~15 min read
Quick Answer:
The Whatnot app is a live-stream shopping platform where sellers host real-time auctions or list fixed-price items for buyers. It works by combining entertainment, community, and commerce — sellers showcase products via live video, buyers bid or purchase instantly, and payments are processed automatically. Sellers typically pay around 11% in total fees per sale.
Introduction — Whatnot’s Rise in Live Shopping
Live selling has exploded since 2023 — and Whatnot is leading that revolution. The app blends livestream auctions, influencer marketing, and community-driven commerce, letting users sell everything from sneakers and trading cards to collectibles and vintage fashion.
If you’ve ever scrolled TikTok or joined an Instagram Live sale, imagine that — but built specifically for sellers, with instant payouts and protection for both parties.
In this guide, we’ll cover how the Whatnot app works step by step for buyers and sellers, what it costs to sell, how much Whatnot takes from your sales, and how tools like Closo can automate your resale business.
1. What Is the Whatnot App?
Whatnot is a mobile and desktop marketplace built around live commerce. It’s available for both iOS and Android, and accessible via whatnot.com.
Core Features:
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Live Auctions: Host or join real-time streams to bid on products.
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Buy It Now Listings: List items for fixed prices (no live session needed).
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Community Feed: Follow sellers, comment, and join giveaways.
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Integrated Payments: Buyers pay instantly; sellers get paid within days.
Think of it as eBay meets Twitch, built for the resale generation.
2. How the Whatnot App Works for Buyers
Buyers can shop in two ways: live auctions or fixed listings.
Live Auctions
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Join live shows scheduled by sellers.
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Watch real-time demonstrations of items.
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Place bids instantly through the app.
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Pay automatically if you win.
Buy It Now
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Browse static listings anytime.
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Purchase items instantly without attending live events.
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Enjoy buyer protection via Whatnot’s verification and refund system.
Buyer Protection:
Every transaction is protected. If an item arrives damaged or not as described, Whatnot’s team mediates refunds directly.
3. How the Whatnot App Works for Sellers
To sell on Whatnot, you need to apply and get approved (see the Seller Application Guide →).
Once approved, you can sell in two formats:
Live Selling
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Schedule a show in your dashboard.
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Add inventory before going live.
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Stream using your phone’s camera.
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Auction items in real time.
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Ship sold items within 48 hours.
Marketplace (Static Selling)
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List items with photos and fixed prices.
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Buyers can purchase anytime.
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Great for sellers who prefer not to go live.
4. How Much Does It Cost to Sell on Whatnot?
Whatnot uses a simple flat fee model.
| Fee Type | Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Fee | 8% | Deducted from sale total |
| Processing Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 | Stripe payment processing |
| Total Seller Cost | ~11% | Combined deduction per sale |
So, if you sell an item for $100:
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Whatnot takes $11 in total fees.
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You receive $89 as your payout.
5. How Much Does Whatnot Take from Your Sales?
Whatnot takes approximately 11% from every sale, including payment and processing fees. There are no additional hidden charges — no listing fees, subscription tiers, or ad costs.
Breakdown Example:
| Sale Price | Total Fees | Seller Receives |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $2.75 | $22.25 |
| $100 | $11.20 | $88.80 |
| $500 | $56.50 | $443.50 |
6. Shipping and Fulfillment on Whatnot
Sellers are responsible for shipping sold items within 2 business days.
Two Options:
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Use Whatnot’s Prepaid Label
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Automatically generated per order.
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Charges buyer at checkout.
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Simplifies shipping and tracking.
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Use Your Own Label
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For sellers with bulk shipping contracts or preferred carriers.
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Must include valid tracking.
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Once the buyer’s tracking updates to “In Transit,” payment is released.
7. Payout Process — How Sellers Get Paid
Whatnot’s payout process is automatic once an order is verified as shipped.
