same warehouse, just cheaper. Want the white-glove service and no-hassle returns Zappos was built on, minus the Amazon connection? Nordstrom is the closest cultural match, with Shoes.com as an independent runner-up. Runners and hikers should skip the generalists entirely and go to Road Runner Sports or Backcountry, where the width and model depth is deeper and the staff actually know shoes. Budget-focused families will get the most mileage from DSW, Famous Footwear, and Rack Room Shoes and their constant BOGO and rewards deals. UK and EU shoppers have it easiest of all: Zalando and Schuh cover the same breadth with generous return windows.