Whether you’re a brand looking to expand online or a shopper hunting for the best deals, choosing the right marketplace matters. Here’s a quick guide to ten standout platforms—plus headline ideas if you’re writing about them.

1. Amazon — Global

Why it shines: World‑class fulfilment (FBA), unmatched traffic and Prime‑level trust.

Best for: Brands that can compete on price and keep inventory stocked.

Key fees: 8–15 % referral fee plus optional FBA storage and pick‑pack charges.

2. eBay — Global

Why it shines: Flexible listing formats (auction or Buy It Now) and a huge second‑hand audience.

Best for: Unique, collectible or refurbished items.

Key fees: Final‑value fee 10–15 % + payment‑processing costs.

3. Shopify — Global (SaaS storefront)

Why it shines: Full control over branding, thousands of apps and built‑in social‑commerce tools.

Best for: SMEs wanting a standalone store without marketplace competition.

Key fees: From US $39/mo + 2.9 % + $0.30 unless using Shopify Payments.

4. Etsy — Global

Why it shines: Dedicated artisan audience; search bias toward handmade, vintage and craft supplies.

Best for: Makers, artists and micro‑brands selling niche goods.

Key fees: $0.20 listing + 6.5 % transaction + processing.

5. Alibaba / AliExpress — China‑centric, worldwide reach

Why it shines: Direct‑factory pricing, robust dropshipping catalogue.

Best for: Wholesale buyers and price‑sensitive cross‑border sellers.

Key fees: Alibaba membership from US $2,999/yr; AliExpress 5–8 % commission.

6. Walmart Marketplace — USA

Why it shines: Taps 240 M monthly visitors and two‑day delivery network.

Best for: Mid‑ to large‑size sellers meeting strict performance metrics.

Key fees: 8–15 % referral, no subscription.

7. Mercado Libre — Latin America

Why it shines: One‑stop ecosystem—payments, shipping, ads—across 18 LATAM countries.

Best for: Brands targeting Brazil, Mexico or Argentina without local warehouses.

Key fees: 11–18 % commission, variable shipping subsidy.

8. Zalando — Europe (fashion focus)

Why it shines: Fashion‑first marketplace with free returns and strong brand‑marketing tools.

Best for: Apparel labels eyeing Germany, France, Nordics and beyond.

Key fees: 5–25 % commission + fulfilment charges if using ZFS.

9. Shopee — Southeast Asia & Taiwan

Why it shines: Mobile‑first UX, in‑app games, aggressive free‑shipping vouchers.

Best for: Sellers wanting rapid scale in Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam.

Key fees: 5–6 % final fee; subsidised logistics via Shopee Xpress.

10. Flipkart — India

Why it shines: Backed by Walmart, dominant reach into Tier‑2/3 cities; robust “Smart Fulfilment.”

Best for: Electronics, fashion and domestic brands entering India’s massive market.

Key fees: 4–20 % category commission + fixed ₹ fee + GST.

Quick Picking Guide