Mercari vs eBay 2025: Complete Comparison Guide for Sellers & Buyers

Choosing between Mercari and eBay in 2025 can feel tricky, whether you are a first-time seller or a seasoned reseller. Both platforms attract millions of buyers every month, but the way they work, the fees they charge, and the type of audience they serve are very different.

For example, eBay remains one of the largest marketplaces worldwide with over 132 million active buyers in 2025, while Mercari has become popular in the U.S. for its simple listing process and buyer-friendly app.

So, which is better: Mercari or eBay? This detailed guide breaks down fees, shipping, payouts, and best-selling categories to help you decide. By the end of this comparison, you’ll know exactly where to start — and if you should use both.

Why Compare Mercari vs eBay in 2025?

If you’re deciding where to start selling online—or looking for ways to increase profit in 2025—then Mercari and eBay are two platforms worth comparing. Both sit at the top of the resale and eCommerce space, offering massive reach and features that support sellers, side hustlers, and even casual users.

Mercari has 22+ million monthly active users globally, with strong U.S. growth and is option for those wanting a fast and simple side hustle

eBay has 134 million active buyers and 18+ million sellers worldwide in 2025. It has huge product diversity with global reach. It is best suited for sellers who want to scale and access international buyers

So why do people compare Mercari vs eBay? You care about selling fees, shipping, payout speed, buyer protections, and success odds. Both platforms offer safety nets, massive audiences, and solid resale ecosystems. Whether you want to flip fashion or scale up a business, this comparison reveals the strengths, weaknesses, and real costs you face in 2025.

Mercari vs eBay – Platform Overview

Choosing between Mercari and eBay in 2025 means understanding what each platform offers. Both are leaders in the reselling space, but their style, audience, and numbers show very different strengths. Here’s a closer look.

What is Mercari? (2025 Snapshot)

Mercari is often described as the “friendly neighborhood marketplace” because of its easy, app-first design. It started in Japan but has steadily grown in the U.S.

Key Stats for 2025

• 90 million global visits (June 2025)
• 17% of traffic from the U.S.
• 70% of traffic still rooted in Japan
• Strong base of casual sellers and fashion resellers

Why Sellers Choose Mercari

• Fast, simple listings – snap a photo, add a description, and your item goes live
• Flat 10% selling fee + processing charge → easy to calculate profit
• Works best for clothes, electronics, and household goods
• Perfect for reselling beginners or busy people who want a quick side hustle

What is eBay? (2025 Snapshot)

eBay remains one of the largest online marketplaces worldwide, offering unmatched reach and variety.

Key Stats for 2025

• 134 million active buyers
• 18.3 million sellers globally
• Over 2.1 billion live listings
• 75% of mobile users are between 18–34 years old
• Nearly 70% of traffic comes from the U.S.

Why Sellers Choose eBay

• Huge range of products: from vintage toys to luxury watches
• Multiple selling formats: fixed-price or auction listings
• Advanced features like seller analytics and global shipping
• Fees range from 10–15%, depending on category and extras like promoted listings
• Best for sellers who want to scale a business or sell internationally

Mercari vs eBay – Key Differences at a Glance

Below is a quick comparison table to help you see the major differences between Mercari and eBay in 2025. This table covers active users, selling fees, best product categories, payout speed, and seller support—so you can instantly spot what matters most for your goals.

This snapshot helps you quickly weigh your options for the Mercari vs eBay comparison. 

Mercari vs eBay Selling Fees 2025

When comparing Mercari vs eBay fees in 2025, the difference comes down to simplicity vs complexity. Mercari keeps things straightforward with a flat rate, while eBay offers layered pricing with more options but also more costs to track.

• Mercari: Flat 10% selling fee (including buyer-paid shipping) → predictable and easy to calculate.
• eBay: Insertion fees + final value fees (10–15%) + processing charges → flexible but more complex.

Example: Sell a jacket for $100 + $10 shipping.

• On Mercari, you pay $11 total (10% of $110).
• On eBay, with an average 12.55% fee, you pay around $13.75 for the same sale.

