Who this is for
Sellers deciding between Facebook Marketplace and eBay—or considering both. Whether you're clearing out a closet or building a reselling business, the platform you choose affects your fees, reach, and how much work each sale takes.
Compare fees across marketplaces
See which platform gives you the best profit: Etsy, Amazon, or eBay.
The goal
Understand the key differences between Facebook Marketplace and eBay so you can choose the right platform for your products, volume, and goals. By the end of this guide, you'll know which platform costs less, reaches further, and gives you better tools.
Quick comparison: Facebook Marketplace vs eBay
| Factor | Facebook Marketplace | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Local sales fee | 0% (free) | 13.6% + $0.30 |
| Shipped items fee | ~13% | ~14% |
| Monthly subscription | None | Optional ($7.95–$349.95) |
| Audience reach | Local + national (US) | National + global (190+ markets) |
| Active users | 1.2B monthly purchasing users | 134M active buyers |
| Best for | Local sales, furniture, everyday items | Collectibles, electronics, global reach |
| Seller tools | Basic | Comprehensive |
| Listing limit | Up to 150/day | 250 free/month (more with store) |
Both platforms have clear strengths. Facebook wins on local sales and zero fees. eBay wins on global reach, seller tools, and buyer protections.
Fee comparison: Facebook Marketplace vs eBay
Facebook Marketplace fee structure
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Listing fee | Free |
| Local pickup sales | 0% (no fees) |
| Shipped items selling fee | 10% of total (min $0.80) |
| Payment processing | 2.9% of order total |
| Typical total (shipped) | ~13% |
Facebook Marketplace is free for local sales. Shipped items cost approximately 13% after the selling fee and payment processing.
For a full breakdown, see our Facebook Marketplace fees guide.
eBay fee structure
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Insertion fee | Free (first 250/month), then $0.35 |
| Final value fee (most categories) | 13.6% up to $7,500 |
| Per-order fee | $0.30 (orders ≤$10) or $0.40 (orders >$10) |
| Typical total | ~14% |
eBay fees vary by category. Some categories charge more (Books/Media at 15.3%, Jewelry at 15%) while others charge less (Guitars at 6.7%, Heavy Equipment at 3%).
For a full breakdown, see our eBay fees explained guide.
Side-by-side fee examples
Here's what each platform costs on real sales:
| Item | Facebook (Local) | Facebook (Shipped) | eBay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 item + $5 shipping | $0 | $3.00 | $4.48 |
| $50 item + $8 shipping | $0 | $5.80 | $8.29 |
| $100 item + $10 shipping | $0 | $11.00 | $15.36 |
| $500 item + $15 shipping | $0 | $51.50 | $70.44 |
Facebook wins on fees at every price point—dramatically for local sales, and by 1–3% for shipped items. The gap widens as item price increases. Calculate exact fees for your items with our Facebook Marketplace Fee Calculator.
eBay store subscriptions
eBay offers optional store subscriptions that reduce fees:
| Store Tier | Monthly Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $7.95 | Lower insertion fees, more free listings |
| Basic | $27.95 | Reduced final value fees on some categories |
| Premium | $74.95 | Further fee reductions, more promotions |
| Anchor | $349.95 | Lowest fees, highest listing allocation |
For high-volume sellers doing 50+ sales per month, an eBay store subscription can reduce effective fees below Facebook's shipped rate.
Compare fees across marketplaces
See which platform gives you the best profit: Etsy, Amazon, or eBay.
Audience and reach
Facebook Marketplace
- 1.2 billion monthly purchasing users globally
- 250 million sellers
- 51% market share of social commerce transactions
- Primarily local and national reach (US-focused for shipping)
- No international shipping through Facebook checkout
Facebook Marketplace's audience is massive but geographically limited. Buyers browse casually while scrolling Facebook—they're not necessarily in "shopping mode." This works well for impulse purchases and everyday items at good prices.
eBay
- 134 million active buyers worldwide
- 18.3 million sellers
- Ships to 190+ countries via Global Shipping Program
- Buyers are actively searching for specific items
- Strong presence in collectibles, electronics, and auto parts
eBay's audience is smaller but more intentional. Buyers come to eBay specifically to shop, often searching for exact products. This means higher conversion rates for niche and specialty items.
