I still remember the exact moment I realized I was using Depop completely wrong. It was early 2022, and I had just cross-listed a pair of pristine, business-casual J.Crew pixie pants. On Poshmark, these pants were a guaranteed $25 sale. I posted them on Depop with the same description, the same bright white background photo, and the same price.
They sat there for six months. Zero likes. Zero messages.
Meanwhile, a faded, oversized Harley Davidson t-shirt I found at the bins for fifty cents—which I almost didn't list because it had a small hole in the armpit—sold on Depop in 12 minutes for $45. That was my wake-up call. I realized that trying to force the same strategy on both platforms was like trying to sell a skateboard to a librarian. They might buy it, but you're definitely in the wrong building.
If you are staring at a pile of clothes and debating depop vs poshmark, you aren't just choosing an app; you are choosing a culture. Poshmark is a brunch with your friends where you compliment each other's shoes. Depop is a chaotic, underground rave where looking "polished" is actually a disadvantage.
The Vibe Check: Who Actually Buys on These Platforms?
To succeed in selling on depop vs poshmark, you have to understand the psychology of the buyer.
Poshmark: The "Department Store"
Poshmark buyers are looking for specific items to fill a gap in their wardrobe. They are often Millennials or Gen Xers who know exactly what they want.
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Best Brands: Lululemon, Free People, Anthropologie, Torrid, Kate Spade.
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The Aesthetic: Clean, bright, "flat lay" photos work best. They want to see that the item is clean and ready to wear to the office or a wedding.
Depop: The "Thrift Flip"
Depop is essentially Instagram with a "Buy" button. The audience is overwhelmingly Gen Z. They aren't looking for "clothes"; they are looking for a "look."
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Best Brands: Carhartt, Harley Davidson, Gunne Sax, obscure 90s tags, Tripp NYC.
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The Aesthetic: Model the clothes. Use moody lighting. Mirror selfies are not only accepted; they are encouraged. (Parenthetical aside: I once sold a jacket on Depop purely because I styled it with cool sunglasses in the photo. The jacket itself was mediocre, but the vibe was worth $60.)
Opinion Statement: If you sell standard mall brands like Banana Republic or Gap, do not waste your time on Depop. You will just be cluttering your feed. Keep those on Poshmark where they are appreciated.
Depop vs Poshmark Fees: Is 20% Really Too Much?
This is the most contentious topic in the resale community. On paper, Depop looks cheaper.
The Poshmark "Tax" (20%)
Poshmark takes a flat 20% commission on all sales over $15. (For sales under $15, they take a flat $2.95).
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The math: You sell a dress for $100. Poshmark keeps $20. You get $80.
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The value: For that 20%, Poshmark handles all the sales tax remittance and, crucially, provides the shipping label.
The Depop "Nickel and Dime" (10%+)
Depop typically takes a 10% fee on the total transaction (item price + shipping cost). Plus, you pay a "Processing Fee" (around 2.9% + $0.30) for the payment provider.
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The math: You sell a dress for $100 + $10 shipping.
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Depop Fee: 10% of $110 = $11.
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Processing Fee: ~$3.50.
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Total Fees: ~$14.50.
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You get: ~$85.50.
The Reality: Yes, Depop is cheaper (approx 13-14% total vs. 20%). However, Poshmark’s fee includes the convenience of never weighing a package. On Depop, if you underestimate the weight of those boots and have to pay out-of-pocket at the post office, that 6% savings evaporates instantly.
The Shipping Headache: Flat Rate vs. Calculated
Here's where it gets interesting... shipping is the number one reason I prefer Poshmark for heavy items.
Poshmark's "Magic" Label
Poshmark charges the buyer a flat rate (currently around $7.97) for priority mail shipping on anything up to 5lbs.
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Why I love it: I sold a heavy wool trench coat last winter. It weighed 4lbs. On Poshmark, I slapped the label on a free USPS Priority box and dropped it off. Done.
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The cost to buyer: $7.97.
Depop's Calculated Risk
On Depop, you usually use "Depop Shipping" (USPS Ground Advantage) which is tiered by weight.
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Extra Small (oz): ~$4.50
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Medium (1lb): ~$8.00
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Large (2lb): ~$12.00
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Extra Large: ~$15.00+
My Honest Failure: I once sold a pair of platform Doc Martens on Depop. I guessed the weight was "Large" (under 2lbs). They actually weighed 3.5lbs. When I got to the post office, I couldn't use the Depop label. I had to pay $18 out of pocket for a new label. I lost money on the sale.
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Lesson: If it’s heavy (coats, boots, bundles), put it on Poshmark. If it’s light (t-shirts, jewelry, silk scarves), Depop is cheaper for the buyer.
Selling on Depop vs Poshmark: The "Social" Grind
Neither app allows you to just "list it and leave it" like eBay. They both demand your attention, but in different ways.
The Poshmark "Share"
Poshmark's algorithm is chronological based on sharing.
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To stay relevant, you must "share" your own listings to your followers multiple times a day.
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I used to spend 30 minutes every morning tapping "Share" on my phone while drinking coffee. It is mind-numbing.
