On fees alone, Etsy is usually cheaper than eBay for a normal order. A US Etsy shop pays $0.20 + 6.5% + 3% + $0.25, about 9.5% plus $0.45. An eBay seller without a Store pays a 13.6% final value fee in most categories plus $0.40 per order. On a $30 order that is $3.30 on Etsy and $4.48 on eBay. Two things can reverse it: an Etsy Offsite Ads sale adds 12% or 15%, and eBay charges its fee on sales tax as well.
Rates in this guide come from Etsy's and eBay's own fee pages, checked on November 8 and November 10, 2026. eBay figures are for eBay.com sellers without a Store subscription.
The fees side by side
| Etsy (US shop) | eBay (US, no Store) | |
|---|---|---|
| Listing | $0.20 per listing, again every four months and for each item sold | First 250 listings a month free, then $0.35 each |
| Main selling fee | 6.5% transaction fee on item + shipping | 13.6% final value fee in most categories, up to $7,500 (2.35% above) |
| Payment processing | 3% + $0.25, charged on the total including sales tax | Included in the final value fee |
| Fixed fee per order | $0.20 + $0.25 | $0.40 ($0.30 on orders of $10 or less) |
| Is the fee charged on sales tax? | Only the 3% processing part | Yes, the whole final value fee |
| Extra fee that only sometimes applies | Offsite Ads: 15% or 12% of the order, capped at $100 | International fee: 1.65% when the buyer is abroad |
What each platform takes at common prices
Free shipping, no sales tax, no Offsite Ad, eBay "most categories":
| Item price | Etsy fees | eBay fees | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $1.40 (14%) | $1.66 (16.6%) | Etsy $0.26 cheaper |
| $30 | $3.30 (11%) | $4.48 (14.9%) | Etsy $1.18 cheaper |
| $50 | $5.20 (10.4%) | $7.20 (14.4%) | Etsy $2.00 cheaper |
| $100 | $9.95 (10%) | $14.00 (14%) | Etsy $4.05 cheaper |
Run your own price through the Etsy fee calculator and the eBay fee calculator, or see both at once in the marketplace fee comparison calculator.
When eBay becomes the cheaper one
An Etsy Offsite Ads sale
If a buyer reaches your Etsy shop through one of Etsy's ads on another website and orders within 30 days, Etsy adds an Offsite Ads fee of 15% (12% for shops that have made $10,000 or more in a year). On a $50 order the Etsy fees rise from $5.20 to $12.70 at 15%, or $11.20 at 12%, against eBay's $7.20. Shops under $10,000 a year can opt out; larger shops cannot. Our Offsite Ads fee calculator shows the effect on one order.
Lower-fee eBay categories
eBay's fee depends on the category. Guitars and basses are 6.7%, and athletic shoes sold for $150 or more are 8% with no per-order fee. In those categories eBay's fee is below Etsy's 9.5% plus $0.45.
When eBay costs even more
Sales tax
eBay works out its final value fee on the "total amount of the sale", which its fee page says includes sales tax. Etsy only charges its 3% processing fee on the tax. With 8% sales tax on a $50 order, the Etsy fees go from $5.20 to $5.32, and the eBay fees from $7.20 to $7.74, even though the tax itself never reaches you on either platform.
Higher-fee eBay categories
Books, movies and music are 15.3% on eBay, and jewelry is 15% on sales up to $5,000. A $50 piece of jewelry costs $7.90 in eBay fees against $5.20 on Etsy.
Handmade and vintage: what else to weigh
- What is allowed. Etsy is for handmade items, vintage items at least 20 years old, and craft supplies. eBay accepts almost anything, new or used.
- Listing costs for a large vintage stock. One-of-a-kind items each need their own listing. On Etsy every listing costs $0.20 for four months whether it sells or not; on eBay the first 250 a month are free. The Etsy listing fee calculator adds this up over a year.
- Shipping. Both platforms charge their percentage on the shipping you charge the buyer, so "free shipping" does not avoid the fee: the postage is simply inside the price.
- Optional ads. Etsy Ads and eBay Promoted Listings are extra and are set by you. They are not in the tables above.
The quick rule
For a normal order of handmade or vintage goods, Etsy's fees are about four percentage points lower than eBay's on orders of $30 and up. Price each platform separately rather than copying one price across: to keep the same profit on a $30 Etsy order, the eBay price needs to be about $1.37 higher. The profit margin calculator shows what is left after fees and costs on either one.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to sell on Etsy or eBay?
On fees alone, usually Etsy. A US Etsy order costs about 9.5% plus $0.45; an eBay order in most categories costs 13.6% plus $0.40 for sellers without a Store. On a $30 order that is $3.30 against $4.48.
How much does eBay take compared with Etsy on a $100 sale?
With free shipping and no sales tax, eBay takes $14.00 (13.6% plus $0.40) in most categories and Etsy takes $9.95 ($0.20 listing, $6.50 transaction and $3.25 processing).
Does eBay charge a listing fee like Etsy?
eBay gives sellers 250 free listings a month and charges $0.35 per listing after that in most categories. Etsy charges $0.20 for every listing, renewed every four months and each time an item sells.
Do Etsy and eBay charge fees on shipping?
Yes, both. Etsy's 6.5% transaction fee and its processing fee include the shipping you charge. eBay's final value fee is charged on the total amount of the sale, which includes shipping and sales tax.
Can I sell the same item on both?
Yes, if the item fits Etsy's rules (handmade, vintage or craft supplies). Keep stock in step so you do not sell one item twice, and set the price on each platform from its own fees.
Published 10 November 2026 · By Muhammad Shujah Uddin Qazi · How we check rates · Fees change; always check the platform's official fee page.