Mercari and Poshmark are the two most popular mobile-first reselling platforms in the United States. Both are excellent for selling clothing, accessories, and household items, but their fee structures differ significantly. Understanding these differences can save you hundreds of dollars per year if you sell regularly.
Mercari's Simplified Fee Structure
As of January 2025, Mercari streamlined its fees considerably. Sellers now pay a single 10% selling fee on the item price plus buyer-paid shipping. There is no separate payment processing fee, no listing fee, and no additional flat per-order charge. This makes Mercari one of the most straightforward platforms to calculate profit on. On a $50 item, you'd pay exactly $5.00 in fees.
Poshmark's Commission Model
Poshmark charges a flat $2.95 commission on sales under $15 and a 20% commission on sales of $15 or more. While the simplicity is nice, that 20% rate is double Mercari's 10%. On a $50 sale, Poshmark takes $10.00 — twice what Mercari charges for the identical item.
The $15 Threshold
For items priced under $15, the comparison flips. Poshmark's flat $2.95 can actually be cheaper than Mercari's 10% for items in the $10-$14.99 range. On a $12 item, Poshmark charges $2.95 (24.6%) while Mercari charges $1.20 (10%). Below roughly $30, the difference between platforms is relatively small in dollar terms, though the percentage gap is always there.
Poshmark includes a prepaid USPS Priority Mail shipping label for buyers, which simplifies the shipping process. Mercari offers prepaid labels too but also allows sellers to ship on their own. Both platforms handle payment processing within their commission — neither charges a separate processing fee.
The audience matters as much as fees. Poshmark leans heavily toward women's fashion and has a strong social selling component (sharing, Posh Parties, following). Mercari is more general-purpose, accepting everything from furniture to electronics to toys. If you're selling fashion exclusively, Poshmark's engaged buyer base might justify the higher fee. For general merchandise, Mercari's lower fees and broader category support make it the obvious choice.