How To Sell Clothes On Depop Vs Poshmark Which Platform Has Lower Fees

Selling secondhand clothing online has become a viable side hustle—and for some, a full-time income. Two of the most popular platforms for reselling fashion are Depop and Poshmark. Both offer user-friendly interfaces, built-in audiences, and social shopping experiences. But when it comes to maximizing profit, one key factor stands out: fees. Understanding how each platform charges sellers can make a significant difference in your bottom line. This guide breaks down the fee structures, compares overall costs, and helps you determine which platform—Depop or Poshmark—is more cost-effective for your resale business.

Fees Breakdown: Depop vs Poshmark

The primary difference between Depop and Poshmark lies in their transaction models and associated fees. While both take a percentage of your sale, the way they calculate that cut—and what else they include—can impact your net earnings.

Feature	Depop	Poshmark
Commission Fee	10% of final sale price (including shipping)	20% of sales up to $15; 15% from $15–$250; 13.75% above $250
Payment Processing Fee	2.9% + $0.30 per transaction	Included in commission (no extra fee)
Shipping Label Cost	No discount; seller pays full USPS rate	Free prepaid label provided to buyer
Promotion Tools	Paid boost options available (~$1–$5 per boost)	Free “Share” feature; no paid promotion
Final Value Fee Example ($100 Sale)	$10 (commission) + $3.20 (processing) = $13.20 total	$15 (15% of $100) = $15 total

At first glance, Depop appears cheaper due to its flat 10% commission. However, the additional payment processing fee—standard for Stripe-powered platforms—adds a fixed cost on top. Poshmark, while charging a higher commission, bundles everything into one fee and provides free prepaid shipping labels, which can save time and effort.

Tip: Always factor in payment processing fees when pricing items on Depop—they reduce your final payout even if not labeled as a \"fee.\"

How Pricing Strategy Affects Profitability

Your ability to earn depends not just on fees, but on how you price your items. Because Poshmark’s fee scales downward at higher prices, it becomes relatively more favorable for premium or luxury listings. Conversely, Depop’s flat rate works well across all price points but hits low-cost items harder due to the fixed $0.30 processing fee.

For example, consider two scenarios:

• A $20 vintage denim jacket: On Depop, you pay ~$2.00 (10%) + $0.88 (processing) = $2.88. On Poshmark, you pay $3.00 (15%). The difference is minimal.
• A $200 designer coat: Depop takes $20 + $6.10 = $26.10. Poshmark takes $30 (15%). Here, Depop saves you nearly $4.

However, if you frequently sell accessories or small items under $15, Poshmark’s tiered system may cost less than Depop’s combined fees. For instance, a $10 pair of sunglasses costs $1.00 on Depop plus $0.59 processing = $1.59 total. On Poshmark, the fee drops to 20%, totaling $2.00—making Depop slightly cheaper in this case.

“Sellers who list high-volume, low-price items often find Depop more predictable, while those focusing on curated, high-ticket pieces benefit from Poshmark’s community and sharing tools.” — Lena Torres, Resale Business Coach

Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Earnings on Either Platform

To truly compare Depop and Poshmark, you must look beyond fees and consider workflow efficiency, audience reach, and time investment. Follow this step-by-step process to optimize your strategy on either platform:

1. Research market value: Search completed/sold listings on both platforms to see what similar items fetched. Use apps like Vinted Price Check or browser extensions to speed this up.
2. Factor in all fees: Calculate net profit before listing. For Depop, use: (Sale Price × 0.90) – (0.029 × Sale Price + 0.30). For Poshmark: Sale Price × (1 – commission rate).
3. Write compelling descriptions: Include brand, size, condition, measurements, and styling tips. Mention fabric content and care instructions to build trust.
4. Take high-quality photos: Use natural light, multiple angles, and lifestyle shots (e.g., item worn or styled). Avoid cluttered backgrounds.
5. Time your posts strategically: List new items Tuesday–Thursday evenings (EST), when engagement peaks. Re-share existing listings every 48 hours on Poshmark; use boosts on Depop during weekends.
6. Respond quickly to offers: Both platforms reward responsiveness with algorithmic visibility. Accept reasonable offers promptly to close sales faster.
7. Ship within 1–2 days: Fast shipping improves ratings and encourages repeat buyers. Keep packaging simple but branded (e.g., custom tape or thank-you note).

Tip: Use the same item description template across listings to save time and maintain professionalism.

