Etsy vs eBay Fees: Which Is Cheaper for Sellers?
Etsy often looks cheaper by base percentage, but Offsite Ads can change the result. eBay can be better for some categories like electronics.
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Etsy | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Selling Fee | ~10% blended baseline | ~12% to 15% variable |
| Processing | ~3% + fixed (country-based) | Included in eBay fee stack |
| Listing Fee | $0.20 per listing event | Usually no upfront listing fee |
| Shipping Fee Impact | Transaction fee applies to shipping | Shipping often included in fee base |
| Best For | Handmade/vintage discovery | Electronics and broad categories |
Fee Breakdown
Etsy combines listing fee, 6.5% transaction fee, processing fee, and sometimes Offsite Ads fees.
eBay fees depend on category and listing options. Base rates can look higher or lower depending on category and selling style.
Example: Selling a $50 Item
Without Offsite Ads, Etsy can be cheaper by percentage. With a 15% Offsite Ads attribution, Etsy can become more expensive than eBay for that order.
When Etsy Wins
- Handmade, vintage, and craft-oriented products.
- Shops using organic Etsy traffic without paid ad pressure.
- Sellers optimizing listing quality and conversion.
When eBay Wins
- Electronics and broad inventory categories.
- Cases where Etsy Offsite Ads frequently trigger.
- Sellers needing more category-specific pricing flexibility.