eBay vs Amazon Fees: Which Costs Sellers Less?
Published 4 min read
In this guide
eBay and Amazon both take a percentage of every sale, but they charge in very different ways. This comparison explains how each marketplace's fees are built, where each one tends to cost more, and how to compare them accurately for your own products.
eBay figures are US rates from our calculator, last checked on September 25, 2026. Amazon changes its fees regularly and they vary by category, size and fulfillment method, so we describe the structure and link to Amazon's official pricing rather than quoting numbers that may be out of date. Always check current rates on Amazon's seller pricing page before deciding.
Quick comparison
| Fee type | eBay (US) | Amazon (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Main selling fee | Final value fee: 13.6% of the total sale in most categories (up to $7,500) | Referral fee: a percentage of the sale price that varies by category (check current rates) |
| Fixed fee per sale | $0.40 per order ($0.30 if $10 or less) | Per-item fee on the Individual plan; category-specific closing fees on some media items (check current rates) |
| Monthly subscription | Optional eBay Store | Professional selling plan, or pay per item on the Individual plan (check current rates) |
| Fulfillment | You ship it yourself; no fulfillment fee | Ship it yourself, or pay fulfillment and storage fees to use FBA |
| Payment processing | Included in the final value fee | Included in the referral fee |
| Advertising | Optional Promoted Listings | Optional Sponsored Products and other ads |
| Used and one-off items | Any condition, auction or fixed price | Mostly catalog-based; used items allowed in many categories |
How eBay charges
On eBay you pay a final value fee on the total the buyer pays (item price, shipping and sales tax), plus a small per-order fee. Most categories are 13.6%, with lower rates in categories like guitars (6.7%) and athletic shoes at $150 or more (8%), and higher rates for books, movies and music (15.3%). A Basic or higher Store lowers most rates to 12.7%.
Example: a $50 item with free shipping, no tax, in most categories:
- Final value fee: $50 × 13.6% = $6.80
- Per-order fee: $0.40
- Total eBay fees: $7.20 (14.4% of the sale)
You pay for your own shipping and packaging on top, but there are no storage or fulfillment fees. The full list is in our complete eBay seller fee guide.
How Amazon charges
Amazon's costs come in layers. Check the current amount of each on Amazon's pricing page:
- Selling plan. The Individual plan charges a fee per item sold; the Professional plan charges a monthly subscription instead. The Professional plan becomes the cheaper option once your per-item fees on the Individual plan would add up to more than the monthly subscription.
- Referral fee. A percentage of the sale price that depends on the category, with a minimum per item in many categories.
- Closing fees on some media categories.
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), if you use it: a fulfillment fee per unit based on size and weight, plus monthly storage fees and other possible charges for long-term storage, removals or returns processing.
If you ship orders yourself (merchant-fulfilled), you skip the FBA fees but handle storage, packing and shipping, similar to eBay.
Where each one tends to cost more
- Used, vintage, collectible and one-of-a-kind items usually fit eBay better. Amazon is built around catalog listings, and some categories are restricted.
- High-value items favour eBay in most categories, because eBay's rate falls to 2.35% on the portion above $7,500 (or above $2,500 with a Store).
- Fast-moving new products can suit Amazon, especially with FBA and Prime eligibility, but fulfillment and storage fees can add up, particularly for large, heavy or slow-selling items.
- Low-priced items can be expensive on both. On eBay the fixed per-order fee is a bigger share of a cheap sale; on Amazon, minimum referral fees and fulfillment fees do the same.
How to compare fees for your own product
- Run your product through our US eBay fee calculator with your real price, shipping and costs.
- Look up your category's referral fee and your plan cost on Amazon's pricing page, and use Amazon's revenue calculator if you plan to use FBA.
- Compare net profit per sale, not just fee percentages. Include your shipping, packaging and, for FBA, the cost of sending stock to Amazon.
- Factor in speed of sale. A slightly lower fee means little if the item sits unsold for months.
For a step-by-step approach to working out margins, see our eBay profit margin guide.
Other differences that affect profit
- Pricing format: eBay offers auctions and Best Offer as well as fixed price. Read auction vs fixed price for how the format affects fees and results.
- Returns: both marketplaces have buyer protection programs, and return rules differ by category.
- Seller performance: eBay rewards Top Rated sellers with 10% off the final value fee and adds a surcharge for Below Standard sellers. See Top Rated Seller benefits.
- Branding: eBay Stores give you a storefront; Amazon's Brand Registry offers brand tools for registered trademark owners.
Should you sell on both?
Many sellers do. A common approach is to list new, branded stock on Amazon and used, unique or collectible items on eBay. If you sell the same items on both, keep inventory in sync to avoid overselling, and track your profit per platform so you know where each product performs best.
Want help getting more from your eBay account? Our eBay Account Management Service handles day-to-day operations, and every engagement starts with a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eBay or Amazon cheaper for sellers?
It depends on the product. eBay has no fulfillment or storage fees and falls to 2.35% on high-value sales, while Amazon's total cost depends on the category referral fee, your selling plan and whether you use FBA. Compare net profit per sale for your own items.
What does eBay charge per sale?
In most US categories eBay charges 13.6% of the total sale (including shipping and tax) up to $7,500, plus $0.40 per order. A $50 item with free shipping costs $7.20 in fees.
Does Amazon charge a monthly fee?
Amazon's Professional plan has a monthly subscription, and the Individual plan charges a fee per item sold instead. Check Amazon's seller pricing page for the current amounts.
Is it worth selling on both eBay and Amazon?
For many sellers, yes. New, branded products often suit Amazon, while used, unique and collectible items usually suit eBay. Keep inventory in sync to avoid overselling.