Demographics
| Demographic | Facebook Marketplace | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Largest age group | 25–34 (31.7% of users) | 35–64 (61% of US users) |
| Gender split | Slightly male-skewed | Roughly even |
| Mobile usage | Primarily mobile | 75% of 18–34 users on mobile |
| Shopping behavior | Casual, price-sensitive | Intentional, collector-oriented |
Facebook Marketplace skews younger and more casual. eBay skews older and more deliberate. Match your product to the audience that's most likely to buy it.
Seller tools
Facebook Marketplace tools
Facebook Marketplace offers minimal native seller tools:
- Basic listing creation with photos, title, description, price
- Messenger for buyer communication
- Simple order management for shipped items
- Listing boost (paid promotion starting at $1/day)
- No bulk listing, analytics, or inventory management
For anything beyond basic selling, you need third-party tools like Vendoo, Crosslist, or List Perfectly for cross-listing and management.
eBay seller tools
eBay provides comprehensive seller tools:
- Seller Hub: Dashboard with sales analytics, traffic data, and listing management
- Terapeak: Market research tool showing pricing trends and sell-through rates
- Bulk listing: CSV/XLS upload for listing hundreds of items at once
- Listing templates: Save and reuse listing formats
- Promoted Listings: Standard (pay-on-sale) and Advanced (cost-per-click) advertising
- Shipping tools: Discounted labels, calculated shipping, Global Shipping Program
- Seller levels: Performance standards with fee discounts for top sellers
- Automatic feedback: Auto-positive feedback for completed orders (rolled out September 2025)
eBay is built for sellers who treat reselling as a business. If you're listing more than a handful of items, eBay's tools save significant time.
Seller protections
Facebook Marketplace
- Purchase Protection: Buyers can file claims within 45 days of delivery
- Seller response window: 10 days to respond or you automatically lose
- Chargeback fee: $20 per chargeback, no seller protection program
- No formal seller ratings defense: Buyer ratings are public after 5+ reviews
- Limited appeal process: Disputed decisions are difficult to overturn
Facebook's protections lean heavily toward buyers. The 10-day auto-loss policy is particularly punishing—if you miss the notification, you lose regardless of evidence.
eBay
- Money Back Guarantee: Buyers can file within 30 days
- Seller protections: Tracking from integrated carriers can prove delivery
- Chargeback fee: $20, but waived under Payment Dispute Seller Protections for eligible transactions
- Top Rated Seller benefits: Additional protections and fee discounts
- Detailed Seller Ratings: Item description, communication, shipping time, and shipping cost rated separately
- Structured appeal process: Multiple escalation paths available
eBay offers stronger seller protections, especially for sellers who ship with tracking through eBay-integrated carriers. The Payment Dispute Seller Protections can cover the chargeback amount for qualifying transactions.
Shipping comparison
Facebook Marketplace shipping
- Prepaid labels: Discontinued for most sellers (February 2025), available to select high-volume sellers only
- Own labels: Purchase from USPS, UPS, FedEx, or discount services
- Shipping deadline: 3 business days from order
- International shipping: Not available through Facebook checkout
- Weight limit: 50 lbs
For detailed carrier comparisons and cost-saving tips, see our Facebook Marketplace shipping guide.
eBay shipping
- Discounted labels: Available through Seller Hub at commercial rates
- Calculated shipping: Auto-calculates cost based on buyer location
- Global Shipping Program: Ship to a US hub, eBay handles international delivery
- Handling time: Configurable per listing (1, 2, 3+ business days)
- No strict weight limit: Carrier-dependent
eBay's shipping infrastructure is more mature. Discounted labels, calculated shipping, and the Global Shipping Program make it easier and cheaper to ship—especially internationally.
