eBay UK vs Depop vs Vinted: Which Platform Makes You More Money in 2025?
A seller-focused comparison of fees, shipping, audience and real profit examples — so you can pick the right marketplace and price to win.
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Quick summary — which platform for what?
- eBay UK — biggest reach and versatile categories; better for electronics, branded resale and collectibles. Fees can be higher but traffic is consistent.
- Depop — top for trend-led fashion, streetwear and vintage. Highly visual and mobile-first; younger audience but smaller scale.
- Vinted — great for casual secondhand clothing, buyer-friendly, often lower seller fees; fast-moving marketplace for everyday items.
How we compare platforms (what matters to profit)
To decide which platform makes you more money we compare: seller fees, payment processing, shipping options & costs, audience fit, and ease of sale. Use our calculators to test your own numbers:
Open eBay Fee & Profit Calculator • Open Depop Fee Calculator • Open Vinted Fee Calculator
Estimated fee comparison table (typical 2025 UK rates — verify for your category)
Note: marketplace fees change. Treat these as example estimates to help compare platforms; always confirm current rates with the platform.
| Platform | Typical seller fee | Payment processing | Listing / extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay UK | Final value fee ≈ 12.8% (category dependent) + fixed order fee (e.g. £0.30) | Included in Managed Payments; processing varies (small % + fixed) | Insertion fees sometimes; promoted listings optional |
| Depop | Seller fee ≈ 10% of item price (platform cut) | Payment processing (Stripe/PayPal) ~2.9% + £0.30 (varies) | Promoted posts optional |
| Vinted | Buyer-facing fees — sellers often face lower direct platform fees; models vary by country | Payment processing included in service fee model | Simple listings — fast to publish |
Tip: The headline fee is only part of the cost — always factor VAT on fees (20% in the UK), shipping and packaging when calculating margin.
Worked example — same product on each platform
Scenario: you sell a secondhand jacket with these numbers:
- Sale price: £30.00
- Item cost (what you paid): £8.00
- Shipping you pay (or that you include): £3.50
- VAT on fees: 20% (applies to many marketplace fees in UK)
eBay example (est.)
Final value fee: 12.8% of £30 = £3.84
Fixed order fee: £0.30
VAT on fees (20% of (3.84 + 0.30)) = £0.82
Total fees ≈ £4.96
Net profit = 30 - 8 - 3.5 - 4.96 = £13.54 (margin ≈ 45.1%)
Depop example (est.)
Depop fee: 10% of £30 = £3.00
Payment processing ~2.9% + £0.30 = £1.17
VAT on platform fee (if applicable) = £0.60 (20% of £3.00)
Total fees ≈ £4.77
Net profit = 30 - 8 - 3.5 - 4.77 = £13.73 (margin ≈ 45.8%)
Vinted example (est.)
Vinted commonly charges lower direct seller fees (buyer pays service fee on purchase) — using an example model where seller sees ~£2.00 equivalent platform cost:
Platform/processing ≈ £2.00
VAT as applicable ≈ £0.40
Total fees ≈ £2.40
Net profit = 30 - 8 - 3.5 - 2.40 = £16.10 (margin ≈ 53.7%)
Key takeaway: with this example the difference is modest but Vinted may give the highest net here due to lower explicit seller fees — however conversion rate, sell-through speed and average sale price differ by platform. Always run your numbers using your actual costs.
Try these numbers yourself: eBay calculator • Depop calculator • Vinted calculator
Beyond fees — what actually affects how much you make
- Buyer demand & price ceiling: certain platforms attract buyers prepared to pay more (rare trainers on Depop, collectibles on eBay).
- Sell-through speed: faster sales mean less capital tied up and lower storage time.
- Shipping model: who pays for shipping and how shipping is priced (free shipping often converts better).
- Listing quality: great photos, accurate descriptions, clear size info and keywords drive higher conversion and fewer returns.
- Reputation & returns: consistent service reduces refunds and negative feedback which harm visibility.
Platform pros & cons (short)
eBay UK
- Huge buyer base
- Best for diverse categories
- More seller tools & analytics
Depop
- Hot for fashion & vintage
- Mobile-first social experience
- Higher conversion on trendy items
Vinted
- Low friction listings
- Buyer-centric marketplace
- Great for everyday clothing
Practical selling strategy — combine, test and adapt
There’s no single best platform for everyone. Smart sellers use a multi-channel approach: list similar items across two or three marketplaces, monitor which platform sells faster or for higher price, then scale where performance is best.
- Start with 3–10 items on each platform and track sell-through, net profit and time-to-sell for 30 days.
- Use our calculators to compare net profit after fees and shipping before you bulk source stock.
- If an item is trending on Depop but not eBay, double down on Depop marketing (stories, styling photos, hashtags).
- Automate repeated tasks (shipping labels, listing templates) to keep margins high.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Which platform has the lowest fees?
Vinted commonly shows lower explicit seller fees for many secondhand clothing items, but your net depends on sale price, shipping and payment charges.
Q: Should I sell on all three marketplaces?
Yes—initially. Test where an item performs best and then scale. Multi-listing helps you find the platform with the best buyer fit.
Q: How do I factor shipping into profit?
Treat shipping as a cost line item. Offer free shipping only if you build the cost into your price or can negotiate cheaper postage — consumers respond well to “free delivery.”
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