Poshmark vs. eBay vs. Amazon vs. Walmart Marketplace vs. WhatNot vs. Mercari: Which Platform Is Best for Sellers in 2025?

Poshmark vs. eBay vs. Amazon vs. Walmart Marketplace vs. WhatNot vs. Mercari: Which Platform Is Best for Sellers in 2025?

Choosing the right platform to sell your products is one of the most critical decisions you'll make as an online seller. With so many popular e-commerce platforms—Poshmark, eBay, Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, WhatNot, and Mercari—it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of each to find the best fit for your business in 2025. Each platform has its own audience, selling fees, tools, and policies that could significantly impact your profitability and growth.

In this guide, we’ll compare these six major online selling platforms, giving you the insights you need to determine which one is best suited for your product, target market, and selling style. By the end, you'll have a clearer idea of where to invest your time and energy for the best return on investment.


Table of Contents

  1. Why Platform Choice Matters for Sellers
  2. Poshmark: The Fashion and Lifestyle Hub
  3. eBay: The Marketplace for Everything
  4. Amazon: The E-Commerce Giant
  5. Walmart Marketplace: The Emerging Competitor
  6. WhatNot: The Live Shopping Platform
  7. Mercari: The Easy-to-Use Selling Platform
  8. Comparing Fees and Policies
  9. Which Platform Is Best for You?
  10. Final Thoughts


1. Why Platform Choice Matters for Sellers

Choosing the right marketplace is more than just about the fees or the user interface—it’s about aligning your product, audience, and marketing strategy with the platform that best supports your goals. Here's why platform choice matters:

  • Audience Targeting: Different platforms attract different types of buyers. A fashion-focused platform like Poshmark will have a very different audience than the generalist marketplace of eBay.
  • Selling Fees: The selling fees on these platforms vary greatly, from listing fees to commission rates. These fees will affect your profitability and pricing strategy.
  • Shipping and Fulfillment: Some platforms offer integrated shipping services, while others leave the logistics entirely up to you. This affects both your time commitment and costs.
  • Branding Control: Some platforms allow you to build a brand and customize your storefront, while others may restrict your ability to personalize your selling page.

Let’s dive into a breakdown of each platform so you can make an informed decision for your business.



2. Poshmark: The Fashion and Lifestyle Hub

2.1. Overview

Poshmark is primarily known for fashion, accessories, and beauty products, though it has recently expanded to include home decor and other lifestyle items. This platform thrives on community engagement and social selling, with sellers encouraged to follow each other, share listings, and host virtual “Posh Parties.”

2.2. Pros of Poshmark

  • Community Engagement: Poshmark’s social features (such as following other sellers and sharing listings) allow you to build a community and drive organic traffic to your listings.
  • No Listing Fees: You can list an unlimited number of items for free. However, Poshmark does take a flat commission fee of 20% on sales over $15.
  • User-Friendly App: The mobile app is intuitive, making it easy for beginners to get started.

2.3. Cons of Poshmark

  • Limited Audience: Poshmark's audience is heavily skewed toward fashion buyers, meaning niche products outside of fashion may not perform as well.
  • High Fees: For items under $15, Poshmark takes a flat fee of $2.95, which can make it harder to profit on low-priced goods.


3. eBay: The Marketplace for Everything

3.1. Overview

eBay is one of the oldest and most well-known online marketplaces. It allows sellers to list virtually anything, from used electronics and collectibles to brand-new items. eBay is particularly well-suited for sellers looking to reach a global audience.

3.2. Pros of eBay

  • Massive Audience: eBay attracts millions of buyers worldwide, offering sellers a broad reach.
  • Auction-style Listings: eBay allows you to list products as auctions, which can drive competitive bidding for limited or highly desirable items.
  • Seller Flexibility: eBay offers auction and fixed-price listings, allowing you to choose how you want to sell your products.

3.3. Cons of eBay

  • Listing Fees: eBay charges listing fees after a certain number of free listings each month. The basic fee is about $0.30 per listing after you exceed the free limit.
  • Complicated Fee Structure: eBay’s fees are more complex than other platforms, with charges ranging from 10-12% for most sales, plus additional fees for PayPal transactions.


4. Amazon: The E-Commerce Giant

4.1. Overview

Amazon is the largest and most influential e-commerce platform globally. It’s perfect for those selling new products or looking to build a scalable business. Amazon offers both the Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) service and the ability to fulfill orders yourself (FBM), giving sellers flexibility.

4.2. Pros of Amazon

  • Massive Customer Base: With over 300 million active users, Amazon provides access to a vast global audience.
  • FBA Convenience: Amazon’s FBA program takes care of storage, packaging, and shipping, allowing you to scale quickly without dealing with logistics.
  • Trust and Authority: Amazon’s customer trust means higher conversion rates, as buyers often feel more secure purchasing from Amazon.

4.3. Cons of Amazon

  • High Fees: Amazon takes a 15% referral fee on most categories, in addition to FBA fees for storage and shipping.
  • Highly Competitive: The sheer volume of sellers on Amazon makes it difficult to stand out, particularly for common products. You may need to invest heavily in advertising to get noticed.
  • Brand Restrictions: Selling in certain categories requires approval from Amazon, especially in health, beauty, or electronics.


