Depop makes money by taking a cut of transactions on its marketplace. Depending on your country and when you're reading this, that cut comes from a seller fee, a buyer fee (often called a marketplace or buyer protection fee) or both, plus payment processing. It can also earn from shipping labels and optional promotion features. When Depop advertises lower seller fees, the cost usually moves to another part of the transaction, often the buyer's checkout total.
The main ways Depop earns
- Transaction fees. A percentage of each sale, charged to the seller, the buyer or both depending on the market. See Depop selling fees explained.
- Payment processing. A small charge for handling card and wallet payments through Depop Payments. See what is Depop Payments.
- Shipping. Depop's integrated labels are bought in bulk from carriers, and the price buyers pay helps cover that. See why is Depop shipping so cheap.
- Optional seller tools. Paid features to promote listings, where they're offered.
How can Depop offer "free" or cheap shipping?
Shipping is never really free. Someone pays the carrier. When a listing shows free shipping, the seller has usually built the cost into the price. When Depop shipping looks cheap, it's because Depop negotiates bulk carrier rates, not because it loses money on every parcel. See does Depop offer free shipping and is shipping included in the Depop price.
Do you keep all the money on Depop?
Not usually. Even where seller fees are low or removed, some deductions come off what you receive, such as processing or shipping. Your Depop balance shows what's left after Depop's deductions, but it still includes what the item cost you to source. That's why sellers who only look at the balance often overestimate their profit.
Why the fee model changes
Marketplaces adjust fees to compete for sellers and buyers. Moving fees from sellers to buyers makes listing more attractive. Moving them back makes checkout cheaper. Check Depop's current fee page for your country before you set prices, and watch for changes. They affect what you should charge. See why is Depop so expensive for how this looks from the buyer's side.
What this means for your pricing
- Price from your costs. Include item cost, packaging and any fees you pay. See how to price Depop items for profit.
- Know your shipping set-up. Whether the buyer pays shipping or you include it changes your margin. See who pays for shipping on Depop.
- Bundle to spread costs. One parcel for several items saves on shipping. See how to price Depop bundles for profit.
See your real cut on every sale
DepopAutomation.com's profit tracker records your item cost and works out what you really made after fees and shipping, so you always know how much Depop took. Pair it with the AI listing tool and the bulk lister to list faster without losing track of your margins.
Quick answers
Does Depop take a percentage of every sale? Usually some fee applies to each sale, though who pays it depends on your market.
Does Depop make money from buyers? In markets with buyer fees, yes. It shows at checkout.
Is Depop owned by another company? Depop's ownership has changed over the years. Check recent news for the current owner rather than relying on older articles.
Conclusion
Depop earns from transaction fees, payment processing, shipping and optional seller tools. Lower seller fees usually just move the cost elsewhere. Check the current fees for your country and price from your real costs, not your balance.