For those of us whose daydreams involve an endless stream of impeccable outfits, clothing rental services are a sartorial savior. But picking the right one involves some trial and error.
Thankfully, I’ve rented from multiple platforms and am here to give you the rundown– a BNTO vs Nuuly battle of the boxes, if you will.
For details on how Nuuly and BNTO stack up on selection, sizing, and overall experience, scroll on.
BNTO vs. Nuuly Key Differences
Before we dive into the detailed, side-by-side comparison, here is a quick overview of the key differences I found after using both services.
Feature | BNTO | Nuuly | The Verdict |
Monthly Price | $98 for 6 items a month | $98 for 6 items a month | Tie |
Brand Curation | Trend-forward, emerging & global designers. | Mainstream favorites (Anthropologie, Free People, etc.). | BNTO for fashion discovery, Nuuly for reliable favorites. |
Accessories | Yes! Bags, sunglasses & jewelry included. | No, clothing only. | A win for BNTO. |
Sizing & Fit | Standard sizing, few user reviews. A gamble for petites. | Inclusive (Petite/Plus) with abundant user reviews. | Nuuly is the clear winner for fit confidence. |
Subscription Flexibility | Pause for one month at a time. | Pause for up to three months. | Nuuly offers more flexibility. |
Unique Feature | “Maya” AI assistant for style discovery. | Advanced and robust filtering options. | BNTO for innovation, Nuuly for practical searching. |
Quality Control | Excellent. Most items felt new or new-with-tags. | Good, but can be a mixed bag with some worn items. | BNTO had the edge in my experience. |
The Bottom Line: While the prices are identical, the ideal renter is different. BNTO is for the fashion explorer. Nuuly is for the practical renter.
Ready to Try One? Here Are My Codes:
- BNTO: Use my promo code 56G7RM at checkout to get $20 in bonus credits.
- Nuuly: Use this referral link to get $30 off your first month’s subscription.
BNTO vs Nuuly Brand Curation & Style Vibe
I rented this sumptuous spring dress from Nuuly.
While both BNTO and Nuuly offer a fantastic selection of contemporary fashion, their approach to curation is fundamentally different. Choosing the right service comes down to knowing what kind of closet you want to step into.
Nuuly: Find Mainstream Brands, All in One Place
Think of Nuuly like a well-stocked mall. Because it’s owned by Urban Outfitters, Nuuly is filled to the brim with a massive selection from well-known brands like Anthropologie, Free People, Farm Rio, and Favorite Daughter.
As mentioned in my Nuuly review, the browsing experience is one of abundance and predictability. Their filtering system is well built, making it easy to zero in on exactly what you’re looking for.
If you love mainstream, on-trend, and often boho-leaning brands and want what feels like an endless aisle of options, Nuuly’s closet is a repository of reliable favorites.
BNTO: Find Cool Niche Brands
If Nuuly is the mall, BNTO is the chic, hidden-gem boutique you discover on a trip abroad. This is BNTO’s superpower: its focus on a curated selection of “cooler,” trendier pieces from emerging and global designers. This is where you find the unique items that no one else will be wearing.
I felt a little thrill of discovery when browsing BNTO.
If you read my BTNO review, you know I was introduced to lesser-known labels like South Korean brand EENK and the elegant silhouettes of Andrea Iyamah. I appreciate how BNTO offered a clear departure from “safe,” everyday fashion, allowing me to play with more daring and experimental pieces.
If you’re a fashion explorer at heart and crave that zing of finding something truly new and unique, BNTO’s expertly curated closet is for you.
Nuuly vs BNTO Subscription Model & Flexibility
A shirt and trousers set I picked from BNTO.
On the surface, the subscription models for Nuuly and BNTO look nearly identical, but there are a few subtle differences in flexibility that are worth noting before you commit.
Subscription Price
Both services operate on a simple monthly subscription plan (because what isn’t a subscription these days?) that includes the cleaning and shipping for the pieces.
Nuuly: $98 /month for 6 pieces | My monthly subscription with tax is $108.78
BNTO: $98 /month for 6 pieces | My monthly subscription with tax is $108.05
As you can see, the price is essentially a tie. No hidden fees or extra shipping charges, thank goodness.
