Shopee vs Lazada vs Amazon: Best e-commerce platform for small businesses in 2026

Key factors to consider when choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business.

1. Cost to register a seller's account

If you're just starting out, the costs to get your business up and running on any of these e-commerce platforms should be foremost on your mind. Luckily, most of them allow you to register for a seller's account at no cost, with the exception of Amazon’s individual plan. Here's what you need to know for 2026:

Shopee: Free

Lazada: Free (0% commission for the first 90 days for new sellers in 2026)

Amazon: Professional plan monthly fee of SGD $29.95 is waived until 31 December 2026. Individual plan: SGD $1 per item sold

Pro tip: Before registering for a seller account, register your business entity first. Check out this article for the different types of business entities available in Singapore.

2. Shipping fees

E-commerce businesses and shipping go hand in hand. Shipping fees are essential to providing a good customer experience. This is an overview of the costs to keep in mind when budgeting for 2026.

Shopee: Variable rates based on weight and destination. Integrated rates with Ninja Van, Singapore Post, uParcel and J&T Express. View the latest Shopee seller shipping fees.

Lazada: Tiered shipping structure based on weight categories. Standard rates apply across Ninja Van, CJ Logistics, Singapore Post and J&T Express. Check the current Lazada shipping fee rate card.

Amazon: Depends on whether you use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) or self-fulfilment. FBA fees typically range from SGD $1.55 to SGD $13.36 per item, depending on size and weight. Learn more about Amazon seller shipping fees.

Today, fast delivery remains a competitive advantage, with many platforms offering same-day or next-day delivery in Singapore's urban areas. Choose your logistics partner based on your product type, weight, and customer expectations.

3. Resources for sellers

As a seller's resources go, comprehensive databases that provide everything you need to know as a seller can be a lifesaver, particularly when you're starting out. Statistically, hiccups are bound to happen. Luckily, this is where the platforms on this list shine most. All 3 platforms have significantly enhanced their educational resources in 2026:

Shopee: Seller Education Hub offers video tutorials, webinars, and step-by-step guides covering everything from listing optimisation to campaign management.

Lazada: Lazada Seller Center provides comprehensive seller support, including live chat assistance and dedicated account managers for high-volume sellers.

Amazon: Amazon Seller University includes a 3-month complimentary account management for new Singapore sellers in 2026

Today, AI-powered seller tools will be standard across major platforms, helping with automated pricing, inventory forecasting, and customer service chatbots.

4. Logistic vendors

While shipping fees are important to consider, the other part of the equation is the logistics vendors tied to each vendor. Depending on your product, such as the weight and size, it could clue you in as to which vendor would work best for you.

Keep in mind that some vendors may not be equipped to handle fragile or perishable items, so it's best to read the fine print to avoid compromising the quality of your product.

Shopee: Ninja Van, Singapore Post, uParcel and J&T Express

Lazada: Ninja Van, CJ Logistics, Singapore Post and J&T Express

Amazon: Amazon Prime fulfilment network, with FBA warehouses strategically located across Southeast Asia

Pro tip: Start earning unlimited 1% cashback on Ninja Van with Aspire's Cashback Card.

5. Withdrawing process

Once the orders come pouring in, you'll want to transfer the money to your bank account, stat. This is called the withdrawal process. Depending on the platform of choice, the time it takes can vary, so it's important to note this early in the selection stage. The number of withdrawals you can make in a week also depends on the platform you're selling on.

Shopee

Shopee sellers can choose between automatic and manual withdrawals. Manual withdrawals suit sellers who prefer multiple withdrawals within a week, while automatic withdrawals occur at fixed intervals (weekly or monthly). Processing typically takes 1-2 business days.

Lazada

For Lazada, the type of withdrawal process depends on whether you're an individual or a corporate seller. Individual sellers can choose between auto or manual withdrawals. Corporate sellers default to automatic withdrawals only. Funds are typically available within 2-3 business days after a withdrawal request.

Amazon

If you wish to see the money transferred to your bank account, you might want to wait a bit longer if you are selling on Amazon. Amazon uses Automated Clearing House (ACH) or electronic funds transfer. Expect up to 5 business days for money to appear in your Singapore bank account. For faster access to international sales revenue, consider using a multi-currency business account like Aspire.

Note: Most successful sellers in 2026 use multi-currency business accounts to minimise forex fees and access funds faster, especially when selling across multiple Amazon marketplaces.

6. Commission and selling fees

Choosing your e-commerce platform also determines the commission fees you'll pay for each product sold. Commission fees are typically calculated at a varying percentage of the product's listing price. Understanding commission structures is critical for protecting your profit margins. Be sure to pay close attention to the commission caps that vary by platform. 

Shopee

If you're selling under Shopee's marketplace, commission fees now range from 5% to 7% as of January 2026.

Shopee charges a commission fee of 5% to 9% for Shopee Mall sellers only. These are established regional or global brands, such as Microsoft, L'Oréal, and Adidas. Product types such as mobile phones, large home appliances, and laptops are subject to a lower 5% commission rate due to their high value.

