Mercari vs Shopify: Honest Comparison
Two options, side by side, with the real costs and the honest downsides. No hype, just what I'd want my own family to know before they choose.
| Mercari | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.5 | 4✓ |
| Monthly cost | $0✓ | $39 |
| Category | Online selling platform | Online selling platform |
| Pros | Free to list; Flat 10% selling fee is simple to plan around; Sell almost any kind of item; Easy app for listing from your phone | Your own branded store, not a shared marketplace; Easy store builder with thousands of apps and themes; Free trial to get started; Handles payments, shipping and inventory |
| Cons | The 10% fee also applies to buyer-paid shipping; Smaller audience than eBay or Amazon; Lots of buyers make low offers; Shipping prices change, so check them before you list | Basic plan costs $39 a month, more on higher plans; You have to bring your own traffic; Apps and themes can add extra monthly costs; Takes time to set up products and marketing |
| Verdict | Mercari is simple and beginner-friendly, and its fee is lower than many marketplaces. It's a good second place to list the same items you sell elsewhere. | Shopify is the go-to choice if you want your own online store with your own brand. Unlike a marketplace, buyers won't find you on their own, so plan how you'll get visitors. |
Choose Mercari if you want a flat 10% fee and an easy phone app for selling almost anything. Choose Shopify if you want your own branded store and have a plan to bring visitors.
Mercari
An online marketplace where people sell almost anything, from clothes and electronics to toys and collectibles, with a flat 10% selling fee.
Shopify
A popular platform for building your own online store, with plans from $39 a month and a free trial.
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