Real Seller Scenario: Choosing Between Platforms

Meet Jasmine, a 28-year-old teacher who started reselling her gently used Zara and & Other Stories pieces after decluttering her closet. She listed identical items on both Depop and Poshmark over a six-week period to test performance.

She sold 12 items total: 6 on each platform. Her average sale price was $45. On Depop, her total gross sales were $270, with $38.50 in fees (14.3% effective rate). On Poshmark, she made $255 gross, paying $39.75 in fees (15.6% effective rate).

Despite slightly lower fees on Depop, Jasmine found Poshmark’s ecosystem easier to navigate. The free shipping label saved her trips to the post office, and the “share party” feature helped her listings gain traction without paid boosts. She also received more offer negotiations on Poshmark but closed more sales through shares from other users.

Jasmine ultimately decided to focus on Poshmark for convenience, even though Depop offered marginally better rates. Her decision highlights an important truth: lower fees don’t always mean higher satisfaction or sustainability.

Checklist: How to Decide Which Platform Is Right for You

Use this checklist to evaluate whether Depop or Poshmark aligns better with your goals:

• ✅ Do you sell mostly trendy streetwear or vintage? → Depop favors these niches
• ✅ Are you targeting Gen Z or younger millennials? → Depop has stronger appeal
• ✅ Do you prefer a social media-like feed with likes and comments? → Depop mimics Instagram
• ✅ Do you sell luxury, designer, or women’s apparel regularly? → Poshmark dominates here
• ✅ Do you want free prepaid shipping labels? → Choose Poshmark
• ✅ Are you selling many low-priced accessories? → Compare net profit using fee calculators
• ✅ Do you dislike handling shipping logistics? → Poshmark simplifies drop-off
• ✅ Are you willing to invest in promotions? → Depop allows targeted boosts

If most of your answers lean toward the left, Depop may be the better fit. If they trend right, Poshmark likely offers a smoother experience—even with higher fees.

FAQ: Common Questions About Selling on Depop and Poshmark

Which platform sells clothes faster?

It depends on the niche. Poshmark tends to move women’s contemporary fashion quickly due to its large, active user base and share culture. Depop excels in niche markets like Y2K, grunge, or unisex streetwear, where visual appeal drives impulse buys. Overall, Poshmark has higher daily traffic, but Depop offers more discovery potential through algorithmic feeds.

Can I sell on both platforms at the same time?

Yes, many sellers cross-list items. However, you must manually update inventory to avoid overselling. Some use tools like ShopMaster or ListPerfectly to sync listings across multiple resale platforms, including eBay and Mercari. Just be sure to adjust pricing per platform to account for differing fees and buyer expectations.

Do buyers negotiate on both platforms?

Absolutely. Offers are common—especially on Poshmark, where 80% of sales involve some level of negotiation. Depop also sees frequent offers, typically around 10–20% off. Smart sellers set initial prices 15–20% above their target sale price to accommodate haggling while still turning a profit.

Final Verdict: Which Platform Has Lower Fees?

Technically, **Depop has lower base fees**—10% plus payment processing versus Poshmark’s 15–20%. For high-volume, mid-priced sellers, this can translate into meaningful savings over time. However, Poshmark offsets its higher commission with valuable perks: free shipping labels, zero payment processing fees, and a robust sharing network that increases visibility without extra cost.

The real answer depends on your business model. If you're focused on minimizing deductions per sale and are comfortable managing shipping independently, Depop gives you more control and slightly better margins. But if you value convenience, community support, and reduced logistical burden, Poshmark’s higher fee may be worth the trade-off.

Ultimately, the lowest fee doesn't guarantee the highest profit. What matters most is how much you actually net after time, effort, and operational costs. A $100 sale earning $85 on Depop might seem better than $85 on Poshmark—but only if it sells faster and requires less follow-up.

“Profit isn’t just about the percentage taken—it’s about how much energy, time, and money you invest to get there.” — Marcus Reed, Founder of ThredDaily

Start Smart, Scale Sustainably

Whether you choose Depop, Poshmark, or both, the key to success lies in consistency, transparency, and strategic pricing. Test both platforms with a few listings, track your time and earnings, and let real data guide your decision. Don’t chase the lowest fee alone—chase the platform where your items perform best and your process feels sustainable.

Now that you understand the true cost of selling on each site, take action. Audit your current wardrobe, snap clear photos, and list your first item using the insights above. The resale economy rewards those who start now—not those who wait for perfection.

🚀 Ready to turn your closet into cash? Pick one platform today, list three items by Friday, and track your first sale. Share your progress in the comments—we’d love to cheer you on!