A side-by-side look at Poshmark vs Mercari, covering fees, shipping labels, buyer habits and the inventory each platform moves.
The short answer
Poshmark works best for clothing, shoes and bags, where buyers browse by brand and size and you ship on a fixed label. Mercari fits toys, games, electronics and home goods, where buyers search for specific items and you pick the carrier.
Poshmark
PoshmarkMercari
MercariSide by side
How they compare on packing and shipping.
- What sells
- PoshmarkClothing, shoes, handbags and accessories.
- MercariAlmost anything: toys, games, electronics, home goods and clothing.
- Seller fee
- Poshmark$2.95 under $15, 20% at $15 and over.
- Mercari10% of the item price plus buyer-paid shipping.
- Shipping label
- PoshmarkOne prepaid USPS label, emailed after the sale; buyer pays a flat rate up to 5 lb.
- MercariYou pick USPS, UPS or FedEx options by weight, and you or the buyer pays.
- Work to ship
- PoshmarkPrint and pack; no weighing for most clothing.
- MercariWeigh the packed item and pick the right tier when you list.
- Finding buyers
- PoshmarkSharing listings and following closets puts you in feeds.
- MercariSearch and saved searches, so titles with brand and model matter.
- Heavy items
- PoshmarkOver 5 lb needs an upgraded label paid from your earnings.
- MercariWeight tiers and carriers built for heavier boxes.
| Poshmark · 1 | Mercari · 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| What sells | Clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. | Almost anything: toys, games, electronics, home goods and clothing. |
| Seller fee | $2.95 under $15, 20% at $15 and over. | 10% of the item price plus buyer-paid shipping. |
| Shipping label | One prepaid USPS label, emailed after the sale; buyer pays a flat rate up to 5 lb. | You pick USPS, UPS or FedEx options by weight, and you or the buyer pays. |
| Work to ship | Print and pack; no weighing for most clothing. | Weigh the packed item and pick the right tier when you list. |
| Finding buyers | Sharing listings and following closets puts you in feeds. | Search and saved searches, so titles with brand and model matter. |
| Heavy items | Over 5 lb needs an upgraded label paid from your earnings. | Weight tiers and carriers built for heavier boxes. |
Choose Poshmark if
- Most of your inventory is clothing, shoes or bags.
- You want one flat label and no weighing.
- You like sharing and sending offers to likers.
- Your items sell for $15 or more, where the fee is a flat percentage.
Choose Mercari if
- You flip toys, video games, electronics or kitchen items.
- You want the lower percentage fee.
- You sell items under $15, where Poshmark's flat $2.95 eats a large share.
- You ship heavier boxes that would blow past a 5 lb label.
The guide
Each step in the order you'll need it.
Two kinds of buyer
Poshmark buyers browse closets by brand, size and style. They follow you, like your listings and wait for an offer, so sharing keeps your closet in their feeds.
Mercari buyers type what they want into a search bar. A clear title with brand, model and size gets you found, and saved searches alert them when you list a match.
Mercari vs Poshmark on fees
On a $30 dress, Poshmark keeps $6 and you keep $24. On Mercari, the 10% fee on the same $30 is $3, plus 10% of any shipping the buyer pays.
For items under $15, the math shifts: Poshmark's $2.95 flat fee on a $10 item takes almost 30%. Low-price clothing often does better bundled on Poshmark or listed on Mercari. Check both fee pages before you price, since they change.
Labels and the packing table
Poshmark emails one prepaid USPS label per order, priced for anything up to 5 lb, so a pair of jeans and a pair of boots ship on the same label. Print it on a 4 × 6 in thermal printer to finish.
Mercari requires you to weigh the packed item and pick a shipping tier when you list. A digital scale stops overage charges when a package weighs more than you guessed.
Running both
Cross-list clothing on both apps, but send hard goods to Mercari only. Keep one inventory sheet with shelf codes, and end the second listing the moment the first sells.
Poly mailers cover most clothing on either platform. Keep small boxes for the electronics and toys you ship through Mercari.
Kit for this step
Questions
Straight answers to what sellers ask about this.
Is Poshmark or Mercari better for clothes?
Poshmark, for most clothing. Its buyers shop by brand and size, and the flat label covers heavy items like boots and coats.
Which has lower fees?
Mercari's 10% is lower than Poshmark's 20% on sales of $15 or more. Poshmark's fee includes payment processing; check both fee pages on the day you price.
Who pays shipping on each?
On Poshmark the buyer pays a flat rate for packages up to 5 lb. On Mercari you choose whether you or the buyer pays when you list.
Can I sell the same item on both?
Yes, as long as you end the second listing as soon as one sells. Selling an item twice means a cancellation, which hurts your standing on either app.
Do I need a scale for Poshmark?
Not for most clothing, since the label is fixed up to 5 lb. You need one for Mercari, where the label is priced by weight.
Will I get a 1099-K from Poshmark or Mercari?
Both apps file a Form 1099-K for sellers over the federal limit, and certain states use a lower figure. Keep records of what you paid for items either way.
