Netshoes pioneered online sports retail in Brazil and still ships an enormous volume of running shoes, soccer jerseys, and gym apparel. The friction has shown up more clearly the last two years: prices on flagship models sit above what Nike and Adidas charge through their own apps, the supplements category has thinned, and Centauro now matches Netshoes on most SKUs while adding a physical store network. If Netshoes is no longer the default for your sports buys, the competitive set is real.
This guide compares 7 Netshoes alternatives across multi-brand sports retailers, brand-direct apps, and general marketplaces. Each pick is widely used in Brazil for buying sneakers, gym wear, and sports equipment.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Strength | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centauro | Multi-brand sports + physical stores | Match-and-beat pricing and pickup | Smaller running-shoe selection |
| Decathlon | Affordable own-brand gear | House brands at one-third the price | Premium brands missing |
| Nike | Nike direct with member exclusives | SNKRS drops and member pricing | Only Nike products |
| Adidas | Adidas direct with adiClub points | Member pricing and early access | Only Adidas products |
| Magazine Luiza | Cross-shopping sneakers and tech | Magalu Card cashback | Smaller technical-running depth |
| Mercado Livre | Out-of-season and rare colorways | Mercado Livre Full delivery | Counterfeit risk on premium sneakers |
| Amazon Shopping | Reliable returns on basics | A-to-z Guarantee on every order | Catalog narrower on team jerseys |
Why people leave Netshoes
- Flagship pricing. Netshoes prices on new Nike, Adidas, and ASICS models often sit 5-15% above brand-direct pricing on the same SKU. Discount cycles narrow but don't close the gap.
- Centauro overlap. Centauro carries nearly the same brand mix and adds physical-store pickup. The reason to default to Netshoes is thinner than it was five years ago.
- Supplement catalog. Whey, creatine, and pre-workout selection has thinned. Specialty supplement retailers and Amazon have stronger pricing in this segment.
- App polish. Filter logic and stock accuracy lag the brand-direct apps, where you're less likely to add to cart and find the size unavailable at checkout.
The 7 best Netshoes alternatives
Centauro — Best overall multi-brand sports retailer
Centauro carries the same Nike, Adidas, Mizuno, ASICS, and Olympikus catalog as Netshoes plus a physical-store network for try-ons and pickup. The Atleta program returns points on purchases.
Best fit: Multi-brand shopping, soccer jerseys, and any buy where in-store try-on matters.
Where it falls short: Technical running-shoe selection is slightly thinner than Netshoes. Filter depth is comparable.
vs the subject: Centauro matches Netshoes on most SKUs and beats it on physical-store experience. Netshoes still wins on long-tail running shoe stock.
Bottom line: Pick this first as a Netshoes replacement that handles broad sports buys and adds store pickup.
Decathlon — Best for affordable own-brand sports gear
Decathlon's house brands like Kalenji, Domyos, and Kipsta deliver functional gear at one-third the price of Nike or Adidas. The app inventory matches the physical-store breadth.
Best fit: Beginner-runner shoes, gym basics, cycling, swimming, and camping gear.
Where it falls short: Premium brands are mostly absent. If you need a specific Nike model, this isn't your store.
vs the subject: Decathlon's house brands undercut Netshoes by 50-70% on equivalent function. Netshoes wins on premium-brand selection.
Bottom line: Pick this when the goal is functional gear at the lowest reasonable price.
Nike — Best for buying Nike direct
The Nike app puts SNKRS drops, member pricing, and the full catalog one tap away. Member-only pricing on running shoes typically beats Netshoes by R$30-80 on flagship models.
Best fit: Running shoes, basketball, lifestyle sneakers, and SNKRS launch drops.
Where it falls short: Single brand. The catalog stops where Nike stops.
vs the subject: Nike direct beats Netshoes on price for the same Nike SKU and on early access to new models.
Bottom line: Pick this if your buys are mostly Nike. Stack with Netshoes for cross-brand comparison.
