Comparison · niche
eBay vs Reverb
Which marketplace has lower fees for resellers — and when does each one win?
For music gear specifically: eBay's massive general audience versus Reverb's specialized instrument-and-gear marketplace (and its lower 5% selling fee).
Net payout at common sale prices
| Sale price | eBay fees | eBay net | Reverb fees | Reverb net | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25.00 | −$3.61 · 14.4% | $21.39 | −$2.28 · 9.1% | $22.72 | +$1.33 |
| $50.00 | −$6.93 · 13.9% | $43.07 | −$4.25 · 8.5% | $45.75 | +$2.68 |
| $100.00 | −$13.55 · 13.6% | $86.45 | −$8.20 · 8.2% | $91.80 | +$5.35 |
| $250.00 | −$33.43 · 13.4% | $216.57 | −$20.05 · 8.0% | $229.95 | +$13.38 |
| $500.00 | −$66.55 · 13.3% | $433.45 | −$39.80 · 8.0% | $460.20 | +$26.75 |
| $1,000.00 | −$132.80 · 13.3% | $867.20 | −$79.30 · 7.9% | $920.70 | +$53.50 |
Net payout = sale price + shipping charged − platform fees. Both platforms calculated with default options and no shipping charged to buyer.
Fee structure
eBay
Open calculator →Auctions and fixed-price marketplace for general goods
- The Final Value Fee (FVF) is calculated on the total amount the buyer pays — item price + shipping + handling + sales tax.
- Per-order fee of $0.30 is charged once per buyer purchase, regardless of how many items are in the order.
- When the buyer's registered address is outside the US, eBay adds an international fee of 1.65% to the entire order total.
- Promoted Listings Standard charges your chosen ad rate only when the sale is attributed to a click on the ad within the last 30 days.
Reverb
Open calculator →Marketplace for musical instruments and music gear
- Selling fee (5%) applies to the item price plus shipping the buyer pays.
- Payment processing (2.9% + $0.30) is applied to the buyer's total payment.
- Bump (Reverb's promoted listings) is optional — sellers set their own ad rate. Not modeled in base calculations.
- Direct Checkout is Reverb's standard payment method; alternative methods (PayPal, etc.) may have different processing.
Audience & fit
Reverb's 5% selling fee is far below eBay's 13.25% general rate, and its buyers are musicians who know what they're looking at — listings convert at fair market value with less price education. eBay wins on raw reach and for gear that crosses over into general-buyer territory (vintage audio, collectible pieces). For working instruments and pedals, Reverb's lower fees and targeted audience usually net more.
Frequently asked
How are eBay seller fees calculated?
eBay charges a Final Value Fee (FVF) as a percentage of the total amount the buyer pays — item price plus shipping plus handling plus sales tax. The FVF rate varies by category (13.25% for most categories, 8% for sneakers over $150, 14.95% for books/movies/music, lower rates for heavy equipment). eBay also adds a flat $0.30 per-order fee, and a 1.65% international fee if the buyer is outside the US.
Does eBay charge fees on shipping?
Yes. The Final Value Fee is applied to the item price plus the shipping the buyer pays, so charging more for shipping does not save you fees — it just shifts which line item the fees come from. Free shipping (where shipping is built into the item price) results in the same total fees.
What are Reverb's seller fees?
Reverb charges a 5% selling fee on the item price plus shipping the buyer pays, plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing on the full payment. For a $300 item with $25 shipping, total fees come to about $25 — roughly 8% effective. Reverb is one of the cheaper specialty platforms compared to eBay's 13.25% on music gear.
Is Reverb owned by Etsy?
Yes. Etsy acquired Reverb in 2019, but Reverb operates as an independent marketplace specialized for musical instruments and music gear. Fee structures, policies, and buyer base remain distinct from Etsy.
More comparisons
See all comparisons →Want to run the numbers on your specific sale?