Source-backed analysis7
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
7 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
eBay Review
Global auction and resale marketplace: rare finds, buyer protection, sizeable seller fees
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
eBay suits shoppers hunting collectibles, pre-owned goods and hard-to-find items, backed by the Money Back Guarantee for eBay-checkout purchases and an Authenticity Guarantee for some categories. The trade-offs are a 13.6% final value fee for sellers in most categories and a 1.2/5 Trustpilot score with many complaints about refunds, disputes and account restrictions.
Best for: Collectors of trading cards, watches, sneakers, vintage items or hard-to-find parts
Skip it if: Shoppers who want new goods, brand warranty and fast delivery from one seller of record
Pros
- Money Back Guarantee for items not received, damaged or not as described when paid via eBay checkout
- High app ratings: 4.8/5 (4.97M ratings) on the App Store, 4.1/5 (5.03M) on Google Play
- Many eligible payment methods: cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, Klarna, Alipay
Cons
- Trustpilot 1.2/5 with complaints about refunds denied, hard-to-reach support and restricted seller accounts
- Sellers pay a 13.6% final value fee plus 0.30 to 0.40 USD per order in most categories
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- eBay Live for live bidding, and an Authenticity Guarantee for categories such as handbags, watches, sneakers and trading cards
Cons
- The Android app contains ads (per Google Play), and eBay uses data for personalised advertising
- No coverage for payments made outside eBay, and some categories are excluded
Best for
- Individual and small sellers who want global buyers and accept sales-based fees
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What eBay is
eBay is an online marketplace founded on 3 September 1995 as AuctionWeb by Pierre Omidyar, renamed eBay in 1997 and headquartered in San Jose, California. The Google Play description lists vintage items, electronics, shoes, trading cards, watches, car parts and refurbished tech. According to Wikipedia, eBay had 132 million annual active buyers and 73 billion USD in gross merchandise volume in 2023.
Buyer protection
eBay's Money Back Guarantee covers items not received, faulty or damaged, or not matching the listing, if paid through eBay with an eligible method such as card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, Klarna or Alipay. A return can be requested up to 30 calendar days after delivery or within the seller's stated window, whichever is longer. Payments outside eBay by bank transfer or cash are not covered, and some categories are excluded.
Selling fees
For US sellers, 250 listings per month carry no insertion fee, then 0.35 USD per listing. When an item sells, most categories pay a 13.6% final value fee on the sale up to 7,500 USD, 2.35% above that, plus 0.30 USD (orders of 10 USD or less) or 0.40 USD (orders over 10 USD). Other categories have their own rates, and eBay's fees page is the authoritative reference.
More analysis
Reputation and comparison
Ratings diverge: 4.8/5 on the App Store and 4.1/5 on Google Play, but 1.2/5 on Trustpilot over 19,469 reviews, mostly from buyers and sellers unhappy with refunds, disputes, fees and account restrictions (Trustpilot does not fact-check reviews). Compared with Amazon, eBay is stronger for pre-owned, collectibles and auctions; compared with Etsy it is broader in categories but less focused on handmade goods.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Người mua / Buyer
PersonalFree
Free to buy; buyers pay the item price and per-listing shipping.
Người bán / Seller
BusinessFree
No subscription fee for a standard account. Per eBay's US selling fees page, 250 listings per month have no insertion fee, then 0.35 USD per listing. When an item sells, the final value fee in most categories is 13.6% of the total sale up to 7,500 USD (2.35% on the portion above), plus a per-order fee of 0.30 USD for orders of 10 USD or less or 0.40 USD above 10 USD.
- Free plan limits
- Free account for buyers; sellers get 250 zero-insertion-fee listings per month.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
Under eBay's Money Back Guarantee, buyers can get a refund if an item does not arrive, is faulty or damaged, or does not match the listing, provided they paid through eBay checkout with an eligible method and act within the time frames. A return can be requested up to 30 calendar days after the estimated or actual delivery date, or within the seller's stated returns window, whichever is longer. Payments made outside eBay (bank transfer, cash) and categories such as real estate and motor vehicles are not covered.
