Mercari vs Depop: Complete Platform Comparison for Resellers 2026

Choosing between Mercari and Depop can make or break your margins — and your sanity. Both platforms have millions of active users, but they serve fundamentally different buyers and reward fundamentally different inventory. If you’re listing the wrong items on the wrong platform, you’re leaving money on the table every single day.

This guide breaks down every meaningful difference between Mercari and Depop in 2026, from fee structures and buyer demographics to shipping logistics and promotional tools. Whether you’re a casual seller clearing your closet or a full-time reseller building a business, you’ll walk away knowing exactly where to list each type of item for maximum profit.

Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Fee Breakdown: Where Your Money Actually Goes

Understanding the true cost of selling on each platform is the single most important factor in your listing decisions. The headline “10% fee” on both platforms hides a meaningful difference.

Mercari’s Fee Structure

Mercari charges a flat 10% selling fee on the total sale price, plus a separate payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.50. That processing fee is easy to overlook, but it eats into every sale.

On a $50 sale:

• Selling fee: $5.00 (10%)
• Payment processing: $1.95 (2.9% + $0.50)
• Total fees: $6.95
• Your payout: $43.05 (before shipping)

On a $100 sale:

• Selling fee: $10.00 (10%)
• Payment processing: $3.40 (2.9% + $0.50)
• Total fees: $13.40
• Your payout: $86.60 (before shipping)

On a $25 sale:

• Selling fee: $2.50 (10%)
• Payment processing: $1.23 (2.9% + $0.50)
• Total fees: $3.73
• Your payout: $21.27 (before shipping)

Notice how the $0.50 flat fee hurts proportionally more on lower-priced items. On that $25 sale, your effective fee rate is nearly 15%.

Depop’s Fee Structure

Depop simplified their fee structure for US sellers. You pay a flat 10% on the total transaction amount (item price plus any buyer-paid shipping). There’s no additional payment processing fee stacked on top.

On a $50 sale:

• Selling fee: $5.00 (10%)
• Total fees: $5.00
• Your payout: $45.00 (before shipping)

On a $100 sale:

• Selling fee: $10.00 (10%)
• Total fees: $10.00
• Your payout: $90.00 (before shipping)

The bottom line: Depop saves you roughly 2.9% + $0.50 per sale compared to Mercari. On a $100 item, that’s $3.40. Sell 100 items a month and you’re keeping an extra $340. Over a year, that’s more than $4,000 in your pocket instead of the platform’s.

Use the Mercari fee calculator to run your own numbers and see exact take-home amounts for any price point.

Audience Differences: Who’s Actually Buying?

Fees matter, but they’re meaningless if no one on the platform wants what you’re selling. This is where Mercari and Depop differ most dramatically.

Mercari’s Buyer Base

Mercari attracts a broad, practical-minded audience aged roughly 25 to 55. These are people looking for deals on everyday items — kitchen appliances, video games, kids’ clothing, home décor, tools, and electronics. A Mercari buyer is the parent searching for a gently used Baby Bjorn carrier, the college student looking for a cheap textbook, or the hobbyist hunting for a used drill press.

The platform has particularly strong traction in suburban and rural markets. Buyers who don’t have easy access to thrift stores or consignment shops turn to Mercari for the same secondhand-deal experience, delivered to their door.

Typical Mercari buyer behavior:

• Searches for specific items by keyword
• Compares multiple listings on price and condition
• Makes offers 10-20% below asking price
• Values accurate descriptions and clear photos over aesthetics
• Buys impulsively when they find a good deal

Depop’s Buyer Base

Depop’s core audience is Gen Z — think 16- to 26-year-olds who live on TikTok and Instagram. They’re not shopping for deals on practical items. They’re shopping for unique vintage finds, Y2K fashion, indie brands, upcycled pieces, and anything that looks good in a curated Instagram grid.

