Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari: How to make the most money with the least time investment
How to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark.
Getting started on Poshmark, Mercari, and Depop is straightforward, yet, it takes a little time.It might feel overwhelming if you have a lot of items to post. I suggest starting small and simply create your accounts and start with 10-15 products. Using a consistent username and profile picture across all platforms will help to build your brand. Then, create a profile with a clear picture and a friendly bio highlighting what you’re selling and why people should follow you.
Pricing items is simple; Check similar listings and price yours similarly. Some blogs suggest pricing lower than everyone else, however, this often leads to a "race to the bottom" and eats into profits (for everyone really). Instead, price in the middle and focus on building your network, sharing your items, and providing excellent customer service—like fast shipping and adding a thank-you note to your shipments.
Before we delve into maximizing profits with methodologies on how to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark, Mercari, Depop (+ other online merchants) we first need to understand the basics of these platforms. Let's get started!
Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari vs Poshmark vs Mercari
Poshmark
Poshmark User Demographics and Target Market:
Demographics: Predominantly female users.
Target Market: Focuses on fashion, including clothing, accessories, and beauty products. However, home-goods are a large portion of sales, even though it’s not the target of the platform.
Differentiator: Community selling experience with a socially-driven approach that draws parallels between Instagram and TikTok.
Poshmark Fees and Pricing Structure:
Fees: 20% commission on sales over $15; flat $2.95 fee for sales under $15.
Shipping: Buyers pay for a flat-rate shipping label provided by Poshmark which is $7.97. The seller can offer discounted shipping where the difference of each of these tiers comes out of the seller’s commission: $5.95, $4.99, and Free. Obviously, with free shipping, the seller is covering 100% of shipping costs. If the seller is shipping something exceptionally large or heavy, there are additional charges as well.
Poshmark Platform Features and Tools:
Social Features: Sharing, following, and Posh Parties (virtual selling events). Pretty much, you won’t sell much on Poshmark without participating in these features, but luckily, there are workarounds. More below.
Promotions: Seller tools for discounting bundles and offering private discounts to likers.
Authentication: Free authentication service for luxury items over $500. Example: I’m selling my wedding dress and it’s insured for authenticity.
Poshmark Community and Selling Culture:
Culture: Highly community-oriented with an emphasis on engagement through sharing and social interactions.
Selling Experience: Encourages building a following and engaging with other users to boost visibility.
Poshmark International Reach:
Reach: Primarily focused on the U.S. and Canadian markets.
How to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark.
Mercari
Mercari User Demographics and Target Market:
Demographics: Gender distribution is more balanced than Poshmark.
Target Market: Broad range of categories, including electronics, home goods, and toys, in addition to fashion and clothing.
Community: More transactional and less community-focused compared to Poshmark. It’s more of a post-and-wait game, which can be good and bad. It’s less daunting, but you have little control over sales outcomes.
Mercari Fees and Pricing Structure:
Fees: As of 2024, there are no seller fees on Mercari! But before you get too excited, here's the catch: The fees have been shifted to the buyer. Now buyers pay $0.50 plus 2.9% of the transaction price. Additionally, Mercari charges $2 per bank transfer to sellers, making it the only platform without a free way to access earnings. Essentially, Mercari has found creative ways to profit. So, while it might seem like a great deal at first, you’ll need to consider how these buyer fees might affect your sales and pricing strategy. The buyers are considering these fees when they purchase after all.
Shipping: Sellers can either cover the shipping cost or charge the buyer. Mercari offers discounted shipping labels based on weight and package size. For context, 90% of my listings have a $7.99 shipping fee, and I opt to list my items so the buyer pays. However, be mindful that shipping times aren’t "priority shipping" and are slower in comparison to Poshmark for the same cost. You could also handle shipping outside of Mercari using, let’s say, PirateShip, which might be the same cost or cheaper. However, the process isn’t as smooth and quick as using Mercari's built-in shipping options.
Mercari Platform Features and Tools:
Listing Features: More straightforward and quick listing process, however, Mercari has less brands in their system so I often have to list items as “no brand.”
Promotions: Mercari offers discounts through "Promote" and "Smart Pricing" features, but I do NOT recommend using them. I made this mistake when I first started, and it resulted in hours of manual work editing all my items. Mercari quickly listed my items at very low prices, which then became my lowest historical prices, messing up future negotiations for those listings. I'll spare you the details, but trust me, it's best to avoid these features to maintain control over your pricing.
