eBay vs Poshmark: 14% against 20%, and the flat label that justifies it
Poshmark's 20% is the highest commission in mainstream resale, and it loses to eBay's 14% at every price. What it buys is a flat $7.97 shipping label the buyer pays regardless of weight — which is why a heavy coat sells there and sits on eBay.
Two different bets on who pays for shipping
Poshmark charges a flat $2.95 on sales under $15 and 20% at $15 and above, with payment processing inside the commission. The buyer pays a flat $7.97 shipping label regardless of weight, which Poshmark subsidises on heavier items because it negotiates the rate nationally.
eBay charges 13.6% final value fee, a 0.35% regulatory fee and a $0.40 per-order fee, and shipping is weight-based and paid by whoever you decide. On the same $45 dress, eBay keeps $2.32 more.
| Platform | Fees | Fee rate | Net per sale | vs best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | $6.68 | 14.8% | $23.32 | — |
| Poshmark | $9.00 | 20.0% | $21.00 | -$2.32 |
Worked at a $45.00 sale, $15.00 unit cost and $0.00 of shipping you pay, general merchandise. Change any of those and the order can flip — that is what the calculator above is for.
eBay wins every price point — the question is how much
At $12 the gap is 88 cents; at $45 it is $2.32; at $150 it is $8.67. Poshmark's 20% never beats eBay's effective 14–17% at any realistic price, and the $15 cliff makes cheap items worse: a $12 sale pays $2.95, which is 24.6%.
So the fee table is not close. What keeps Poshmark in business is that on heavy items the comparison inverts, because the $7.97 label is a fraction of what a coat actually costs to post. A 4 lb winter coat shipping for $18 on eBay is $10 of extra cost against Poshmark's flat label — more than the 6-point commission gap.
Audience, not arithmetic
Poshmark is a social marketplace: parties, sharing, followers, offers. Sellers who put in the sharing time get distribution that eBay does not offer, and the buyers are less likely to comparison-shop a specific brand because they arrived through a feed rather than a search. That is worth more than 6 points on mall brands where eBay is a race to the bottom.
eBay wins on anything with a model number or a collector market — vintage denim, workwear, band tees, specific sneakers. Its search finds the buyer who wants exactly that, and its completed-sale data tells both sides what it is worth.
eBay vs Poshmark — FAQ
Is eBay cheaper than Poshmark?
Yes, at every realistic price. eBay's effective rate is 14–17% depending on price, against Poshmark's flat 20% above $15 and a $2.95 flat fee below it. On a $45 item eBay keeps about $2.32 more; at $150 it keeps $8.67 more.
How does Poshmark's commission work?
A flat $2.95 on sales under $15, and 20% on sales of $15 or more, with payment processing included in both. The buyer pays a flat $7.97 shipping label regardless of weight. There are no listing fees, and the fee is charged per order, so bundles share one $2.95.
Does Poshmark charge for shipping?
The buyer pays a flat $7.97 label on most orders, which covers any weight. That is the platform's main structural advantage on heavy items — a coat that costs $18 to post on eBay costs the buyer the same $7.97 on Poshmark, which makes it far easier to sell there.
Which is better for selling used clothing?
eBay for branded, collectable or searchable pieces where buyers look for a specific item. Poshmark for mall brands, plus sizes and workwear, where the social feed and the flat label do more for sell-through than the 6-point fee difference costs.
Why is my Poshmark sale only worth $2.95 in fees?
Because the flat fee applies to sales under $15. It is not a discount — it is 24.6% of a $12 sale, higher than the 20% rate. The cliff at $15 means a $15.00 sale pays $3.00 while a $14.99 sale pays $2.95, so the two are almost identical in net terms.
Sources & last checked. Rates reflect Poshmark's 2026 US commission ($2.95 under $15, 20% at $15 and above, processing included, buyer-paid flat $7.97 label) and eBay's 2026 US business-seller fees. Last reviewed October 2026.
Poshmark Fee Calculator →
The $15 cliff and how bundling fixes cheap inventory.
eBay Fee Calculator →
Weight-based shipping against a percentage fee.