Shopify vs Amazon vs Etsy vs TikTok Shop: Fee Comparison (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Amazon FBA takes 20-35% of your selling price in combined fees — the highest of any platform
- Shopify and WooCommerce have the lowest per-order fees but require monthly subscriptions
- TikTok Shop charges 7% total (5% commission + 2% processing) — competitive for new sellers
- The best strategy is multi-channel — use marketplaces for discovery, your own store for margins
Why Platform Fees Matter More Than You Think
The platform you sell on determines how much of each sale you actually keep. Selling a $50 product on Amazon FBA can cost $12+ in fees, while the same sale on Shopify costs about $2. Over hundreds of orders per month, that difference compounds into thousands of dollars.
Use our free Platform Fee Calculator to compare exact costs for your specific product price and volume.
Fee Breakdown by Platform
Shopify (Basic Plan)
- Monthly: $39/month
- Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per order
- Transaction fee: 0% with Shopify Payments
- Total on $50 sale: ~$1.75 (plus amortized monthly fee)
Shopify gives you the highest margins per sale because you only pay payment processing. Calculate your exact fees with our Shopify Fee Calculator.
Amazon FBA
- Monthly: $39.99/month (Professional)
- Referral fee: 15% of selling price
- FBA fulfillment: ~$5.40 per unit (average)
- Total on $50 sale: ~$12.90
Amazon takes the largest cut but provides access to 300M+ active customers, Prime shipping, and handles all fulfillment and returns.
TikTok Shop
- Monthly: $0
- Commission: 5% of selling price
- Payment processing: 2% + $0.30
- Total on $50 sale: ~$3.80
Etsy
- Monthly: $0 (Standard)
- Transaction fee: 6.5% of total
- Listing fee: $0.20 per listing
- Payment processing: 3% + $0.25
- Total on $50 sale: ~$5.00
eBay
- Monthly: $0 (up to 250 free listings)
- Final value fee: 13.25%
- Payment processing: 2.35% + $0.30
- Total on $50 sale: ~$8.10
WooCommerce
- Monthly: ~$25 (hosting)
- Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe)
- Platform fee: $0
- Total on $50 sale: ~$1.75 (plus amortized hosting)
Which Platform Should You Choose?
- Highest margins: Shopify or WooCommerce — you own the customer and pay only processing fees
- Best for discovery: Amazon, TikTok Shop — built-in audiences searching for products
- Best for handmade/vintage: Etsy — niche audience willing to pay premium
- Best for beginners: TikTok Shop — no monthly fees, growing marketplace
The Multi-Channel Strategy
Smart sellers do not choose one platform — they use marketplaces for customer acquisition and their own store for retention. Sell on Amazon or TikTok to get discovered, then include inserts directing customers to your Shopify store for repeat purchases at higher margins.
Track your margins across channels with our Profit Margin Calculator and simulate discount scenarios with the Discount Stacking Simulator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform has the lowest fees?
Shopify and WooCommerce have the lowest per-transaction fees (around 3%). However, they charge monthly subscriptions. For sellers under 50 orders/month, TikTok Shop or Etsy may be cheaper overall.
Are Amazon FBA fees worth it?
For products with 50%+ gross margins, yes. Amazon gives access to 300M+ customers and handles fulfillment. For low-margin products, the 15% referral + FBA fees can eliminate all profit.
What are TikTok Shop fees in 2026?
TikTok Shop charges a 5% platform commission plus 2% + $0.30 payment processing. No monthly fees. This makes it one of the most affordable marketplaces for new sellers.
Try It Free
Compare fees for your exact product price with our free Platform Fee Calculator.
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