How the comparison works
All three columns assume you ship the order yourself, so shipping, item cost, and ad spend are the same everywhere. The only thing that changes is what each marketplace takes:
- eBay charges a final value fee, which is a percentage of the sale (13.6% for most categories if you don't have a Store), plus a per-order fee of $0.40 on orders over $10 or $0.30 on orders of $10 or less.
- Amazon charges a referral fee by category, usually 15%, with a $0.30 minimum per item. There's also a $39.99 monthly Professional plan fee that isn't included here, since it's spread across all your sales.
- Walmart charges a referral fee by category, also usually 15%, with no monthly fee.
That sounds like a small difference, and on one sale it is. Across a few hundred orders a month, the gap between 13.6% and 15% or between 8% and 13.6% is real money, and it's why the same item can make sense on one platform and not another.
2026 fee rates used here
| Category | eBay | Amazon | Walmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most categories | 13.6% + $0.40 | 15% | 15% |
| Home, kitchen & garden | 13.6% + $0.40 | 15% | 15% |
| Beauty & personal care | 13.6% + $0.40 | 8% up to $10, then 15% | 8% up to $10, then 15% |
| Clothing & accessories | 13.6% + $0.40 | 5% / 10% / 17% | 5% / 10% / 15% |
| Consumer electronics | 13.6% + $0.40 | 8% | 8% |
| Books, movies & music | 15.3% + $0.40 | 15% | 15% |
| Jewelry | 15% + $0.40 | 20% to $250, 5% above | 20% to $250, 5% above |
Clothing tiers on Amazon and Walmart go by the total price: 5% at $15 or less, 10% from $15 to $20, and the top rate above $20. Walmart also cut referral fees in 14 categories on June 22, 2026, including apparel, electronics, and home, so your actual Walmart rate may be lower than shown. Check the referral fee page in Seller Center for your exact category.
Three examples that change the answer
A $120 used espresso machine (cost $40, shipping $12, general category). eBay takes $16.72 and leaves you $51.28. Amazon and Walmart each take $18.00 and leave $50.00. eBay wins by $1.28, which is basically a tie.
The same $120, but it's a pair of headphones (electronics). eBay still takes $16.72, but Amazon and Walmart drop to 8%, or $9.60, leaving you $58.40. That's $7.12 more per sale just from picking the right marketplace.
An $18 graphic tee (cost $5, shipping $4.50). eBay takes $2.85, leaving $5.65. Amazon and Walmart's 10% tier takes $1.80, leaving $6.70. On cheap clothing, the tiered rates beat eBay's flat fee.
The pattern: eBay's flat rate is hard to beat on general goods and collectibles, while Amazon and Walmart's discounted categories make them the better deal for electronics and low-priced apparel. For the bigger picture, including traffic and return rates, read where to sell: eBay vs Amazon vs Walmart.
What this doesn't include
- Fees on buyer-paid shipping and sales tax (eBay charges on the full order total).
- Amazon's $39.99/month Professional plan, or eBay Store subscriptions, which lower eBay's rate in some categories.
- Fulfillment fees if Amazon or Walmart ships for you. Use the FBA or Walmart calculator for those.
- eBay's performance surcharges, which add 5% to 6% if your account falls below standard.
Questions people ask
Which marketplace is cheapest to sell on?
It depends on the category. For most general merchandise eBay's 13.6% plus a per-order fee is a little cheaper than Amazon's and Walmart's 15%. For electronics Amazon and Walmart charge about 8%, so they win easily. For cheap clothing, Amazon and Walmart's 5% and 10% tiers beat eBay's flat rate.
Does this include Amazon FBA or Walmart WFS fees?
No. This compares the case where you ship the order yourself on every platform, so the only difference is the marketplace fee. If Amazon or Walmart is storing and shipping your inventory, use the FBA Fee Calculator or the Walmart Fee Calculator.
Why doesn't eBay's fee match my invoice exactly?
eBay calculates its final value fee on the total the buyer pays, including shipping they paid and sales tax. This calculator uses the item price only, so your real eBay fee will be a bit higher if the buyer pays shipping or tax.
Should I just list everywhere?
Usually yes, if you can keep inventory in sync. Fees are only one part of it. Buyer traffic, how fast an item sells, and return rates differ a lot by platform, so many sellers list the same item on two or three marketplaces and let sales data decide.
Rates last checked October 2026. Read how we check our numbers.