Mercari Fees Explained (2025)

The detailed Mercari fees is explained below:

• Listing Fee: $0 – always free to list
• Selling Fee: 10% of sale price (including buyer-paid shipping)
• Processing Fee: None for sellers (removed in 2025)
• Buyer Protection Fee: Buyers pay 3.6% for added protection
• Withdrawal Fee:
  
  • Free for direct deposit
  • $3 fee for instant pay

eBay Fees Explained (2025)

The detailed ebay fees is explained below:

• Insertion Fee: First 250 listings/month free, then $0.35 each
• Final Value Fee: 10–15% depending on category and seller status
• Payment Processing Fee: 2.7% + $0.25 per sale under managed payments
• Store Subscription: Optional monthly cost that reduces some fees and unlocks advanced tools
• Other Fees: Promoted listings, currency conversion, and international selling charges

Additional Costs to Consider

Both platforms also include extra costs beyond selling fees:

Promotions

• Mercari: Limited visibility boost features
• eBay: Promoted listings priced by clicks or conversions

Shipping

• Mercari: Prepaid labels often cost less
• eBay: Volume discounts + wider international shipping options

Returns

• Mercari: Buyers have 3 days to request returns
• eBay: Depends on seller’s policy, but platform often favors buyers

Listing Process & Seller Tools

How you list and promote items directly impacts how quickly they sell and how much profit you make. Both Mercari and eBay provide different experiences based on your selling style and goals.

Mercari Listing Process

Mercari is built for speed and simplicity, making it ideal for casual or first-time sellers. Most people list items straight from the app.

• Snap photos of your item
• Add a description and select a category
• Set your price (with automatic price suggestions available)
• Choose shipping options (prepaid labels included)

eBay Listing Process

eBay’s process is more detailed and customizable, giving sellers greater control and flexibility.

• Choose between fixed price or auction formats
• Upload up to 24 photos
• Add detailed item specifics and conditions
• Set custom shipping options, including international shipping
• Use eBay’s guidance for SEO-friendly titles and listing optimizations

Seller Tools & Promotions

Mercari Seller Tools

Mercari keeps tools simple yet effective:

• Promote Listings: Boost visibility with a small fee
• Offer to Likers: Send targeted discounts to interested buyers
• Smart Pricing: Automatically lowers prices over time to increase chances of selling

Designed for sellers who want easy, hands-off tools that improve sales without needing advanced strategies.

eBay Seller Tools

eBay shines with scaling-focused features:

• Promoted Listings: Advertise to reach a wider audience
• Auction Format: Create urgency for rare or collectible items
• Advanced Analytics & Reports: Track performance, optimize pricing, and manage inventory

Ideal for serious or professional sellers who want to scale and reach international buyers.

Audience & Product Categories

Knowing who shops on Mercari and eBay—and which products perform best—helps both new and seasoned sellers maximize profits.

Types of Buyers on Mercari

Mercari appeals to value-focused and tech-savvy shoppers, with most activity happening through its app.

Demographics

• Millennials and Gen Z dominate
• Biggest age group: 25–34 years old
• Gender split: 54% male, 46% female

Buyer Habits

• Strong preference for mobile shopping
• Look for affordable clothing, gadgets, and home goods
• Love secondhand deals, bundles, and unique finds

Many sellers use Mercari to declutter or flip items, making it a top choice for casual resellers.

Types of Buyers on eBay

eBay’s audience is broad and diverse, ranging from casual buyers to serious collectors.

Demographics & Reach

• 134 million active buyers worldwide (2025)
• Nearly 75% of mobile shoppers are 18–34 years old
• Desktop buyers skew older compared to TikTok or Amazon shoppers
• U.S. leads with 70% of all visits

Buyer Segments

• Side hustlers and small business owners
• Collectors and power buyers (spending $3,000+/year)
• Professional resellers

eBay’s mix of everyday shoppers and high-value collectors makes it a strong platform for scaling businesses.

