Marketplace Fee Comparison

Selling the same item on different platforms yields different net payouts because each marketplace charges listing fees, transaction fees, payment processing, and sometimes offsite ads. This tool runs the same sale price through simplified US rate snapshots for Etsy, eBay, and Shopify.

Shopify monthly subscription cost is not included — only payment processing on this order. Shipping labels, promoted listings, and international currency conversion can shift real costs. Always verify current fee pages before pricing.

Example: a $40 item with $5 shipping may net differently on each platform once percentage fees and fixed per-order charges apply. The lowest-fee channel for one order is not always best after accounting for traffic, audience, and subscription overhead.

Etsy charges listing, transaction, and payment processing fees on many orders, plus optional offsite ads if enabled. A single sale can stack multiple percentage fees on item price and shipping collected.

eBay fee structures vary by category, store subscription, and promoted listing opt-in. Final value fees apply to item plus shipping in many categories — check whether your category gets a discounted rate.

Shopify charges payment processing on the order but not a per-listing fee like Etsy. Sellers pay monthly plan costs separately — high-volume Shopify stores amortize the subscription across hundreds of orders; occasional sellers may pay more all-in than this single-order view shows.

Worked example — $35 item, $8 shipping, US buyer: run the same inputs on each tab. Etsy may deduct transaction fee on total collected; eBay final value fee may differ by category; Shopify shows processing only. Compare net payout lines side by side before choosing a primary channel.

Traffic and conversion matter as much as fees. A platform with lower fees but no audience can yield zero net — fee comparison is one input to channel strategy, not the whole decision.

Rates change. We link official fee sources below; verify before repricing listings. Not affiliated with Etsy, eBay, or Shopify.

Cross-border sales add currency conversion and international fee tiers not reflected in US-default comparisons.

Fulfillment by Amazon, Etsy Offsite Ads, and eBay Global Shipping Program layer fees this baseline comparison excludes.

Multi-channel inventory sync tools carry their own subscription costs — factor software when comparing total cost of selling.

Payment dispute chargebacks carry fees on all three platforms — chargeback rate affects effective fee beyond headline transaction percentages.

Seller protection and buyer trust differ by marketplace — fee savings on a cheaper platform may cost conversion if buyers trust another site more.

Sales tax collected and remitted is pass-through in many jurisdictions — fee percentages may apply to tax-inclusive totals depending on platform policy; check each marketplace help center.

Promotional free listing periods on some platforms revert to paid listing fees later — compare steady-state fees, not introductory promotions, when choosing a long-term channel.

Category-specific fee promotions (reduced FVF for new sellers) expire — steady-state fee schedules matter for margin planning after introductory periods end.

Inventory carrying cost and return rate differ by channel — a slightly higher-fee marketplace with lower returns can net more than a low-fee channel with expensive reverse logistics.

Bundle shipping discounts and marketplace shipping programs change net margin — compare all-in fulfillment cost, not platform fee percentage alone.

Advertising spend to drive off-platform traffic to your Shopify store is separate from marketplace referral fees — total customer acquisition cost includes ads plus platform fees on each channel.

Multi-channel sellers should compare net margin after fees and ads per channel monthly — winner can rotate when platforms change fee schedules or ad auction costs shift.

Re-run this comparison when platforms announce fee changes — marketplace fee schedules update more often than subscription software pricing.

Include return shipping and refund fee policies in channel economics — net margin after fees can flip when return rates differ by platform buyer behavior.