I use Closo to automate sharing my Poshmark closet – saves me about 3 hours weekly – because frankly, I would rather spend that time sourcing new inventory than tapping my phone screen 500 times a day.
The Depop "Refresh"
Depop is less about sharing and more about "refreshing" (editing the listing and saving it without changes) and hashtags.
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Hashtags matter: You can use 5 hashtags. Use them wisely. #Y2K #Vintage #Streetwear.
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The Feed: Depop's algorithm is more mysterious. It favors good photos and high engagement (likes/comments).
Depop vs Mercari and Poshmark: Where Do the "Duds" Go?
Sometimes, an item doesn't fit the "Vibe" of Depop or the "Brand Name" requirement of Poshmark. That’s where the Depop vs Mercari conversation starts.
Mercari is the garage sale of the internet. It has no aesthetic.
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When to use Mercari: If you have unbranded clothes, kids' clothes, or hard goods (electronics, toys).
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Mercari vs Poshmark: Mercari fees have been volatile (sometimes 0% for sellers, pushing fees to buyers), but generally, it is a lower-maintenance platform. Photos don't need to be pretty. Just put it on the floor and snap a pic.
My Strategy:
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Cool/Vintage: Goes to Depop.
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Brand Name/Mall: Goes to Poshmark.
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Basic/Heavy/Junk: Goes to Mercari (or eBay).
Poshmark Alternatives and Apps Similar to Poshmark
If you are burnt out on the "Share" grind or the "Vibe" curation, there are other poshmark alternatives.
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Vinted: Huge in Europe, growing in the US. extremely low fees (often the buyer pays the fee). Good for cheap, fast fashion.
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Curtsy: specifically for Gen Z women's clothing. Very similar to Poshmark but with a younger demographic.
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ThredUP: Not a marketplace. You send them a "Clean Out Kit" and they do the work. You get pennies on the dollar, but it requires zero effort. (Parenthetical aside: I sent a bag of J.Crew to ThredUP and made $4.12. It wasn't worth the gas money to drop off the bag. Only use this if you were going to donate the clothes anyway).
People always ask me...
"Is it better to sell on Depop or Poshmark for beginners?"
Common question I see. Poshmark is infinitely easier for beginners. The shipping is foolproof (just use any brown box or free Priority Mail box), and the listing form is structured. Depop requires you to understand shipping weights and internet subcultures to really succeed. Start on Poshmark to learn the ropes of customer service and photography, then graduate to Depop once you understand your niche.
"Can I cross-list the same item on both?"
People always ask me this. Yes, absolutely! This is the smartest way to sell.
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The Risk: You must be organized. If the item sells on Poshmark, you must immediately delete it from Depop.
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The Tool: You don't have to do this manually. There are tools that help, but simply keeping your inventory organized in bins helps you check both apps before shipping.
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My Rule: I cross-list everything over $25. Items under $25 aren't worth the administrative time of managing two listings.
"Why am I getting no likes on Depop?"
If your photos look like Poshmark photos (white background, flat lay), Depop users will scroll past. They want "life." Try hanging the item on a fence outside, or draping it over a chair. Even a slightly messy bedroom background often performs better on Depop than a sterile white studio shot because it feels "authentic."
Conclusion
So, who wins the depop vs poshmark war?
It’s not about which app is better; it’s about which app fits your inventory. If you have a closet full of Lululemon and Madewell, Poshmark is your kingdom. Pay the 20% fee, use the easy shipping, and enjoy the steady sales. If you are scouring the bins for 1990s band tees and unique leather jackets, Depop is where you will find buyers willing to pay top dollar for your curation.
My advice? Don't choose. Use both. Just remember to speak the language of the locals. Don't wear a suit to a rave, and don't try to sell a crusty punk vest at a country club.
If you are ready to expand your empire beyond these two, check out our guide on how to sell on Mercari for beginners. And if you are drowning in unlisted inventory, read our review of the best cross-listing apps to help you clone your listings in seconds.
FAQ Page Schema
Here's something everyone wants to know: Which app has lower fees, Depop or Poshmark?
Technically, Depop has lower fees. Depop typically charges a 10% selling fee plus a transaction fee (around 3%), totaling roughly 13-14%. Poshmark charges a flat 20% fee on sales over $15. However, Poshmark's fee includes sales tax remittance and simplified shipping, which many sellers find worth the extra cost.
Common question I see: Is Depop only for vintage clothes?
While Depop is famous for vintage and Y2K fashion, you can sell modern items there. However, modern "mall brands" (like Gap, Old Navy, or Loft) tend to sell much slower and for lower prices on Depop compared to Poshmark. Depop buyers prioritize unique style and aesthetics over brand names.
People always ask me: Who pays for shipping on Poshmark vs Depop?
On Poshmark, the buyer almost always pays the flat shipping rate ($7.97), unless the seller offers a discount. On Depop, the seller can choose to pay for shipping (to attract buyers) or charge the buyer. Depop shipping is calculated by weight, so light items are cheaper to ship on Depop, while heavy items are cheaper to ship on Poshmark.