Product Categories Comparison

What Sells Best on Mercari

Mercari thrives on fashion, affordable goods, and secondhand trends:

• Clothing & accessories (vintage tees, handbags)
• Electronics/gadgets (earbuds, gaming consoles)
• Shoes, especially sneakers and designer brands
• Home décor and small furniture
• Beauty and personal care products
• Toys, books, and kids’ bundles
• Sports and outdoor gear

What Sells Best on eBay

eBay dominates in specialty, high-ticket, and collector-focused categories:

• Clothing and fashion accessories
• Collectibles, trading cards, action figures
• Refurbished electronics and mobile accessories
• Jewelry, designer handbags, watches
• Home & garden tools and décor
• Automotive parts, health & beauty, pet supplies
• Seasonal items (holiday décor, summer gear)
• Consumer electronics (gaming, laptops, cameras)

Shipping Options & Cost

Shipping is one of the biggest factors that influence how quickly items sell and how much profit you keep. Both Mercari and eBay provide solid shipping solutions, but their approaches differ.

Mercari Shipping (Prepaid Labels, Smart Pricing, Options)

Mercari is designed for simplicity and convenience. Most sellers prefer its built-in prepaid label system.

• Prepaid Labels: Buy discounted labels directly through the app or website (USPS, FedEx, UPS).
• Who Pays: Choose at listing time whether the buyer or seller covers shipping.
• Smart Pricing: Automatically lowers listing prices over time, helping absorb shipping costs while still attracting buyers.
• Typical Fees: Range from $4 to $15 depending on item size and weight.
• Integration: Seamless in-app process makes it quick and beginner-friendly.

Best for sellers who value predictability and time savings when managing shipping.

eBay Shipping (Calculated vs Flat Rate, International Reach)

eBay gives sellers flexibility and control over how shipping works.

• Calculated Shipping: Based on package weight, dimensions, and destination.
• Flat Rate Shipping: Charge a set fee regardless of location.
• Free Shipping Option: Boosts listing appeal; sellers often bundle shipping cost into the product price.
• Global Shipping Program: Handles customs and international fees, making cross-border sales easy.
• Discounted Rates: Access USPS and UPS discounts, with bigger savings for high-volume sellers.

Best for sellers managing diverse inventory or international buyers who need multiple shipping strategies.

Who Pays for Shipping? (Buyer vs Seller Strategies)

Both Mercari and eBay let sellers decide who covers shipping costs.

• Buyer Pays: Common for bulky/heavy items (furniture, gear) → avoids cutting into your profit.
• Seller Pays (Free Shipping): Works well for small items like clothing, books, or accessories → attracts more clicks and conversions.
• Bundling Costs: Many sellers build shipping fees into the item price to create a more attractive “free shipping” offer.

Strategy depends on your niche, item size, and sales goals. Free shipping often drives more sales, while buyer-paid shipping helps protect profit margins.

Payment Processing & Getting Paid

For sellers, smooth and timely payouts are essential. Both Mercari and eBay offer reliable systems, but each works differently when it comes to processing time, withdrawal methods, and fees.

Getting Paid on Mercari

Mercari keeps payouts straightforward and beginner-friendly. Once the item is delivered and the buyer leaves a rating, funds move to your Mercari balance.

Withdrawal Options

• Direct Deposit (ACH)
  
  • Free of charge
  • Sent directly to your bank account
  • Takes 5–7 business days
  • Instant Pay
  • Funds arrive within 30 minutes
  • Costs $3 per transaction (once per day, up to $600/month)
  • Requires verified ID + linked debit card

• Other Details
  
  • Failed withdrawals cost $2 fee (encourages accurate bank info)
  • No extra payment processing fee as of 2025 → sellers keep more profit

Best for sellers who value predictability with the option for quick cashouts.

Getting Paid on eBay

eBay uses Managed Payments, eliminating the need for PayPal. Funds go directly to your bank account or Payoneer.

