Trust Score Breakdown
What We Found
- Domain registered since 2016 — established UK trading history
- SSL certificate valid — secure connection confirmed
- UK company registration — OnBuy Ltd, Companies House: 10136883
- Buyer protection scheme — genuine protection policy documented and enforced
- Contact details available — UK-based customer support
- Trustpilot score solid — 4.2/5 average, well above marketplace competitors
- Returns policy documented — sellers required to meet UK legal minimums
- Active social media presence
- Does not hold stock itself — quality depends on individual marketplace sellers
- Smaller seller base than Amazon — some products may have limited availability
Company Information
| Trading Name | OnBuy |
| Website | onbuy.com ↗ |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Parent Company | OnBuy Ltd (Companies House: 10136883) |
| Trading Status | Active |
Full Analysis
OnBuy was founded in 2016 by Cas Paton, with its headquarters in Bournemouth, Dorset. The company's stated mission was to create a UK-first marketplace that placed consumer rights and UK law at the centre of its operating model — a deliberate positioning against Amazon, which has faced persistent criticism for allowing counterfeit goods and substandard products on its platform. OnBuy is registered at Companies House (number 10136883), has received significant investment from Fuel Ventures and other backers, and has grown steadily since its launch. The Trustpilot score of around 4.2/5 is notably good for a marketplace platform.
The platform operates as a pure marketplace — it does not hold or fulfil stock itself. All products are listed and dispatched by third-party sellers who have agreed to OnBuy's seller terms. Those terms require sellers to comply with UK consumer law, including the 14-day return right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. OnBuy's buyer protection scheme provides a backup if a seller fails to meet their obligations. PayPal is the primary payment method, which adds an additional layer of buyer protection. The combination of UK legal compliance requirements, PayPal protection, and OnBuy's own buyer protection makes it a relatively safe marketplace.
Our assessment is that OnBuy is a legitimate and trustworthy marketplace for UK shoppers. It is not as large as Amazon, so the product range is more limited, but the consumer protection framework is solid. Check individual seller ratings before purchasing, read seller feedback, and retain all order confirmation emails. For UK buyers looking for an ethical alternative to larger marketplace operators, OnBuy is one of the most credible choices currently available.