5. Walmart Marketplace: The Emerging Competitor

5.1. Overview

Walmart Marketplace has been steadily growing as a competitor to Amazon, offering sellers access to Walmart’s massive customer base. While still smaller than Amazon, Walmart Marketplace has great potential, especially for sellers with unique products or those already established as sellers on other platforms.

5.2. Pros of Walmart Marketplace

  • Lower Fees: Walmart charges 6-20% in fees, which is lower than Amazon’s fees.
  • Built-in Customer Trust: Just like Amazon, Walmart is a well-known and trusted brand, which can lead to better conversion rates.
  • Growing Customer Base: Walmart’s online shopping growth is expected to continue as more buyers shop online and seek alternatives to Amazon.

5.3. Cons of Walmart Marketplace

  • More Limited Seller Tools: Walmart Marketplace offers fewer seller tools compared to Amazon, which can be a drawback for some sellers.
  • More Stringent Approval Process: Walmart has a more selective approval process for new sellers, which can be a barrier to entry for beginners.


6. WhatNot: The Live Shopping Platform

6.1. Overview

WhatNot is an up-and-coming platform that focuses on live auctions and selling collectibles. Sellers can run live-stream auctions to engage directly with buyers, particularly for niche categories such as comics, pop culture collectibles, and trading cards.

6.2. Pros of WhatNot

  • Live Selling Experience: The live auction feature is a great way to engage buyers in real-time, which can lead to higher sales.
  • Low Fees: WhatNot charges around 8% in fees, which is competitive compared to other platforms.
  • Niche Focus: If you sell collectibles, WhatNot is an ideal platform, as it has a dedicated following of collectors.

6.3. Cons of WhatNot

  • Limited Product Categories: WhatNot is still niche, focusing mainly on collectibles, so it's not suitable for sellers with more general product offerings.
  • Newer Platform: Being a newer marketplace, it lacks the broad audience of established platforms like eBay or Amazon.


7. Mercari: The Easy-to-Use Selling Platform

7.1. Overview

Mercari is an app-based platform that lets users sell new and used goods across a wide range of categories, including clothing, electronics, toys, and more. It’s known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for beginner sellers.

7.2. Pros of Mercari

  • Low Fees: Mercari charges 10% on each sale, which is relatively low compared to platforms like eBay and Amazon.
  • Simple Setup: Setting up your store on Mercari is quick and easy, with no listing fees or monthly subscriptions.
  • Free Shipping Options: Mercari offers discounted shipping through their platform and even provides a prepaid label for convenience.

7.3. Cons of Mercari

  • Limited International Reach: Mercari’s primary market is the U.S., which limits global reach compared to Amazon or eBay.
  • Fewer Advanced Seller Tools: Mercari doesn’t offer as many advanced selling tools or advertising options as Amazon or eBay.


8. Comparing Fees and Policies

Platform Listing Fees Selling Fees Payment Processing Fees Shipping Costs Other Costs
Poshmark Free 20% over $15, $2.95 for sales under $15 N/A Flat rate based on weight and buyer’s location None
eBay $0.30 per listing after free listings 10-12% based on category PayPal fees (~2.9% + fixed fee) Varies by size, weight, and destination Final Value Fee
Amazon Free up to 40 listings/month, $0.99 per listing thereafter 15% + FBA fees 2.9% + fixed fee FBA or seller-provided shipping FBA fees for storage and fulfillment
Walmart Free 6-20% depending on category Varies Seller-provided shipping Marketplace setup fees
WhatNot Free 8% N/A Seller pays, discounted labels available None
Mercari Free 10% 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction Flat rate or prepaid labels None


9. Which Platform Is Best for You?

Choosing the best platform depends on your product type, selling style, and business goals. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Poshmark: Best for fashion, accessories, and lifestyle products. Ideal for sellers who enjoy community engagement.
  • eBay: Ideal for unique or vintage items, as well as collectibles. Great for those who want flexibility with auctions and fixed-price listings.
  • Amazon: Best for new products, particularly those with high demand. Great for scalable businesses and those who want to use FBA for hassle-free fulfillment.
  • Walmart Marketplace: Emerging platform with lower fees and a growing customer base. Best for sellers who are already established or looking for more competitive pricing.
  • WhatNot: Best for collectibles, pop culture items, and live auction sales. Perfect for sellers interested in live streaming and community engagement.
  • Mercari: Best for easy-to-list items in a wide range of categories. Perfect for casual sellers or those just getting started.


10. Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing the best platform for reselling in 2025, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Consider your product category, the amount of effort you’re willing to put into marketing, and the type of customers you want to attract. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, so select the one that aligns with your business model and goals.

If you're just starting out, Mercari or Poshmark might be the easiest options, while Amazon and eBay offer more scalability for those who want to grow quickly. WhatNot and Walmart Marketplace are newer but rapidly growing, making them attractive choices for niche products.

Ultimately, your success will depend on how well you can leverage the platform's strengths to meet the needs of your target audience and maintain strong profit margins.

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