Every founder who has tried to sell an online business knows the frustration: you built something valuable, you found a buyer, and then the platform takes a massive cut.
I ran the actual numbers on every major platform. Here is what selling a digital business really costs in 2026.
The Fee Landscape
The global SaaS market exceeded $300 billion in 2025. A growing slice of that value changes hands through acquisition platforms.
Let us say you are selling a SaaS product for $150,000:
| Platform | Fee Structure | You Pay | You Keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flippa | $499 listing + 5% success | $7,999 | $142,001 |
| Empire Flippers | 15% commission | $22,500 | $127,500 |
| Acquire.com | Free for sellers | ~$0 | ~$150,000 |
| ExitBid | Flat listing fee | ~$150 | ~$149,850 |
The difference between cheapest and most expensive: $22,350 on a single deal.
Flippa: Volume Play, Volume Fees
Flippa is the largest marketplace by listing count. Listing fee $49-$499 plus 5-10% success fee. On a $50K sale, roughly $3,000-$5,500 in total fees.
Empire Flippers: Premium Service, Premium Price
Empire Flippers offers full-service with 15% commission. On a $500K exit that is $75,000 in fees. Minimum ~$100K deal size.
Acquire.com: Free for Sellers
Acquire.com sellers list for free, buyers pay. Heavily SaaS-focused. Timeline: 60-120 days.
Auction-Based Platforms
ExitBid charges a flat listing fee with zero commission. 5-day auctions create urgency and competitive pressure. Only 14 verified listings at a time.
For niche assets like Telegram bots, Chrome extensions, AI tools — ExitBid sell categories are purpose-built.
The Multi-Platform Strategy
List on multiple platforms simultaneously:
- Auction platform for speed
- Acquire.com for SaaS buyer exposure
- Communities for organic reach
Full comparison: 2026 Marketplace Comparison
Platform fees are one of the most overlooked variables in the exit equation. Before you list anywhere, run the math on what you will actually keep.
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