As online fashion marketplaces continue to expand, two of the most well-liked sites for buying and selling vintage and used apparel are Depop and Poshmark. While both platforms offer unique features tailored to different types of users, they also have distinct differences that can impact your experience as a buyer or seller. In this thorough comparison, we’ll examine each platform’s important features to assist you in selecting the best one for you.

User Interface and Experience

When choosing between Depop and Poshmark, the user interface and overall experience are significant factors that can influence your preference.

Depop: Depop’s interface is designed with simplicity and ease of use, resembling popular social media platforms like Instagram. The app has a clean, minimalist layout focusing heavily on visuals, with large images dominating the screen. This design choice particularly appeals to younger users accustomed to scrolling through photo-centric feeds. The app allows users to browse items easily with intuitive swipe and tap actions. The search functionality is straightforward, and the ability to filter results by category, price, and location helps users quickly find what they’re looking for. Depop’s interface is highly mobile-friendly, making it a great option for users who prefer shopping or selling on the go. However, this simplicity also means the platform lacks some of the more advanced features that power users might expect.

Poshmark: Poshmark offers a more feature-rich experience with a slightly busier interface incorporating various social commerce elements. The platform’s design is centered around community interaction, with options to follow other users, share listings, and participate in Posh Parties—virtual shopping events that allow users to browse themed collections in real-time. The app’s interface is more complex than Depop’s but provides many tools for buyers and sellers. For instance, Poshmark’s detailed listing process includes options for tagging items with relevant keywords, setting shipping preferences, and bundling items for sale. The platform also offers a more sophisticated search and filtering system, allowing users to narrow their options by brand, size, condition, and more. While the additional features can enhance the selling experience, they also require a steeper learning curve and more time investment from users.

Seller Fees and Costs

Understanding the fee structure of any online selling platform is crucial for maximizing your profits. Depop and Poshmark have unique fee models, which can greatly influence your profits as a seller.

Depop: Depop charges a straightforward 10% fee on each sale, which is deducted automatically from the total transaction amount, including shipping costs. In addition, sellers must account for PayPal fees, which are 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for U.S. sales. PayPal fees may vary slightly depending on the country of the transaction. Depop’s fee structure is transparent and easy to understand, making it easier for sellers to calculate their potential earnings before listing an item.

Poshmark: Poshmark has a tiered fee structure. For sales under $15, there is a flat cost of $2.95; for purchases over $15, there is a 20% commission. While this fee is higher than Depop’s, Poshmark offers some benefits that might offset the cost, such as buyer-paid shipping and the ability to bundle items. Additionally, Poshmark provides sellers with prepaid shipping labels, which can simplify the shipping process and potentially save on costs.

To better understand how these fees might impact your sales:

Platform	Sale Price	Platform Fee	PayPal Fee (Depop only)	Total Cost	Net Earnings
Depop	$10	$1.00 (10%)	$0.59 (2.9% + $0.30)	$1.59	$8.41
	$25	$2.50 (10%)	$1.03 (2.9% + $0.30)	$3.53	$21.47
Poshmark	$10	$2.95 (Flat Fee)	N/A	$2.95	$7.05
	$25	$5.00 (20%)	N/A	$5.00	$20.00

Breakdown:

• Depop: For a $10 sale, Depop’s combined platform and PayPal fees amount to $1.59, leaving the seller with $8.41. For a $25 sale, the fees total $3.53, with net earnings of $21.47.
• Poshmark: On Poshmark, a $10 sale incurs a flat fee of $2.95, resulting in $7.05 net earnings. For a $25 sale, Poshmark takes a 20% commission, leaving the seller with $20.

Additional Considerations: While Depop generally has lower fees, sellers must handle shipping labels and may incur additional PayPal fees. Poshmark’s higher fees are offset by the platform’s integrated shipping solution and the potential for increased visibility through social features like sharing and Posh Parties.

Audience and Demographics

When choosing between Depop and Poshmark, understanding the audience and demographics of each platform is essential, as it can significantly influence your selling or buying experience.

