🛒 If you’re thinking of starting an online store or side hustle, chances are you’ve considered eBay and Shopify. Both are great platforms for selling online — but how much money do you actually take home after all the fees?
Let’s break it down in simple terms. In this post we also provide a calculator where you can experiment with different sales volumes to see which one makes more sense for you.
Table of Contents
🛍️ eBay vs. Shopify: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | eBay | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Type | Online marketplace | Standalone eCommerce website |
| Setup Time | Super fast (just list and sell) | Takes more setup (custom store, theme) |
| Customer Traffic | Built-in audience (millions of buyers) | You drive your own traffic (ads, SEO) |
| Custom Branding | Limited | Fully customizable |
| Trust Factor | High (eBay reputation helps) | You build your own brand trust |
| Best For | Beginners, used items, collectibles | Serious sellers, DTC brands, scalability |
💰 How Much Money Do You Make? (eBay vs. Shopify)
Let’s say you’re selling a product for $100. Here’s a comparison of what you might actually keep after fees:
⚖️ Side-by-Side Profit Comparison
| Expense Category | eBay | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Sale Price | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Transaction Fees | ~13% final value fee = $13.00 | 2.9% + 30¢ (Shopify Payments) = $3.20 |
| Listing/Monthly Fees | Free/variable (basic account) | $39/month (Shopify Basic) |
| Marketing/Ads | Optional (Promoted Listings) | Optional (Google, FB, etc.) |
| Net Payout (after fee) | $87.00 | $96.80 (before monthly plan) |
Result: You keep ~$9.80 more per sale on Shopify, but only if you have enough volume to cover the monthly cost.
🧮 Example: 50 Sales a Month
Let’s run a quick math check if you sell 50 units per month:
| Metric | eBay | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Sales Revenue | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Estimated Platform Fees | ~$650 (13%) | ~$160 (2.9% + $39) |
| Estimated Take-Home Profit | $4,350 | $4,840 |
🥇 Shopify wins if you’re making consistent sales.
Use the calculator below to see which platform makes more sense for you
✨ Final Thoughts
| Summary | eBay | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Best For | Beginners, small sellers, quick flips | Growing brands, repeat customers |
| 🟡 Fees | Higher per transaction | Lower per sale, but monthly charge |
| 🔵 Traffic | Built-in audience | You build and market it |
| 🧩 Custom Branding | Limited | Full control |
| 💰 Profit Margin | Lower | Higher with volume |
✅ Which Should You Choose?
- Choose eBay if you’re just starting out, selling used goods, or want to test the waters without investing much upfront.
- Choose Shopify if you’re building a brand, selling consistently, and want to scale long-term with lower per-sale fees.