Comparison · general
Depop vs Mercari
Which marketplace has lower fees for resellers — and when does each one win?
Two casual marketplaces with very different fee models. Depop removed its 10% seller fee in 2024 (sellers now pay only payment processing). Mercari kept its standard structure.
Net payout at common sale prices
| Sale price | Depop fees | Depop net | Mercari fees | Mercari net | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25.00 | −$1.28 · 5.1% | $23.72 | −$3.73 · 14.9% | $21.27 | +$2.45 |
| $50.00 | −$2.10 · 4.2% | $47.90 | −$6.95 · 13.9% | $43.05 | +$4.85 |
| $100.00 | −$3.75 · 3.8% | $96.25 | −$13.40 · 13.4% | $86.60 | +$9.65 |
| $250.00 | −$8.70 · 3.5% | $241.30 | −$32.75 · 13.1% | $217.25 | +$24.05 |
| $500.00 | −$16.95 · 3.4% | $483.05 | −$65.00 · 13.0% | $435.00 | +$48.05 |
| $1,000.00 | −$33.45 · 3.3% | $966.55 | −$129.50 · 13.0% | $870.50 | +$96.05 |
Net payout = sale price + shipping charged − platform fees. Both platforms calculated with default options and no shipping charged to buyer.
Fee structure
Depop
Open calculator →Social marketplace for vintage, streetwear, and youth fashion
- Depop removed its 10% selling fee for sellers in 2024 — sellers now pay only the payment processing fee.
- Payment processing (3.3% + $0.45) applies to the item price plus the shipping the buyer pays.
- Buyers see a separate 'Marketplace Fee' added at checkout (varies by item value). This is paid by the buyer and does not reduce your payout.
- Depop Boost (promoted listings) is optional — you set the ad rate and pay only on attributed sales. Not factored into base calculations here.
Mercari
Open calculator →Casual marketplace for general goods
- The selling fee (10%) applies to the item price only — shipping and sales tax are excluded from this charge.
- Payment processing (2.9% + $0.50) applies to the full amount the buyer pays, item plus shipping.
- Mercari Shipping Label deducts the discounted label cost directly from your payout. Enter that cost in 'Your shipping cost' to see accurate profit.
- Mercari Shipping Protection covers eligible packages up to $200 at no extra cost to the seller — it does not change the calculator math.
Audience & fit
On fees alone, Depop is significantly cheaper — about 4% effective versus Mercari's ~13%. But Depop's audience skews younger and more fashion-focused; Mercari's is broader and more general. For Y2K, streetwear, and curated style, Depop wins on both fees and audience fit. For general goods, Mercari's wider buyer pool still matters.
Frequently asked
Did Depop really remove its 10% seller fee?
Yes, in 2024 Depop removed its 10% selling fee for US sellers and shifted the marketplace fee to buyers. Sellers now pay only the payment processing fee (3.3% + $0.45). This makes Depop one of the cheapest platforms for sellers — though buyers see a higher checkout total, which can affect conversion.
What's the marketplace fee Depop charges buyers?
Depop charges buyers a marketplace fee at checkout that varies based on the item value (typically a percentage of the item price). This fee is paid entirely by the buyer and does not reduce your seller payout. It's roughly equivalent to what sellers used to pay before 2024 — shifted to the buyer side.
How much does Mercari take from each sale?
Mercari charges a 10% selling fee on the item price only (not shipping), plus a payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.50 on the buyer's total payment (item plus shipping). For a $30 item with $5 shipping, you'd pay $3.00 selling fee plus $1.52 processing — about $4.52 total, or roughly 13% of the gross.
Does Mercari charge fees on shipping?
Partially. The 10% selling fee applies only to the item price, but the 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing fee applies to the buyer's full payment, which includes shipping. So shipping is partially fee-free on Mercari, unlike eBay where all fees apply to item + shipping.
More comparisons
See all comparisons →Want to run the numbers on your specific sale?