Depop buyers are willing to pay a premium for aesthetic, uniqueness, and personal style. A $12 thrifted band tee that might sit for weeks on Mercari could sell for $35-$45 on Depop with the right styled photos and trending hashtags. But these buyers are also savvy — they know what things are worth in the vintage and streetwear markets, and they’ll call out overpriced listings publicly.

Typical Depop buyer behavior:

• Browses by scrolling feeds and exploring curated shops
• Follows sellers whose aesthetic they like
• Pays attention to how items are styled and photographed
• Sends messages to negotiate or ask about measurements
• Buys based on vibe and visual appeal as much as need

Key insight: The same item can be worth dramatically different amounts on each platform. A vintage Nike windbreaker from the '90s? Depop all day — buyers there will pay $60-$80 for the right piece. A Keurig coffee maker? Mercari wins by a mile — Depop buyers aren’t searching for kitchen appliances.

Category Strengths: What Sells Where

Best-Selling Categories on Mercari

• Electronics: Gaming consoles, phones, tablets, headphones, smart home devices
• Home & Kitchen: Small appliances, cookware, storage solutions, home décor
• Kids & Baby: Clothing bundles, toys, strollers, car seats, baby gear
• Sports & Outdoors: Exercise equipment, camping gear, golf clubs, fishing gear
• Books & Media: Textbooks, manga/anime, DVDs, vinyl records, board games
• General Clothing: Everyday brands — Nike, Lululemon, North Face, Under Armour
• Tools & Hardware: Power tools, hand tools, workshop equipment

Best-Selling Categories on Depop

• Vintage Clothing: 1970s-2000s era pieces, Y2K fashion, vintage denim
• Streetwear: Supreme, Stussy, Palace, Bape, Corteiz
• Designer Fashion: Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, Miu Miu, Prada
• Handmade & Upcycled: Custom dyed pieces, reworked vintage, hand-painted denim
• Accessories: Vintage jewelry, scarves, belts, bags, sunglasses
• Shoes: Platform shoes, vintage sneakers, Dr. Martens, Mary Janes, cowboy boots
• 90s/2000s Nostalgia: Anything that taps into late-90s and early-2000s aesthetics

Items That Perform Well on Both

Some categories have strong demand on both platforms:

• Nike and Adidas sneakers (newer releases on Mercari, vintage/retro on Depop)
• Levi’s jeans (standard pairs on Mercari, vintage 501s and rare washes on Depop — at higher prices)
• Band merchandise (modern tour merch on Mercari, vintage pre-2000 concert tees on Depop)
• Coach and Michael Kors bags (recent styles on Mercari, vintage styles on Depop)
• Carhartt (workwear buyers on Mercari, streetwear-styled buyers on Depop)

Listing Experience Comparison

Listing on Mercari

Mercari’s listing flow is straightforward and product-focused. Upload photos (up to 12 per listing), write a title and description, select category, set your price, and choose shipping. The whole process takes 3-5 minutes per item once you’re in the groove.

Photo tips for Mercari:

• Clean, well-lit product photos against a neutral background
• Show all sides, any flaws, and brand tags
• Include size labels and measurements for clothing
• Stock-photo-style images perform well — no lifestyle staging needed
• Use all 12 photo slots; more photos = more buyer confidence = higher conversion

Description tips:

• Include brand, model, size, color, condition, and any defects
• Front-load keywords buyers will search (brand name, item type, color, model number)
• Use bullet points for key specs and details
• Mention original packaging, accessories, or extras included
• Note any flaws honestly — this reduces returns and disputes

Listing on Depop

Depop is a visual-first marketplace. The first photo is everything — it’s your scroll-stopper, your brand statement, and your sale pitch rolled into one image. With only 4 photo slots (compared to Mercari’s 12), every image has to earn its place.

