Marketplaces
eBay vs Amazon
Real fees on $25, $100 and $500 — and when to pick each. eBay keeps you more on a $100 sale.
| Sale price | eBay fees | eBay you keep | Amazon fees | Amazon you keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25.00 | - $3.80 | $21.20 | - $3.75 | $21.25 |
| $100.00 | - $14.00 | $86.00 | - $15.00 | $85.00 |
| $500.00 | - $68.40 | $431.60 | - $75.00 | $425.00 |
Based on each platform’s standard 2026 fees with no add-ons. Use the calculators for your exact category, store tier, or promoted listings.
When to pick eBay
- Lower overall fees for individual sellers without a store.
- Excellent for one-off items, used goods, and rare finds.
- No FBA-style storage fees to manage.
When to pick Amazon
- Vast buyer reach with Prime customers and FBA fulfillment.
- Higher conversion rates on commodity products.
- Easier to scale with automated fulfillment.
Similar percentages, very different fixed costs
On the referral fee alone the two are close: eBay's standard final value fee is 13.6% + $0.40 per order, Amazon's referral fee is 15% in most categories with a minimum of $0.30. On a $100 sale that is $14.00 against $15.00. The real difference is what sits around the percentage. Amazon's Professional plan costs $39.99 a month regardless of volume; Individual sellers pay $0.99 per item sold instead. eBay has no subscription for sellers without a store, and 250 free listings a month.
For a low-volume seller the subscription dominates. Twenty Amazon sales a month carry $2.00 of subscription per sale on top of the 15%; on a $50 item that turns 15% into 19%. Below about 40 sales a month the Individual plan's $0.99 per item is cheaper than Professional, and below that volume eBay is cheaper than either.
| $50 sale, standard category | eBay (no store) | Amazon Individual | Amazon Professional, 20 sales/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage fee | $6.80 | $7.50 | $7.50 |
| Fixed / subscription share | $0.40 | $0.99 | $2.00 |
| Total | $7.20 (14.4%) | $8.49 (17.0%) | $9.50 (19.0%) |
Where Amazon pulls ahead
Volume and commodity products. Amazon's conversion on standard branded goods is far higher, Prime eligibility through FBA removes the shipping objection, and the Professional subscription becomes trivial at scale — 20 cents a sale at 200 sales a month. FBA adds its own fulfilment fee per unit (about $4.76 for a typical one-pound standard-size item at 2026 rates) plus storage, which is the trade you make for not shipping anything yourself.
Category rates diverge too. Amazon charges 8% on consumer electronics and personal computers where eBay charges 9% (electronics) or 13.6%; Amazon charges 45% on Amazon device accessories and 15–20% on jewelry and watches. Check the category before assuming either platform's headline.
Where eBay pulls ahead
Used, unique and one-off items, where Amazon's catalogue model works poorly and buyers expect variation. eBay's fee is charged on the tax-inclusive total and adds a 1.65% international fee when the buyer is abroad, but it has no closing fees, no storage fees and no subscription unless you opt into a store — and a store lowers the percentage in many categories. For a seller clearing inventory rather than building a brand, eBay's cost structure is simpler and usually lower.
Go deeper
Other comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is Amazon or eBay cheaper for a small seller?+
eBay, for anyone selling fewer than roughly 40 items a month. Amazon's $39.99 Professional subscription (or $0.99 per item on the Individual plan) sits on top of a 15% referral fee, while eBay charges 13.6% + $0.40 with no subscription.
Does Amazon's fee include payment processing?+
Yes. Both Amazon's referral fee and eBay's final value fee include payment processing; neither adds a separate card or PayPal fee.
Which is cheaper, eBay or Amazon?+
On a $100 sale, eBay keeps more of your money. eBay charges $14.00 on $100 (you keep $86.00); Amazon charges $15.00 (you keep $85.00). The answer can flip on very small or very large orders — use the full calculators for your exact numbers.
When should I choose eBay?+
Lower overall fees for individual sellers without a store. Excellent for one-off items, used goods, and rare finds. No FBA-style storage fees to manage.
When should I choose Amazon?+
Vast buyer reach with Prime customers and FBA fulfillment. Higher conversion rates on commodity products. Easier to scale with automated fulfillment.
Can I use both eBay and Amazon?+
Yes — many sellers cross-list to spread reach and compare what sells where. Just price each listing to cover that platform's specific fees so you stay profitable on either.
Where do these fee numbers come from?+
Each platform's published 2026 fee schedule, verified against its official help center. We update the rates as they change — see our methodology for details.