Comparison · sneakers
StockX vs Whatnot
Which marketplace has lower fees for resellers — and when does each one win?
StockX's traditional fixed-price authenticated marketplace versus Whatnot's live commerce model.
Net payout at common sale prices
| Sale price | StockX fees | StockX net | Whatnot fees | Whatnot net | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25.00 | −$3.00 · 12.0% | $22.00 | −$3.03 · 12.1% | $21.97 | +$0.03 |
| $50.00 | −$6.00 · 12.0% | $44.00 | −$5.75 · 11.5% | $44.25 | +$0.25 |
| $100.00 | −$12.00 · 12.0% | $88.00 | −$11.20 · 11.2% | $88.80 | +$0.80 |
| $250.00 | −$30.00 · 12.0% | $220.00 | −$27.55 · 11.0% | $222.45 | +$2.45 |
| $500.00 | −$60.00 · 12.0% | $440.00 | −$54.80 · 11.0% | $445.20 | +$5.20 |
| $1,000.00 | −$120.00 · 12.0% | $880.00 | −$109.30 · 10.9% | $890.70 | +$10.70 |
Net payout = sale price + shipping charged − platform fees. Both platforms calculated with default options and no shipping charged to buyer.
Fee structure
StockX
Open calculator →Authenticated marketplace for sneakers, streetwear, and collectibles
- Transaction fee starts at 9% for new sellers and drops by 0.5% per seller level — verified trades and consistent activity earn level-ups.
- Payment processing is a flat 3% applied to the item price only (StockX handles buyer shipping separately).
- StockX provides a discounted FedEx shipping label after each sale. Enter what you actually pay for shipping under 'Your shipping cost' for accurate profit.
- Authentication is included — no separate fee. Failed authentications return the item to the seller without payout.
Whatnot
Open calculator →Live commerce marketplace for collectibles, sneakers, and streetwear
- Whatnot charges 8% on the item price across live shows, fixed-price listings, and buy-now offers.
- Payment processing (2.9% + $0.30) applies to the item price plus shipping the buyer pays.
- New sellers and select categories may see promotional 0% commission periods — confirm with your account dashboard.
- Whatnot provides discounted USPS labels for trading cards and sneakers; for other categories sellers ship with their own carrier.
Audience & fit
Whatnot's live shows create urgency and bidding dynamics that can drive prices above StockX market values for hyped releases. StockX is more passive — list, wait, sell at market. For sellers who can host shows and engage live, Whatnot can outperform on hot drops. For passive listing across a large catalog, StockX is simpler and reaches more general sneaker buyers.
Frequently asked
How do StockX seller levels work?
StockX uses a 5-level seller system. Level 1 (new sellers) pays a 9% transaction fee. Each level up shaves 0.5% off the transaction fee: Level 2 is 8.5%, Level 3 is 8%, Level 4 is 7.5%, Level 5 is 7%. Levels are earned by completing verified trades — typically 1, 3, 8, and 30+ trades respectively, plus consistent activity and volume.
Is authentication included in StockX fees?
Yes. StockX's 9% transaction fee (or lower at higher seller levels) plus 3% payment processing includes authentication at one of their verification centers. There's no separate authentication fee — it's bundled into the standard cost of selling.
What is Whatnot's commission rate?
Whatnot charges 8% commission on the item price across live auctions, fixed-price listings, and buy-now offers. Plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing on the buyer's full payment (item + shipping). Total effective fees usually land around 11-12% of the gross sale.
Do new Whatnot sellers get reduced fees?
Whatnot periodically runs promotional 0% commission periods for new sellers, specific categories, or during certain promotional events. These are visible in your seller dashboard. The standard 8% rate is the default — confirm in your account before relying on any reduced rate.
More comparisons
See all comparisons →Want to run the numbers on your specific sale?