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Fanvault vs Whatnot.
The largest US live-shopping marketplace, where sellers run streamed auctions for collectibles and fashion.
Rates verified 2026-08-29
The short answer
Whatnot and Fanvault both charge an 8% commission, but the total cost differs in the details: Whatnot sellers also pay 2.9% plus 30 cents processing on the whole order including shipping and tax, while Fanvault's 3% processing fee is paid by the buyer, so creators keep a flat 92%. Whatnot wins on live-show energy and a huge collector audience that finds you; Fanvault wins when you already have the audience and want a storefront you own, with auctions, drops, subscriptions and DMs on one link.
At a glance
| Feature | Fanvault | Whatnot |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 8% flat | 8% on Standard |
| Monthly cost | None | None |
| Listing fee | None | None |
| Payouts | Stripe Connect, on settlement | Paid out after order delivery through their payments partner. |
| Physical fulfillment | Prepaid labels and tracking | Included |
| Auctions | Proxy bidding, anti-snipe | Yes |
| What they sell | Digital, physical, auctions, subscriptions, tips, wishlist | Live auction shows, Sports cards and TCG, Comics and toys, Coins, Sneakers and fashion, Wholesale pallets |
What you keep
The same sale, run through both platforms. Fanvault's column is computed from the live platform rate, and Whatnot's from their published Standard rate.
| Feature | Fanvault | Whatnot |
|---|---|---|
| $25 sale | $23 | $22.70 |
| $100 sale | $92 | $91.70 |
| $500 sale | $460 | $459.70 |
| $2,500 sale | $2,300 | $2,299.70 |
Whatnot pricing tiers
| Feature | Monthly | Annual | Seller fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free | Same | 8% |
- Standard: Plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing charged to the seller on the full order value, shipping and tax included. Category exceptions: coins 4%, and a limited-time 0% on the portion above $1,500 for cards, comics, sports singles and toys.
Where Whatnot wins
- Live shopping at scale. Real-time streamed auctions with chat and giveaways create impulse bidding a static listing cannot match, and Whatnot is the US category leader at it.
- Built-in buyer discovery. The feed pushes shows to collectors browsing by category, so a brand-new seller can get real bids on night one without bringing an audience.
- Category pricing on big tickets. Coins run at 4%, and a limited-time promotion takes 0% on the portion above $1,500 for cards and comics, which beats a flat 8% on high-value collectibles.
- Onboarding speed. Most applicants can be selling within minutes; Fanvault is invite-only by design.
How to pick
Choose Whatnot if
- You thrive on camera and want live auction shows as the format
- You have no existing audience and need the marketplace to supply buyers
- You sell high-value cards or comics that clear $1,500 while their promo rate lasts
Choose Fanvault if
- You already have an audience and want it landing on a storefront you own
- You want auctions that run around the clock without you streaming
- You want digital products, subscriptions, tips, paid DMs and a wishlist next to the auctions
Switching
Not either-or for many sellers. Creators keep running live shows on Whatnot for discovery and point the audience they earn at a Fanvault storefront, where drops and auctions sell without a stream and the fan relationship is theirs.
Fanvault vs Whatnot: common questions
- Is Whatnot cheaper than Fanvault?
- The headline commissions match at 8%, but the bases differ. Whatnot charges the seller 2.9% plus 30 cents processing on the entire order, shipping and tax included, so the effective cost rises with shipping. On Fanvault the 3% processing fee is paid by the buyer and the creator keeps 92% of the item price. On coins or cards above $1,500, Whatnot's category promotions can genuinely undercut us.
- Do I have to livestream to sell on Whatnot?
- The live show is the product on Whatnot: bids happen in the stream, and reach follows the shows you run. Fanvault is the opposite model. Listings, drops and proxy-bid auctions run on their own schedule, so nothing depends on you being on camera.
- Which is better for a creator with an existing fan base?
- If your buyers come from your own following rather than marketplace browsing, a Fanvault storefront keeps that relationship direct: one link with auctions, drops, digital products and DMs, and fan accounts that belong to your store rather than a feed. Whatnot's strength is supplying buyers you do not have yet.
- Can I sell on both?
- Yes, and sellers do. Whatnot shows work as a discovery channel while a Fanvault storefront serves the audience you already own. Inventory is the only real coordination cost, since a one-of-one item can only be listed in one place at a time.
Sources
Whatnot rates below were read from their own published pages on 2026-08-29. Prices change, so check theirs before deciding.
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Free to start. Keep 92% of every sale.