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Amazon vs eBay vs Etsy: Fee Comparison
Enter one product once and see what Amazon FBA, eBay and Etsy each take — and where you keep the most.
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- Rates checked against official fee pages, November 2026
Sales tax, season & inbound shipping
Side-by-side breakdown
| Per sale | Amazon FBA | eBay | Etsy |
|---|
Quick answer
On a typical $40 item, Etsy usually takes the least (about 9.5% plus $0.45 per order), eBay takes about 13.6% plus $0.40 on most categories, and Amazon FBA takes the most (15% referral plus a fulfillment fee) — but FBA also ships the order for you. Compare on what you keep after your own shipping cost, not on the fee percentage alone.
Amazon vs eBay vs Etsy fees at a glance (US, 2026)
| Fee | Amazon (FBA) | eBay | Etsy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main selling fee | Referral fee, 15% in most categories (8% electronics) | Final value fee, 13.6% in most categories | Transaction fee, 6.5% |
| Payment processing | Included | Included | 3% + $0.25 |
| Per-order or listing fee | $0.30 minimum referral; $1.80 closing fee on media | $0.30–$0.40 per order | $0.20 per listing |
| Fulfillment | FBA fee by size and weight, from $3.32 for a small item over $10, plus 3.5% surcharge | You ship | You ship |
| Fee charged on shipping & tax | On shipping you charge (FBM) | Yes, on both | Transaction fee on shipping; processing on both |
| Monthly cost | $39.99 Professional plan (or $0.99 per item) | None (optional Store) | None (optional Etsy Plus) |
How to read the comparison
Fee percentages alone are misleading. Amazon's fees look highest because the FBA fee pays for picking, packing and shipping the order — costs you pay yourself on eBay and Etsy. That is why this calculator subtracts your own shipping cost on eBay and Etsy and compares what you keep, not just what each platform charges.
Worked example
A $40 item that costs $15, shipped in a 10 × 8 × 2 in box weighing 12 oz, with $7 of your own postage on eBay and Etsy (non-peak season, no tax): Amazon FBA takes about $11.22 ($6.00 referral + $5.04 FBA fee + 3.5% surcharge; the box's dimensional weight of 1.15 lb sets the fee), leaving you $13.28 after $0.50 inbound shipping. eBay takes $5.84, leaving $12.16. Etsy takes $4.25, leaving $13.75. Here Etsy pays slightly more — but only if the product suits Etsy's handmade and vintage audience.
Which marketplace should you sell on?
- Amazon FBA fits branded, replenishable products with steady search demand, where hands-off shipping and Prime matter more than the last dollar of margin.
- eBay fits used, collectible, refurbished and one-off items, and anything where auctions or offers help price discovery.
- Etsy fits handmade, vintage, craft supplies and digital downloads, where its lower fees and gift-buying audience pay off.
- Check each one in detail with the Amazon FBA calculator, the eBay fee calculator and the Etsy fee calculator, which include Store rates, Offsite Ads, Promoted Listings, storage and more.
Disclosure: the spreadsheet and the consulting service above are offered by MarginMath's author, Jansher Khan.
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Frequently asked questions
Which has lower fees, eBay or Etsy?
For most items Etsy's fees are lower: about 9.5% of the order plus $0.45 (6.5% transaction, 3% + $0.25 processing, $0.20 listing), against eBay's 13.6% plus $0.30–$0.40 in most categories. Etsy Offsite Ads can add 12–15% on sales they bring.
Is Amazon more expensive than eBay?
Amazon's referral fee is usually 15% versus eBay's 13.6%, and FBA adds a fulfillment fee. But FBA also ships the order, so once you include your own postage on eBay, the gap is often small.
Does this comparison include shipping?
Yes. For eBay and Etsy it adds the shipping you charge and subtracts your actual shipping cost. For Amazon FBA it uses the FBA fulfillment fee and your cost to send stock to Amazon.
What is not included in the comparison?
Amazon storage, the $39.99 monthly plan and ads; eBay Store subscriptions and Promoted Listings; and Etsy Offsite Ads. Use each platform's own calculator for those.
Sources
Fee rates on this page were checked against these official pages on November 10, 2026. Platforms change fees from time to time; if you spot a difference, tell us.
About the author
Amazon PPC & e-commerce specialist. Jansher prices products, reads marketplace fee reports and manages Amazon advertising for online sellers. These calculators are the checks he uses in that work. Last reviewed November 10, 2026.