Payment Timeline
| Seller Type | Payout Time |
|---|---|
| New Sellers | 5–7 business days |
| Verified Sellers | 2–3 business days |
| Instant Pay Sellers | <24 hours |
Funds are transferred to your linked bank or Stripe account. You’ll get a notification once payment is deposited.
8. Is Selling on Whatnot Worth It?
If you’re in a niche like collectibles, sneakers, or vintage apparel — absolutely.
Pros
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High engagement through live audiences.
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Fast payment system.
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Built-in community and discovery.
Cons
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Requires live interaction (unless using Marketplace listings).
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11% fee slightly higher than Etsy’s 10%.
Pairing Whatnot with tools like Closo lets sellers crosslist to Etsy and eBay automatically — combining Whatnot’s live energy with Etsy’s SEO-driven traffic.
9. Whatnot for Beginners — Tips to Get Started
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Watch live shows first. Learn how top sellers engage their audiences.
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Prepare inventory early. You’ll need clear product titles, categories, and prices.
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Use good lighting and sound. Presentation matters for live selling.
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Ship quickly. Builds trust and boosts your seller rating.
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Stay active. Consistency drives repeat buyers.
10. How Whatnot Compares to Etsy and eBay
| Feature | Whatnot | Etsy | eBay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selling Format | Live & Buy It Now | Static SEO listings | Auctions & Buy It Now |
| Average Fees | ~11% | ~10% | ~12.9% |
| Primary Products | Collectibles, Apparel | Handmade, Vintage | General Resale |
| Payout Time | 2–3 days | 1–3 days | 2–5 days |
Best Strategy: Use Whatnot for engagement + Etsy/eBay for passive sales. Sync listings through Closo to prevent double-selling.
11. Case Study — Scaling from Etsy to Whatnot
Seller: Ethan, Texas
Products: Streetwear, sneakers, collectibles
Before:
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Managed 400+ listings manually on Etsy.
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Sales were steady but limited by SEO reach.
After Using Whatnot + Closo:
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Hosted 2 live auctions weekly.
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Added “Buy It Now” listings between streams.
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Automated crosslisting to Etsy and eBay via Closo.
Results:
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+60% monthly revenue growth.
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Reduced manual listing time by 80%.
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Average payout time: 2.3 days.
“Whatnot changed how I connect with buyers — and Closo handles the busywork.”
Cross-Link Resources
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Upward Link (Hub): Closo Seller Hub →
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Sideways Links:
FAQ (People Also Ask)
1. How does the Whatnot app work?
Whatnot combines live auctions and static listings where sellers showcase products and buyers purchase instantly.
2. How much does it cost to sell on Whatnot?
Around 11% total (8% commission + 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee).
3. How much does Whatnot take from your sales?
Whatnot keeps roughly 11% per sale, automatically deducted before payout.
4. How do sellers get paid on Whatnot?
After the item ships and tracking updates, sellers are paid within 2–3 business days.
5. Is Whatnot better than Etsy or eBay?
For live engagement and fast-moving inventory, yes. For SEO and long-tail discovery, Etsy and eBay complement it best.
Schema Setup
FAQ Page Schema: Include FAQ entries above.
Breadcrumb Schema: Home → Blog → How Does the Whatnot App Work (2025 Guide).
How To Schema:
1️⃣ Download the Whatnot app.
2️⃣ Create a buyer or seller account.
3️⃣ Join or host live shows.
4️⃣ Ship sold items and receive payout.
5️⃣ Sync your listings automatically via Closo.
Final Takeaway
The Whatnot app is revolutionizing how people buy and sell — blending entertainment with commerce. Sellers gain exposure through live interaction, while buyers enjoy authenticity and instant purchases.
Whether you go live or prefer passive “Buy It Now” listings, Whatnot’s integrated payment system and low barriers to entry make it one of the easiest ways to scale a resale business in 2025.
Pair it with Closo to automate inventory, pricing, and crosslisting — letting your business run on autopilot while you focus on what matters most: connecting with your audience.
