The short answer: on a $30 item with $6 shipping, Etsy’s standard fees are $3.87 and eBay’s are $5.30 in most categories, so Etsy leaves you $1.43 more. If the buyer came through an Etsy Offsite Ad, Etsy takes $9.27 instead. Over a month, eBay comes out ahead only if more than 26% of your Etsy sales come from those ads.
The same sale on eBay and Etsy
eBay
eBay pays you (no Store)
$30.70
Fees $5.30 (14.7% of $36.00)
Fee by fee
eBay takes its percentage on the whole amount the buyer pays: item, shipping and sales tax (0% here).
Etsykeeps you more
Etsy pays you (no Offsite Ad)
$32.13
Fees $3.87 (10.8% of $36.00)
Fee by fee
Processing is charged on the total including sales tax (0% here); the transaction fee is not.
Etsy, from an Offsite Ad
Etsy pays you (15% ad fee)
$26.73
Fees $9.27 (25.8% of $36.00)
Fee by fee
- Listing fee (1 × 0.20 USD)$0.20
- Transaction fee (6.5%)$2.34
- Payment processing (3% + 0.25)$1.33
- Offsite Ads fee (15%)$5.40
Processing is charged on the total including sales tax (0% here); the transaction fee is not.
eBay leaves you more only if more than 26% of your Etsy sales come from Offsite Ads (at 15%).
eBay without a Store, buyer in the US. Both take their percentage on the shipping you charge. No sales tax, one item.
Fees verified Oct 20, 2026 from each platform's own fee pages. Each line links to its source.
The same sale at four prices
| Item price | eBay | Etsy | Etsy, from an Offsite Ad |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $1.66 | $1.40 | $2.90 |
| $30 | $4.48 | $3.30 | $7.80 |
| $100 | $14.00 | $9.95 | $24.95 |
| $500 | $68.40 | $47.95 | $122.95 |
Etsy’s standard fees are lower at every price here. An Offsite Ad sale turns that around at every price too, because the ad fee alone (15%) is larger than eBay’s whole percentage.
Why Etsy’s standard fees are lower
eBay takes one percentage, 13.6% of the total sale in most categories (item, shipping and sales tax), plus $0.40 per order ($0.30 on orders of $10 or less). There is no separate payment fee.
Etsy splits its cut into three: a $0.20 listing fee, a 6.5% transaction fee and 3% + $0.25 for payment processing. Added up, that is about 9.5% plus $0.45 on a typical sale, against eBay’s 13.6% plus $0.40.
Etsy charges its listing fee when you list, sold or not, and again each time the listing renews. eBay gives you 250 free listings a month, then charges $0.35 each. If many of your listings never sell, count those fees too.
The Offsite Ads share that flips the answer
You can’t choose which Etsy sales come through an Offsite Ad. Etsy charges 15% on those orders while your shop is under $10,000 a year in sales (you can opt out), and 12% for good once it has passed that (you can’t), capped at $100 per order. So the real question is what share of your Etsy sales the ads bring:
| What you sell (eBay category) | Ads at 15% | Ads at 12% |
|---|---|---|
| Most categories | 26% | 33% |
| Other clothing and accessories | 26% | 33% |
| Jewelry (not watches) | 36% | 45% |
| Women's bags and handbags | 36% | 45% |
| Books, movies and music | 38% | 47% |
Your Etsy Shop Manager shows what share of past orders came from Offsite Ads. Below the share in the table, Etsy leaves you more over a month; above it, eBay does.
What each lets you sell
The fees only matter if both will take your item. Etsy’s rules: “everything listed for sale on Etsy must be made, designed, handpicked, or sourced by a seller.” It also says: “Dropshipping and reselling are not allowed on Etsy, except in the specific cases outlined in this Help article, such as craft supplies.” So handmade work, vintage and craft supplies fit both; new goods bought to resell fit eBay only. eBay takes new and used items in most categories, handmade included.
Getting paid
The two release your money on different schedules. eBay: “It typically takes 1-2 days from confirming the buyer’s payment for the sales proceeds to appear as Available for payout.” Etsy: “If you’re a new seller, by default your funds will be sent to your bank account weekly, every Monday.”
Every fee on each side is on its own page: eBay’s fees by category and what selling on Etsy costs. Selling a lot on eBay? See whether an eBay Store pays off. To weigh both against Amazon or your own store, put one sale through every platform. Labels come on top of either: compare them in the cheapest way to ship.
Honest Fees is independent and not affiliated with eBay or Etsy, and neither is a partner. eBay is a trademark of eBay Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy, Inc. This content is not created or endorsed by Etsy, Inc.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to sell on eBay or Etsy?
On standard fees, Etsy. A $30 item with $6 shipping costs $3.87 on Etsy and $5.30 on eBay in most categories. A sale that came through an Etsy Offsite Ad costs $9.27, more than eBay.
Does Etsy or eBay take a bigger cut?
eBay takes 13.6% of the total sale plus $0.40 per order in most categories. Etsy takes 6.5% plus 3% + $0.25 processing and a $0.20 listing fee, and 15% or 12% more on sales from Offsite Ads.
Can I sell the same item on eBay and Etsy?
Only if Etsy allows it: Etsy requires items to be made, designed, handpicked or sourced by you, and does not allow reselling except in cases such as craft supplies. eBay takes new and used items. Handmade and vintage items fit both.
Do eBay and Etsy charge fees on shipping?
Yes, both. eBay's percentage applies to the whole sale, shipping and sales tax included. Etsy's transaction fee and Offsite Ads fee include the shipping you charge, and its processing fee applies to the whole order.
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