Amazon vs eBay Fees: Which Marketplace Costs Less?
Amazon FBA and eBay can look similar on paper at some price points, but their fee structure and operations are very different. This guide compares both in one place.
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Amazon FBA | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Main fee | 8-17% referral fee | 12-15% Final Value Fee |
| Fulfillment | $3-8+ (FBA fulfillment fee) | Seller handles shipping |
| Monthly fee | $39.99 Pro or $0.99/item | Free up to 250 listings (typical) |
| Storage | $0.87-2.40/cu ft/mo | N/A |
| Best for | New products, Prime traffic | Used/vintage, collectibles |
Fee Breakdown
Amazon has more fee layers: referral fee, fulfillment, storage, and plan cost. In return, you get Prime-ready logistics and strong buyer trust from fast shipping.
eBay fees are usually simpler to model, but the seller handles packing, shipping, and much more of the day-to-day fulfillment operations.
Example: Selling a $50 Item
- Amazon FBA (Home, Small Standard, Pro plan at 100 orders/month): ~$7.41 (14.8%)
- eBay (Most categories, no promoted listing): ~$6.93 (13.9%)
At around $50, results can be close. The major difference is operational: Amazon handles fulfillment, while eBay fulfillment is mostly on you.
When Amazon Wins
- You want Prime visibility and conversion uplift from fast delivery.
- You sell standard new products and value outsourced logistics.
- You can maintain healthy margins after fulfillment and storage costs.
When eBay Wins
- You sell used, refurbished, vintage, or collectible inventory.
- You want lower platform complexity and direct shipping control.
- Your item mix performs better with flexible listing formats.