Depop vs. Poshmark vs. Mercari

Depop vs. Poshmark vs. Mercari: The Ultimate Resale Showdown

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The world of online resale is booming, offering a sustainable and savvy way to refresh your wardrobe or turn closet clutter into cash. Three platforms dominate this space: Poshmark, Depop, and Mercari. But while they all help you buy and sell pre-loved goods, they cater to vastly different audiences and operate with unique rules. Choosing the right one can be the difference between a quick sale and a listing that gathers digital dust.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the ultimate depop vs poshmark vs mercari debate. We’ll explore their fees, features, audiences, and shipping policies to help you decide which app is the perfect match for your style and selling goals.

Table of Contents

At a Glance: Poshmark vs. Depop vs. Mercari

Feature Poshmark Depop Mercari
Best For Mainstream & designer brands, social sellers Vintage, streetwear, Y2K, and unique styles A wide variety of items beyond fashion
Primary Audience Millennials & Gen X Gen Z & Young Millennials Broad, general audience
Seller Fees 20% (sales ≥ $15) or $2.95 (sales < $15) 10% + transaction fee (~3.49% + $0.49) 10% + payment processing fee (2.9% + $0.50)
Shipping Buyer pays a flat rate; seller uses a prepaid label Flexible: Seller can use Depop’s label or ship on their own Flexible: Seller can use Mercari’s label, ship on their own, or offer free shipping
Vibe Social, community-driven, like a virtual shopping party Trendy, creative, and aesthetic-focused, like Instagram Simple, transactional, and straightforward, like a virtual flea market

Poshmark: The Social Marketplace

Founded in 2011, Poshmark is a leading resale marketplace built on a foundation of community and social engagement. With over 130 million members across the U.S. and Canada, it’s designed to make online selling feel like a shared experience. The platform’s mission is to put people at the heart of commerce, and it achieves this through features that encourage interaction.

The core of the Poshmark experience is "sharing." Sellers share their own listings to their followers and to virtual "Posh Parties," which are real-time shopping events focused on specific brands, categories, or trends. This social activity is key to visibility and sales. It’s a platform where engagement is rewarded, making it a haven for those who enjoy the community aspect of selling. When considering poshmark or mercari, the social component is Poshmark’s biggest differentiator.

Key Features:

  • Posh Parties: Themed, real-time virtual shopping events that help sellers reach a targeted audience.
  • Social Sharing: The primary way to promote listings. Sellers share their items and items from other closets to increase visibility.
  • Bundling: Buyers can easily bundle multiple items from a single seller to save on shipping, and sellers can offer private bundle discounts.
  • Simple Shipping: Poshmark provides a pre-paid, pre-addressed USPS Priority Mail label for every sale. The buyer pays a flat shipping fee, simplifying the process for sellers.
  • Posh Protect: A buyer protection policy that guarantees a full refund if an item never ships or isn’t as described in the listing.
  • Posh Authenticate: A free authentication service for luxury items sold for $500 or more, providing peace of mind for high-end transactions.

Fees: The poshmark vs mercari fees structure is straightforward. For sales of $15 or more, Poshmark takes a 20% commission. For sales under $15, the fee is a flat rate of $2.95.

Depop: The Trend-Driven Community

Depop feels like a fusion of Instagram and a resale app. It’s a visual, mobile-first platform that champions unique style, vintage finds, streetwear, and one-of-a-kind items. The audience is predominantly Gen Z, who use the app not just to shop but to discover trends and express their individuality.

Success on Depop often hinges on creating a strong brand aesthetic with high-quality, stylized photos and a curated feed. Sellers, often called "Depop famous," build large followings based on their personal style. If you’re deciding between depop or poshmark or mercari, Depop is the undisputed king of youth culture and niche aesthetics. The difference between depop and poshmark is stark: Poshmark is about sharing and community events, while Depop is about curating a cool, shoppable feed.

Key Features:

  • Aesthetic-Focused: Strong, creative photography is crucial. Flat lays, modeling shots, and a consistent visual theme help shops stand out.
  • Flexible Shipping: Sellers have more control. They can use Depop’s shipping labels or arrange for their own shipping, allowing them to set their own prices or offer free shipping.
  • Direct Communication: Buyers often message sellers to ask questions, negotiate prices, or inquire about swaps (though offline transactions are not protected).
  • Global Reach: Depop has a strong presence in the UK, Australia, and the US, giving sellers access to an international audience.