Depop: Depop is particularly popular among younger generations, including Gen Z and millennials. This demographic is drawn to Depop for its emphasis on unique, vintage, and streetwear fashion. The platform’s visual-centric design and social media-like interface appeal to a younger audience accustomed to browsing through Instagram or TikTok.

Depop has a strong international presence, with significant user bases in the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, and the United States. This global reach allows sellers to tap into various markets and attract buyers interested in unique and trendy fashion worldwide. The user base tends to favor individualistic and eco-conscious fashion choices, making Depop a popular platform for those looking to stand out with one-of-a-kind items.

Poshmark: Compared to Depop, Poshmark attracts a broader and somewhat older demographic. The platform is particularly popular among individuals in their 30s and 40s, though it also has a substantial presence among younger buyers. Poshmark’s focus on branded and luxury items appeals to those seeking high-quality, name-brand fashion.

Poshmark’s primary market is the United States, with a significant user base across various regions. The platform’s community-oriented features, such as Posh Parties and social sharing, appeal to users who enjoy engaging in a more interactive shopping experience. Poshmark users often appreciate the platform’s emphasis on brand-name clothing and the convenience of its integrated shipping and return policies.

Demographic Insights:

• Age:
  • Depop: This group consists predominantly of younger users, ages 16-30. They are tech-savvy, fashion-forward, and interested uniquely and sustainably.
  • Poshmark: Broader age range, typically 25-45. This group includes younger shoppers and professionals looking for high-quality, branded items.
• Geographic Reach:
  • Depop: Strong international presence focusing on urban areas in the UK, Italy, Australia, and the US.
  • Poshmark is primarily US-based, with a growing presence in Canada. The platform’s community-focused features cater well to a national market.
• Fashion Preferences:
  • Depop: Emphasis on vintage, unique, and streetwear fashion. Ideal for sellers with a niche or one-of-a-kind items.
  • Poshmark: Focus on branded and luxury fashion. Appeals to buyers looking for designer items and high-quality brands.
• Shopping Behavior:
  • Depop: Users often look for unique, trendy items and are engaged in discovering new fashion trends. They value individualistic styles and sustainable fashion choices.
  • Poshmark: Users enjoy the social shopping experience and often engage in sharing and following their favorite sellers. They appreciate the convenience of integrated shipping and return options.

Listing and Selling Process

Listing and selling items can greatly influence your experience on any platform. Depop and Poshmark offer distinct approaches, each with its advantages and challenges. Understanding these processes can help you make the most of your selling experience.

Depop: The listing process on Depop is designed for simplicity and efficiency, catering to users who prefer a quick and mobile-friendly experience.

• Creating a Listing: To list an item, sellers start by taking high-quality photos of the item using their mobile device. Depop emphasizes visual appeal, so showcasing the item with clear, well-lit images is important. The app allows multiple photos and features a simple, intuitive interface for uploading images.
• Writing Descriptions: Sellers write a brief description of the item, including details such as brand, size, condition, and any other relevant information. Depop encourages concise, engaging descriptions that highlight the item’s unique features.
• Setting Prices: Pricing on Depop is flexible and can be adjusted easily. Sellers set a price for their item and can edit it later. The platform also allows for negotiation, with buyers able to make offers on listed items.
• Payment and Shipping: Depop handles payment processing through PayPal once an item is sold. Sellers receive payment after the buyer confirms receipt of the item. Depop does not provide shipping labels; sellers must arrange and pay for shipping independently. This can be done through various carriers, with the seller responsible for the shipping costs.
• Interaction and Communication: Depop allows for direct messaging between buyers and sellers, facilitating communication about the item, shipping, or other concerns. The platform also includes a “Like” feature, which lets users express interest in items and follow sellers.

Poshmark: Poshmark’s listing and selling process is more detailed and community-oriented, providing various tools and features to enhance visibility and sales.