Authentication: Optional authentication service for luxury items (fees apply).
Mercari Community and Selling Culture:
Culture: More straightforward and transactional. Focused on quick, hassle-free buying and selling. The downside is it’s harder to get great feedback on sales. The good part is that buyers and sellers both rate each other.
Selling Experience: Emphasizes ease of use and speed of transactions.
Mercari International Reach:
Reach: Available in the U.S., Japan, and the U.K.
How to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark.
Depop
Depop User Demographics and Target Market:
Demographics: Younger audience, particularly Gen Z.
Target Market: Vintage, streetwear, and unique fashion items.
Community: Highly social, with an emphasis on unique and creative items, appealing to a trend-focused audience.
Depop Fees and Pricing Structure:
Fees: 10% fee to Depop on each sale.
Payment Processing: Additional payment processing fees (typically around 3% + $0.30).
Shipping: Sellers can set their shipping rates or offer free shipping. Depop provides partner shipping labels, but a side note: their labels download in a huge format, often requiring manual resizing… total hassle! Shipping costs are $10.99 for anything over 1 lb, $7.99 for items under 16 oz, and $6.29 for items under 12 oz. I often find myself using a scale and measuring tape when selling on Depop, which is a drain on my time and energy, and absolutely against the methodology of “How to make the most money with the least time investment.” Additionally, the $10.99 shipping fee can be a deterrent for both buyers and sellers. I really only post higher-end really trendy items or high-priced vintage clothing on Depop for these reasons.
Depop Platform Features and Tools:
Social Features: social interface, yet, still a post and wait game similar to Mercari.
Promotions: Promotional tools for sellers to boost their listings.
Authenticity: Less formal authentication, relies on seller ratings and buyer reviews for trust, however, it’s very difficult to get buyers to review sellers. This is likely due to the youthful demographic that may have “better things to do” than to rate and review.
Depop Community and Selling Culture:
Culture: Creative and trend-driven. Sellers often curate their shops and present items with a unique, personal style. Think online boutique, vintage shops, buffalo exchange online etc.
Selling Experience: Appeals to sellers who want to create a brand-like experience and connect with buyers who appreciate unique and trendy fashion.
Depop International Reach:
Reach: Strong international presence, particularly popular in the UK and Europe and has a newer presence in the U.S.
How to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark.
Why Sellers Use Tools on Poshmark (but not on Mercari or Depop)
Poshmark is quite different than the rest of these online sales platforms, emphasizing a social selling experience with features like sharing listings, Posh Parties, user follows, and engagement through likes and comments.
Engagement isn’t just part of the platform, it’s essential to being a successful seller. One example would be Posh Parties. There are virtual shopping events with specific themes, allowing sellers to share relevant items that significantly increase visibility on their digital Poshmark closet. Building a network through following others and engaging with the community is crucial, as is participating in Closet Clear Out events where price drops prompt notifications to potential buyers.
Given the labor-intensive aspects of these social features on Poshmark specifically, most sellers that have a solid closet (tons of postings and/or high-value items) turn to bots and automation tools. Manually sharing listings multiple times daily is not just time-consuming. It’s utterly mentally draining. Trust me, I tried to do it the manual way and my brain just couldn’t manage switching from Poshmark to other tasks constantly all day long. And remember, the mission is to make the most money with the least time investment.
These tools allow for Poshmark automation and frequent closet sharing without constant effort. Poshmark’s algorithm favors active users, so maintaining high activity levels through bots can keep listings visible and competitive. Automating the process of following users and sharing listings also helps build a larger network quickly, encouraging feedback and mutual engagement and increasing closet exposure.
Due to the nature of Depop and Mercari as low social engagement platforms, there’s no need for automation tools on these platforms, however, if you want to list the same items on multiple platforms, you may want to consider a cross-listing tool (scroll down for more info).
How to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark.
These pictures below showcase the quick growth I’ve made to my supplemental income by merely adding and properly setting up a Poshmark automation tool.
Are Poshmark automation tools allowed?
