Six UK platforms, two ways of selling. Live shows sell in bursts on camera; listings sell around the clock from photos.
Choosing where to sell
Pick by your stock first and your time second.
Choose the platform to suit your stock. Cards and collectibles move fastest where buyers can watch and bid. Clothing moves where buyers search by size and brand, and spare parts and electronics go where buyers type in a model number.
The second choice is live or listing. A live platform sells in bursts: two hours on camera, then 40 orders to pack the next morning. You need a camera, light and sound before anything else. A listing platform sells day and night from photos, so the setup leans on storage, a photo spot and a fast packing routine.
You'll probably end up on two platforms: one live and one listing, or two listing sites carrying the same stock. Cross-listing puts each item in front of more buyers, and you have to end a sold listing everywhere at once. Keep one master list and give every item a shelf code.
Fees change often, so this page describes how each platform charges and leaves the rates to the platforms. Before you price a range, open the platform's own fee page and work out what you keep on a typical sale after postage and packaging.
Depop
Vintage and streetwear buyers who shop by look. Your setup is about styled photos, a tidy rail and Evri drop-offs.
- Suits
- Vintage and streetwear sellers with a clear style who list one-off pieces from their phone.
- How fees work
- UK sellers pay no selling fee, only payment processing on each sale. Buyers pay a marketplace fee and postage at checkout. Boosted Listings are optional.
7 setups
eBay
The UK’s biggest general marketplace. Your setup is about packing fast and finding sold items in seconds.
- Suits
- Sellers with a wide mix of stock, from single cards to boxed trainers, who want buyers searching for exact items.
- How fees work
- Private sellers pay no selling fee on most items, and buyers pay a protection fee instead. Business sellers pay a share of each sale plus a fixed fee per order. Promoted listings cost extra.
25 setups
Etsy
Buyers looking for handmade, personalised and vintage pieces. Your setup is about making, photographing and wrapping each order well.
- Suits
- Makers and vintage sellers whose buyers want handmade, personalised or one-of-a-kind pieces, often as gifts.
- How fees work
- You pay a small fee per listing, a share of each order including postage, and payment processing. Offsite Ads take a share of sales they bring in.
5 setups
TikTok Shop
Short videos and live shows that sell straight from the feed, with a camera, light and sound setup to match.
- Suits
- Sellers who enjoy making short videos and going live, with stock that looks good on camera such as beauty and fashion.
- How fees work
- You pay a commission on each order. Affiliate creators who promote your products take an agreed share on top.
8 setups
Vinted
Vinted charges UK sellers no selling fee and has a large clothing audience. Put your money into storage and photos, and drop parcels off the day they sell.
- Suits
- Clothing sellers with a lot of single items who want low costs and quick drop-offs.
- How fees work
- Sellers pay no selling fee. Buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee and postage at checkout. Paid bumps to promote items are optional.
12 setups
Whatnot
Live shows for cards, collectibles and vintage. Your camera, light and sound sell as much as the stock does.
- Suits
- Card, coin and collectibles sellers who are happy on camera and can run a show for an hour or more.
- How fees work
- You pay a commission on each sale plus a payment processing fee. Buyers pay postage at checkout.
12 setups
Side by side
How each platform sells, who buys there and the stock that does well.
- Depop
- Live showsNo
- Selling stylePhoto listings in a social feed, with offers and bundles
- AudienceYounger buyers following shops for a look
- Strong categoriesVintage clothingJewellery and watchesTrainersDesigner handbags
- How fees workUK sellers pay no selling fee, only payment processing on each sale. Buyers pay a marketplace fee and postage at checkout. Boosted Listings are optional.
- eBay
- Live showsNo
- Selling styleFixed-price and auction listings, with eBay Live by invitation
- AudienceBuyers searching by model, size or set number
- Strong categoriesToys and collectiblesElectronics and gadgetsTrainersBooks, games and vinyl
- How fees workPrivate sellers pay no selling fee on most items, and buyers pay a protection fee instead. Business sellers pay a share of each sale plus a fixed fee per order. Promoted listings cost extra.