• Creating a Listing: Sellers start by taking and uploading photos of the item. Poshmark allows multiple images and includes features like editing photos and adding text overlays. The platform emphasizes high-quality images and encourages using a consistent background for a professional appearance.
• Writing Descriptions: Poshmark’s description field is more comprehensive, allowing sellers to include detailed information about the item. Sellers can tag items with relevant keywords, categorize them into specific brands and sizes, and provide detailed descriptions to attract buyers.
• Setting Prices: Pricing on Poshmark is straightforward, with a clear pricing structure and no room for negotiation directly on the platform. When purchasing an item, customers have two options: they can give the listed price if the item is part of a bundle or buy it at the fixed price specified by the seller.
• Payment and Shipping: Once an item sells, Poshmark provides a prepaid shipping label for U.S. shipments, simplifying the shipping process for sellers. In addition, Poshmark processes payments and retains money in escrow until the customer certifies that the item has been received. This ensures that sellers receive payment only after the transaction is complete.
• Interaction and Communication: Poshmark’s social features include sharing listings in Posh Parties, following other users, and commenting on items. These features foster a sense of community and can help increase listings’ visibility. Sellers are encouraged to actively engage with the community to enhance their presence and sales potential.

Community and Social Interaction

The role of community and social interaction on online selling platforms can significantly impact your experience as a seller or buyer. Depop and Poshmark offer unique approaches to fostering community engagement but differ in integrating these features into their platforms.

Depop: Depop’s community and social interaction features are designed to support a more casual and visually-driven experience.

• Social Features: Depop allows users to follow other accounts, like and comment on listings, and send direct messages. This interaction is relatively informal, focusing on quick transactions and visual appeal. The ability to follow other users helps build a personal network and stay updated on their latest listings.
• Community Engagement: While Depop does not have extensive community features like Poshmark, it still fosters a sense of community through user-generated content and engagement. Sellers and buyers often share their finds and personal style, contributing to a broader fashion conversation.
• User Experience: The platform’s design encourages users to engage with content through swipes and taps, mirroring the experience of social media platforms. This approach helps keep interactions focused on the visual aspects of fashion, which is central to Depop’s appeal.

Poshmark: Poshmark strongly emphasizes community and social interaction, incorporating various features designed to enhance user engagement and foster a sense of belonging.

• Posh Parties: One of Poshmark’s standout community features is Posh Parties, which are virtual shopping events where users can share their listings in themed parties (e.g., “Designer Finds” or “Summer Sale”). These events increase item visibility and allow users to browse curated collections, fostering a lively and interactive shopping experience.
• Social Interaction: Poshmark’s platform includes features like following other users, sharing listings, and commenting on posts. Users can create their own “closet” and follow others to see their latest listings. The social aspect is integral to the platform, with interactions designed to build relationships and enhance the shopping experience.
• Community Engagement: The platform encourages active participation through features like “Share” parties and “Follow” lists. Sellers can increase their visibility by sharing their listings frequently, engaging with their followers, and participating in Poshmark’s community events. This active engagement can lead to higher sales and a stronger network within the platform.
• Support and Resources: Poshmark also provides resources for community engagement, including educational content and tips for building a successful closet. The platform’s emphasis on community support helps users understand how to leverage social features.

Conclusion

Choosing between Depop and Poshmark ultimately depends on your personal preferences and selling or buying goals. If you’re looking for a straightforward, visually driven platform with a younger audience, Depop may be the right choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more community-focused environment with a range of selling tools and a larger marketplace, Poshmark could be a better fit. Both platforms have strengths, so it’s worth exploring each to see which aligns with your needs.

FAQs

Which platform has lower selling fees?

Depop has a flat 10% fee, while Poshmark charges 20% on sales over $15, making Depop generally more cost-effective for sellers.

Can I sell internationally on Depop and Poshmark?

Depop allows international sales, which is particularly popular in the UK, while Poshmark primarily focuses on the US market.

Which platform is better for selling vintage items?

Depop is known for its focus on vintage and unique fashion, making it ideal for sellers in that niche.

How important is community interaction on these platforms?

Poshmark emphasizes community interaction through features like Posh Parties and sharing, while Depop has a more straightforward, transaction-focused approach.

Do I need to be active daily on these platforms to make sales?

Poshmark’s social features require more daily activity to stay visible, whereas Depop’s simpler interface may require less frequent engagement.

Additional Resources

• Depop Official Website
• Poshmark Official Website
• How to Sell on Depop: A Beginner’s Guide
• Poshmark Seller Tips and Tricks
• Comparing Fees on Depop vs Poshmark