Now, you may be wondering… Does Poshmark allow bots and tools? Well, yes and no. Officially, no. However, unlike other software tools that lock you down and out in 2-seconds flat, Poshmark doesn’t. Your bots and tools are given a lot more leeway than you would expect. Most tools will provide you with maximum daily limits, and those are often enough to stay within the boundaries. I’ve never had any problems with the tools I’m recommending below on this post.
Plus, per the mission, these Poshmark bots, automation tools, and cross-listers will help you with how to make the most money with the least time investment.
How to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark.
Poshmark bots offer the following basic features and functionality:
Automated Sharing: Automatically share your closet listings to your followers, Posh Parties, and Poshmark’s main feed.
Community Sharing: Share other users' listings to increase engagement and encourage cross-sharing in a “I’ll scratch your back and you scratch mine” kinda way.
Auto-Follow: Follow users to grow your network and increase visibility.
Auto-Like: Like listings to engage with potential buyers and sellers.
Auto-Commenting: Leave comments on listings to engage with users.
Bulk Actions: Perform actions like bulk price editing and bulk offers for time efficiency.
Auto-Offers: Automate offers to be sent to any user who likes an item in your closet.
Scheduling: Set specific times for automated tasks to run.
Solve for CAPTA: Automatically solves for CAPTA so your software keeps running when you’re not at your computer
How to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark.
Why cross-listing tools are useful for listing on Mercari, Poshmark, and Depop:
First, using a cross-listing tool for Mercari, Poshmark, and Depop increases your listed item’s visibility by having it listed on multiple platforms, thus, reaching a broader audience and boosting sales.
Secondly, cross-listing tools save time by streamlining the processes across different marketplaces, eliminating the need to manually enter items into each platform. There’s also the added benefit of efficiency in inventory management as items are updated or removed across all sites when they sell on one.
A cross-listing tool maximizes revenue opportunities by enhancing the chances of making a sale, while saving time and reducing errors. Additionally, it allows sellers to test different pricing and promotional strategies on various platforms to identify the most effective pricing models. And, if you can’t already guess what I’m going to say next, you’ve been skipping (don’t worry, I won’t tell). These tools will help you with “how to make the most money with the least time investment.”
How to make the most money with the least time investment on Poshmark.
The Cost of Poshmark Tools
(and how to optimize costs):
The average Poshmark automation tool, bot, or cross-lister ranges from $10/mo to $50/mo, with premier tools costing even more. Most essential tools fall between $25/mo and $30/mo. While $10/mo tools often lack robust features, one standout exception is Flyp. Initially free, Flyp began charging $10/mo in 2024 after a 100-day free trial. Flyp offers remarkable value, combining both a cross-listing tool and a Poshmark automation bot. Its cross-lister is particularly robust, surpassing many competitors.
For low-volume sellers, the cost of these tools can feel daunting—selling one or two items per month just to cover a $30 software fee (after 20% seller fees) can feel frustrating. However, I learned that using these tools significantly increased my sales. There is a way to optimize the use of these tools too. I initially used more costly tools with entry promos to build my community, then switched to Flyp for cost savings while retaining essential features.
Bookmark this page as your guide to building your Poshmark community with the best tools. Once established, switch to Flyp for cost-effective selling while maintaining all the necessary features to thrive. Now, let me guide you through the best tools, and how to grow your Poshmark community so you can sell!
Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari vs Poshmark vs Mercari
Prime Lister Poshmark Crosslister and Automation Tool
To build up your Poshmark community and followers, get your items listed, and quickly cross-list items to other platforms, I recommend starting with Prime Lister. Prime Lister offers a free 14-day trial for both their cross-listing tool and their Poshmark automation tool.
Why Prime Lister? Besides their generous 14-day free trial covering 95% of their features, Prime Lister supports the most platforms at the best price, including Poshmark, Mercari, Facebook, eBay, Etsy, Grailed, Depop, and Instagram. Their monthly plan is $50/mo, or $33.33/mo annually for both tools. You can also purchase each tool individually if you only need one.
For those planning to cross-list to multiple platforms, Prime Lister is ideal due to its user-friendly interface, reliable performance, and broad platform support. While more affordable tools like Flyp only cross-list to Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, Facebook, and Etsy (with Depop and Shopify coming soon), Prime Lister’s coverage is unmatched.
