In the battle between Nuuly vs Rent the Runway, which brand will come out on top?
In this fast-paced world of fashion, sometimes renting clothes is more practical than buying them permanently. While it was once an unconventional idea, this business model has surged in popularity.
Retail rental is an innovative way to shop; it gives you the chance to try hundreds of different styles with minimal commitment. In addition, renting services can give you the opportunity to wear pieces you might not be able to afford at retail value.
So, what is the difference between these brands? More importantly, which one is better for you?
If you’re asking yourself the same questions, read on to find our complete comparison of these two brands after trying out both (and other clothing rental subscription services).
Nuuly vs Rent the Runway Overview
Rent the Runway was one of the first clothing rental subscription services that hit the market in 2009. Since then, it has largely dominated the retail rental community. However, Nuuly has quickly become a formidable competitor in the short period it’s been around.
Since the brands are so similar, we’ve broken down their main points below:
| Nuuly | Rent the Runway (Winner) |
| – Over 150 trendy & recognizable brands – Mainly URBN brands (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, and similar) – $88/month for 6 items per month – Free shipping & returns – No late fees or damage fees – Pause or cancel anytime – Laundry & cleaning included | -Over 750 designers – Multiple subscription plan options or single-item rentals – Starts at $94/month – Pause or cancel anytime – Free shipping and returns – Cleaning & rental coverage – Offers high-end designer brands – No return dates |
RELATED: 17 Best Clothing Subscription Boxes For Women + Men
Nuuly vs Rent the Runway
Now that we have an idea of what each brand offers, let’s break down each category to get a better look.
How It Works
Both brands work as a subscription service that allows you to rent a certain number of clothing items, which you pick out, each month.
Nuuly
Nuuly offers a single, all-inclusive subscription plan. The way this subscription works is straight to the point.
Every month you get charged a fee that allows you to choose 6 items to rent.
For an $18 extra fee, you can upgrade and add 2 extra items. You can do this every month, or on a month-to-month basis.
An important note—customers must wait until the next month to unlock their next batch of items, even if they’re done with them. That means there is no option to swap clothing items within a single month, which is something that many other clothing rental services offer.
Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway has more options when it comes to subscription plans. Like Nuuly, you will pay a monthly fee (varies with each plan) in exchange for your choice of rental items. The brand offers 3 subscription tiers:
- 4 items, 1 shipment, & Basic Closet access
- 8 items, 2 shipments, & Full Closet access
- 16 items, 4 shipments, & Full Closet access
Rent the Runway allows you to rent 4 items at a time, however, the higher tier subscriptions have multiple shipments a month.
They come with either basic or full closet access: basic closet access features more casual clothing with a retail value of up to $350, whereas full closet features premium styles and event wear for up to $3500 retail value.
With Rent the Runway, customers don’t have to wait until the next month to swap clothing items. Whenever you’re done with any number of items, you can instantly exchange them for new pieces.
Plus, Rent the Runway also allows customers to rent single items for a set fee, which is great if you only want to rent one thing (for example, you can rent your prom dress here).
Pricing
Nuuly
Nuuly’s subscription is $88/ month for 6 items. If you choose to upgrade for more items, it will be around $106/ month for 8 items.
They offer free shipping and returns. Plus, the laundry and cleaning services are included, and you can pause or cancel your subscription at any time.
Rent the Runway
As we mentioned above, Rent the Runway offers 3 subscription tiers:
-4 items for $94/month
-8 items for $144/month
-16 items for $235/month
All of the options typically offer free trial prices, so be sure to check those out too.
Like Nuuly, shipping and returns are both free and there are no commitments. They also have rental coverage, for minor damage, and no return dates for items.
Members will also have access to exclusive deals and sales if they choose to permanently buy an item.
Sizing
Nuuly
Nuuly offers extremely inclusive sizing which ranges all the way from 00-40W. There is usually a ton of availability in every size too.
Rent the Runway
While they do offer plus-size options, there is definitely less availability than Nuuly’s options.
Sizing ranges from 00-22.
Style
Nuuly
Nuuly offers hundreds of iconic and hip brands. Nuuly is actually part of the URBN portfolio, which means they carry many items from their brands. A few of these brands include Urban Outfitters, Free People, Anthropologie, and others.
Because of this, Nuuly is often preferred by younger people who already shop at these stores. They seem to have more of the latest trends compared to Rent the Runway.
Rent the Runway
If you love luxury, Rent the Runway is the perfect place for you. They offer hundreds of top designers and high-end brands.
The style of clothing you will find here is definitely catered towards more formal events and special occasions. It is also a great option for professional wear.
One of the best aspects of Rent the Runway is the ability to try out luxury designers without breaking the bank.
What Others Are Saying
To find the main points of customer feedback, we scoured the internet for real reviews and opinions. Overall, customers say:
- Nuuly is a great place for trendy styles & brands
- Rent the Runway is perfect for trying out high-end designers at cheaper prices
- Rent the Runway is appreciated for its multiple subscription options
- Both brands are reliable and decently affordable
- Nuuly is more affordable and versatile for daily life
- Rent the Runway is perfect for special occasions and events
- Both brands are worth trying
Final Verdict: Which Brand Wins?
When comparing Nuuly vs. Rent the Runway, both companies are reliable options, but the winner will depend on what styles you’re looking for.
Personally, I have tried both and I prefer Nuuly because I love their styles. I already shop at Urban Outfitters & their sister brands, so I love being able to rent items from these brands without paying retail prices.
You should try Nuuly if you have a more unique style and are looking for the latest trends. The styles Nuuly offers are much more trendy and casual. Nuuly is also less expensive, for the most part. On the other hand, it is a little less flexible as you can’t exchange pieces whenever you want. For more details on Nuuly, read my Nuuly review.
You should try Rent the Runway if you’re a luxury lover and want access to designer brands without paying full prices. Rent the Runway offers the most high-end pieces; these are pieces that you might not permanently buy. In that aspect, Rent the Runway takes the cake on the rental aspect of the business. For more details, read our Rent the Runway reviews.
Either option is excellent, all in all, but Rent the Runway does offer more high-end styles and a better exchange policy.
