eBay vs Mercari vs Poshmark: which platform costs less?
Real payouts at every price point, computed from each platform's current fee schedule — Mercari's flat 10%, Poshmark's $2.95/20%, eBay's category rates with the per-order fee. Plus the differences that matter more than the percentage.
✓ Fee schedules verified Nov 2, 2026 · Run your own numbers →
The 30-second answer
On fees alone, Mercari wins at every price point — a flat 10%, no per-order fee, no category surprises. eBay lands mid-pack (13.6% + $0.40 in most categories). Poshmark is the most expensive at 20% — and brutal on cheap items, where its $2.95 flat fee eats a third of a $10 sale.
But sellers don't choose platforms on fees alone. The audience on each platform pays different prices for the same item — and eBay's fee drops to 9.35% on electronics with a Basic Store, nearly closing the gap. See the Store break-even math →
Side by side at every price point
Fees on the item price only, domestic sale, no sales tax. Each platform taxes shipping and tax slightly differently — noted below the table. Green = cheapest at that price.
| Sale price | eBay fees | eBay payout | Mercari fees | Mercari payout | Poshmark fees | Poshmark payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $1.66 | $8.34 | $1.00 | $9.00 | $2.95 | $7.05 |
| $25 | $3.80 | $21.20 | $2.50 | $22.50 | $5.00 | $20.00 |
| $50 | $7.20 | $42.80 | $5.00 | $45.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 |
| $100 | $14.00 | $86.00 | $10.00 | $90.00 | $20.00 | $80.00 |
| $250 | $34.40 | $215.60 | $25.00 | $225.00 | $50.00 | $200.00 |
| $500 | $68.40 | $431.60 | $50.00 | $450.00 | $100.00 | $400.00 |
eBay = most-categories rate (13.6% + $0.40/$0.30 per-order fee); category rates range 13.25%–15.3%, and some go far lower (full category tables →). Mercari = flat 10% of item + buyer-paid shipping. Poshmark = $2.95 under $15, 20% of listing price at $15+.
The take-rate spectrum
- Poshmark at $10: 29.5% — the worst fee on any major platform, thanks to the $2.95 floor. Under-$15 flips should never start here.
- eBay at $10: 16.6% — the per-order fee hurts cheap items, but the percentage falls as price rises (14.0% at $100, 13.7% at $500).
- Mercari: 10.0% flat, always — and since Jan 2025 the buyer pays a separate 3.6% "Buyer Protection" fee at checkout, not you.
What the fee table doesn't show (and matters more)
- Audience = price realization. A vintage amplifier might fetch $400 from eBay's collector/audiophile crowd and $250 on Mercari. The 4% fee gap is noise when the sale price differs by 60%. Electronics, parts, collectibles and used goods have the deepest buyer pools on eBay; fashion commands premiums on Poshmark.
- Fee bases differ. eBay charges its percentage on item + shipping + sales tax — the tax detail most sellers miss. Mercari's 10% covers item + buyer-paid shipping (not tax). Poshmark's 20% is on the listing price.
- Shipping economics differ. eBay sellers get commercially-priced labels (often the cheapest option for anything over 1 lb). Poshmark includes a flat-rate label. Mercari passes label costs through — whoever pays shipping, its 10% fee rides on that amount too when the buyer pays.
- With a Basic Store, eBay's gap nearly closes: 12.7% most categories, 9.35% electronics vs Mercari's 10%. Volume sellers can end up paying eBay *less* than Mercari. Break-even math →
- Sell-through speed is money. A 10% fee on an item that sits for 3 months often loses to a 15% fee that sells in 3 days.
Rules of thumb
| You're selling… | Best first listing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under $15 anything | Mercari or eBay | Poshmark's $2.95 floor is 20–30% of the sale |
| Phones, laptops, cameras | eBay | Deepest buyer pool; 9.35% with a Basic Store ≈ Mercari's 10% |
| Clothing, shoes, bags | Poshmark (if $15+) | Fashion audience pays premiums that outrun the 20% |
| Collectibles, cards, coins | eBay | Collector reach, auction format, 13.25% rate |
| Generic household goods | Mercari | Fee is the main differentiator; audience is similar |
Run your actual numbers
The calculator handles the details that flip these comparisons: shipping, sales tax, Promoted Listings ad rate, and target-profit pricing. Calculate my payout →
FAQ
- Does Mercari or eBay charge lower fees?
- Mercari — flat 10% at every price, vs eBay's 13.6% + $0.40 standard rate. On a $50 sale: $5.00 vs $7.20. But eBay with a Basic Store drops to 12.7% (9.35% electronics), nearly matching Mercari for volume sellers.
- Is Poshmark really 20%?
- Yes, for sales of $15+. Under $15 it's a flat $2.95, which is why a $10 sale there costs 29.5% in fees — the worst deal among the big three.
- Which platform is best for selling under $15?
- Mercari on fees (10%, no minimums), eBay close behind (~16.6% at $10). Avoid Poshmark below $15 unless the buyer pays well above your target.
- Does Mercari charge buyers extra fees?
- Yes — since January 2025 buyers pay a 3.6% Buyer Protection fee at checkout on new/updated listings. It doesn't come out of your payout, but it raises what buyers pay, which can affect price sensitivity on competitive items.
Fee structures verified Nov 2, 2026 against each platform's current official fee pages (eBay selling fees & Store fees; Mercari Help Center fee article, effective Jan 6, 2025; Poshmark fee guide). Platforms change fees — confirm before making listing decisions. MarginGauge is not affiliated with eBay, Mercari, or Poshmark.