I’ve tried other platforms claiming extensive cross-listing capabilities, but they were often buggy, difficult to use, or incomplete in their info transfers - only transferring a few photos or skipping the blurb transfer etc. Prime Lister, however, is solid and reliable. If your focus is solely on Poshmark, or Poshmark, Mercari, and eBay, you might consider skipping Prime Lister for my next recommendation. But for broad, efficient cross-lister, Prime Lister stands out.
Please note: If you plan to use Prime Lister for the 14-day trial and then switch to another cross-lister, be aware that the new tool won't recognize your items as connected across platforms. Only the original cross-listing tool will sync and manage your listings across all platforms. For example, if a dress sells on Poshmark, Prime Lister will automatically remove it from Mercari, but only if your membership with Prime Lister is still active. So, if you switch tools, you'll need to manually manage and update your listings across platforms.
Prime Lister’s cross-lister tool
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Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari vs Poshmark vs Mercari
PosherVA Poshmark Bot and Automation Tool
To really amplify your audience on Poshmark, the second tool you should try is PosherVA. If you plan on listing outside of Poshmark, I recommend using Prime Lister for their 14-day free trial first to cross-list, then switch to PosherVA as this tool is not a cross-lister. However, PosherVA is hands down the best and most robust platform for Poshmark under $30. No contest. You’ll also get a 14 day free trial, and it’s only $25/mo. However, PosherVA is only Poshmark focused.
PosherVA is an all-encompassing tool for Poshmark, offering everything you could imagine. It includes all the expected automations from premier Poshmark bots, plus the ability to customize automated offers by URL, pricing tiers, and sharing times. I figured out when Poshmark Parties happened daily and set up party shares for 10 different parties. In just two months, I increased my follower count from 5k to 63k. That’s the true power of PosherVA—gaining a significant following that sticks with you. Hitting 50k was relatively easy, but the last 13k took more time and seemed a little more daunting. Luckily, sales started to really come in around the 50k mark.
Overall, PosherVA saves time by automating routine tasks, allowing sellers focus on sourcing and listing new items, which drives business growth on Poshmark. I recommend PosherVA if: (1) You plan on focusing solely on Poshmark. It’s the most robust and cost-effective tool for the platform, making it ideal for dedicated Poshmark sellers. The second scenario in which I recommend PosherVA: (2) You need a quick boost in followers. PosherVA’s features excel at building a robust follower count, and sharing your closet with followers directly translates to sales. In this case, you might use PosherVA for a few months before switching to the next tool I recommend.
The PosherVA UI (setting sharing times)
PosherVA 20% Discount!
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Poshmark vs Depop vs Mercari vs Poshmark vs Mercari
Flyp Poshmark Bot and Automation Tool
Flyp is hands down the most cost-effective option for managing Poshmark automation and cross-listing. While there are some downsides, the cost more than makes up for them. That’s why I recommend trying a couple of other platforms first. If trying multiple products feels daunting, then Flyp is the tool for you—it’s my #1 choice.
Flyp covers most of the Poshmark automation tools you’ll need. What’s missing? A few things, like Bulk Edit, tiered automated offers, and Flyp’s need for daily input to follow users. In contrast, PosherVA runs almost entirely on autopilot after setup.
What’s great about Flyp? They offer free analytics tools, which no other platforms include. The cross-lister is intuitive and easy to manage, currently supporting Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, Facebook, and Etsy, with Depop and Shopify in the works. This is why I recommend Prime Lister first if you want to list on more platforms. Plus, it’s useful to know what limed tools are missing, so you know if you would prefer the additional costs to pay to have those features.
Also, remember that if you switch cross-listers, the new tool won’t recognize your items as connected across platforms. Only the original tool will sync and manage your listings everywhere.
Another thing I love about Flyp is that everything is managed through a webpage, not through Chrome extensions. I prefer this myself.
Flyp used to be 100% free and received backlash when they started charging a nominal fee. I understand why—they needed to support full-time development and maintenance. You still get 100 days free with no credit card required on Flyp, and then it’s just $9/mo. You can’t beat this deal. I’ve saved you the time of searching through pages of Poshmark tools on Google just to land back at Flyp— it’s the best-designed tool at this price point. Don’t waste your time looking elsewhere!
The Flyp dashboard for the Poshmark automation tool
100 Day Free Trial of Flyp!
As my #1 choice, Flyp is the best deal in town with a 100-day FREE trial (no credit card required), then only $9/mo thereafter. You can’t beat that price anywhere. Truly.
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