Photo tips for Depop:

• Aesthetic matters more than anywhere else: flat lays, on-body shots, or styled mannequin photos
• Natural lighting is non-negotiable — shoot near a window during golden hour or on overcast days
• Consistent visual style across your shop builds brand recognition and followers
• Include at least one close-up of the tag or label
• Show the item styled — buyers want to see themselves wearing it, not just the fabric

Description tips:

• Lead with the vibe: “Y2K butterfly top, giving early 2000s Paris Hilton energy”
• Include all measurements (pit to pit, length, waist) — Depop buyers need this for sizing
• Use every relevant hashtag — this is how Depop’s search and discovery works
• Reference the era, subculture, or style the item fits into
• Be honest about condition — Depop buyers leave public reviews and they’re blunt

Shipping Comparison

Mercari Shipping

Mercari offers prepaid shipping labels through USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Sellers choose buyer-pays or seller-pays shipping. The prepaid labels come with up to $200 in built-in shipping protection.

Mercari shipping rates (2026 approximate):

You can also ship on your own through any carrier, which is smart if you have discounted rates through Pirate Ship, GoShippo, or another third-party service.

Depop Shipping

Depop offers integrated USPS and UPS shipping labels. Sellers can set buyer-pays or free shipping. Rates are generally comparable to Mercari’s prepaid options.

Sellers also have the option to arrange their own shipping, which is popular for international sales or oversized items.

Key shipping differences:

• Mercari’s tracking integration is slightly more robust — delivery confirmation triggers automatic payout release
• Depop allows more shipping flexibility for international orders
• Mercari offers more carrier options for heavier items
• Both platforms provide buyer protection through their shipping label programs

Payment and Payout Speed

Mercari Payouts

Once the buyer confirms receipt (or after 3 days of no response post-delivery confirmation), your funds become available. Transfer to your bank takes 1-2 business days, or you can use Mercari’s Instant Pay for a small fee to get funds immediately.

Mercari also has a balance system — use your earnings to buy on the platform or accumulate a balance until you’re ready to withdraw.

Depop Payouts

Depop processes payments through their built-in payments system. Funds go to your linked bank account, typically arriving within 1-3 business days after the sale. PayPal-processed transactions may arrive faster.

Speed comparison: Mercari is slightly faster for standard bank transfers. Depop doesn’t have an instant-pay equivalent, but PayPal payments are often available same-day.

Seller Protections and Dispute Resolution

Mercari’s Approach

Mercari has a structured 3-day return window. Buyers can request returns for items that are “not as described.” Mercari mediates and decides outcomes. Sellers generally find Mercari’s process reasonable — the platform will side with sellers when tracking confirms delivery and listing descriptions are accurate and honest.

Mercari’s mutual rating system means both buyers and sellers rate each other after each transaction. Ratings are publicly visible on your profile, and maintaining a high rating builds buyer confidence and drives more sales.

Depop’s Approach

Depop’s buyer protection covers purchases made through the platform’s checkout. If an item doesn’t match the listing description or doesn’t arrive, buyers can open a dispute. Depop mediates the outcome.

Return policies on Depop are set by the seller — you can offer returns, exchanges, or no returns. However, “not as described” claims are honored regardless of your stated policy. This means accurate descriptions and photos are your best insurance against disputes.

Depop has invested significantly in improving seller protections in recent years, and dispute resolution has become more predictable and fair.

Promotional Tools

Mercari Promotions

• Smart Pricing: Set a minimum price and Mercari automatically lowers the price incrementally to attract buyers — great for items you want to move quickly
• Promote: Pay to boost listings higher in search results
• Offers to Likers: Send targeted price reductions to people who liked your item — this is one of Mercari’s most effective features
• Seller promotions: Periodic reduced-fee or bonus events run by the platform
• Bundle discounts: Encourage buyers to purchase multiple items

Depop Promotions

• Depop Boost: Pay to increase listing visibility (similar to promoted listings)
• Free refreshes: Unlike Mercari, you can manually bump listings to appear as newly posted — this costs nothing
• Sales and discounts: Create bundle discounts and run shop-wide sales
• Social features: Following, liking, and engaging with other sellers’ items improves your algorithm placement
• Shop updates: Posting shop updates (similar to stories) keeps your followers engaged

Promotional verdict: Mercari’s “Offers to Likers” feature is one of the best conversion tools across any platform — it directly targets interested buyers with a personalized price drop notification. Depop’s free bumping feature is incredibly valuable for keeping listings fresh without spending a dime. Use both strategically.