Privacy
According to eBay's User Privacy Notice (effective 26 November 2026), eBay processes data to provide and improve its services, personalise the experience, provide customer service, deliver personalised advertising and marketing, and detect fraud. Data may be shared with service providers and among eBay affiliates. Some recipients are located outside your jurisdiction; eBay says it applies appropriate safeguards to transfers. The responsible eBay entity depends on your region of residence, and separate disclosures exist for residents of certain US states and some countries.
eBay alternatives
7.2/10Amazon
The world's largest online store, strong on range and the Prime membership
7.0/10Vinted
European second-hand marketplace: no seller fees, buyers pay a platform fee
Frequently asked questions
Does eBay protect buyers?
Yes. The Money Back Guarantee applies when an item does not arrive, is faulty or damaged, or does not match the listing, if you paid through eBay with an eligible method. Payments made outside eBay are not covered.
How much does it cost to sell on eBay?
Per eBay's US fees page, most categories get 250 zero-insertion-fee listings per month, then 0.35 USD each, plus a 13.6% final value fee up to 7,500 USD and 0.30 to 0.40 USD per order. Other categories have their own rates.
How long do I have to report an item that hasn't arrived?
Per the Money Back Guarantee page, you can report it once the estimated delivery date has passed and no later than 30 calendar days after that date. The seller then has up to 3 business days to provide tracking, a delivery update or a refund; if that does not resolve it, you can ask eBay to step in. If the item never arrives, you get a full refund including original shipping.
Are eBay's ratings reliable?
Ratings vary by source: 4.8/5 on the App Store, 4.1/5 on Google Play and 1.2/5 on Trustpilot. Trustpilot says it does not fact-check reviews, so it is worth comparing all three.
Review evidence & sources7
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.3
- Features
- 8.0
- Value for money
- 7.0
- Performance
- 6.6
- Support
- 5.6
- Privacy & security
- 5.8
Why this score
4.8/5 on the App Store and 4.1/5 on Google Play from millions of ratings. Marked down for a 1.2/5 Trustpilot score, some complaints that the site is confusing, and ads in the Android app.
Why this score
Auctions and buy-it-now, Money Back Guarantee, Authenticity Guarantee, eBay Live, seller following and many payment methods; one of the broadest marketplaces for collectibles.
Why this score
Free for buyers. Sellers pay a 13.6% final value fee and a per-order fee in most categories; no independent source compares this with other marketplaces.
Why this score
No independent app-speed data. Trustpilot reviewers report non-delivery, items not as described and misdirected packages; delivery time depends on each seller.
Why this score
A detailed help centre and dispute process with set time frames, but Trustpilot reviewers describe difficulty reaching an agent, automated support and unfavourable dispute outcomes.
Why this score
The notice sets out purposes, recipients and safeguards for cross-border transfers, with regional disclosures. Points deducted for personalised advertising, sharing among affiliates and ads in the Android app.
What users say
- App Store (US)4.8/5 · 4,969,553
- Google Play4.1/5 · 5,030,000
- Trustpilot (ebay.com)1.2/5 · 19,469
Sources
- Vendor-providedeBay Money Back Guarantee policyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedeBay selling feesNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedeBay User Privacy NoticeNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (US)Nov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listingNov 10, 2026
- review-siteTrustpilot reviews for ebay.comNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: eBayNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- eBay Inc.
- Headquarters
- United States
- Launched
- 1995
- Category
- Shopping
Capabilities
- Mobile app
- Integrations
Platforms
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- English
- German
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Korean
- Japanese
- Chinese
Integrations
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Venmo
- Klarna
- Alipay
Support
- Live chat
- Help center
- Community forum
Change history
- Company.GameStop proposes to buy eBay for about 56 billion USD; eBay rejects the offer.
- Company.eBay sells its classifieds business to Adevinta for 2.5 billion USD in cash plus 540 million Adevinta shares.
- Feature.eBay announces Adyen will replace PayPal as its primary payments provider.
Full change history (7)
- Company.eBay completes the spin-off of PayPal as a separate company.
- Company.eBay completes its 1.4 billion USD acquisition of PayPal.
- Company.eBay lists on NASDAQ, opening at 18 USD and closing its first day at 53 USD.
- Launch.Pierre Omidyar founds AuctionWeb in California; it is renamed eBay in September 1997.
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