Fees: When comparing depop vs poshmark fees, Depop is generally lower. They charge a straight 10% commission on the total transaction amount (including shipping). On top of this, you’ll pay a standard transaction fee for Depop Payments or PayPal (typically around 3.49% + $0.49 in the US).

Mercari: The "Sell Anything" App

Mercari positions itself as "The Selling App," and its strength lies in its simplicity and breadth. While you can sell fashion, it’s also a marketplace for electronics, home goods, toys, beauty products, and more. The experience is more transactional and less social than Poshmark or Depop, making it a great choice for sellers who want to list items quickly and without the need for constant social engagement.

The question of is mercari like poshmark is common, but they are fundamentally different. Mercari is a straightforward marketplace, while Poshmark is a social commerce platform. Listing on Mercari is incredibly fast, and its broad audience means there’s a potential buyer for almost anything. When weighing mercari vs depop, Mercari is the clear choice for selling a random assortment of household items, whereas Depop is highly specialized in fashion.

Key Features:

  • Wide Range of Categories: You can sell almost anything, from a designer handbag to a video game console.
  • Simple Listing Process: The app is designed for speed, allowing you to list an item in minutes.
  • Flexible Shipping Options: Sellers can pay for shipping themselves, use Mercari’s discounted prepaid labels (with rates based on weight), or ship on their own. This flexibility is a key factor in the mercari vs poshmark debate.
  • Mercari Authenticate: A service where luxury items can be professionally authenticated for a fee.
  • Seller and Buyer Ratings: A two-way rating system helps build trust within the community.

Fees: The mercari fees vs poshmark are a major point of comparison. Mercari charges a 10% commission on the final sale price. Additionally, there is a payment processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.50.

Head-to-Head Breakdown: Fees, Shipping, and Audience

Choosing the right platform often comes down to the details. Here’s a closer look at the poshmark vs depop vs mercari matchup across the most important categories.

Selling Fees

This is one of the most critical factors for any seller.

  • Poshmark: 20% commission (for sales $15+) or a flat $2.95 (for sales under $15). This is the highest commission but includes customer service and a simple, pre-paid shipping label infrastructure.
  • Depop: 10% commission + a payment processing fee (~3.5%). The depop vs mercari fees are very similar.
  • Mercari: 10% commission + a payment processing fee (2.9% + $0.50). When people ask how much does mercari take vs poshmark, the answer is significantly less, especially on higher-priced items.

Shipping

How you get your item to the buyer varies greatly.

  • Poshmark: The simplest. A flat-rate fee is paid by the buyer, and the seller receives a pre-paid USPS Priority Mail label. You just print and ship. The only variable is needing an upgraded label for packages over 5 lbs.
  • Depop: The most flexible. You can ship with a Depop label (and choose whether you or the buyer pays) or handle shipping completely on your own. This requires more work but gives you full control over costs.
  • Mercari: A mix of both. You can use Mercari’s weight-based labels (and decide who pays), or you can ship it yourself. This flexibility is a big draw for sellers of diverse items.

Audience and Community

Who are you selling to?

  • Poshmark: Primarily millennial and Gen X women looking for popular mall brands (like Lululemon, J. Crew, Free People) and designer labels (like Coach, Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade). The community is active and engaged through social sharing.
  • Depop: Heavily skewed towards Gen Z. They’re looking for vintage, streetwear, Y2K fashion, and unique, expressive pieces. The platform is driven by aesthetics and personal style curation. For sellers with this type of inventory, the answer to is it better to sell on depop or poshmark is almost always Depop.
  • Mercari: The broadest audience. Buyers are looking for deals on a huge variety of items, not just fashion. They are generally less brand-conscious and more price-conscious than Poshmark shoppers.

Which Platform Is Best for You?

The final decision in the depop vs mercari vs poshmark battle depends entirely on what you’re selling, who you want to sell to, and how much effort you want to put in.

