peer-to-peer

Most ofen referring to P2P and peer-to-peer networking, peer-to-peer has morphed to include anything shared between people. For example, peer-to-peer rental apps let users rent housing, clothes, party supplies, tools, electronics, outdoor sporting equipment, baby items, even lawnmowers.

Historical perspective: In 2025 renting out clothing became a booming side hustle. For example, Pickle tripled its number of active monthly users year over year and raised $12 million in funding. It lists more than 200,000 items, from a $100 Goldbergh Pascale headband (that can be rented for $30) to a Cult Gaia dress ($898 to buy, $100 to rent), with couriers coming by to pick up and return the items.