Amazon vs Walmart Fees Compared | Futureproof
Amazon FBA vs Walmart Marketplace: Fees Compared
Compare the fee structures of Amazon FBA and Walmart Marketplace side by side to find which platform gives you better margins.
Key Differences
Amazon FBA vs Walmart Marketplace: What's Different?
Amazon and Walmart Marketplace are the two largest retail-backed online marketplaces in the U.S., but Walmart is growing fast and offers sellers some meaningful fee advantages. Amazon charges 8-15% referral fees plus FBA fees plus a $39.99/month subscription. Walmart charges 6-15% referral fees (often 1-3% lower than Amazon in the same category) with no monthly subscription fee and no setup costs.
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) competes directly with FBA, offering two-day shipping and the Walmart+ badge, similar to Prime. WFS fees are generally comparable to FBA, though Walmart occasionally undercuts Amazon on storage fees — especially during Q4 when Amazon's storage surcharges spike. Walmart also doesn't charge long-term storage fees, which is a significant savings for slow-moving inventory.
The key trade-off is traffic volume. Amazon's marketplace is roughly 10x larger than Walmart's in terms of GMV and third-party seller transactions. Walmart is more selective about which sellers it approves, which means less competition per listing but also fewer eyeballs. Walmart tends to favor sellers with competitive pricing, and its algorithm prioritizes the lowest price more aggressively than Amazon's. This makes Walmart ideal for sellers who can compete on price and want lower fees, while Amazon remains the default for maximum reach.
Side-by-Side Calculator
Compare Fees on the Same Product
Enter Product Details (same product, both platforms)
| Product Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Price | $ |
| Cost of Goods | $ |
| Shipping Cost | $ |
Amazon FBA
- Total Fees: $8.59
- Profit: $9.40
- Margin: 31.3%
Walmart Marketplace
- Total Fees: $4.50
- Profit: $13.49
- Margin: 45.0%
Walmart Marketplace saves you $4.09 in fees per sale.
Fee Structure Comparison
| Fee Type | Amazon FBA | Walmart Marketplace |
|---|---|---|
| Referral / Commission | 15% | 15% |
| Payment Processing | Included | Included |
| Fulfillment Fee | $3.22 | N/A |
| Monthly Subscription | None | None |
| Listing Fee | None | None |
Scenarios
Which Is Better For...
Best for Maximum Sales Volume
Amazon FBA: Amazon's marketplace is dramatically larger, with more traffic, more Prime members, and more established buyer trust. If your primary goal is maximizing units sold, Amazon's audience size is unmatched. Most sellers on Walmart report lower sales volume compared to their Amazon listings for the same products.
Best for Minimizing Fees and Overhead
Walmart Marketplace: Walmart has no monthly subscription fee, generally lower referral rates, and no long-term storage fees. For sellers with good margins who want to keep costs down, Walmart's fee structure is leaner. The total take rate is often 2-5% lower than Amazon for the same product.
Best for Price-Competitive Products
Walmart Marketplace: Walmart's algorithm aggressively rewards the lowest price. If you can offer competitive pricing, Walmart surfaces your listing prominently. Walmart shoppers also tend to be more price-conscious than Amazon shoppers, so value-oriented products perform well on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it hard to get approved to sell on Walmart?
- Does Walmart charge a monthly subscription like Amazon?
- How does Walmart Fulfillment Services compare to FBA?
- Can I sell the same products on both Amazon and Walmart?
- Which platform has better advertising tools?