Swapping & Pausing
If you’re a clothing renter like myself, I’m going to assume you appreciate flexibility. Here’s how BNTO vs Nuuly stacks up.
Swapping
Both services operate on a similar model where you receive one box of 6 items per monthly billing cycle. Once you return your items, your account is “unlocked” to build your box for the next month. Neither service offers unlimited swaps within a single month.
Pausing
Nuuly is incredibly flexible, allowing you to pause your subscription for up to 3 months, and then on a month by month basis after that. This is perfect if you’re traveling or just want to take a season off. BNTO, on the other hand, only allows you to pause for a single month at a time. After that one-month pause, your subscription will automatically restart.
BNTO vs. Nuuly Clothing & Accessory Selection
Beyond the brand vibe, the sheer size and type of inventory available is a major factor in the rental experience. Here, the two rental platforms offer notably different shopping experiences.
Inventory Size: Nuuly’s Massive Closet
Nuuly’s biggest advantage is the sheer, undeniable size of its inventory. Their virtual closet is massive, offering what feels like an endless scroll of options. This is fantastic because it means you’ll have more choices and a much higher likelihood of finding a great alternative if your first-choice item is unavailable.
However, this is a double-edged sword. I’ve had moments where browsing Nuuly started to feel like a chore. I’d get lost scrolling through all the categories, only to realize I’d spent far too much time and was feeling overwhelmed.
My Pro Tip for Nuuly: To combat this, you have to be disciplined. Use the “Closet” feature often to save items you love. Then filter, filter, filter to weed out the pretty-but-not-quite-right items and focus on what you truly need.
BNTO’s Secret Weapon: Renting Accessories
BNTO’s selection is smaller. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in uniqueness of pieces. And, in an exciting offering- accessories for rent.
Yes! While Nuuly’s subscription is strictly for clothing, BNTO allows you to use any of your six slots to rent accessories.
I was thrilled to see that I could rent not just cool handbags and sunglasses, but also outfit enhancers like belts and jewelry. The selection isn’t huge, but it packs a stylish punch and is well-curated.
The ability to rent a statement bag for a specific trip or a trendy pair of sunglasses for a month is a dream way to complete a look without having to purchase those trendier, less-worn items. For anyone looking to up their accessory game, BNTO has the goods.
BNTO vs Nuuly Sizing & Fit
What’s the point of exquisite clothing if it doesn’t fit? Since renting clothes allows for no trips to the tailor and no do overs in your monthly box, sizing is important. Here’s what I’ve noticed after renting from both Nuuly and BNTO.
Nuuly: More Inclusive Sizing
Nuuly filters let you sort by petite, standard, and plus sizes.
Points to Nuuly for its commitment to inclusive sizing, complete with dedicated and filterable categories for Petite and Plus sizes. This immediately makes the browsing experience more efficient and successful for a wider range of body types.
My Petite Perspective | For me, the game-changer on Nuuly is the volume of user data. Most items have multiple reviews, often with photos from customers of all shapes and sizes. Being able to read a review from another 5’3″ woman and see how a dress actually fits her is more helpful than a static size chart.
BNTO: A Gamble on Sizing
BNTO lets you sort by size but not by petite or plus.
While I’m pleased with BNTO’s curation, the sizing selection could be improved. You can filter by size on the platform but not by plus or petite. My 5’7 sister has no problem finding adorable looks on BNTO, but I have to do some digging when it comes to pants and longer dresses.
My Petite Perspective | Renting from BNTO can sometimes feel like a gamble. Because the service is newer and features emerging designers, many items have zero reviews. While I did find some pieces that fit beautifully, it required a lot more hunting.
Promo Codes for BNTO & Nuuly
If you’re ready to give one of these services a try, here are perks to take advantage of as a new user:
For BNTO: Use code 56G7RM at checkout. This will give you $20 in bonus credits that you can use to purchase an item you love from your box.
For Nuuly: Get $30 off your first month’s subscription with this link.
Nuuly vs BNTO User Experience
An Amanda Uprichard mini dress from BNTO that did not disappoint.
We’ve talked about the clothes. Scroll on to learn about the experience of using the platform, the quality of the items you receive, and the helpfulness of the support team.
Platform Usability & Filtering
Both services have clean, well-designed apps and websites, but they prioritize different features.