Additional fees in 2026:

• Transaction fee: 2.18% 
• Coins cashback program participation fee: 3.27% (often required for campaigns)
• Total effective rate: 10-15% for most sellers

To see the full breakdown of Shopee's commission model, refer to Shopee's commission structure.

Lazada

If you're a local seller who's planning to sell under Lazada's marketplace, commission rates were updated in August 2025 and are currently:

Marketplace sellers:

• Electronics: 5% (cap: SGD $30)
• Groceries: 5% (cap: SGD $60)
• Other categories: 6.5% (cap: SGD $60)

New sellers in 2026: No commission fees for the first 90 days. Fees start on day 91.

LazMall sellers: Commission rates range from 7% to 9% depending on category:

• Electronics (Mobile, Computers, Appliances): 7% (cap: SGD $75)
• Other Electronics: 9% (cap: SGD $75)  
• Other categories: 9% (cap: SGD $75)

Additional fees:

• Payment gateway fee: 2% for all sellers

Amazon

Amazon calls its marketplace commissions referral fees, and charges sellers between 6% and 15% of the total selling price. The total price here includes the product price, shipping costs, and any gift-wrapping charges (if any). Notably, this is significantly higher than their regional counterparts listed in this article.

Most referral fees fall between 8% to 15%, with electronics accessories at 15% and fashion at 15%.

Brand owners enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry get a 5% referral fee discount on the first SGD $1,500,000.00 in eligible branded sales (up to SGD $75,000 value or one year).

Amazon Singapore assigns an Account Manager to guide sellers and help resolve issues, providing e-commerce beginners with valuable hands-on support.

Additional fees:

• FBA fulfilment fees: SGD $1.55 to SGD $13.36 per item
• Monthly storage fees (variable)
• Long-term storage surcharge: For items stored over 365 days

Recommendations for small business owners

Choose your platform based on three practical criteria: total marketplace fees, target customer demographics, and whether your product category performs strongly on that platform. Also assess logistics support, payment timelines, advertising tools, and the level of competition before committing to a sales channel.

Monthly visits per platform in 2026

• Shopee: 13.2 million (market leader)
• Lazada: 6 million
• Amazon.sg: 5 million

Top product categories per platform

Align your product with existing consumer demand by analysing the top-selling categories on each platform and choosing the marketplace where your product already has proven traction.

Shopee

Shopee drives significant traffic during major sales events such as 11.11 and 12.12, which often lead to sharp increases in transactions for participating sellers.

Its top product categories in 2026 are home and living, women's apparel and health and personal care.

Lazada

A strong regional contender in its own right, Lazada also offers explosive promotions and flash deals to entice shoppers. The categories that saw the biggest sales across Southeast Asia are electronics, fashion and beauty, and baby products, especially for Malaysian and Philippine shoppers.

Amazon

Driving global online sales on Amazon is worth pursuing, especially if you're opting for their trademark Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA). For those looking to enter the e-commerce space via Amazon Singapore, its marketplace boasts strong sales in fashion, electronics and media, as well as toys, hobbies and DIY.

Should you list your business on one platform or multiple platforms in 2026

Sellers, there are many reasons to expand your reach by listing your products across multiple platforms. More platforms mean greater visibility for your product, not to mention the potential to multiply your customer base.

Why you should list on multiple platforms:

• Increase customer reach: Access 24+ million combined monthly visitors across all 3 platforms in Singapore
• Diversify revenue streams: Don't depend on a single platform's algorithm changes or policy updates
• Gather better insights: Compare performance data across platforms to understand your customers better
• Maximise peak sales events: Leverage 11.11, 12.12, Cyber Monday, and platform-specific mega sales
• Risk mitigation: If one platform changes fees or suspends your account, you still have income from others

However, there are also variables to consider before jumping the gun. To help you decide, we list the benefits below.

Consider these questions before listing on multiple platforms:

• How much have you set aside to sell your products online
• How much time are you willing to spend on learning how to get the most out of the platform
• What kind of product are you selling
• Do you have a team supporting you
• Which market or territory are you trying to reach
• Does the platform best serve your market

Many successful sellers now use omnichannel management tools to sync inventory, manage orders, and track profitability across all platforms from one dashboard.

Improve your bottom line with the Aspire Corporate Card

Start your business on the right foot with the Aspire Corporate Card. It empowers sellers to boost their bottom lines by earning unlimited 1% cashback on e-commerce essentials, paying the market's lowest foreign transaction fees and managing spending by issuing a card for each expense type.

What makes Aspire perfect for e-commerce sellers in 2026

• Earn unlimited 1% cashback on Ninja Van shipping, advertising, and inventory purchases
• Multi-currency accounts to hold SGD, USD, and other currencies without conversion fees - perfect for selling on Amazon globally
• Lowest foreign transaction fees when selling internationally
• Real-time expense tracking across all your platforms and marketing channels
• Instant virtual cards for immediate online payments
• Seamless accounting integration with Xero, QuickBooks, and other tools