Mercari vs Depop 2026: Fees Comparison, Take-Home Profits & Best Platform for US Sellers
Picture this: You snap photos of that vintage Levi's jacket gathering dust, list it online, and watch offers roll in. But when the sale hits, how much actually lands in your PayPal? In 2026, Depop delivers higher take-home profits for most US sellers of clothes, shoes, and accessories—thanks to its 0% marketplace fee on new listings paired with a lean 3.3% + $0.45 processing charge. Mercari's 10% flat fee on item plus buyer-paid shipping still bites harder, shaving 2-4% more off typical $20-$60 hauls. Yet take-home profit trumps gross sales every time: factor in shipping costs, payout speed, and your style to claim real wins.
Mercari Fees vs Depop Fees: Side-by-Side Breakdown
Platform fees are just one piece—shipping, packaging, and boosts add up fast. Here's the 2026 structure for new US listings, excluding buyer-paid extras like Mercari's $2.99 protection or Depop's offers.
| Fee Type | Mercari | Depop |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace Fee | 10% flat | 0% (new listings) |
| Processing Fee | Included in 10% | 3.3% + $0.45 |
| Fee Base | Item price + buyer-paid shipping | Item price + buyer-paid shipping |
| Buyer-Side Fees | $2-$4 protection (buyer pays) | Offers/discounts (buyer pays) |
| Listing Cost | Free | Free |
| Payout | Instant (fee) or free weekly | 3-4 days, $0 min |
| Boosts/Promos | $1.99-$5.99 (optional) | $0.99-$4.99 (optional) |
Verify in-app—legacy listings may carry old rates.
Key Policy Changes: What Shifted in 2024-2025
Depop slashed its US marketplace fee to 0% starting July 15, 2024, for new listings, layering on just 3.3% + $0.45 processing— a game-changer for Depop sellers. Mercari streamlined to a single 10% on item + shipping from January 6, 2025, ditching the prior 10% + $0.50 + 2.9% split. These tweaks make Mercari fees vs Depop fees a closer race, but Depop's zero marketplace edge pulls ahead for volume sellers. Always check apps for updates.
Take-Home Profits: Normalized Scenarios
Assume $6 actual shipping cost (USPS), $1 packaging, buyer pays $6 shipping. No boosts/taxes.
| Item | Gross Sale | Mercari Fees | Mercari Take-Home | Depop Fees | Depop Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 Tee | $26 | $2.60 | $16.40 | $1.33 | $18.67 |
| $35 Dress | $41 | $4.10 | $29.90 | $1.80 | $33.20 |
| $55 Bundle | $61 | $6.10 | $47.90 | $2.47 | $52.53 |
Smart Sellers Tool calculators now start from current U.S. fee models — Mercari's 10% on item price plus buyer-paid shipping, and Depop's 0% marketplace fee plus 3.3% + $0.45 processing for new U.S. listings; edit any field for your exact terms. Depop nets $2-5 more per sale here—Mercari take-home profit lags on Mercari.
Your Editable Profit Formulas
Plug in numbers for Depop seller fees 2026 or Mercari:
- Mercari Take-Home: (Item + Ship Charged) × 0.90 - Ship Actual - Packaging
- Depop Take-Home: [(Item + Ship Charged) × 0.967] - $0.45 - Ship Actual - Packaging
Try Depop profit calculator or Mercari version. Instant transparent math, built for seller decisions.
Decision Framework: Which is Better for Sellers?
Casual Low-Value Flips
Mercari—faster search, bundles shine, instant payouts if you pay $1.
Fashion Discovery & Trends
Depop—Gen Z vibe drives where to sell clothes online, lower fees protect margins.
Higher-Priced or Shipping-Heavy
Depop for fee savings; Mercari if you control Depop vs Mercari shipping labels tightly.
- Bundles/Bulky: Mercari (shipping baked in)
- Speed: Mercari weekly free
- Margins: Depop 0%
Listing & Pricing Checklists
Mercari Best Practices
- Price item + shipping separately
- Use bundles for 20%+ lift
- Instant payout for urgency
Depop Best Practices
- Hashtag trends, styled photos
- Enable offers for negotiation
- Price to cover 3.3% + actuals
Cross-shop with Poshmark guides?
FAQs: Mercari vs Depop
Does Depop charge 0% forever?
For new US listings post-July 2024; legacy may differ—check app.
Which has cheaper shipping?
Tie—you set rates; Mercari offers calculated labels.
Best for shoes/accessories?
Depop for trendy; Mercari for volume.
Methodology & Assumptions
Verified August 11, 2026 via official apps/sites. Assumes buyer pays shipping, seller covers USPS actuals ($6), $1 packaging, no sales tax/VAT, new listings only. Clear numbers before they commit—use our pricing calculators for your variables. Platforms evolve; confirm live.
Your resale edge starts with the math. Which platform calls your inventory home?