Algorithm and Growth Tips

Growing on Mercari

1. List consistently — new listings get a visibility boost in search results
2. Price competitively — use the “sold” filter to see what similar items actually sell for, not what people are asking
3. Respond to offers fast — quick response time improves your seller metrics and ranking
4. Use all 12 photo slots — more comprehensive listings convert better
5. Enable Smart Pricing on stale inventory (items listed 30+ days) to generate movement
6. Ship same-day or next-day — fast shipping improves your seller metrics significantly
7. Offer free shipping on high-margin items — listings with free shipping consistently get more views and better search placement
8. Relist stale items — if an item hasn’t sold in 60 days, delete and relist for a fresh visibility boost

Growing on Depop

1. Post daily — the Depop algorithm heavily favors active sellers who list or refresh items regularly
2. Refresh your listings by editing and re-saving — this bumps them in the feed at no cost
3. Build a cohesive shop aesthetic — your shop page is your brand portfolio
4. Use all relevant hashtags in every description — this is critical for discoverability
5. Engage with the community — follow, like, and share other sellers’ items to increase your own visibility
6. Leverage TikTok and Instagram — many top Depop sellers drive 30-50% of their traffic from social media
7. Create styled content — lifestyle images and outfit-of-the-day content attract followers who become buyers
8. Run regular sales — even 10% off drives conversion and creates urgency

Crosslisting Strategy: How to Sell on Both Effectively

The best resellers in 2026 aren’t choosing one platform over the other — they’re listing strategically across both (and often more). Here’s how to do it without doubling your workload.

Crosslisting Best Practices

• Adjust your photos per platform: Product-style shots on Mercari, styled lifestyle photos on Depop for the same item
• Tailor descriptions: Mercari descriptions should be keyword-rich and scannable; Depop descriptions should have personality, style references, and hashtags
• Price differently: You can often list 10-20% higher on Depop for vintage and fashion items — the audience pays for aesthetic and styling value
• Track inventory meticulously: When an item sells on one platform, immediately mark it sold or delete on the other
• Use crosslisting tools: Services like Crosslist, Vendoo, or List Perfectly save hours by syncing listings across platforms

Platform Priority by Item Type

Real-World Sales Comparison

To show the practical difference, here’s what identical items typically sell for on each platform:

Vintage Levi’s 501 Jeans (good condition, 90s era, made in USA):

• Mercari: $35-$50
• Depop: $55-$85
• Winner: Depop — vintage fashion premium is real here

PS5 DualSense Controller (used, fully functional):

• Mercari: $35-$45
• Depop: $30-$40
• Winner: Mercari — electronics buyers search here first

Vintage Pyrex Mixing Bowl Set (3-piece, good condition):

• Mercari: $40-$65
• Depop: $30-$50
• Winner: Mercari — home goods collectors are more active here

2000s-era Ed Hardy T-shirt:

• Mercari: $15-$25
• Depop: $35-$60
• Winner: Depop — Y2K fashion nostalgia drives premium pricing

Lululemon Align Leggings (gently used, current color):

• Mercari: $45-$65
• Depop: $40-$55
• Winner: Mercari — athleisure buyers are active here

Vintage Coach bag (90s, leather, classic style):

• Mercari: $30-$50
• Depop: $50-$80
• Winner: Depop — vintage luxury accessories are hot with Gen Z

Who Should Choose What?

