Poshmark vs. Depop: The Ultimate Buyer & Seller Guide
When it comes to buying and selling secondhand clothing online, two platforms stand out for their focus on apparel resale: Poshmark and Depop. While both offer compelling opportunities for both buyers and sellers, they each offer unique experiences, features, and types of clothing. Are you looking for a polished marketplace with lots of brand-name apparel? Or do you prefer a trend-driven experience chasing unique vintage finds? In this article, we’ll dive into the different features, pricing, shipping, community, and other aspects of each platform to help you decide which platform is the right fit for you—whether you’re a buyer or a seller, and whether you’re in the United States or Canada.
Poshmark vs. Depop: History & Demographics
Both Poshmark and Depop were founded in 2011, Poshmark in the U.S., Depop in Italy (but it’s based in the U.K.). Both companies focus on selling secondhand apparel, though Poshmark tends to have more products in other categories as well. Both platforms are widely used and supported in the U.S., Canada and Australia, but Poshmark also operates in India, and Depop is used in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Italy.
Poshmark has a much higher number of registered users, at 80 million globally vs. approximately 30 million on Depop. Poshmark users also tend to be older; approximately 80% are over the age of 26 (source), whereas over 90% of Depop users are under the age of 26. Poshmark tends to list more mainstream and high-end fashion items, whereas Depop draws an audience looking for vintage, streetwear, and one-of-a-kind items.
Both platforms have a lot of social elements and features influenced by social media platforms. Poshmark encourages sellers to share listings and participate in virtual shopping events, while Depop emphasizes more curated profiles with stylish photography.
Selling on Poshmark vs. Depop
As a seller on Depop, your focus will be on fewer, high-impact visuals, as it allows up to 8 photos total (plus an optional video) compared to Poshmark’s 16 photos per listing. For used garments where embellishments, damage or other important elements need to be highlighted, it’s easier on Poshmark to zoom in and highlight specific areas.
For sellers, Poshmark charges a flat fee of $2.95 ($3.95 CAD in Canada) for sales under $15 ($20 in Canada), and a flat 20% for sales over $15 (/$20). On Depop, a standard 10% fee is charged plus transaction fees from PayPal or Depop payments (the amount varies by location, but is typically between 2.9% and 3.49% plus $0.50).
Shipping is simpler with Poshmark, as they provide prepaid shipping labels at a flat rate (paid by the buyer). Depop offers more flexibility, giving sellers the option to ship independently or use Depop’s shipping service.
Buying on Poshmark vs. Depop
Price points, as a whole, tend to be higher on Poshmark. There are more high-end and luxury items, where Depop tends to feature more affordable options for younger buyers seeking unique pieces.
One notable difference between the platforms is that Poshmark generally considers all sales final, with returns only accepted in the case of misrepresented items. Depop allows sellers to set their own return policies, sometimes leading to confusion and inconsistencies, so make sure you check the return policy for what you’re purchasing as a buyer. Both platforms do offer buyer protection programs to ensure secure transactions and to handle disputes when they arise between a buyer and seller.
Get my best resale tips—free
Enter your email address to sign up for my mailing list and get a free copy of my top 25 reselling tips.
Considerations for Canadians
Both Poshmark and Depop are accessible to Canadian users, with localized apps and websites. Poshmark makes shipping easier, as it offers prepaid Canada Post shipping labels at a flat rate, whereas Canadian sellers are forced to arrange their own shipping on Depop.
Generally speaking, Poshmark Canada is mainly intended for Canadians to sell to other Canadians. The platform does not support international shipping from Canada, whereas Depop does allow it, but sellers must manage international shipping logistics themselves.
Note too that Canadian Poshmark sellers benefit from automatic tax calculation and remittance for HST and GST, simplifying reporting requirements to the CRA. Depop sellers, on the other hand, are responsible for calculating and remitting any applicable taxes.
Conclusion
Choosing between Poshmark and Depop largely comes down to your priorities as a buyer or seller, though location and target market can be significant considerations. Poshmark’s structured shipping and social marketplace appeal to those who value convenience and more mainstream finds, while Depop’s younger and more creative community attracts trend-savvy shoppers. Both platforms have their pros and cons. If you’re a buyer, check both for the apparel you’re seeking! And if you’re a seller, consider which platform works best for what you’re selling and which platform better aligns with your preferences. Whether you’re listing items from your closet or searching for that perfect piece, knowing your audience, and your platform, is the biggest driver of success.
Happy thrifting!