Adidas — Best for buying Adidas direct with adiClub points
The Adidas app runs the adiClub points program, which translates into member-only pricing and early access to drops. The catalog covers Originals, Performance, and the Yeezy-era successor lines.
Best fit: Adidas running shoes, soccer cleats, training apparel, and Originals lifestyle pieces.
Where it falls short: Single brand. No third-party stock.
vs the subject: Adidas direct prices the same Ultraboost or Samba SKU below Netshoes for adiClub members. Netshoes wins on cross-brand comparison.
Bottom line: Pick this for Adidas-heavy buys, especially if you commit to adiClub.
Magazine Luiza — Best for cross-shopping sneakers and electronics
Magalu carries a sneaker and sportswear catalog alongside the rest of the SuperApp. The Magalu Card returns 2 percent on purchases, which compounds across non-sports buys.
Best fit: Mainstream sneakers when you're already buying a TV or phone in the same checkout.
Where it falls short: Technical depth on running shoes is shallower than Netshoes. Soccer-jersey selection is thinner.
vs the subject: Magalu wins when bundling sports with electronics under one cashback umbrella. Netshoes wins on sports-only deep selection.
Bottom line: Pick this if your sports buy is one item in a broader cart.
Mercado Livre — Best for out-of-season and rare colorways
Mercado Livre carries inventory that fell off the main retailer shelves: discontinued colorways, out-of-season running shoes, and limited-edition releases. Mercado Livre Full ships in 1-2 days in major cities.
Best fit: Hard-to-find sneaker SKUs, retired colorways, and price-shopping the same model across sellers.
Where it falls short: Counterfeit risk on premium sneakers sits higher than at first-party retailers. Verify the seller history.
vs the subject: Mercado Livre wins on long-tail selection. Netshoes wins on authentication peace-of-mind.
Bottom line: Pick this when the model you want is sold out everywhere else.
Amazon Shopping — Best for reliable returns on basics
Amazon Brazil's sports section covers running, training, and casual sportswear. The A-to-z Guarantee makes returns on sneakers nearly painless, which Netshoes can't match.
Best fit: Gym basics, training apparel, and any sneaker where return-ability is non-negotiable.
Where it falls short: Team-jersey and technical-running catalog is shallower than Netshoes. Discovery feels generic.
vs the subject: Amazon's return policy beats Netshoes by a wide margin. Netshoes wins on sport-specific filter depth.
Bottom line: Pick this for sneaker buys where you might need to return for size.
How to choose
Pick Centauro if you want a true Netshoes replacement with the bonus of physical-store pickup. Pick Decathlon if you want functional gear at house-brand prices and don't need flagship models. Pick the Nike or Adidas app if 70%+ of your sports buying lands on one brand — member pricing is real money. Use Mercado Livre as the long-tail sneaker tool, and Amazon when returns matter more than price. Stay on Netshoes if you buy a lot of soccer jerseys, supplements, or technical running shoes where the depth still beats Centauro.
FAQ
Is Centauro cheaper than Netshoes? Day-to-day pricing is comparable. Centauro's Atleta program and frequent promotional cycles slightly favor Centauro on flagship sneakers when bundled with try-on.
Are SNKRS drops worth the Nike app install? Yes, for anyone buying Nike at retail. Member-only pricing on regular models also pays for the install over a single purchase.
What is the cheapest way to buy a running shoe? Decathlon's Kalenji and Kiprun lines for beginners, brand-direct apps with member pricing for premium models, and Mercado Livre for retired colorways at clearance prices.
Is it safe to buy sneakers on Mercado Livre? Verify the seller's reputation and transaction count. Stick to sellers with thousands of completed deals and check Mercado Livre Full listings for authentication confidence.
Where do I get the best Brazil World Cup jersey deal? Centauro and Netshoes both stock the official jerseys at MSRP. Adidas direct with adiClub pricing is typically the cheapest path on launch.
