Facebook Marketplace wins when the item can be picked up locally. For shipped sales, eBay typically nets you slightly less per dollar but converts better on shipping-intent buyers. Heavy/low-margin items: Facebook. Collectibles, electronics, shipping-friendly niches: eBay.
| Feature | Facebook Marketplace | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Selling fee | 10% shipped · 0% local pickup | 13.25% final value fee |
| Payment processing | Included in 10% | Included in final value fee |
| Minimum fee | $0.80 per shipped order | $0.30 per order |
| Chargeback fee | $20 | $20 (via Managed Payments) |
| Payout timing | 15 days after shipped, 5 after delivered | Daily/weekly (Managed Payments) |
| Buyer protection | Moderate | Strong, tilted toward buyers |
| Audience size | 2B+ monthly users | 130M+ active buyers |
| Best for | Furniture, appliances, local heavy items | Collectibles, electronics, shipping-friendly |
When Facebook Marketplace wins
Local pickup is Facebook\u2019s killer feature. Zero selling fee, zero processing fee \u2014 the buyer hands you cash or sends a Venmo. For furniture, appliances, gym equipment, children\u2019s gear, or anything heavy and shipping-hostile, local Marketplace is unbeatable on pure economics.
For shipped items under $30, the $0.80 minimum fee can still undercut eBay\u2019s 13.25% \u2014 a $20 shipped sale costs $2.00 on Marketplace vs $2.65 on eBay after the $0.30 order fee. The delta is small, but Facebook\u2019s buyer pool is larger and the listing is faster to create.
When eBay wins
eBay wins on three structural advantages. First, buyer intent: eBay shoppers are there to buy shipped goods. They\u2019ve accepted the shipping model, tracked packages on the platform, and understand the dispute process. Facebook Marketplace\u2019s primary audience expects local pickup, so shipped items face conversion friction.
Second, category strength: eBay dominates collectibles (trading cards, stamps, vintage), used electronics (cameras, audio gear), auto parts, and niche hobby goods. Facebook Marketplace has coverage but thinner depth on specialty categories. If you\u2019re selling anything that a specialty buyer hunts for, eBay finds them.
Third, payment and dispute infrastructure: eBay\u2019s Managed Payments settles faster than Facebook\u2019s 15-day hold. Buyer protection is stronger (which cuts both ways \u2014 sellers eat more disputes, but listings convert better because buyers trust the platform).
The math at common price points
Take-home on shipped sales, assuming standard postage and no tax collected:
- $20 item, $5 shipping. Facebook: $25 gross \u2014 10% ($2.50) \u2013 your $5 postage = $17.50. eBay: $25 gross \u2013 13.25% ($3.31) \u2013 $0.30 \u2013 $5 postage = $16.39. Facebook advantage: $1.11.
- $50 item, $9 shipping. Facebook: $59 \u2013 $5.90 \u2013 $6.50 postage = $46.60. eBay: $59 \u2013 $7.82 \u2013 $0.30 \u2013 $6.50 = $44.38. Facebook advantage: $2.22.
- $200 item, $12 shipping. Facebook: $212 \u2013 $21.20 \u2013 $8 postage = $182.80. eBay: $212 \u2013 $28.09 \u2013 $0.30 \u2013 $8 = $175.61. Facebook advantage: $7.19.
- $500 item (local pickup only on Facebook). Facebook: $500 (zero fee). eBay shipped: $500 \u2013 $66.25 \u2013 $0.30 \u2013 $20 postage = $413.45. Facebook advantage (local): $86.55 \u2014 the single biggest delta in the comparison.
Which should you pick?
Three rules of thumb:
- Heavy, local-friendly, or low-margin. Facebook Marketplace (local pickup). Furniture, appliances, exercise equipment, kids\u2019 gear. Zero-fee structure wins by a large margin.
- Collectibles, used electronics, or niche hobby. eBay. Buyer base and category depth outweigh the higher percentage fee.
- Standard shipped goods $20\u2013$200. Both are viable. Cross-list on both to double exposure without doubling effort \u2014 most sellers find a 60/40 split of sales in one direction or the other.