Choosing the right platform isn't about finding the "best" one—it's about matching what you're selling to where buyers are looking. A vintage Marantz receiver will sit forever on Poshmark but sell in days on eBay. A Lululemon jacket will get buried on eBay but move fast on Poshmark.
This guide breaks down the four major resale platforms by fees, audiences, and best categories so you can list strategically. For the deep dive on any single platform, see our complete guides for eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari.
Quick Comparison: Fees at a Glance
Here's what you keep from a $50 sale (with $8 shipping paid by buyer):
| Platform | Selling Fee | Net on $50 Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Depop | 0% + 3.3% payment + $0.45 | ~$47.90 |
| Facebook Marketplace | 10% | ~$45.00 |
| Mercari | 10% (on item + shipping) | ~$44.00 |
| eBay | 13.25% + $0.30 | ~$42.50 |
| Poshmark | 20% (all-inclusive) | $40.00 |
Depop wins on fees. But fees aren't everything—traffic, buyer intent, and category fit matter more than a few percentage points.
Platform-by-Platform Breakdown
eBay: The Global Giant
Audience: 130M+ active buyers. Skews older, more male, global reach.
Fees: 13.25% + $0.30 per order. Category-specific rates (sneakers over $150: 0% with authentication).
Shipping: Flexible—USPS, UPS, FedEx. eBay International Shipping handles global sales.
Best categories: Electronics, collectibles, vintage items, hard goods, tools, men's clothing, anything niche or technical.
Avoid listing: Trendy fast fashion, common mall brands (better on Poshmark).
Poshmark: The Social Closet
Audience: Primarily millennial women seeking discounted name brands.
Fees: 20% flat (includes payment processing). $2.95 flat fee under $15.
Shipping: USPS Ground Advantage, $6.49 up to 5 lbs (buyer pays). No free Priority boxes anymore.
Best categories: Lululemon, Madewell, Anthropologie, Free People, athleisure, designer handbags, shoes.
Avoid listing: Electronics, tools, home goods, anything non-fashion. Men's items move slower.
Mercari: The Digital Yard Sale
Audience: Price-sensitive buyers looking for deals. More casual than eBay or Poshmark.
Fees: 10% on total (item + shipping). Reversed the zero-fee experiment in early 2025.
Shipping: Multiple carrier options, prepaid or seller-calculated.
Best categories: Toys, video games, mid-range clothing, home décor, clearing general inventory.
Avoid listing: High-end items (buyers expect deals), anything requiring authentication.
Depop: The Vintage Streetwear Hub
Audience: Gen Z, ages 16-24, focused on unique vintage and streetwear.
Fees: 0% selling fee + 3.3% payment processing + $0.45. Lowest effective rate.
Shipping: Seller handles, no prepaid labels.
Best categories: Y2K fashion, vintage streetwear, band tees, unique one-of-a-kind pieces.
Avoid listing: Basic mall brands, anything "normal" or contemporary.
Choosing by Category
Clothing
Women's contemporary brands: Poshmark first. The audience is there, the search filters work, the social features help. Mercari as backup.
Men's clothing: eBay typically outperforms Poshmark for men's. The demographic fits. List workwear brands like Carhartt and Filson on eBay.
Vintage/unique pieces: Depop for Y2K and streetwear. eBay for vintage Americana, workwear, or anything with collector appeal.
Electronics
Always eBay. No other platform has the buyer base for vintage receivers, cameras, calculators, or tech equipment. Facebook Marketplace works for local sales of larger items.
Collectibles
eBay. Trading cards, vintage toys, memorabilia—eBay has authentication programs and the collector community. Don't waste time listing a vintage Polly Pocket on Mercari.
Home Goods
eBay for vintage kitchenware (Pyrex, Le Creuset, KitchenAid) with collector value. Facebook Marketplace for local pickup on heavy items. Mercari for general home décor that's giftable but not collectible.
Shoes
Sneakers over $150: eBay (0% fees with authentication). Designer heels/boots: Poshmark. Everyday shoes: Whichever platform matches the rest of your inventory.
The Multi-Platform Strategy
Most successful resellers use 2-3 platforms strategically:
Fashion focus: Poshmark primary, eBay for overflow and men's items.
Hard goods focus: eBay primary, Facebook Marketplace for local heavy items.
General mix: eBay + Poshmark + Mercari, matching items to platform strengths.
Cross-Listing Considerations
Listing the same item on multiple platforms maximizes exposure but creates management overhead. You risk "double selling" if an item sells on two platforms simultaneously.
For beginners: master one platform first. Once you're comfortable, add a second. Cross-listing tools like Vendoo or List Perfectly help manage multi-platform inventory at scale.
2025 Platform Trends
The Fee War Settled
In 2024, platforms competed by eliminating seller fees. Mercari went zero-fee; Depop followed. By 2025, most have reversed course—running a marketplace requires revenue. Expect fees to stay roughly where they are now.
Shipping Costs to Sellers
Poshmark's shift from Priority Mail to Ground Advantage exemplifies a broader trend: platforms are pushing packaging costs onto sellers. Budget for boxes and mailers; free carrier packaging is ending.
SEO Over Social
Poshmark's "For You" algorithmic feed and eBay's Cassini both reward keyword-rich titles over social engagement. Write SEO-optimized titles regardless of platform.
Quick Decision Framework
Use this when you're holding an item and unsure where to list:
Is it fashion? → Poshmark (women's contemporary), eBay (men's/workwear), Depop (vintage/streetwear)
Is it electronics/collectibles/niche? → eBay
Is it heavy/local-only? → Facebook Marketplace
Is it mid-range general merchandise? → Mercari or whichever platform you're already active on
Under $30 and you're unsure? → Just pick one and list it. Time matters more than optimization.
Mercari Seller Guide 2025
The third major platform. Where it fits in your multi-platform strategy.