Rent the Runway alternatives
If you want to rent a dress for one event without a monthly membership, e.closet is the closest alternative to Rent the Runway: you rent straight from other women's closets and pay for one rental at a time, typically $35–$65 for the shortest length the owner offers. Rent the Runway and Nuuly are built around monthly subscriptions instead.
Updated October 12, 2026
How they compare
| Rent the Runway | Nuuly | e.closet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Monthly membership, plus one-time rentals | Monthly membership | Pay per rental, no membership |
| Price | $129, $164 or $275 a month, by number of shipments | $98 a month for six pieces | Set by each owner, typically $35–$65 per rental |
| Whose clothes | The company's | The company's | Other women's closets |
| Getting it | Shipped | Shipped | Local pickup, shipping or same-city courier |
| Buy instead | Some pieces | Some pieces | Many listings have a sale price |
| Rent out your own clothes | No | No | Yes, list your own pieces |
Membership prices are from each company's own site in October 2026 and change often, so check before you sign up.
Which one fits
- A different outfit every day of the month: a subscription like Rent the Runway or Nuuly can cost less per piece if you use every slot.
- One event at a time (a formal, a wedding, game day, a date party): paying per rental means you aren't paying a monthly fee in the months you don't go anywhere.
- Something this week, near you: e.closet owners in the same city can hand off locally, so there's no wait for shipping. Many listings are in college towns.
- A closet full of things you've worn once: on e.closet you can rent yours out too.
What renting on e.closet looks like
11,553 pieces are listed by owners in 183 cities. Each owner sets one flat price for each rental length she offers (2, 4, 5, 7, 14 or 30 days), so a weekend costs the 2- or 4-day price. You pick your dates, pay at checkout, wear it, and send it back the way it came; shipped rentals include a prepaid return label. The full walkthrough is in how renting on e.closet works.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Rent the Runway alternative without a subscription?
Yes. On e.closet you pay for each rental with no membership; prices are set by the owner and typically run $35–$65. Rent the Runway also offers one-time rentals alongside its memberships.
What's cheaper than Rent the Runway?
It depends on how often you rent. For one or two events a month, paying per rental on e.closet (median $45 for the shortest length) usually costs less than a monthly membership. If you'd wear rented pieces every day, compare the subscriptions per piece.
Is renting from a stranger's closet safe?
Every rental runs through e.closet: you pay in the app, owners describe and photograph their own pieces, and items that arrive not as described, damaged or lost are covered under e.closet's refund policy.
What about Poshmark or Depop?
Those are for buying and selling secondhand, not renting. Many e.closet listings can be rented or bought.