Intro: eBay vs Depop vs Vinted (UK): a practical comparison of fees, shipping, audience, and profitability—with worked examples and free calculators to help you choose the best platform.
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Quick summary — which platform for what?
- eBay UK — Biggest reach and versatile categories; better for electronics, branded resale, and collectables. Fees are structured, but traffic is unmatched.
- Depop — Top for trend-led fashion, streetwear, and vintage. Highly visual and mobile-first; a younger audience but higher price ceilings for “cool” items.
- Vinted — Great for casual secondhand clothing. Buyer-friendly with zero seller fees for most casual users, making it a fast-moving marketplace for everyday items.
How we compare platforms (what matters to profit)
To decide which platform makes you more money, we compare: seller fees, payment processing, shipping options, audience fit, and ease of sale.
Pro Tip: Use our internal tools to test your own numbers: eBay Calculator • Depop Calculator • Vinted Calculator
2026 Fee Comparison Table
Note: Marketplace fees change frequently. Treat these as estimates; always verify current rates on the platform.
|
Platform |
Typical Seller Fee |
Payment Processing |
Listing Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
|
eBay UK |
Final Value Fee ≈ 12.8% + Fixed Fee (£0.30 or £0.40) |
Included in Managed Payments |
Promoted listings (optional) |
|
Depop |
Seller Fee ≈ 10% of item price |
~2.9% + £0.30 |
Promoted posts (optional) |
|
Vinted |
£0 Seller Fees (on most items) |
Included in Buyer Fee |
Item “Bumps” & Showcases |
Worked Example: Selling a Jacket for £30
Scenario: You sell a secondhand jacket.
- Sale price: £30.00
- Item cost: £8.00
- Shipping cost: £3.50
- VAT on fees: 20% (UK standard)
eBay Example (2026 Update)
- Final Value Fee (12.8%): £3.84
- Fixed Order Fee: £0.40 (New 2026 rate for >£10)
- VAT on Fees: £0.85
- Total Fees ≈ £5.09
- Net Profit: £13.41 (Margin: 44.7%)
Depop Example
- Depop Fee (10%): £3.00
- Processing (~2.9% + £0.30): £1.17
- VAT on Platform Fee: £0.60
- Total Fees ≈ £4.77
- Net Profit: £13.73 (Margin: 45.8%)
Vinted Example
- Seller Fee: £0.00
- Shipping: Paid by buyer (usually)
- Total Fees ≈ £0.00
- Net Profit: £22.00 (Margin: 73.3%)
Beyond Fees: What affects your bottom line?
- Buyer Demand: Some platforms attract buyers willing to pay a premium (e.g., rare sneakers on Depop).
- Sell-through Speed: Faster sales mean your cash isn’t tied up in stock.
- Shipping Model: “Free Shipping” usually converts better, but eats your margin if you don’t price correctly.
- Listing Quality: High-quality photos and SEO-optimised titles are the difference between a sale and a “stale” listing.
Platform pros & cons:
eBay UK |
Depop |
Vinted |
|
Huge buyer base |
Hot for fashion & vintage |
Low-friction listings |
|
Best for diverse categories |
Mobile-first social experience |
Buyer-centric marketplace |
|
More seller tools & analytics |
Higher conversion on trendy items |
Great for everyday clothing |
Practical selling strategy — combine, test and adapt
There’s no single best platform for everyone. Smart sellers use a multi-channel approach: list similar items across two or three marketplaces, monitor which platform sells faster or for a higher price, then scale where performance is best.
- Start with 3–10 items on each platform and track sell-through, net profit and time-to-sell for 30 days.
- Use our calculators to compare net profit after fees and shipping before you bulk source stock.
- If an item is trending on Depop but not eBay, double down on Depop marketing (stories, styling photos, hashtags).
- Automate repeated tasks (shipping labels, listing templates) to keep margins high.
Key Takeaway: Vinted offers the highest net per item, but eBay often offers a higher sale price and faster sell-through for high-end brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which platform has the lowest fees? Vinted is currently the leader for low seller fees in the UK fashion niche, but eBay is often better for non-clothing categories.
Q: Should I sell on all three? Yes. Multi-listing is the best way to find your “Goldmine” platform. Just remember to delete the listing from the other apps once it sells!
