Choose Whatnot if you're happy to go live on camera and sell to an audience in real time: commission is up to 8% plus payment processing, and it drops as your sales grow. Choose eBay if you'd rather list and wait: in the UK, private sellers pay no selling fees in any category except motors, and you get 300 free listings a month.
I read Whatnot's selling page and eBay's UK selling page and US fee page, so the details below are what each company publishes as of October 2026. The Whatnot figures here are from its UK page, which says rates vary by category and country, so check yours in the app before you list.
Whatnot and eBay side by side
| Whatnot | eBay | |
|---|---|---|
| How you sell | Live shows: auctions, fixed price, flash sales, plus a storefront | Listings: Buy it now or auction |
| Selling fee | Commission up to 8%, varying by category and country | UK private sellers: free in all categories except motors |
| Payment processing | 2.42% of the order value + £0.25 + VAT | UK private sellers: no transaction fees when the item sells |
| Lower rates for bigger sellers | Commission drops as sales grow, as low as 3% | Business sellers have separate tools and fees |
| Listing limits | No sign-up fees or monthly costs | 300 free listings a month, then 35p each (UK) |
| Delivery | Print the label, pack and drop off | Collection in person or a carrier you choose |
| When you're paid | As soon as the buyer receives the order | Payments with seller protections in place |
| Free to start (as of October 2026) | No sign-up fee | Free listings each month |
What makes Whatnot different
Whatnot is a live shopping app. You start a show from your phone and sell to people watching in real time, through auctions, fixed prices or flash sales, and you can list items in a storefront between shows. Whatnot says more than 650,000 people join every week across 250+ categories, and it matches buyers to your show based on what you sell.
There are no sign-up fees or monthly costs. You pay commission only after you've sold, up to 8% depending on category and country, plus payment processing of 2.42% of the order value and a £0.25 transaction fee plus VAT. The more you sell, the lower your commission, down to as low as 3%. Shipping and payments are built in, and you're paid as soon as the buyer receives the order. Sellers also get analytics, a Shopify integration and a Rewards Club for loyal buyers.
What eBay does better
eBay is the opposite rhythm: you list, and buyers find you whenever they search. Its UK selling page says it's free to sell for UK-based private sellers, with no transaction fees when an item sells, in every category except motors. You can list up to 300 items free each month, then 35p per listing, and extra fees only come in with optional upgrades or international sales.
You can offer collection in person, use a carrier you choose or let eBay handle delivery, and trainers, watches, handbags and jewellery can go through eBay's Authenticity Guarantee at no extra cost to you. In the US the fee picture is different, with a final value fee of 13.6% in most categories and separate fees for eBay Live sales.
Live shows or listings: which suits your stock
- You enjoy talking on camera and have a niche like trading cards, comics or beauty: Whatnot's live shows suit you.
- You're clearing a wardrobe or a garage in the UK: eBay, where private sellers pay no selling fees outside motors.
- You want buyers to find items while you sleep: eBay listings keep working without you being live.
- You already run a Shopify store: Whatnot integrates with Shopify so you can sell live from the same stock.
- You sell high-value designer items: eBay's Authenticity Guarantee reassures buyers.
Before you price anything, check how much eBay takes from each sale, and for listing tips that still apply, read this guide to selling products through eBay.
My advice on Whatnot or eBay
If live selling sounds fun rather than terrifying, give Whatnot a go with a small batch of items, because a good show can sell in an hour what a listing sells in a month. If you'd rather not perform, stay on eBay, especially as a UK private seller with no selling fees. Many sellers run both: live shows for the exciting stock and eBay listings for everything else.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Whatnot cost less than eBay?
For UK private sellers, eBay is free to sell on except motors, while Whatnot charges commission up to 8% plus payment processing. Business sellers should compare their own category rates.
What are Whatnot's fees?
Whatnot's UK page lists commission up to 8%, varying by category and country, plus 2.42% payment processing, a £0.25 transaction fee and VAT, as of October 2026.
Do you need to go live to sell on Whatnot?
Live shows are the core of Whatnot, but you can also list items in your storefront.
How many free listings do you get on eBay UK?
Up to 300 a month for UK private sellers, then 35p per listing.
When do Whatnot sellers get paid?
Whatnot says you're paid as soon as your buyer receives their order.
