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The bottom line: Carvana gives you a firm offer in about two minutes and can finish the entire sale in 1 to 3 days. The catch is pickup fees that run $0 to $600 depending on where you live, and they may adjust the price when they inspect your car in person. You can also drop off at a Carvana vending machine if there’s one near you, which skips the fee entirely.
ALGO handles everything remotely through a phone or video call, with free pickup in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii. The downside is their 24-hour offer window, which doesn’t give you much time to shop around, and you have to mail your title before they schedule pickup.
We tested both with three vehicles in January 2026. Carvana gave firm dollar amounts while ALGO offered estimated ranges. On all three cars, Carvana’s fixed prices beat ALGO’s lower end every time.
Based on our results, go with Carvana if you want a set price and a quick sale. Go with ALGO if free pickup and a remote inspection matter more to you than speed.
Neither service works well for junk cars, salvage titles, or non-running vehicles.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
Carvana buys newer running cars, picks them up at home
- Accepts cars with active loans
- Trade-in can save on sales tax
- License plate starts the quote
- Direct deposit option available
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Offer amount 35% 5/5
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Process ease 20% 5/5
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Offer validity 15% 4/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
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Payment speed 15% 4/5
Algo inspects your car by video and picks it up for free
- Virtual video-call inspections
- Free home pickup in 50 states
- Handles loan payoff paperwork
- Sometimes matches other offers
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Offer amount 35% 4/5
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Process ease 20% 4/5
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Offer validity 15% 3/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 2/5
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Payment speed 15% 3/5
Compare Instant Offers
Carvana vs. ALGO Offers
We requested quotes from both companies for several vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
2026
2025
| Vehicle |
|
|
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | $14,200 | $12,100 – $14,200 | Carvana |
| 2022 Ford F-150 XL | $22,000 | $19,200 – $23,200 | Carvana |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE | $24,600 | $22,000 – $24,700 | Carvana |
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 73k miles and clean title:
2022 Ford F-150 XL with 72.5k miles and clean title:
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE with 61.5k miles and clean title:
| Vehicle |
|
|
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Ford F-150 | $38,800 | $37,500 – $43,700 | ALGO (up to +$4,900) |
| 2022 Chevrolet Bolt | $19,200 | $18,800 – $21,500 | ALGO (up to +$2,300) |
2023 Ford F-150 with 37k miles and clean title:
2022 Chevrolet Bolt with 36k miles and clean title:
Carvana vs. ALGO: Detailed Comparison
Carvana offers last 7 days, giving you a full week to shop around and compare. ALGO offers expire after just 24 hours, so you need to act fast or start over with a new quote.
Carvana sends someone to inspect your car in person when they pick it up. ALGO does a 10 to 20 minute phone or video call before scheduling pickup, so the price is usually locked in before the driver shows up.
A few more things worth knowing:
- Carvana gives firm offers; ALGO gives estimated ranges that can go up or down after verification
- Carvana charges $0 to $600 for pickup; ALGO picks up free but takes a $125 admin fee from your payment
- Carvana takes your title at pickup; ALGO requires you to mail your title before they schedule a driver
In our January 2026 tests, Carvana’s firm offers beat ALGO’s lower estimates on every car. The F-150 had the biggest gap: Carvana offered $22,000 while ALGO’s range started at $19,200. For the Tesla Model 3, Carvana offered $14,200 while ALGO’s low end was $12,100.
If your car has accident damage, don’t expect much from either company. Both focus on clean, well-maintained vehicles.
ALGO covers all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii, while Carvana only operates in major metro areas. If neither works for your situation, check our list of online car buyers for more options.
Carvana vs. ALGO: Feature Comparison
Where to Sell Your Car
If you have a newer car in good shape, Carvana is probably worth checking first. Their firm offers were competitive with ALGO’s best estimates in our 2026 tests, and the 7-day window gives you time to compare with other buyers.
ALGO makes more sense if Carvana doesn’t serve your area or you want to avoid surprise offer changes at pickup. Their remote verification call means fewer unknowns on pickup day, and free nationwide pickup can save you hundreds compared to Carvana’s fees.
