Centauro runs the largest physical sports retail chain in Latin America and inherited the Netshoes brand inside the SBF group. The app handles most of what a sports shopper needs — running shoes, team jerseys, training apparel, supplements — and the Atleta loyalty program ties it all together. The friction shows up around pricing on flagship sneakers (brand-direct apps often beat Centauro on the same SKU), Decathlon's house-brand undercut on functional gear, and the supplement catalog losing ground to dedicated specialists. If Centauro is no longer the default, the competitive set is mature.
This guide compares 7 Centauro alternatives covering multi-brand sports retail, brand-direct apps, and general marketplaces with sports sections.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Strength | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netshoes | Original online sports retailer | Long-tail running shoe depth | No physical-store network |
| Decathlon | Affordable own-brand gear | House brands at 1/3 the price | Premium brands absent |
| Nike | Nike direct with member exclusives | SNKRS drops and member pricing | Single brand |
| Adidas | Adidas direct with adiClub points | Member-only sale access | Single brand |
| Magazine Luiza | Sneakers bundled in broader cart | Magalu Card cashback | Smaller sports catalog |
| Amazon Shopping | Returnable training apparel | A-to-z Guarantee | Team jerseys are thin |
| Shopee | Cheap sports accessories | Free shipping coupons | Premium-brand authentication risk |
Why people leave Centauro
- Brand-direct pricing. Nike and Adidas member pricing inside their own apps beats Centauro on the same SKU. The gap can run R$30-100 on flagship running shoes.
- Decathlon's undercut. Functional gear in running, cycling, and gym basics costs a fraction at Decathlon. Centauro can't match the house-brand math.
- Supplement catalog. Whey, creatine, and pre-workout selection is thinner than at specialty retailers and Amazon.
- App filter friction. Size filtering inside Centauro's app leaves out-of-stock items in the results too often.
The 7 best Centauro alternatives
Netshoes — Best for long-tail running shoe selection
Netshoes sits inside the same SBF group as Centauro but keeps a separate identity with stronger long-tail running shoe depth. The Onboarding running picks help newer runners find appropriate models.
Best fit: Running shoes, gym apparel, and the broadest selection of multi-brand sports gear online.
Where it falls short: No physical-store experience. App polish trails the brand-direct apps.
vs the subject: Netshoes beats Centauro on long-tail running shoe stock. Centauro wins on physical-store pickup.
Bottom line: Pick this when you know the model and want broader stock than Centauro carries.
Decathlon — Best for affordable own-brand sports gear
Decathlon's house brands (Kalenji for running, Domyos for fitness, Kipsta for soccer, Btwin for cycling) deliver functional gear at one-third the price of branded competitors. The app inventory tracks store stock accurately.
Best fit: Beginner-level gear across running, fitness, cycling, swimming, and camping.
Where it falls short: Premium brands are mostly absent. The store is the goal, not a destination for Nike fans.
vs the subject: Decathlon undercuts Centauro by 50-70% on equivalent function. Centauro wins on premium-brand selection.
Bottom line: Pick this if function matters more than brand cachet.
Nike — Best for buying Nike direct with SNKRS
The Nike app puts SNKRS launch drops, member pricing, and the full Nike catalog one tap away. Member-only pricing beats Centauro on the same model by R$30-80 on flagship running and lifestyle sneakers.
Best fit: Running shoes, basketball, lifestyle sneakers, and SNKRS exclusive launches.
Where it falls short: Single brand. The catalog stops at the Nike line.
vs the subject: Nike direct prices the same SKU under Centauro for members. Centauro wins on cross-brand comparison.
Bottom line: Pick this if 50%+ of your sneaker buys are Nike.
Adidas — Best for Adidas direct with adiClub
The Adidas app runs the adiClub points program, which translates into member pricing and early access to drops. Originals, Performance, and the broader Adidas lineup live in one place.
Best fit: Adidas Ultraboost, Samba, soccer cleats, training apparel, and Originals streetwear.
Where it falls short: Single brand. No third-party stock.
vs the subject: Adidas direct beats Centauro on Adidas-brand pricing for adiClub members. Centauro wins on multi-brand comparison.
Bottom line: Pick this for Adidas-heavy buys.
Magazine Luiza — Best for sneakers in a multi-category cart
Magalu carries sneakers and sports apparel alongside the rest of the SuperApp. The Magalu Card returns 2 percent on purchases, which compounds when sports is one item in a bigger cart.
Best fit: Mainstream sneakers when you're already buying a TV or phone in the same checkout.
Where it falls short: Technical running depth is shallow. Soccer-jersey catalog is thinner than Centauro.
vs the subject: Magalu wins on cross-category cashback. Centauro wins on sport-specific depth.
Bottom line: Pick this when sports is one piece of a broader cart.
Amazon Shopping — Best for training apparel with easy returns
Amazon Brazil's sports section keeps growing. The A-to-z Guarantee makes sneaker returns nearly painless, which Centauro can't match on online-only buys.
Best fit: Gym basics, training apparel, and sneakers where return-ability is the deciding factor.
Where it falls short: Team-jersey catalog is shallow. Discovery feels generic vs. Centauro's sport-specific filters.
vs the subject: Amazon's return policy beats Centauro on online buys. Centauro wins on filter depth and try-on.
Bottom line: Pick this for sneaker buys where size uncertainty matters.
Shopee — Best for cheap sports accessories
Shopee's app pushes a coupon-heavy feed of cheap sports accessories — gym bags, training gloves, wristbands, and athleisure. Free-shipping coupons stack with seller promotions.
Best fit: Accessories, athleisure, and training gear where brand doesn't matter.
Where it falls short: Authentication risk on premium-brand sneakers. Don't buy flagship Nikes here.
vs the subject: Shopee undercuts Centauro on accessories. Centauro wins on every premium-brand category.
Bottom line: Pick this for accessory restocking, not for serious sneaker buys.
How to choose
Pick Netshoes if you want a multi-brand Centauro alternative with the deepest running-shoe stock. Pick Decathlon if your buys are functional gear and you don't need premium brands. Pick Nike or Adidas direct if one brand dominates your wardrobe — the member pricing pays for itself fast. Use Magalu when sports is one item in a multi-category cart, Amazon when returns matter, and Shopee for cheap accessories. Stay on Centauro if you use the physical-store network heavily for try-on, or buy a lot of team jerseys where the depth still beats every alternative.
FAQ
Is Netshoes cheaper than Centauro? Day-to-day pricing is comparable since they share a parent company. Netshoes carries deeper long-tail running shoe stock; Centauro wins on physical-store pickup.
Are Decathlon house brands worth it? For beginners and casual users, yes. The Kalenji and Kiprun running shoes hit the same job as entry-level Nike or Adidas at one-third the price. Serious runners still prefer premium brands.
Should I download Nike and Adidas instead of Centauro? If 70%+ of your buys are one brand, yes. The member pricing and early access add up. For multi-brand shoppers, Centauro stays useful.
Where do I find the cheapest soccer cleats? Adidas direct on Predator, Nike direct on Mercurial, or Decathlon for the Kipsta house-brand cleats at one-third the price.
Is it safe to buy sneakers on Shopee? For accessories yes, for flagship sneakers no. Authentication risk on premium brands sits much higher than at Centauro or brand-direct.
