Platform Overview
Amazon Overview
Amazon is the world's largest ecommerce marketplace with over 300 million active users. FBA sellers benefit from Prime eligibility, but fees can eat into margins significantly.
eBay Overview
eBay is a global marketplace known for auctions and fixed-price sales. It attracts bargain hunters and collectors, with lower fees than Amazon for many categories.
Fee Comparison
| Aspect | Amazon | eBay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral Fee | 15% | 10.9% â 14.9% by category | Amazon charges more but includes higher traffic |
| Final Value Fee (FVF) | 15% max | 14.9% max | eBay often comes out cheaper |
| Payment Processing | Included in Referral Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 | Amazon bundles it; eBay charges separately |
| Listing Fee (first 250) | $0.00 | $0.00 | Both free up to limits |
| Insertion Fee (250+) | $0.30/listing | $0.35/listing | eBay slightly higher |
| Subscription | $39.99/month Professional | $21.95/month eBay Stores | eBay Stores cheaper |
| FBA Fulfillment | Up to 45% of sale price | N/A | eBay self-fulfillment costs extra |
Our Recommendation
eBay wins on fees for most categories, but Amazon FBA provides Prime benefits that can justify higher costs for the right products.
Key Takeaways
What to Consider
- Electronics sellers pay 10.9% eBay FVF vs 8% Amazon referral â eBay is 36% more expensive in this category.
- Clothing sellers face 14.9% eBay FVF vs 17% Amazon referral â Amazon is pricier here, but FBA adds $3.22-5.40/unit in fulfillment.
- eBay charges payment processing separately (2.9% + $0.30) on top of FVF; Amazon bundles it into referral â making eBay's effective total 2-4% higher for most categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon more expensive than other marketplaces?
Amazon's referral fees (8-17% by category) are among the highest in ecommerce. However, FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) bundles storage, picking, packing and shipping into one cost, which can work out cheaper than self-fulfillment for individual sellers. Compare total landed costs, not just listing fees.
What is the difference between FBA and FBM fees?
FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) adds $3.22-$52.38 per unit in fulfillment fees on top of referral fees (8-17%). FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) only pays referral fees but requires you to handle storage, picking, packing and shipping yourself. FBA is usually better for sellers doing 100+ orders/month.
Data Methodology & Disclaimer
Fee data and benchmarks in this article are sourced from official platform documentation and cross-referenced with publicly available rate schedules as of April 2026. Calculations use standard fee formulas; individual results vary based on product category and specific listing details.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Check the latest rates at each platform's official seller fees page. Fee structures reflect publicly available information as of April 2026 and are subject to change. Always verify current rates before making financial decisions.