Marketplace Fee Comparison Calculator
Calculates your net payout after marketplace fees, listing fees, and payment processing charges. Use it when deciding which platform to sell on or pricing a product to protect your margins.
About this calculator
Every selling platform charges a combination of fees that directly reduce your take-home revenue. The three main costs are the marketplace commission (a percentage of the selling price), a fixed listing fee, and a payment processing fee (another percentage of the selling price). The net payout formula is: Net Payout = sellingPrice − (sellingPrice × marketplace% / 100) − listingFee − (sellingPrice × paymentProcessing% / 100). By combining all three fee types into one calculation, you can compare platforms side by side on an apples-to-apples basis. A platform with a lower commission but higher payment processing fee may actually leave you with less money. Understanding your net payout per sale is essential for setting prices that cover costs and deliver the profit margin you need.
How to use
Suppose you list an item for $50. The marketplace charges a 12% commission, there is a $0.35 listing fee, and payment processing is 2.9%. Step 1 — Marketplace fee: $50 × (12 / 100) = $6.00. Step 2 — Payment processing fee: $50 × (2.9 / 100) = $1.45. Step 3 — Net payout: $50 − $6.00 − $0.35 − $1.45 = $42.20. You keep $42.20 from a $50 sale. Enter your platform's specific rates to compare net payouts across Etsy, eBay, Amazon, and others.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare selling fees across Etsy, eBay, and Amazon?
Each platform has a unique fee structure. Etsy charges a 6.5% transaction fee plus a $0.20 listing fee and payment processing around 3%. eBay's final value fee varies by category, typically 10–15%. Amazon charges referral fees of 8–15% plus optional fulfillment costs. By entering each platform's rates into this calculator separately, you can see exactly how much you net per sale on each and choose the most profitable channel for your specific product and price point.
What fees should I include when calculating my marketplace net payout?
At minimum, include the platform's percentage-based commission (often called a transaction or referral fee), any fixed listing or insertion fee, and the payment processing fee charged by the platform's payment system. Some platforms also charge subscription fees, shipping label fees, or advertising costs — these should be factored into your broader profitability analysis even if they are not per-item fees. This calculator covers the three most universal per-sale costs to give you a reliable baseline net payout figure.
Why does my net payout change so much with small differences in commission rates?
Because percentage-based fees compound with your selling price. A 2% difference in commission on a $200 item equals $4 per sale — which adds up to $400 for every 100 units sold. As your average selling price or volume increases, even a 1% difference in fees becomes highly significant. This is why high-volume sellers often negotiate custom rates with platforms or migrate to lower-fee channels once volume justifies the switch.