Seller Fee Comparison Calculator

About the Seller Fee Comparison Calculator

Choosing the right marketplace can make or break your e-commerce margins. Each platform — Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify, Walmart, and TikTok Shop — has a different fee structure with varying percentage rates, fixed fees, and additional charges.

This side-by-side comparison calculator shows you the exact fees and net amount you would receive on each platform for the same sale price. It accounts for referral or commission fees, payment processing, and per-order charges specific to each marketplace.

By seeing all platforms at once, you can make informed decisions about where to list your products. Some products may be more profitable on one platform than another, and this page helps you identify those differences more quickly.

When This Page Helps

Instead of calculating fees on each platform separately, this page gives you a side-by-side fee comparison for the same sale price. Use it for product research, multi-channel planning, and fee optimization.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Enter the sale price of your product.
2. Enter your product cost (COGS).
3. Enter shipping cost (your actual cost to ship).
4. View the fee and net profit comparison across all six platforms.
5. Identify the platform with the highest net profit for your product.
6. Consider traffic, conversion rates, and brand fit alongside fees.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• Lowest fees don't always mean highest profit — Amazon's massive traffic can generate far more sales despite higher fees.
• Shopify has the lowest transaction costs but zero built-in traffic.
• List on multiple platforms and track which generates the best profit per hour of management time.
• Factor in returns: Amazon tends to have higher return rates than other platforms.
• Consider time costs: Amazon FBA handles fulfillment; other platforms require self-shipping.
• TikTok Shop fees are currently low but may increase as the platform matures.

Platform Fee Comparison Summary

Amazon takes the most per sale (referral + FBA can total 30‒40%), but provides the largest audience and handles fulfillment. eBay takes 13‒15% with Managed Payments included. Etsy takes 10‒12% (potentially 22‒25% with Offsite Ads). Shopify takes only 3–4% but offers no marketplace traffic. Walmart takes 6‒15% and provides growing traffic. TikTok Shop takes 2‒8% with rapidly growing social commerce traffic.

Beyond Fees: Total Cost of Selling

Fees are just one factor. Consider advertising costs (heavy on Amazon and TikTok), fulfillment method, customer service requirements, return rates, and time investment per platform. A holistic cost analysis often changes which platform appears most profitable.

Multi-Channel Strategy

The most successful e-commerce businesses diversify across platforms. Use Amazon for volume, Shopify for brand building and email, eBay for clearance and used items, and Etsy for handmade/niche products. Each platform serves a different purpose in your business ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which marketplace has the lowest selling fees?

  Shopify has the lowest per-transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30 with no marketplace commission). However, Shopify is a store platform, not a marketplace — you must drive your own traffic. Among marketplaces, TikTok Shop and Walmart often have lower commission rates than Amazon or eBay.

• Is it worth selling on Amazon despite higher fees?

  For many sellers, yes. Amazon's massive buyer traffic, Prime shipping, and fulfillment infrastructure often generate enough additional sales volume to offset the higher fees. The key is whether your margins can sustain the ~30% total cost of selling on Amazon.

• Should I sell on multiple marketplaces?

  Multi-channel selling can increase total revenue significantly. Most successful e-commerce businesses sell on 2–4 platforms. Use this calculator to identify which platforms offer acceptable margins, then expand strategically while monitoring per-channel profitability.

• How do Shopify fees compare to marketplace fees?

  Shopify charges only payment processing (2.9% + $0.30), while marketplaces charge 8‒15% commission plus payment fees. Shopify's total take is about 3.5% vs. 15‒30% for marketplaces. The tradeoff is that you must acquire customers yourself on Shopify.

• What is the best platform for handmade goods?

  Etsy is purpose-built for handmade, vintage, and craft items with a targeted buyer base. Its fees (~10%) are moderate, and the audience expects handmade prices. For higher-priced artisan goods, Shopify can offer better margins while building a brand.

• How does Walmart Marketplace compare to Amazon?

  Walmart charges 6‒15% referral fees (vs. Amazon's 8‒15%) with no additional fulfillment or storage fees for self-fulfilled orders. Walmart's traffic is growing but still a fraction of Amazon's. The lower fees make it attractive for products with tight margins.