Vinted vs Depop: which platform suits which goals?

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 24m ago

How Vinted works

Vinted is a secondhand marketplace app focused on clothing, shoes, accessories, children's items and some home goods. Sellers photograph items, set prices and choose shipping options. Buyers can purchase immediately, make offers or bundle items. Buyers typically pay the item price plus a buyer protection fee and shipping, while sellers usually receive the full item price. Payment is held until the buyer confirms the item arrived as described.

How Depop works

Depop is a social shopping app where sellers create shop profiles with styled photos, often of items worn or arranged creatively. It is popular with younger buyers looking for vintage, streetwear, designer and unique pieces. Buyers can like, message and make offers. Fees and payment processing differ by country, and Depop has changed seller fee structures in recent years in some markets, so check current terms.

Key differences at a glance

| Feature | Vinted | Depop |

|---|---|---|

| Typical items | Everyday and family clothing | Vintage, streetwear, trend pieces |

| Seller fees | Usually none | Varies by country |

| Buyer fees | Protection fee plus shipping | Varies by country |

| Style | Practical listings | Styled, social shop feel |

Audience and categories

Vinted attracts a broad range of buyers looking for affordable everyday clothing, children's clothes, high-street brands and bargains. Depop attracts style-focused buyers searching for vintage, branded sportswear, designer, alternative and trend items. Items that look ordinary on Depop may sell faster on Vinted, while unique vintage pieces may fetch higher prices on Depop.

Shipping options

Both apps offer integrated shipping with prepaid labels or drop-off codes, often with tracking, in supported countries. Buyers usually pay shipping costs. Some options include drop-off points or collection lockers. Package items securely and ship within the stated time to avoid cancellations and negative reviews.

Payouts

After the buyer receives the item and confirms, or after a set period passes without problems, funds move to the seller's balance. Sellers then transfer money to a bank account, sometimes with processing time. Identity verification may be required before withdrawals. Make sure bank details are correct.

Listing and photos

On Vinted, clear photos on a plain background, honest descriptions, sizes, brands and condition details are key. On Depop, styled photos, such as items worn or arranged with accessories, attract attention, along with detailed descriptions and hashtags. Natural light and multiple angles help on both. Show any flaws clearly.

Pricing and negotiation

Buyers on both apps often make offers, so price slightly above your minimum. Vinted buyers expect bargains, so competitive pricing helps items sell quickly. Depop buyers may pay more for rare or trending pieces. Research sold items to set realistic prices. Bundle discounts encourage buyers to buy several items at once.

Worked example: profit on one jacket

Sam sells a denim jacket for 30 pounds. On an app with no seller fee, he receives 30 pounds, and the buyer pays shipping and protection fees. If he bought the jacket secondhand for 8 pounds, his profit is 22 pounds. On an app charging a 10% seller fee and payment processing of about 3% plus 0.20 pounds, his costs would be 3 pounds plus 1.10 pounds, totalling 4.10 pounds, leaving 25.90 pounds and a profit of 17.90 pounds. The percentage calculator on this site helps compare fee scenarios.

Buyer protection and disputes

Both apps protect buyers if items do not arrive or are significantly not as described. Sellers should describe condition honestly, photograph items before shipping and keep tracking information. Respond quickly and politely to issues.

Who Vinted suits

Vinted suits people decluttering their wardrobes, parents selling children's clothes and sellers of affordable high-street items who want to keep the full sale price.

Who Depop suits

Depop suits vintage resellers, streetwear sellers, creatives who enjoy styling photos and sellers of unique or trending items who want to build a shop brand.

Using both apps

Cross-listing on both can increase visibility and sales speed. Track inventory carefully, update listings promptly and tailor photos and descriptions to each audience.

Taxes for regular sellers

Selling your own used items is often not taxable, but regular reselling for profit may be. Platforms in some countries report seller activity to tax authorities once thresholds are reached. Check local rules.

A checklist for choosing

Consider what you sell, your target buyers, current fees in your country, how much time you will spend on photos and whether you want to build a shop brand.

Getting found in search

Both apps rank listings based on how well they match what buyers type, along with factors such as recency, price, engagement and seller activity. Include the brand, item type, size, colour, material and style in titles and descriptions, using words buyers actually search, such as high-waisted mom jeans or vintage football shirt. On Depop, relevant hashtags help, while on Vinted the category, brand and size fields are especially important. Avoid adding unrelated brand names, which can break listing rules and frustrate buyers.

Building a reputation

Reviews and ratings build trust on both apps. Ship quickly, pack items neatly, include a short thank-you note and respond politely to messages. Buyers often check a seller's reviews before purchasing, especially for higher-priced items. A strong rating can help you sell faster and justify slightly higher prices over time.

Sourcing items to resell

Some sellers go beyond decluttering and source items from charity shops, car boot sales, clearance racks and vintage markets. Research sold prices on each app first, focusing on brands and styles that sell quickly. Check items carefully for stains, damage and authenticity. Resellers who track what sells and at what price can build a steady side income, but should keep records for tax purposes.

Avoiding scams

Keep all communication and payments inside the app. Be wary of buyers who ask you to ship outside the app, pay through other methods, send links to fake payment pages or claim an item never arrived without evidence. Both apps' buyer and seller protections only apply to transactions completed through their systems. Consumer protection agencies publish advice on safe online shopping that also helps sellers spot red flags.

Time and effort

Vinted listings can be quick, with simple photos and standard fields. Depop shops often benefit from more time spent on styling, photography and building a consistent look. Consider how much time you can invest each week, and choose the approach that gives you the best return for your effort.

Seasonal selling tips

List coats and boots in autumn, swimwear and summer dresses in spring and party outfits before holidays. Buyers search for what they need now, so timing your listings to the season can help items sell faster and at better prices on both apps.

Measuring and preparing items

Accurate measurements reduce returns and disputes. Measure chest or bust, waist, length and inseam where relevant, and include them in the description, since sizes vary between brands. Wash or clean items before listing, remove pet hair and lint and fix small issues such as loose buttons. Well-prepared items photograph better, attract more likes and often sell for higher prices on both apps.

Handling offers and bundles

Respond to offers quickly and politely, even if you decline. Counter-offers help reach a fair price. Encourage bundles by offering a discount on multiple items, which reduces shipping per item for buyers and helps you clear stock faster. Some sellers send offers to users who like their items, which can turn interest into sales.

Staying organised

Keep a simple spreadsheet listing each item, where you bought it, cost, listing price, platform and sale price. Store items in labelled bags or boxes so you can find them quickly when they sell. Good organisation saves time, prevents selling the same item twice when cross-listing and makes it easy to see your real profit each month.

Choosing packaging

Reuse clean boxes and mailing bags where possible, wrap delicate items in tissue and fold clothes neatly. Weigh parcels before choosing a shipping size, so the label matches the package and you avoid delivery problems.

Reader questions

Questions about reselling? Send them through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only. Fees and policies vary by country and change; check official sources.

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