GovPlanet vs Purple Wave (2026): Fees, Inventory & Which to Use

GovPlanet and Purple Wave both sell the kind of heavy, mechanical inventory that government fleets and contractors retire - trucks, trailers, equipment, and rolling stock. But they pull from different sellers, charge different fees, and reward different buyers.

TL;DR

GovPlanet is the government and military arm of the IronPlanet family. It specializes in ex-military vehicles, federal fleet, trucks, and tactical equipment, with detailed inspection reports (the IronClad / EUC ratings). The buyer's fee is higher - typically 15%.

Purple Wave is a Kansas-based no-reserve auction marketplace heavy on agricultural, construction, and municipal equipment from across the central US. The buyer's premium is a flat 10%, and almost everything sells regardless of price.

Quick decision

• After ex-military or federal fleet specifically (MRAPs, HMMWVs, deuce-and-a-halfs, tactical trailers)
• Buying remotely and want a documented condition report before you commit
• Comfortable paying ~15% for that inventory and inspection detail

• Hunting farm, construction, or municipal equipment in the central US
• Fee-sensitive and want the lower flat 10% premium
• Comfortable with as-is, no-reserve lots and arranging your own inspection

Side by side

Where each platform actually wins

Military and tactical inventory GovPlanet is the destination for demilitarized military rolling stock. If you want a former military HMMWV, a 5-ton truck, generators, or tactical trailers, this is the deepest pool in the country. Many lots ship with off-road-only titling or a bill of sale rather than a clean on-road title, so read the title status on every lot before you bid.

Fees, honestly This is the clearest difference. GovPlanet's 15% buyer's fee on a $20,000 truck is roughly $2,000 (the 10% above-$10k tier carries a $1,500 floor), plus document fees. Purple Wave's flat 10% on the same hammer price is about $2,000 as well, but with no tiered floor and simpler paperwork. On smaller lots the gap widens in Purple Wave's favor: 10% versus 15% on a $3,000 item is $300 versus $450.

Inspection and condition reporting GovPlanet inherits IronPlanet's inspection culture - IronClad Assurance and detailed condition reports on a large share of lots, which matters when you cannot physically inspect. Purple Wave lists as-is and leans on local inspection windows; great if you can drive to the yard, riskier if you're bidding blind.

No-reserve culture Purple Wave's no-reserve model means deals are real - if nobody else shows up, the price stays low. GovPlanet uses reserves on some lots, so a quiet auction can still end with no sale.

Should you check both?

Yes. The two pools overlap on trucks and trailers but barely touch on military versus agricultural inventory, so a buyer who only watches one misses half the market. The fastest way is a meta-search like GovAuctions, which indexes both GovPlanet and Purple Wave (plus GovDeals, GSA, Public Surplus and more) in one interface, so you can line up comparable trucks across platforms without tab-switching, and use a Flip Score to gauge which listing is actually the better deal after fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GovPlanet's buyer's fee really 15%? For most lots, yes. GovPlanet charges 15% on final prices up to $10,000. Above $10,000 the rate drops to 10% but with a $1,500 minimum, so it only beats 15% once the lot clears $15,000. Document fees ($25 to $200) and any state taxes are added on top.

Does Purple Wave charge a buyer's premium on every lot? Almost always 10%, but the premium is set per auction and shown on each lot page. Check the lot terms before bidding, because occasional consignor auctions vary.

Which has better deals on trucks? It depends on origin. Military and federal trucks are cheaper through GovPlanet net of comparable condition; farm, contractor, and municipal trucks in the central US are often cheaper on Purple Wave thanks to the lower premium and no-reserve format.

Can I get an on-road title from GovPlanet? Not always. Many ex-military vehicles come with a bill of sale or SF97 and are titled off-road-only in many states. Confirm the exact title document and your state's rules before bidding.