Art Commission Rates Compared — What Platforms Really Charge

When you sell a piece of art through a platform, the price the buyer pays and the amount you receive are not the same number. The gap between them is the platform's commission — and it varies significantly depending on where you sell.

This is a straightforward comparison of what the major art platforms charge, what you actually keep, and what else you should consider before choosing where to make your work available.

The numbers

Here is what the most common art platforms charge as of 2026. All figures refer to commission on the sale price. Payment processing fees (typically 2.9% + 30c via Stripe or PayPal) are separate and apply on most platforms.

| Platform | Commission | Listing fee | Subscription | You keep (from a $500 sale, after commission) | |---|---|---|---|---| | Herehood | 10% | Free | Free | ~$450 | | Bluethumb | 22-30% | Free | Free | $350-$390 | | Artfinder | 33% | Free | Free | ~$335 | | Saatchi Art | 35% | Free | Free | ~$325 | | Etsy | 6.5% + listing fees | $0.30 per listing (AUD ~$0.50) | Optional ($13/mo for Plus) | ~$465 (minus listing fees and ad deductions) | | Redbubble / Society6 | Artist sets margin above base price | Free | Free | Varies — often $5-$15 per item | | Traditional gallery | 40-60% | Varies | Sometimes rent | $200-$300 |

A few things to note:

Etsy's headline rate is low, but the real cost is higher. Listing fees, transaction fees, payment processing fees, currency conversion fees, and optional advertising deductions add up. Many artists report an effective rate of 15-20% once everything is factored in.

Print-on-demand platforms work differently. Redbubble and Society6 set a base price for production and shipping, and you add your margin on top. The "commission" is built into the price structure rather than deducted from the sale. These platforms are designed for reproductions, not original works.

Gallery commissions vary widely. Some galleries charge 40%, others charge 60%, and some charge a hanging fee or exhibition rent on top of commission. The relationship with a gallery often includes curatorial support, marketing, and opening events — which is part of what you are paying for.

What the commission is supposed to cover

A platform commission funds the infrastructure that makes the sale possible — the technology, payment processing, dispute handling, and the audience that finds your work. In theory, a higher commission should mean more services.

In practice, the relationship between commission rate and value delivered is not always proportional. Some platforms charge 35% and provide meaningful marketing, curatorial support, and a large audience of collectors. Others charge a similar rate and provide a listing page.

The question worth asking is not just "what do they charge?" but "what do I get in return, and does the price reflect the value?"

What else matters besides commission

Commission is important, but it is one factor among several.

Visibility model. How does the platform decide which artists get seen? Some platforms surface work based on sales volume or paid promotion — which means new and emerging artists are structurally disadvantaged. Others use algorithms designed to distribute visibility more equitably. On Herehood, the discovery algorithm prioritises freshness, diversity, and a degree of randomness. It never sorts by sales.

Audience. A 10% commission on a platform with no visitors is worse than a 30% commission on one with a large, engaged audience. Consider whether the platform's audience overlaps with the kind of people who connect with your work.

Costs beyond commission. Listing fees, subscription tiers, featured placement fees, advertising deductions — these all reduce what you actually earn. Platforms that advertise a low headline commission but charge for visibility or priority placement may end up costing more than platforms with a higher flat commission and no additional fees.

Creative control. Can you present your work the way you want to? Do you set your own prices? Can you choose which pieces to display and when? Some platforms impose pricing guidelines, mandatory discounts, or standardised presentation that limits how your work is experienced.

Values alignment. Who built the platform, and why? A platform designed to extract maximum revenue from creative work is a fundamentally different proposition from one designed to support the creative community. This is not a superficial difference — it shapes every decision the platform makes about features, pricing, and priorities.

A note on "free" platforms

Some platforms charge no commission at all and rely on advertising, data, or premium subscriptions for revenue. This is not inherently good or bad, but it is worth understanding. If the platform does not charge you or the buyer, then you or your audience may be the product in some other way — through data collection, targeted advertising, or attention-harvesting mechanisms.

A transparent commission model, where you know exactly what you are paying and what it covers, is often simpler and more honest than a "free" model with hidden costs.

Making a choice

There is no single right answer. Some artists sell through multiple channels simultaneously. Others choose one platform and invest in building a presence there. The right choice depends on your work, your audience, your values, and how much of the selling process you want to manage yourself.

What matters most is that you understand what you are paying, what you are getting, and that the arrangement respects the work you put in.