Your car’s condition matters here. If it has accident history, expect very low offers or no quote at all from either company. Check our car selling options guide for more ways to sell.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Have a newer car in good shape |
|
Firm offers that beat ALGO’s lower estimates in our tests |
| Want to avoid pickup fees |
|
ALGO picks up free nationwide; Carvana charges $0 to $600 |
| Need more time to decide |
|
Carvana offers last 7 days; ALGO gives you only 24 hours |
| Want the fastest sale |
|
Carvana finishes in 1 to 3 days; ALGO takes 3 to 5 business days |
| Live in Alaska, Hawaii, or a rural area |
|
ALGO covers all 50 states; Carvana only operates in major metro areas |
| Prefer knowing the price before pickup day |
|
ALGO verifies by phone or video before pickup; fewer surprises |
| Want a direct deposit option |
|
Carvana offers ACH bank transfers; ALGO only pays by check |
| Selling a junk or non-running car | Neither | Both focus on newer running vehicles; try junk car buyers instead |
Alternatives to Sell a Car
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
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Process ease 15% 5/5
- Quote stays valid for 7 days
- Handles all the paperwork too
- Buys cars that are missing keys
- Pays cash or check at pickup
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Offer amount 30% 4.5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 15% 2/5
- Over 200 locations nationwide
- Drop off your car at any yard
- Backed by Copart auction yards
- Pays a check right at pickup
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Buyer reach 25% 5/5
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Safety features 25% 3/5
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Listing cost 20% 5/5
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Time to sell 15% 4/5
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Ease of listing 15% 5/5
- 100% free to list your vehicle
- Listing goes live right away
- Chat through the platform only
- Post in local buy/sell groups
Want to compare more options? Use our free tool to see who offers the most for your car:
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Which offers more, Carvana or ALGO?
It depends on your car. In our 2026 tests, Carvana offered firm amounts while ALGO provided estimated ranges. Carvana’s fixed prices landed near the top of ALGO’s ranges on all three shared vehicles.
For example, Carvana offered $14,200 for the Tesla Model 3 while ALGO estimated $12,100 to $14,200.
Our 2025 tests told a different story. ALGO’s estimated ceiling was $4,900 above Carvana on a Ford F-150 and $2,300 above on a Chevrolet Bolt. The only way to know for sure is to get quotes from both.
How long do Carvana and ALGO quotes last?
Carvana gives you 7 days to accept. ALGO gives you just 24 hours. If you want to compare quotes from several buyers, get your ALGO quote last since it expires the fastest.
Which has better reviews, Carvana or ALGO?
Both have strong ratings. Carvana has 4.1 stars from 14,200 reviews on Trustpilot.
ALGO has - stars from 0 reviews on Trustpilot and 4.8 stars from 2,773 reviews on Google.
Common Carvana complaints include pickup delays and offer changes at inspection. ALGO sellers sometimes mention a gap between the online estimate and the final offer after verification.
Do Carvana and ALGO change their offers at pickup?
Both may adjust their offers after checking your car. Carvana inspects in person when they arrive, so you find out on the spot.
ALGO does their verification over phone or video before scheduling pickup, so the price is usually set before the driver shows up.
Which is faster, Carvana or ALGO?
Carvana finishes in 1 to 3 days from start to finish. The actual pickup takes about 20 minutes. In some cities like San Diego and Seattle, same-day pickup is available.
ALGO takes 3 to 5 business days because you have to mail your title first and wait for them to receive it before they schedule a driver.
How do Carvana and ALGO pay you?
Carvana offers either a printed check or ACH bank transfer. Checks are handed to you at pickup. Bank transfers take 2 to 5 business days.
ALGO pays by company check from PNC Bank only. You get the check at pickup, but it may take 1 to 5 business days to clear at your bank.
Can I sell a financed car to Carvana or ALGO?
Yes, both handle loan payoffs. Carvana pays your lender directly and gives you the difference. ALGO does the same but charges a $25 processing fee.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to cover the gap with either company.
If you’re selling a car with an active loan, read our guide on how to sell a financed car for tips on getting the best deal.
Learn more: Car Buying Companies that Will Pay Off Your Auto Loan
Article Update History
We got fresh quotes from Carvana and ALGO for three cars: a 2018 Tesla Model 3, a 2022 Ford F-150 XL, and a 2021 RAV4 Prime SE. Carvana now offers same-day pickup in some cities like San Diego and Seattle. ALGO's process hasn't changed since last year.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.