Choosing where to sell comes down to one question: which platform costs less and sells more? eBay, Etsy, and Mercari each have different fee structures, audiences, and strengths. This guide compares every fee side by side and shows you exactly which platform puts the most money in your pocket depending on what you sell and at what price.
Fee Comparison at a Glance (2026)
| Fee Type | eBay | Etsy | Mercari |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | Free (250/mo), then $0.35 | $0.20 per listing | Free |
| Final value / selling fee | 3%–15.3% + $0.30 | 6.5% | 10% |
| Payment processing | Included in FVF | 3% + $0.25 (US) | 2.9% + $0.50 |
| Effective rate on $50 sale | ~13.9% | ~10.4% + $0.20 listing | ~12.9% |
| Subscription available | Yes (eBay Store) | Yes (Etsy Plus $10/mo) | No |
| Offsite advertising fee | No | 12–15% (opt-out available) | No |
Side-by-Side Fee Calculation: $50 Sale
| Platform | Fees | Your Payout | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay (clothing category) | $6.95 + $0.30 | $42.75 | 14.5% |
| Etsy | $3.25 + $1.75 + $0.20 | $44.80 | 10.4% |
| Mercari | $5.00 + $1.95 | $43.05 | 13.9% |
Winner at $50: Etsy — but only if your item fits Etsy’s handmade/vintage/craft niche. For general retail, Mercari and eBay have far larger audiences.
eBay Fees in Detail
eBay’s final value fee (FVF) varies significantly by category. Most categories charge 13.25% + $0.30 per order. Some categories are cheaper: heavy equipment is 3%, guitars and basses are 5.85%, and collectibles are around 13.25%. Payment processing is bundled into the FVF, so you don’t pay a separate processing fee.
eBay Store subscribers (from $4.95/month for Starter) get reduced FVF rates and free listings in bulk. For high-volume sellers, a store subscription almost always pays for itself. Use our eBay fee calculator to find your exact rate by category.
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Etsy Fees in Detail
Etsy charges a flat 6.5% transaction fee plus 3% + $0.25 payment processing (US). Unlike eBay, there’s no category variation — every item pays the same rate. The $0.20 listing fee per item is a small but real cost for shops with large inventories that don’t sell frequently.
Etsy’s Offsite Ads fee (12–15%) is the wildcard. If Etsy runs an ad that drives a sale, you pay this fee instead of the standard transaction fee. Sellers under $10,000/year can opt out. Use our Etsy fee calculator for precise numbers.
Mercari Fees in Detail
Mercari is the simplest of the three: 10% selling fee + 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing, no listing fees, no category variations. The $0.50 flat processing fee hurts on low-priced items but is less significant on items over $30.
Mercari’s buyer audience skews toward fashion, electronics, and collectibles. It’s not a great fit for handmade or vintage items (Etsy dominates there) or for business sellers (eBay has more B2B buyers). Use our Mercari fee calculator to check your numbers.
Which Platform Should You Use?
- Selling handmade, vintage, or craft supplies? Use Etsy. Lower fees and the right audience.
- Selling used clothes, electronics, or everyday items? Try Mercari first for simplicity, eBay for larger reach.
- Running a high-volume business? eBay with a Store subscription gives the best rates at scale.
- Selling niche collectibles? eBay has the deepest collector audience by far.
For a full comparison including Amazon, Poshmark, Depop, and Reverb, see our complete online selling fees guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has lower fees: eBay or Etsy?
Etsy typically has lower effective fees (around 10.4%) compared to eBay (13.25%–15.3% in most categories). However, eBay’s payment processing is bundled, making direct comparison tricky. On a $50 sale, Etsy puts about $2 more in your pocket than eBay in most cases.
Is Mercari cheaper than eBay?
Mercari (12.9% effective rate) is slightly cheaper than eBay (13.25%+) for most item types. The difference on a $50 sale is about $0.20–$0.50. The bigger factor is audience: eBay has significantly more buyers than Mercari.