Payout Timelines

• Standard Payouts
  
  • Processed in about 2 business days after sale confirmation
  • Sellers usually receive money in 1–3 days, depending on bank schedules
• Express/On-Demand Payouts (U.S. only)
  
  • Available for faster access
  • May include a small fee
  • Not widely used compared to free standard payouts

• Other Details
  
  • All transactions are handled through eBay → easier tracking
  • PayPal is no longer used for seller payouts

Best for sellers managing higher volume sales who prefer structured payouts directly to their bank or Payoneer.

Returns, Refunds & Seller Protection

Both Mercari and eBay provide rules and safeguards to keep transactions safe, but their policies differ in return windows, refund handling, and seller protection measures. Understanding these helps avoid unpleasant surprises.

Mercari Returns & Refunds Policy

Mercari has a strict and short return window, focusing on protecting sellers from unnecessary returns.

• Return Window: Buyers must request a return within 3 days of delivery.
• Valid Reasons: Only accepted if the item is:
  
  • Not as described
  • Arrived damaged
  • Wrong product shipped
• Proof Requirement: Buyers must provide photos or details within 24 hours of filing the request.
• Change of Mind Returns: No longer allowed since May 2024 (after seller feedback).
• Return Shipping: Buyer usually pays for shipping and fees.
• Seller Inspection: Once returned, sellers have 24 hours to inspect and report issues.
• Low-Value Items: Sometimes handled with buyer credits instead of returns.

Mercari’s system reduces unnecessary returns, but disputes can still lean in the buyer’s favor when cases are unclear.

eBay Returns & Refunds Policy

eBay offers more flexibility, giving sellers control but backing buyers with a strong guarantee.

• Seller Return Policy
  
  • Most sellers offer 30-day returns
  • Some extend to 60 days to increase buyer trust and sales
• eBay Money Back Guarantee
  
  • Covers items that are not as described, damaged, or never arrived
  • Applies even if the seller does not accept returns
• Who Pays Shipping
  
  • Buyer pays for change of mind returns
  • Seller pays if item was damaged, incorrect, or misrepresented
• Advanced Monitoring (2025): AI helps detect buyer abuse, giving sellers more appeal options in unfair cases.

eBay’s return policy is buyer-friendly, but tools exist for sellers to manage risk and disputes.

Disputes, Buyer Claims & Seller Protection

Both platforms provide dispute resolution and protection programs, but with different strengths.

Mercari Seller Protection

• Appeals possible if the item was returned in a different condition or damaged.
• Expanded Full Compensation Program (2025):
  
  • If buyer and seller can’t agree, Mercari sometimes refunds the buyer while letting the seller keep their earnings (case-dependent).

eBay Seller Protection

• Shields sellers from abusive buyers:
  
  • Removes unfair negative feedback
  • Allows partial refunds (up to 50%) for items returned in worse condition
  • Suspends buyers who repeatedly misuse returns
• Requires sellers to maintain good performance metrics to stay eligible.

Dispute Resolution & Support

• Mercari: In-app messaging and app-based support only.
• eBay: Chat and phone support for escalated disputes, plus more robust appeal options.

Customer Support & Seller Experience

How well a platform supports its sellers can make or break the selling journey. Both Mercari and eBay prioritize seller assistance, but their approaches differ in style and depth.

Mercari Seller Support (App-First, Chat-Based)

Mercari keeps support simple and mobile-focused, catering to casual and first-time sellers.

• Support Channels
  
  • In-app chat feature
  • Help center with quick guides
• Response Style
  
  • Fast replies for common issues (listings, payments, disputes)
  • Friendly tone tailored to casual sellers
• Limitations
  
  • No phone support
  • Complex issues may take longer to resolve
• Improvements
  
  • Chatbot and app support constantly updated for faster solutions

Best for sellers who prefer quick, app-based support and don’t need live phone help.

eBay Seller Support (Phone, Advanced Help, Priority for Top Sellers)

eBay offers a more robust support network, designed for high-volume and professional sellers.

• Support Channels
  
  • Phone, chat, and email options
  • Priority access for top-rated and high-volume sellers
• Strengths
  
  • Phone support → direct help for complex issues like account holds, appeals, or disputes
  • Extensive knowledge base and community forums for self-service solutions
• Seller Advantage
  
  • Dedicated reps and faster resolutions for serious sellers
  • Support tailored to help scaling businesses

Best for sellers who need hands-on, real-time assistance and value priority support.

