Marketplace Fees Compared (2026): Etsy vs eBay vs Amazon vs Shopify
Every selling platform takes a cut, but the headline percentage almost never tells the whole story. Listing fees, per-order charges, and payment processing all stack on top of the obvious commission. Here is what each major marketplace charges in 2026 — and what the same product earns you on each.
The fees at a glance
| Platform | Commission | Other per-sale fees |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy | 6.5% transaction | $0.20 listing + 3% + $0.25 payment |
| eBay | ~13.6% final value (12.7% with a store) | $0.30–$0.40 per order |
| Amazon | 8–15% referral (15% default) | FBA fulfillment fee per unit |
| Shopify | None (not a marketplace) | 2.9% + $0.30 payment |
The key difference: Etsy, eBay, and Amazon are marketplaces that bring you buyers and charge a commission for it. Shopify is your own store — no commission, just payment processing — but you have to drive your own traffic.
Same product, four platforms
Take a $30 item with free shipping that costs you $10 to make and ship. Here is the net profit on each (rates current as of May 2026, US seller):
- Etsy: fees ≈ $3.30 → you keep $16.70 (≈ 56% margin)
- eBay (no store): fees ≈ $4.48 → you keep $15.52
- Amazon (15%, no FBA): fees ≈ $4.50 → you keep $15.50
- Shopify: fees ≈ $1.17 → you keep $18.83
The Amazon figure is referral-fee only — with FBA you’d also pay a per-unit fulfillment fee (often $3–5), which can make it the most expensive option for small items. Shopify keeps the most per sale, but remember you pay a monthly subscription and buy all your own traffic. On the marketplaces, the commission is effectively the price of access to millions of ready buyers.
Where each one wins
- Etsy is usually the cheapest marketplace for lower-priced handmade and craft items, and the audience is built for them.
- eBay gets cheaper with a store subscription, and some categories have much lower rates (guitars are 6.7%) — strong for used, collectible, and high-volume sellers.
- Amazon has the largest buyer base, but FBA fulfillment fees can quietly erase the margin on small, low-priced items. Always include the per-unit fee.
- Shopify wins on margin once you have your own traffic, because there is no commission.
Don’t guess — run your real numbers
Percentages are easy to underestimate once you add shipping, payment processing, and per-order fees. Run your actual price and costs through the calculator for each platform:
Or compare all four side by side on the home page.
Fee rates reflect US sellers as of May 2026. Confirm exact rates in your seller account — categories, countries, and promotions can change them.