The Cheapest Way to Sell Online: Marketplace Fees Compared (2026)
By the Profitvana Editorial Team · Updated August 2026
Where you sell can change your profit by 10% or more on the identical item. Below is every major platform's real, verified 2026 fee — computed on the same $100 sale so the comparison is honest — plus which platform actually fits which kind of item, because the cheapest fee is worthless if the item never sells there.
Every platform on the same $100 sale
All fees below come from our verified fee database (checked against each platform's official schedule in August 2026) and assume a $100 item with free shipping, standard rates, no optional extras:
| Platform | Fees on $100 | You keep |
|---|---|---|
| Vinted | $0 (buyer pays protection fee) | $100.00 |
| Bonanza (no ads tier) | $3.75 | $96.25 |
| Depop (US) | $3.75 | $96.25 |
| TikTok Shop | $6.00 | $94.00 |
| Grailed (under $120 tier) | $9.98 | $90.02 |
| Facebook Marketplace (shipped) | $10.00 | $90.00 |
| Mercari | $10.00 | $90.00 |
| Etsy | $10.20 | $89.80 |
| Whatnot | $11.20 | $88.80 |
| StockX (Level 1) | $12.00 | $88.00 |
| eBay (no store) | $14.00 | $86.00 |
| Amazon (15% category) | $15.00 | $85.00 |
| Poshmark | $20.00 | $80.00 |
Cheapest by what you sell
Clothing and secondhand fashion: Vinted (0%) and Depop (3.75%) are unbeatable on fees; Poshmark charges 20% but includes the shipping label and a strong fashion audience. Local and bulky items: Facebook Marketplace local pickup is completely free. Collectibles and streetwear: Grailed's new sub-$120 tier (6% since May 2026) undercuts eBay; StockX and Whatnot buy you authentication and live audiences for a premium.
Handmade and vintage: Etsy's ~10% buys the only large audience specifically shopping for those niches. General goods at scale: eBay and Amazon cost the most but convert the most — Amazon buyers in particular arrive ready to purchase.
Payment processors are not marketplaces
PayPal, Stripe, and Square charge only ~3–3.5% — but they just move money; they bring you zero buyers. They belong in this comparison only if you already have your own audience (your site, Instagram, a newsletter). In that case they are by far the cheapest way to get paid: see PayPal's full rates.
The fee is half the answer
A 3.75% fee on an item that takes six months to sell is worse than a 13.6% fee on one that sells this week — your time and sell-through rate are costs too. The honest way to decide: shortlist the two or three platforms where your item category genuinely moves, then compare your exact net on each with the compare tool, which ranks every platform for your numbers in one shot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest site to sell on in 2026?
For seller fees alone: Vinted ($0 — the buyer pays), then Bonanza and Depop (~3.75% on $100), then Facebook Marketplace local pickup (free). But factor in audience: the cheapest platform where your item actually sells is usually mid-tier.
Which marketplace has the highest fees?
Poshmark's 20% flat commission is the highest headline rate — though it includes the prepaid shipping label. Amazon's 15% referral fee plus FBA costs can total more for fulfilled-by-Amazon sellers.
Is it cheaper to sell on eBay or Etsy?
On a $100 sale: Etsy takes about $10.20 vs eBay's $14.00. Etsy is usually cheaper for handmade/vintage; eBay's reach is broader for everything else. See the full eBay vs Etsy breakdown.
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Written and reviewed by the Profitvana Editorial Team
Last reviewed August 2026
We research marketplace, payment, and finance fees directly against each platform’s official, published rates, re-check every platform monthly, and stamp each calculator with the date it was last verified. We publish exactly how we work — and never let ads change a result.
Published by Valdura LTD, registered in England and Wales — company no. 17217831.