What sells better on each platform
Facebook Marketplace strengths
- Furniture and large items: Local pickup eliminates shipping costs and hassle
- Everyday household items: Kitchen appliances, decor, baby gear
- Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, boats (dedicated vehicle category)
- Local services: Lawn care equipment, tools
- Casual clothing: Everyday brands, seasonal items
- Quick flips: Items you want to sell fast without listing optimization
eBay strengths
- Collectibles and vintage: Trading cards, coins, stamps, antiques
- Electronics: Phones, laptops, gaming consoles, parts
- Auto parts: Large, specialized market
- Branded items: Specific brands and models buyers search for
- Niche products: Items with a small but dedicated audience
- High-value items: Stronger protections and global audience for expensive items
Items that work on both
- Clothing and shoes (especially branded)
- Books and media
- Sports equipment
- Tools and hardware
- Toys and games
When to use Facebook Marketplace
Choose Facebook Marketplace when:
- You're selling locally: Zero fees and no shipping hassle
- You want the simplest process: List, message, meet, sell
- Your items are bulky or heavy: Furniture, appliances, large equipment
- You're testing prices: Quick, free listings to gauge demand
- You want fast, casual sales: Less process than eBay
- Your margins are thin: The fee difference (0% local vs 14% eBay) matters
Ready to start on Facebook? Our getting started guide walks you through account setup and your first listing.
When to use eBay
Choose eBay when:
- You sell niche or collectible items: Dedicated buyer base searching for specifics
- You want global reach: Access to 190+ countries
- You're building a business: Better tools, analytics, and scaling features
- You need seller protections: Stronger dispute resolution and chargeback coverage
- Your items have high value: Better protections for expensive transactions
- You want professional selling tools: Bulk listing, analytics, promoted listings
Using both platforms
Many successful resellers use both platforms simultaneously:
- List locally on Facebook first — Zero fees, fastest sales for appropriate items
- List on eBay for wider reach — Especially for niche, high-value, or shippable items
- Cross-list with tools — Vendoo, Crosslist, or List Perfectly can post to both from one interface
- Remove sold listings promptly — Avoid selling the same item twice
The overhead of managing two platforms is minimal with cross-listing tools, and you maximize your buyer exposure.
FAQ
Is Facebook Marketplace cheaper than eBay?
For local sales, yes—Facebook is free while eBay charges ~14% regardless. For shipped items, Facebook (~13%) is slightly cheaper than eBay (~14%), though eBay store subscriptions can reduce eBay's rate below Facebook's for high-volume sellers.
Which platform has more buyers?
Facebook Marketplace has more users (1.2 billion monthly) but they're casual browsers. eBay has fewer users (134 million active buyers) but they're actively shopping with purchase intent. More users doesn't always mean more sales for your specific items.
Can I sell on both at the same time?
Yes. Many sellers cross-list on both platforms using tools like Vendoo or Crosslist. Just remove sold listings quickly to avoid double-selling.
Which platform is safer for sellers?
eBay offers stronger seller protections, including Payment Dispute Seller Protections that can cover chargeback amounts. Facebook's Purchase Protection is more buyer-friendly, with an automatic loss if sellers don't respond within 10 days.
Which is better for high-value items?
eBay. Stronger seller protections, buyer authentication programs, and a global audience make eBay the safer choice for expensive items. Facebook's dispute resolution process is less structured and harder to appeal.
Does eBay charge fees on local pickup?
Yes. Unlike Facebook Marketplace, eBay charges final value fees regardless of whether the buyer picks up in person or receives shipping. There's no zero-fee local option on eBay.
Next steps
- Generate a complete listing — title, description, and tags in 30 seconds with our Facebook Marketplace listing generator.
- Calculate your fees with our Facebook Marketplace Fee Calculator or eBay Fee Calculator.
- Compare all platforms using our Platform Comparison Calculator.
- Understand your costs with our Facebook Marketplace fees and eBay fees guides.
- Optimize your listings with our Facebook Marketplace listing tips or eBay title optimization guides.
Compare fees across marketplaces
See which platform gives you the best profit: Etsy, Amazon, or eBay.
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Sources
- eBay Selling Fees Official Help
- LitCommerce - Facebook Marketplace Fees 2026
- Capital One Shopping - Facebook Marketplace Statistics
- Capital One Shopping - eBay Statistics
- eBay Money Back Guarantee Policy
- OneShop - Facebook Marketplace Purchase Protection
- ThunderBit - eBay Statistics 2025
- SQ Magazine - Facebook Marketplace Statistics 2026
- 3DSellers - eBay Automatic Feedback
- Vendoo - Facebook Marketplace vs eBay