Pros & Cons of Mercari vs eBay

Choosing between Mercari and eBay in 2025 depends on your goals. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each platform does best — and where it falls short.

Pros of Selling on Mercari

• User-friendly app & simple listings → great for beginners and casual sellers
• Flat 10% selling fee → predictable, easy to calculate profit
• Quick payouts with Instant Pay option ($3 fee, funds in minutes)
• Strong categories: fashion, electronics, everyday items
• Convenient shipping with prepaid labels

Cons of Selling on Mercari

• Smaller audience than eBay; limited global reach
• No phone support (chat-based only)
• Strict return policies often favor buyers in disputes
• Not ideal for high-volume sellers or niche/specialty markets
• No auction format or advanced selling tools

Pros of Selling on eBay

• Huge global audience → 134M active buyers worldwide
• Flexible listing formats: auctions, fixed price, bulk selling
• Advanced analytics & seller tools to scale a business
• Stronger seller protections and dispute resolution options
• Multichannel support (phone, chat, email) with priority help for top-rated sellers

Cons of Selling on eBay

• Complex fee structure (insertion fees, tiered final value fees)
• Steeper learning curve for new sellers
• Slower payouts (typically 1–3 days) compared to Mercari Instant Pay
• High competition in popular categories
• Shipping complexity, especially for international sales

Can You Sell on Both Mercari and eBay?

Yes—you can sell on both Mercari and eBay at the same time to maximize reach. Many resellers do this using crosslisting tools like:

• Vendoo
• List Perfectly
• Flip
• Crosslist

These platforms let you create a listing once and publish it across multiple marketplaces (Mercari, eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, and more) with just a few clicks. This saves time and helps boost sales by tapping into different buyer bases.

Managing Inventory Across Platforms

Crosslisting is powerful, but inventory management is key to avoid overselling the same item twice.

• Tools like List Perfectly and Vendoo offer:
  
  • Delist/Relist Features – Automatically end listings when an item sells elsewhere
  • Linked Listings – Keep track of products across marketplaces
  • Draft Management – Create once, update everywhere
  • Price/Detail Sync – Adjust listings across all platforms at once

This ensures your reselling business stays organized, efficient, and scalable.

Mercari vs eBay vs Etsy – Where Does Etsy Fit?

While Mercari and eBay dominate resale markets, Etsy shines for handmade, vintage, and niche goods.

• Mercari
  
  • Best for fashion, everyday household goods, toys, and tech
  • Popular with younger, deal-hunting shoppers
  • Designed for quick, casual selling
• eBay
  
  • Covers new, used, rare, and collectible items
  • Offers auctions, global shipping, bulk selling, and advanced analytics
  • Ideal for high-volume and specialty sellers
• Etsy
  
  • Focuses on handmade, vintage (20+ years old), and craft supplies
  • Audience expects unique, creative, and higher-priced products
  • Strong niche community for artisans and collectors

Which Platform Suits Handmade, Vintage & Niche Products?

• Handmade
  
  • Etsy is the clear leader → buyers come specifically for handmade and artisan products
  • Mercari/eBay may work but usually at lower price points
• Vintage
  
  • Etsy (strictly requires 20+ years old)
  • eBay (open to all vintage + rare collectibles)
• Niche/Specialty Products
  
  • eBay: Global reach and strong search tools
  • Etsy: Creative audience willing to pay premium prices
  • Mercari: Best for quick flips and everyday deals

Conclusion – Which Platform is Right for You?

If you want quick, easy sales and mostly sell clothing or everyday items, Mercari is your best bet. It’s perfect for casual resellers who value simplicity and fast transactions.

For professional sellers looking to reach a global audience or sell collectibles and rare items, eBay offers advanced tools, auctions, and international shipping options.

To source quality products, consider using Spocket—a reliable platform that connects you to US and global suppliers. You can easily find winning products and sell them on Mercari or eBay to grow your business quickly.