- Etsy
- Live showsNo
- Selling styleShop listings found through search, with personalisation options
- AudienceGift buyers searching for something specific
- Strong categoriesJewellery and watchesHomeware and decorHandmade and craftsCrystals and minerals
- How fees workYou pay a small fee per listing, a share of each order including postage, and payment processing. Offsite Ads take a share of sales they bring in.
- TikTok Shop
- Live showsYes
- Selling styleShort videos and live streams that sell from the feed
- AudienceViewers who find products while scrolling
- Strong categoriesVintage clothingToys and collectiblesBeautyHomeware and decor
- How fees workYou pay a commission on each order. Affiliate creators who promote your products take an agreed share on top.
- Vinted
- Live showsNo
- Selling styleListings, with offers and bundle discounts
- AudienceBuyers filtering by size, brand and price
- Strong categoriesVintage clothingTrainersDesigner handbagsBaby and children
- How fees workSellers pay no selling fee. Buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee and postage at checkout. Paid bumps to promote items are optional.
- Whatnot
- Live showsYes
- Selling styleLive auctions and buy-it-now during shows
- AudienceCollectors who watch and bid in real time
- Strong categoriesTrading cardsVintage clothingCoins and banknotesFunko and vinyl figures
- How fees workYou pay a commission on each sale plus a payment processing fee. Buyers pay postage at checkout.
| Side by side | Depop | eBay | Etsy | TikTok Shop | Vinted | Whatnot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live shows | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Selling style | Photo listings in a social feed, with offers and bundles | Fixed-price and auction listings, with eBay Live by invitation | Shop listings found through search, with personalisation options | Short videos and live streams that sell from the feed | Listings, with offers and bundle discounts | Live auctions and buy-it-now during shows |
| Audience | Younger buyers following shops for a look | Buyers searching by model, size or set number | Gift buyers searching for something specific | Viewers who find products while scrolling | Buyers filtering by size, brand and price | Collectors who watch and bid in real time |
| Strong categories | Vintage clothingJewellery and watchesTrainersDesigner handbags | Toys and collectiblesElectronics and gadgetsTrainersBooks, games and vinyl | Jewellery and watchesHomeware and decorHandmade and craftsCrystals and minerals | Vintage clothingToys and collectiblesBeautyHomeware and decor | Vintage clothingTrainersDesigner handbagsBaby and children | Trading cardsVintage clothingCoins and banknotesFunko and vinyl figures |
| How fees work | UK sellers pay no selling fee, only payment processing on each sale. Buyers pay a marketplace fee and postage at checkout. Boosted Listings are optional. | Private sellers pay no selling fee on most items, and buyers pay a protection fee instead. Business sellers pay a share of each sale plus a fixed fee per order. Promoted listings cost extra. | You pay a small fee per listing, a share of each order including postage, and payment processing. Offsite Ads take a share of sales they bring in. | You pay a commission on each order. Affiliate creators who promote your products take an agreed share on top. | Sellers pay no selling fee. Buyers pay a Buyer Protection fee and postage at checkout. Paid bumps to promote items are optional. | You pay a commission on each sale plus a payment processing fee. Buyers pay postage at checkout. |
Questions
Which platform should I start on?
Start where your stock already sells: Vinted for clothing, Whatnot or eBay for cards and collectibles, and eBay for mixed stock. Add a second platform once you can pack a week of orders without a backlog.
Can I list the same item on two platforms?
Yes. End the listing on every other site the moment it sells, or use a cross-listing tool that does it for you. If you sell one item twice you have to cancel, and cancellations count against your seller standing.
Do I need a camera to sell live?
A recent phone on an overhead or front mount is enough to start. Light and sound make the bigger difference: a soft light at an angle to the table and a clip-on mic. Our live setups show the kit at each budget.
Do platforms report my sales to HMRC?
Yes. Since January 2024, UK platforms collect seller income details and share them with HMRC once you pass the reporting thresholds. A report on its own doesn't mean you owe tax. Check HMRC's guidance on trading income for your own position.
Do I need a separate setup for each platform?
No. The printer, scales and packaging work on every platform. Live platforms add a camera, light and sound; listing platforms add storage and a photo spot. Our setups show the overlap for common pairs.