Last updated: August 16, 2026
How to Sell Stuff Online: eBay vs. Poshmark vs. Facebook Marketplace
ClearCents may earn a commission if you sign up for a platform through a link on this page. This never affects which platforms we mention or how we describe them — see our Advertiser Disclosure for details. Fees change over time — confirm current rates directly on each platform before pricing your listings.
Selling stuff you no longer need is one of the fastest ways to generate real cash with almost no startup cost — but which platform you choose can change your actual payout by 10% or more on the identical item. eBay, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace each work differently, and picking the wrong one for a specific item quietly costs you money every single sale.
Quick Comparison at a Glance
| eBay | Poshmark | Facebook Marketplace | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seller fee | ~13.6% + ~$0.40 per order | 20% (items $15+), flat $2.95 (under $15) | $0 local pickup; ~5% shipped |
| Fee calculated on | Item + shipping + tax combined | Item price only | Sale price |
| Shipping label | You arrange (or buyer pays) | Prepaid label included in the fee | You arrange, if shipping |
| Best audience size | Largest, broadest categories | Large, fashion-focused | Local, general |
| Best for | Almost anything, especially non-fashion | Clothing, shoes, accessories | Furniture, bulky items, local pickup |
eBay
eBay remains the broadest general marketplace, with a massive, established buyer base searching for almost anything. Its final value fee runs around 13.6% for most standard categories, plus a small per-order fee (roughly $0.40) — and unlike some competitors, this percentage is calculated on the item price, shipping cost, and tax combined, not just the item itself.
Strengths
- The largest, most category-agnostic buyer pool of the three
- Strong search-driven discovery, useful for items buyers actively search for by name or model
- Well suited to electronics, collectibles, parts, and other non-fashion categories the other two platforms handle less well
Weaknesses
- Fee is calculated on the total transaction, including shipping, which can make it costlier than the headline percentage suggests
- More listing steps and photo/description requirements than a quick Marketplace post
Poshmark
Poshmark charges a flat 20% commission on any sale of $15 or more, or a flat $2.95 fee on anything under $15. This is the highest headline rate of the three, but it includes something the others don't: a prepaid shipping label bundled into that fee, meaning you're not paying separately for postage or a payment processing fee on top.
Strengths
- Prepaid shipping label included, simplifying the shipping process and partially offsetting the higher percentage
- A highly engaged, fashion-focused buyer community that actively browses and follows sellers
- Built-in social features (sharing, following, "Posh Parties") that can boost visibility for active sellers
Weaknesses
- The highest percentage fee of the three for higher-priced items
- The flat $2.95 fee on items under $15 can eat a disproportionate share of a low-priced sale
- Largely limited to fashion, accessories, and adjacent categories — not a fit for most other items
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace operates on a fundamentally different model: local, in-person pickup sales are entirely free — no commission, no listing fee, no payment processing charge. Shipped sales carry a seller fee, commonly around 5%, making it also competitive for sellers willing to ship rather than meet buyers in person.
Strengths
- Zero fees on local pickup sales — you keep the full sale price
- No listing fees or subscription costs of any kind
- Particularly strong for bulky or heavy items (furniture, appliances) that are impractical or expensive to ship
Weaknesses
- Local sales require meeting buyers in person, which carries its own safety and scheduling considerations
- Less structured buyer protection than eBay or Poshmark for shipped transactions
- Discovery relies more on local search than the algorithm-driven reach of the other two platforms
Real Fee Comparison: A $50 Item
Illustrative example based on published 2026 fee structures. Actual net payout varies by category, price point, and shipping costs — verify current fees directly on each platform.
Which Platform Fits Which Type of Item
| Item Type | Best Platform | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Designer or trendy clothing, shoes | Poshmark | Engaged fashion audience willing to pay closer to full price |
| Electronics, collectibles, parts, niche items | eBay | Broadest search-driven audience for specific, searchable items |
| Furniture, large appliances, bulky items | Facebook Marketplace | Zero fees on local pickup avoid costly shipping altogether |
| Low-priced items under $15 | eBay or Facebook | Poshmark's flat $2.95 fee eats a large share of a small sale |
| Items you want gone fast, locally | Facebook Marketplace | No shipping delay, no fee, immediate in-person transaction |
Tips for Selling Successfully on Any Platform
- Take clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles — this consistently drives more views and faster sales than any other single factor within your control.
- Research comparable sold listings before pricing, rather than guessing — most platforms let you filter search results to "sold" items to see what buyers actually paid recently.
- Write specific, honest descriptions including brand, size, condition, and any flaws — this reduces returns and disputes, which cost you more time and money than an honest description upfront.
- Respond to messages promptly. Buyer interest often fades quickly, and a fast response can be the difference between a sale and a buyer moving on to a similar listing elsewhere.
- Factor fees into your listing price from the start, rather than being surprised by the payout — price the item so your target take-home still works after the platform's specific fee structure.
Common Mistakes New Sellers Make
- Listing everything on just one platform out of habit, rather than matching each item to the platform where it will actually net the most.
- Forgetting that fees apply to shipping too on some platforms (eBay in particular), which can make a "cheap-sounding" percentage cost more than expected on a heavy or bulky shipped item.
- Meeting local buyers in unsafe locations. Many local police departments offer designated, monitored "safe exchange zones" specifically for online marketplace transactions — worth using for local pickup sales.
- Underpricing out of impatience. A slightly lower starting price can sell faster, but consistently underpricing across many items adds up to meaningful lost income over time — see our passive income ideas guide for how small per-item decisions compound.
- Not tracking income for tax purposes. Regular resale income may be reportable, and payment platforms increasingly issue tax forms for sellers crossing certain earnings thresholds — keeping basic records from the start avoids a scramble later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform has the lowest fees?
It depends entirely on the item and sale type. Facebook Marketplace is free for local pickup sales, making it the cheapest option when meeting buyers in person is practical. For shipped sales, eBay's roughly 13.6% typically undercuts Poshmark's flat 20%, though Poshmark's fee includes a prepaid shipping label that partially offsets the difference.
Can I sell the same item on multiple platforms at once?
Yes, and many experienced sellers do exactly this — listing the same item across two or three platforms and removing it from the others once it sells. Just be sure to update or delete the other listings promptly once an item sells, to avoid accidentally selling it twice.
Do I have to pay taxes on money made from selling stuff online?
It depends on the nature of the sales — occasionally selling personal used items you originally bought for more than you're selling them for generally isn't taxable income, but regular reselling activity for profit may be. Keeping basic records of what you paid and what you sold items for is a reasonable habit regardless, in case you need to document your specific situation.
Is it safe to meet buyers in person for Facebook Marketplace sales?
It can be, with reasonable precautions — meeting in a public, well-lit location, bringing a friend if possible, and considering a local police department's designated safe exchange zone if one is available in your area.
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Where to Go Next
Related guides on ClearCents:
Match the Item to the Platform, Not the Other Way Around
The most profitable resellers don't pick one favorite platform and force every item onto it — they match each item to wherever it nets the most, whether that's Poshmark for a designer jacket, eBay for a used laptop, or Facebook Marketplace for a couch nobody wants to ship.
Looking for more ways to turn spare time into income? Our complete guide to making extra money covers dozens of other options beyond reselling.