If you are sitting on inventory - or looking to start flipping - the platform you choose shapes your fees, your daily workflow, and who actually sees your listings. Whatnot is the new entrant built around live video auctions. Etsy, eBay, Depop, and Poshmark have been around for years, each with its own audience and fee structure. This guide puts them side by side so you can pick the right home for your products.
| Platform | Fees | Selling Format | Best Niche | Ease for Beginners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whatnot | ~8% commission + ~2.9% + $0.30 payment processing | Live auctions & shows | Collectibles, trading cards, vintage, sneakers, toys | Moderate - approval required, live selling skills help |
| Etsy | $0.20 listing + 6.5% transaction fee + ~3% + $0.25 payment processing | Static listings (search + feed) | Handmade, vintage, craft supplies, digital downloads | Easy - open a shop in minutes |
| eBay | Up to 15% final value fee (varies by category) + insertion fees after free allowance | Auctions or Buy It Now listings | Everything - electronics, fashion, collectibles, auto parts | Easy - list immediately, wide buyer pool |
| Depop | 10% selling fee + ~2.9% + $0.30 payment processing | Static listings (social-style feed) | Vintage fashion, streetwear, Y2K, handmade accessories | Easy - app-based, photo-first, Gen Z audience |
| Poshmark | $2.95 flat under $15; 20% on $15+ | Static listings + sharing/offer culture | Women's fashion, shoes, accessories, home goods | Easy - list in under a minute, built-in shipping labels |
Fees are approximate and can change. Always verify the latest rates on each platform before listing.
Etsy wins if you sell handmade goods, vintage items over 20 years old, or digital downloads. The buyer is already searching for something specific, and Etsy's search engine brings them to you. Whatnot wins if your product has a strong collectibles or fan-driven market - trading cards, sneakers, vintage toys - and you are comfortable selling live. On Whatnot, the entertainment value of the show itself drives sales; on Etsy, the product photo and SEO do the work.
Fees are roughly comparable, though Etsy charges per listing ($0.20), which can add up if you carry a large catalog. Whatnot has no upfront listing cost, but you need to invest time in live shows.
eBay is the everything marketplace. If you sell electronics, auto parts, or general secondhand goods, eBay's search volume is hard to beat. Whatnot is narrower but deeper - its audience is specifically there to watch and bid, which can drive prices above static listing value for the right items (graded cards, rare collectibles, mystery boxes). eBay also offers auction formats, but they run silently in the background; Whatnot auctions are an event.
For beginners, eBay is lower friction. You can list a single item in five minutes. Whatnot requires seller approval, a camera setup, and the confidence to perform live. If you already have eBay sales momentum, Whatnot can become a secondary channel for your highest-heat inventory.
Depop and Poshmark are fashion-first, photo-driven, and heavily social. Depop leans young and trend-focused; Poshmark leans toward women's fashion and home goods with a community-sharing culture. Both are app-native and make listing extremely fast. Whatnot is live-first, which means your inventory turns into a show rather than a grid of photos.
If you sell vintage streetwear, Depop's audience is pre-built. If you sell collectibles or graded goods, Whatnot is the better fit. Poshmark's flat-fee structure under $15 is simple and predictable, while Whatnot's commission is percentage-based and scales with sale price. Many sellers run Poshmark for everyday fashion and Whatnot for their high-ticket collectibles.
A complete beginner's guide to getting approved, running your first live show, and understanding fees.
An independent review of Rachel Rofe's training program for Whatnot sellers.
Estimate net profit, margin, and break-even for any sale price on Whatnot.