For Sellers

  • Sell on Poshmark if… you have a closet full of popular, mainstream brands or designer goods. If you enjoy the social aspect of sharing and engaging with a community to make sales, this is your platform. Selling on poshmark vs mercari often yields higher prices for in-demand fashion brands.
  • Sell on Depop if… your inventory is trendy, vintage, alternative, or one-of-a-kind. If you have a strong aesthetic and enjoy creative photography, you can build a successful shop. When deciding should i sell on depop or poshmark, consider if your items are "cool" and on-trend.
  • Sell on Mercari if… you want a simple, no-fuss way to sell a wide variety of items from clothes to electronics to home decor. If you prefer to "list it and forget it" without social obligations, Mercari is ideal. The better to sell on mercari or poshmark debate often leans toward Mercari for its simplicity and lower fees.

For Buyers

  • Shop on Poshmark if… you’re looking for specific brands and enjoy a community feel. The search filters are excellent, and the bundling feature makes it easy to shop from a single closet.
  • Shop on Depop if… you’re hunting for unique, trend-forward pieces that you won’t find at the mall. It’s the best place for vintage tees, Y2K fashion, and curated aesthetics.
  • Shop on Mercari if… you’re a bargain hunter looking for a deal on just about anything. The search functionality is powerful, and you can find great prices on everyday items. The experience in mercari vs poshmark buying is much more like a traditional online store.

Final Verdict: The Right Choice for Your Closet

There is no single winner in the poshmark vs depop vs mercari race. Each app has carved out a distinct niche in the resale market.

  • Poshmark is the social club for fashion lovers, best for selling and buying well-known brands.
  • Depop is the cool kids’ table, perfect for unique, trend-driven, and vintage style.
  • Mercari is the efficient and versatile superstore, ideal for selling anything and everything with minimal fuss.

The best strategy? Don’t be afraid to cross-post your items on multiple platforms to maximize your reach. What doesn’t sell on Poshmark might be exactly what a buyer on Mercari or Depop is looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Poshmark or Mercari better for selling?
This depends on what you’re selling. Is poshmark or mercari better for selling branded fashion? Poshmark’s audience is often willing to pay more for popular brands. For a wider variety of items or for sellers who prefer lower fees and less social interaction, is mercari or poshmark better to sell on leans toward Mercari.

What is the difference between Mercari and Poshmark?
The main what is the difference between mercari and poshmark is their core model: Poshmark is a social commerce platform focused on fashion, requiring active community participation (sharing). Mercari is a straightforward marketplace for a vast range of goods where the process is more transactional.

Do you make more money on Poshmark or Mercari?
While Poshmark’s 20% fee is higher, brand-name fashion items often sell for higher prices due to its targeted audience. So, do you make more money on poshmark or mercari depends on your item. You keep a higher percentage on Mercari, but the final sale price on Poshmark could be higher, potentially evening things out or even favoring Poshmark for in-demand clothing.

Is it better to sell on Depop or Poshmark?
Is it better to sell on depop or poshmark is a question of style. Sell on Depop for vintage, streetwear, and unique/trendy items aimed at a Gen Z audience. Sell on Poshmark for mainstream mall and designer brands aimed at millennials.

What percentage does Depop take vs Poshmark?
Answering what percentage does depop take vs poshmark is key for sellers. Depop takes a 10% commission plus a payment processing fee (around 3.5%). Poshmark takes a 20% commission (on sales $15+) or a flat $2.95 (on sales under $15).

Is Mercari or Poshmark cheaper?
For sellers, Mercari is cheaper due to its lower commission rate (10% vs. Poshmark’s 20%). For buyers, the final cost depends on the item price, shipping, and taxes, but Poshmark’s flat-rate shipping can sometimes be more expensive for lighter items compared to Mercari’s weight-based shipping.

Which is better, Depop, Poshmark, or Mercari?
The answer to which is better depop poshmark or mercari is subjective. Poshmark is best for social sellers with branded clothing. Depop is best for sellers of unique and vintage styles. Mercari is best for those wanting to sell a wide variety of items with maximum simplicity.

Which is better for sellers, Poshmark or Mercari?
If you want higher potential sale prices for fashion and enjoy community engagement, Poshmark is better. If you prioritize lower fees, shipping flexibility, and selling a broad category of items quickly, then Mercari is the better choice.