Nuuly Usability
Nuuly’s Strength is Filtering. Nuuly offers a more advanced set of filters, allowing you to drill down by everything from sleeve length to neckline to weather. This is incredibly helpful when you’re searching through their massive inventory for something specific.
BNTO Usability
BNTO is a self-proclaimed AI-powered rental service. This comes to life through “Maya,” an AI assistant designed to act as your personal discovery tool. When browsing, you can click a small bubble on any item to chat with Maya, giving it prompts to help you find similar styles or new ideas.
I decided to put it to the test. I found a Mimi Hi ribbon-fitted dress that I liked but wasn’t quite right, and I prompted Maya to “find me something like this but more vibrant.”
Maya responded by suggesting a new lineup of mini dresses with a brighter, more feminine vibe.
My take? It’s an ambitious and exciting feature, but it’s clearly still evolving. I found the recommendations could be a bit hit-or-miss and not always perfectly aligned with my prompt. However, it’s a fascinating tool for discovery that sets BNTO apart and has the potential to be a game-changer as it learns and improves.
This is a feature that Nuuly simply doesn’t have. Discovery on Nuuly is a more traditional, manual process of browsing and filtering. If you enjoy the idea of collaborating with an AI stylist to push your boundaries, this is a major point in BNTO’s favor.
Customer Service
Sometimes we need a little help. Here’s how Nuuly vs BNTO compare in customer service.
BNTO’s customer service is handled entirely via email. In my experience, they were friendly and quick to respond. They even kindly bent a rule for me when I was a newbie who misunderstood a policy, which was a wonderful touch that showed they value their customers.
Nuuly offers both email and a chat function. I’ve also found their team to be very helpful. On one occasion, an item arrived with a broken zipper, making it unwearable. After I let them know, they quickly credited my account with a bonus item for my next box, an offer I naturally accepted.
The Final Verdict: Which Clothing Rental Service is Right for You?
Another winner from BNTO was this billowy romper.
After trying both services, I can confidently say that while BNTO and Nuuly operate at the same price point, they are not interchangeable. They are designed for two very different renters, and the right choice for you depends entirely on what you value most in a rental experience.
Here is my final recommendation.
Choose BNTO if…
You’re a fashion explorer who loves discovering unique, emerging designers and wants to rent trendy accessories. It’s the perfect choice if you don’t mind some size ambiguity and enjoy the thrill of a more curated, “boutique” style discovery.
Ready to try BNTO? Use my code 56G7RM for $20 in bonus credits.
Choose Nuuly if…
You need reliable and inclusive sizing options and love having access to a massive inventory of your favorite mainstream brands. It’s a go-to for a predictable and review-driven rental experience.
Want to try Nuuly? Use this referral link to get $30 off your first month’s subscription.
BNTO vs Nuuly Frequently Asked Questions
Still deciding which clothing rental platform is for you? Perhaps these answers will help.
This is a great question, as the total turnaround time can really impact your experience.
Nuuly: In my experience, Nuuly’s shipping is consistently fast and reliable. They use UPS, and I typically receive my box within 2-3 business days after I confirm my selections. Their process feels very streamlined, and you get tracking information almost immediately.
BNTO: BNTO’s shipping is also quite prompt, with my boxes usually arriving within 2-4 business days. The key difference, and something many users note, is the return processing time. There can sometimes be a lag of a day or two between when you drop off your return package and when their system registers the carrier scan that “unlocks” your account to build your next box. If you drop your box off in the morning, you can usually avoid the lag.
No, and that’s one of the superb conveniences of both services. Both BNTO and Nuuly handle all the professional cleaning between members. You simply wear the clothes and then place them in the provided pre-paid return mailer when you’re done.
This is a great question that really gets to the heart of their different style vibes. Here’s my stylist’s take:
- For work clothes, I would lean towards Nuuly. Their massive inventory of reliable brands like Anthropologie and Alex Mill makes it easier to find a good selection of polished, professional, and office-appropriate pieces.
- For vacation clothes, I would give the edge to BTNO. Their curation of unique, global designers and their inclusion of accessories like sunglasses and statement bags is perfect for putting together memorable vacation looks that you won’t see on everyone else.
