eBay vs Amazon: Which Platform is Better for Arbitrage in 2026?

The eternal question: eBay or Amazon?

The answer isn't what most "experts" will tell you. It's not "Amazon is better" or "eBay is easier." The real answer is: it depends on your product.

Let me break down the math so you can make the right choice.

Fee Comparison: The Real Numbers

eBay Fees (2026)

• Final Value Fee: 12.9% (most categories)
• Payment Processing: 2.35% + $0.30
• Optional Store: $27.95-$299.95/month
• Promoted Listings: 2-20% (optional)

Total: ~15-18% on average

Amazon Fees (2026)

• Referral Fee: 15% (most categories)
• FBA Fee: $3.00-$8.00 per item (varies by size)
• Storage Fee: $0.75-$2.40 per cubic foot/month
• Monthly Plan: $39.99/month (Professional)

Total: ~20-30% on average

Winner: eBay (lower fees)

But fees aren't everything...

Traffic & Buyer Intent

Amazon Traffic

• 900M+ visits/month in the US
• High buyer intent (people come to buy)
• Prime members spend 4x more
• Fast purchase decisions

eBay Traffic

• 450M+ visits/month in the US
• Mix of buyers and browsers
• Auction format extends buying cycle
• More price-sensitive shoppers

Winner: Amazon (volume + intent)

Competition Level

Amazon

• Saturated in popular niches
• Race to the bottom on pricing
• Hard to differentiate
• Buy Box wars

eBay

• Less competitive overall
• More room for pricing power
• Unique listings stand out
• No Buy Box algorithm

Winner: eBay (easier entry)

Best Product Types for Each Platform

Amazon Wins For:

• New, branded items - Apple, Samsung, Nike
• Fast-moving consumables - Vitamins, batteries
• Books & Media - DVD, games, books
• Small, lightweight items - FBA shipping advantage

eBay Wins For:

• Refurbished/Used items - Electronics, tools
• Niche collectibles - Trading cards, memorabilia
• Heavy/oversized items - Furniture, equipment
• Unique/handmade - One-off products

Shipping Requirements

Amazon FBA

• Pros: Amazon handles everything
• Cons: Prep fees, storage costs, strict requirements
• Best for: High-volume, standard-size products

eBay Seller-Fulfilled

• Pros: Full control, no storage fees
• Cons: You handle shipping
• Best for: Low-volume, varied inventory

The Hybrid Strategy (What Pros Do)

Smart sellers don't choose one. They use both strategically:

1. List on Amazon for high-demand, competitive items
2. List on eBay for unique, higher-margin products
3. Cross-list inventory when profitable

Tools like ROI Hero make this easier by showing you which platform has better margins for each product.

Real Example: Wireless Earbuds

Let's compare selling a $45 pair of TWS earbuds:

Amazon FBA:

• Selling Price: $45.00
• Referral Fee (15%): -$6.75
• FBA Fee: -$4.50
• Net: $33.75

eBay:

• Selling Price: $45.00
• Final Value Fee (12.9%): -$5.81
• Payment Processing: -$1.36
• Shipping: -$4.00
• Net: $33.83

Almost identical! But eBay gives you more control, Amazon gives you more volume.

2026 Trends to Watch

1. TikTok Shop is eating into both platforms
2. Amazon fees continue to rise
3. eBay authentication adds trust for high-value items
4. Cross-platform tools are becoming essential

The Bottom Line

Choose Amazon if:

• You want predictable, high volume
• You're okay with lower margins
• You can afford FBA fees
• Your products are standard-size

Choose eBay if:

• You want higher margins
• You have unique/used items
• You're starting with limited capital
• You want more pricing control

Choose both if:

• You're serious about arbitrage
• You want to maximize profit
• You can manage inventory across platforms

Most successful sellers eventually go hybrid.

Want to see which platform gives you better ROI for specific products? Join ROI Hero's waitlist - we calculate margins for both eBay and Amazon automatically.