Choose Mercari If:

• You sell a wide variety of item categories beyond just clothing
• Your inventory includes electronics, home goods, kids’ items, and everyday brands
• You prefer a straightforward listing experience without needing to curate an aesthetic
• You want to sell to practical, deal-seeking buyers across broad demographics
• You’re selling items that are heavier or bulkier (Mercari has better shipping options for larger items)
• Speed and simplicity matter more to you than building a brand

Choose Depop If:

• You sell primarily fashion, vintage clothing, and streetwear
• Your inventory appeals to Gen Z and younger Millennials
• You enjoy photography, styling, and building a visual brand
• You’re willing to invest time in community engagement and social media marketing
• You source unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that benefit from an interested fashion-literate audience
• You want to build a recognizable seller brand with loyal repeat customers

Use Both If:

• You’re a full-time reseller who wants maximum exposure for every item
• You sell a mix of fashion and general merchandise
• You’re willing to manage inventory across platforms (or use crosslisting software)
• You understand each platform’s audience and can tailor your approach accordingly
• You want to test where specific items perform best and optimize over time

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mercari or Depop better for beginners?

Mercari is generally easier for new sellers. The listing process is more straightforward, the buyer base is wider, and you don’t need to worry about curating a visual aesthetic. You can list practically anything and find a buyer. Depop has a steeper learning curve but can produce higher returns per item if your inventory matches their audience.

Can I sell the same item on both Mercari and Depop simultaneously?

Yes, crosslisting is common and smart. Just make sure to remove the listing from one platform immediately when it sells on the other to avoid double-selling, which can result in account penalties and angry buyers.

Which platform has faster sales?

It depends entirely on what you’re selling. Vintage fashion moves noticeably faster on Depop. Electronics, home goods, and general merchandise move faster on Mercari. Well-priced items with good photos sell quickly on both.

Are there age requirements to sell?

Mercari requires sellers to be 18+. Depop allows users as young as 13 (with parental consent in some jurisdictions), though most active sellers are 16+. This younger seller and buyer demographic is part of what gives Depop its fashion-forward culture.

Which platform is better for expensive items?

For high-value fashion ($100+), Depop’s fashion-literate audience often produces better prices. For high-value electronics or collectibles ($200+), Mercari’s broader audience provides more visibility and typically faster sales.

How do taxes work on Mercari vs Depop?

Both platforms are required to report your sales to the IRS if you exceed the $600 reporting threshold. You’ll receive a 1099-K form. It’s your responsibility to report all income regardless of whether you receive a 1099. Keep detailed records of your cost of goods (what you paid for items) to offset taxable income and reduce your tax liability.

Can I sell handmade items?

Depop actively supports handmade, upcycled, and custom items — it’s baked into the platform’s culture and brand. Mercari is primarily a secondhand marketplace, and while handmade items aren’t prohibited, they don’t get the same level of buyer interest.

How do I handle lowball offers on each platform?

On Mercari, use the built-in counter-offer feature — countering at 85-90% of asking price signals you’re firm but open to reasonable discussion. On Depop, negotiation happens through messages; respond politely with your bottom-line price. On both platforms, countering (rather than ignoring) converts more lowball offers into actual sales at fair prices.

Which platform has better customer support for sellers?

Neither platform is known for exceptional seller support, but Mercari generally resolves disputes faster and more predictably. Depop’s support has improved significantly but can still be slower during high-volume periods.

Final Verdict

There’s no universal winner between Mercari and Depop — the right platform depends entirely on what you’re selling and who you’re selling to. Mercari excels at variety, simplicity, and broad market appeal. Depop dominates for fashion-forward inventory, brand-building, and engaging a passionate younger audience.

The smartest move for most resellers in 2026 is to use both strategically: list vintage and trendy fashion on Depop with styled photography and personality-driven descriptions, and list everything else on Mercari with clean product shots and keyword-rich detail. Use the Mercari fee calculator to compare exact take-home amounts, and let the Underpriced app help you price confidently on both platforms.

The competitive advantage isn’t about picking a side — it’s about knowing which items belong where and routing them to the right buyers every time.