Vinted vs. Depop: Where to Sell Your Old Clothes for Cash

Cleaning out your closet is more than just a chore; it is a legitimate way to put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket. However, downloading the wrong app for your specific clothing can lead to frustration and items that sit unsold for months. Two of the biggest names in the game are Vinted and Depop, but they function very differently.

This guide breaks down the specific fees, audiences, and shipping logistics of both platforms so you can decide where your clothes belong.

The Core Philosophy: Digital Garage Sale vs. Curated Boutique

Before looking at the math, you need to understand the vibe of each platform. This dictates what sells and how much effort you need to put in.

Vinted operates like a massive digital garage sale or thrift store. The goal here is volume and speed. Users are looking for practical, everyday items at bargain prices. If you have a pile of gently used clothes from Mall brands like Old Navy, H&M, Zara, or Gap, Vinted is your best bet. It is also excellent for children’s clothing and bundles.

Depop functions more like Instagram with a shopping cart. It is image-heavy and trends-focused. The user base is younger (mostly Gen Z) and looks for specific aesthetics. Items that sell well here include vintage streetwear (Carhartt, Dickies), Y2K fashion (Juicy Couture, Baby Phat), and unique designer pieces. If your item is trendy or vintage, you can usually command a higher price on Depop than on Vinted.

Breaking Down the Fees

The most significant difference between these two apps is who pays the platform fees. This structure directly impacts how you price your items.

Vinted Fees: Better for Sellers

Vinted is unique because it charges $0 in selling fees to the seller. When you list an item for $20, and it sells for $20, you keep the full amount (minus shipping if you offered to pay it, though usually, the buyer pays).

Instead, Vinted charges the buyer. The buyer pays a “Buyer Protection Fee.”

  • Fixed Amount: $0.70
  • Variable Amount: 5% of the item’s price.

Because the buyer sees these extra costs at checkout, you may need to price your items slightly lower to keep the “total cost” attractive.

Depop Fees: A Shift in Strategy

For years, Depop charged a flat 10% selling fee on the total transaction (item price + shipping). However, the platform has recently made massive changes to compete with Vinted.

  • No Selling Fees (US & UK): As of 2024, Depop has removed the 10% selling fee for sellers in the UK and the US on new listings. This means you keep more of your profit.
  • Payment Processing Fee: You still pay a standard transaction processing fee. In the US, this is roughly 3.3% + $0.45 per transaction.
  • Buyer Marketplace Fee: Similar to Vinted, Depop has shifted costs to the buyer. Buyers in these regions now pay a marketplace fee of up to 5% plus a fixed fee (often around $1) on every purchase.

The Verdict: Both platforms are now very similar regarding seller fees. However, Vinted has zero payment processing fees if you keep the money in your Vinted Balance, whereas Depop almost always deducts that 3.3% + $0.45 processing cost.

Shipping Logistics

Shipping can be the most intimidating part of online resale. Here is how each app handles the logistics.

Vinted: The “Pre-Paid Label” Method

Vinted makes shipping incredibly rigid but easy.

  1. When you list, you select the parcel size (Small, Medium, Large).
  2. The buyer chooses their preferred carrier at checkout (USPS, UPS, or FedEx).
  3. Vinted sends you a pre-paid shipping label immediately.
  4. You print it, stick it on the bag, and drop it off.

If you underestimate the weight, you might run into trouble at the post office, but generally, the buyer pays for the shipping, and you just handle the label.

Depop: Flexible Options

Depop offers two main ways to ship:

  1. Ship with Depop: This is similar to Vinted. You select the size (e.g., “Extra Small” for 4oz is roughly $4.49; “Large” for 2lb is roughly $12.49). The buyer pays this cost, and you get a label.
  2. Ship on Your Own: You can charge the buyer a flat rate (e.g., $5) or offer free shipping to entice sales. You then buy your own label through a third party like Pirate Ship to save money. This requires more work but gives you control over the carrier and packaging.

Audience and Brands: What Actually Sells?

Listing your item on the wrong platform guarantees it will sit collecting dust. Use this checklist to decide where to list.

Sell on Vinted if:

  • Brands: Carter’s, Gymboree, H&M, Shein, Target (Cat & Jack), Loft, Ann Taylor.
  • Condition: Gently used, “play condition” for kids, or new with tags items from mid-tier brands.
  • Goal: You want to get rid of a trash bag full of clothes quickly and do not care about maximizing profit on every single t-shirt.
  • Demographic: Moms, budget-conscious shoppers, people looking for bundles.

Sell on Depop if:

  • Brands: Reformation, Realisation Par, Doc Martens, Levi’s (vintage), Harley Davidson, Supreme, Gunne Sax.
  • Condition: Unique, vintage, distressed (stylishly), or highly trendy.
  • Goal: You are willing to model the clothes, take artistic photos, and wait for the right buyer to get a higher price.
  • Demographic: Fashion enthusiasts, Gen Z, collectors, stylists.

The Listing Experience

Vinted listings are functional. You need decent lighting, but you do not need to be a photographer. Flat lays (clothes on the floor or bed) are perfectly acceptable. Descriptions can be short and factual.

Depop listings are social. The cover photo matters immensely. Modeled shots (wearing the item) statistically sell much faster than flat lays. You need to use relevant hashtags like #cottagecore, #y2k, or #streetwear to get found in search. If you treat Depop like a social media feed, you will succeed. If you treat it like eBay, you might struggle.

Getting Paid

Liquidity is the final factor. When do you actually see the cash?

  • Vinted: Payment is slow. The buyer purchases the item, and the money goes into “Pending.” You ship the item. Once it arrives, the buyer has 2 days to click “Everything is OK.” Only then are funds released to your Vinted balance. If they don’t click it, it auto-releases after the 48-hour window.
  • Depop: Payments are generally faster via Depop Payments. Funds are usually available for payout 1–2 working days after the sale, or sometimes after the tracking shows “Delivered,” depending on your account history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I list the same item on both Vinted and Depop? Yes, this is called “cross-listing.” It increases your chances of selling. However, you must be very disciplined. The moment an item sells on Vinted, you must immediately delete the listing on Depop to avoid selling an item you no longer have.

Do I have to pay taxes on my sales? In the United States, online marketplaces are required to issue a 1099-K form if you sell more than a specific threshold in gross sales. While the IRS delayed the $600 threshold implementation for 2023⁄2024, you should prepare for this reporting requirement if you plan to sell regularly. Always track your “Cost of Goods Sold” (what you originally paid for the item) so you only pay taxes on actual profit, not just revenue.

Which app has better customer service? Both rely heavily on automated support. However, Vinted’s support is notoriously strict about shipping windows. If you do not ship within 5 business days, the order is auto-cancelled, and you receive negative feedback. Depop is slightly more lenient with communication between buyer and seller regarding shipping delays.