Different marketplaces, different maths
Meesho, Flipkart, and Amazon all put your products in front of millions, but they charge and pay very differently. The right one depends on your margins, your price point, and your patience for fees. Pick wrong and a "free" listing quietly eats your profit. Here's how the three compare on what actually matters.
Commission: the headline number
This is where they split most. Never assume; look up your exact category.
Commission by marketplace
| Marketplace | Commission | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Meesho | 0% official commission | Its money comes from ads and the cost of returns |
| Flipkart | Varies by category | Often in the low-to-high teens as a percentage |
| Amazon | Referral fees vary widely by category | Check its current fee schedule |
The real cost is more than commission
Commission is only part of the bill. Add shipping, payment collection, and returns. On Meesho, returns and ad spend can quietly add 10–15% even with 0% commission. On Flipkart, the all-in cost often lands around 20–30% once fees stack. Model the full cost on a real order, not the commission line alone.
How fast they pay
Cash flow matters for a small store. Meesho is known for a quick payment cycle, often within one to two weeks. Flipkart and Amazon run on their own schedules. If you're tight on working capital, faster payouts can matter more than a slightly lower fee. Read the payment terms before you list.
Who each one suits
Roughly speaking, Meesho leans to value-priced products and first-time sellers, especially in fashion and tier-2/3 demand. Flipkart suits mid-market products and buyers across the country. Amazon skews to broader and premium catalogues and brand-conscious buyers. Match the platform to your price point and product, not to its size.
You don't have to pick just one
Many sellers list on more than one marketplace, and on their own store too. Each channel reaches a different buyer. The trick is keeping one clean view of stock and orders so the channels don't fight each other. Start with the marketplace that fits your margins, then expand from there.
Keep one channel that's yours
Whichever marketplaces you sell on, your own store is the one channel where you keep the full margin and the customer relationship. The Storemate gives you that hub - UPI, COD, and GST-correct invoicing on your own storefront - so marketplaces become a way to find buyers, not the only place you can reach them.