Sell on eBay if you're clearing items, selling used or one-off pieces, or you're a UK private seller, because eBay UK charges private sellers no selling fees and US sellers get 250 free listings a month. Sell on Amazon if you have repeat stock to sell in volume: you pay $0.99 per item or $39.99 a month, plus a category referral fee, and you can hand storage and delivery to Amazon.
I read Amazon's own selling fees page and eBay's US selling fees page and UK selling page, so the figures below are what each company publishes as of October 2026. Amazon and eBay look alike to shoppers, but they reward very different sellers, and the fee structure tells you which kind you are.
Amazon and eBay side by side
| Amazon | eBay | |
|---|---|---|
| Selling plans | Individual $0.99 per item sold, or Professional $39.99 a month | No plan needed; optional Store subscription |
| Main selling fee | Referral fee by category, a percentage or a minimum of $0.30 | Final value fee, 13.6% in most categories up to $7,500 |
| Listing fee | Plan fee instead (see above) | First 250 listings free a month, then $0.35 each (US) |
| Per order fee | Not listed; the referral fee has a minimum instead | $0.30 on orders of $10.00 or less, $0.40 above |
| UK private sellers | Not covered here | Free to sell in all categories except motors |
| Delivery | Ship yourself, or use Fulfillment by Amazon | Post it yourself, collection in person, or eBay's delivery options |
| Free to start (as of October 2026) | Individual plan has no monthly fee | Yes, with free listings each month |
How selling on Amazon works
Amazon gives you two selling plans. Individual costs $0.99 per item sold and suits someone listing one product at a time. Professional costs $39.99 a month plus selling fees and adds bulk listing tools, Amazon Ads, brand tools and automated pricing. You can switch or cancel your plan any time after you register.
On top of the plan you pay a referral fee on every sale, which Amazon sets by category as a percentage of the total price or a minimum amount, whichever is greater. Computers are 8%, office products 15%, and clothing ranges from 5% to 17% depending on the price. Most categories carry a $0.30 minimum. New brands can get over $50,000 in referral-fee waivers in their first year, and Fulfillment by Amazon lets you outsource storage and delivery if you'd rather not do it yourself.
How selling on eBay works
eBay charges two main fees in the US: an insertion fee when you list and a final value fee when the item sells. You get up to 250 zero insertion fee listings every month, then it's $0.35 per listing in most categories. The final value fee is 13.6% of the total sale up to $7,500 and 2.35% on any portion above, plus a per order fee of $0.30 for orders of $10.00 or less and $0.40 above. eBay also says you don't pay separate third-party payment processing fees.
UK private sellers get a better deal. eBay's UK selling page says it's free to sell for UK-based private sellers, with no transaction fees in any category except motors. You can list up to 300 items a month free, then 35p per listing, and you can offer collection in person as well as delivery.
Thinking about live selling? Read Whatnot vs eBay.
Which one suits what you sell
- Second-hand, vintage or one-off items: eBay, built for individual listings and auctions.
- The same product in quantity: Amazon Professional, with bulk tools and Fulfillment by Amazon.
- A UK household clear-out: eBay, where private sellers pay no selling fees outside motors.
- A new brand with its own products: Amazon, with brand tools and referral-fee waivers for new brands.
- Collectables and bulky items buyers want to collect: eBay's collection in person option helps.
For a closer look at each fee, read how much eBay takes from a sale, and if Amazon is your route, here's a guide to selling on Amazon and making money.
My advice on Amazon or eBay
If you're selling things you already own, start on eBay: the free listings and the UK private seller rules make it low risk. If you're building a product business with stock you can reorder, Amazon is where the volume is, but work out your referral fee for your category before you price anything. Plenty of sellers use both and keep each listing where it sells fastest.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it less costly to sell on Amazon or eBay?
It depends on your category and volume. Amazon charges $0.99 per item or $39.99 a month plus a referral fee; eBay charges a final value fee of 13.6% in most US categories, and nothing for UK private sellers outside motors.
Does eBay charge listing fees?
In the US you get 250 free listings a month, then $0.35 per listing in most categories. In the UK, private sellers get 300 free listings a month, then 35p each.
What is Amazon's referral fee?
A percentage of the total sale price or a minimum amount, whichever is greater, set by category. Most categories have a $0.30 minimum.
Do UK private sellers pay fees on eBay?
eBay's UK page says it's free to sell for UK-based private sellers in all categories except motors, as of October 2026.
Can Amazon ship my orders for me?
Yes. Amazon's fees page says you can outsource storage and delivery with Fulfillment by Amazon, or deliver orders yourself.
