Auction Software Cost Calculator: Compare Fees vs. Flat Rate

Stop Paying the “Success Tax” on Your Auctions

Most auction software charges you more when you succeed. Use this calculator to see exactly how much profit you are losing to commission fees—and how much you could keep with Selling Lane.

Are You Paying the "Triple Success Tax"?

Legacy auction platforms don't just charge you once; they often penalize you three different ways. We call this the Triple Success Tax:

  1. The Platform Tax: They take a percentage of your total sales (Hammer Price). The more you sell, the more they take.
  2. The Buyer Tax: They tack extra fees onto your winning bidders (Internet Premiums). That is money that should be going into your pocket, not theirs.
  3. The Growth Tax: They charge you "per seat" for every employee you add. They literally punish you for hiring more staff to grow your business.

The software doesn't work harder just because you sold a $50,000 item or hired a new clerk. So why pay more?

Use the calculator below to see exactly how much this "Triple Tax" is costing you.

Your Net Annual Savings
$0.00
This belongs in your pocket, not theirs.
Your Net Monthly Savings
$0.00
This belongs in your pocket, not theirs.
Selling Lane Annual Cost
$11,988.00
Switch to annual pricing and save more.

Adjust the calculator below to see your savings

Choose Your Selling Lane Plan
Your Current Auction Business
Your Potential Savings
Total Annual Gross Sales
$0.00
Annual Seller Fees You Pay
$0.00
Buyer Fees You Could Keep
$0.00
Total Money You Could Recover
$0.00
Selling Lane Annual Cost
$11,988.00
Your Net Annual Savings
$0.00
This belongs in your pocket, not theirs.
Your Net Monthly Savings
$0.00
This belongs in your pocket, not theirs.
Selling Lane Annual Cost
$11,988.00
Switch to annual pricing and save more.

Adjust the calculator above to see your savings

Industry Comparison: Who Penalizes Your Growth?

Most legacy auction platforms operate on a "revenue share" model. The more you sell, the more they take. Selling Lane operates on a SaaS (Software as a Service) model: one flat fee, unlimited success.

Platform Pricing Model The "Success Tax" (Commission) Who Owns the Bidder Data?
Selling Lane Flat Monthly Subscription 0% (Keep 100% of Profit) You (Export Anytime)
HiBid* Internet Fee / Percentage Split Variable (Up to 5%) Shared / Platform
Proxibid* Setup + Monthly + % Fees Yes (Tiered %) The Platform
LiveAuctioneers* Listing Fees + Performance % Yes (High %) The Platform
Silent Auction Apps* Event Fee + % of Donations Yes (Often 2% - 7%) Shared

*Competitor fees are estimated based on publicly available data and common industry standards as of 2025. These models are subject to change by their respective providers.

Common Questions About Auction Software Costs

How much does HiBid actually charge per auction?
While some platforms advertise low upfront costs or "no listing fees," they often monetize through "Internet Premiums" or transaction fees. This is commonly a percentage (often between 1% and 5%) of your total hammer price. If you sell $50,000 worth of inventory, a 3% fee means you are paying $1,500 for that single auction. Selling Lane would cost you a flat subscription fee (e.g., $300) regardless of volume, saving you $1,200 instantly.
Is there auction software without commission fees?
Yes. Selling Lane is a 100% commission-free platform for the auctioneer. We utilize a SaaS (Software as a Service) model. You pay a predictable flat monthly or annual fee for the technology, and you keep every penny of the final bid price. We do not charge a "Success Tax" on your growth.
Why is a flat-fee subscription better than a percentage model?
Predictability and scalability. With a percentage-based model, your software costs rise indefinitely as your business grows. If you double your sales, your software bill doubles. With a flat-fee model like Selling Lane, your costs remain fixed. This allows you to scale from $10k a month to $1M a month without being penalized for your success.
Do I have to pay extra for "Popcorn Bidding" (Extended Bidding)?
On many legacy platforms, advanced features like Popcorn Bidding (Anti-Sniping), White-Labeling, or custom branded websites are expensive add-ons. With Selling Lane, these professional features are included in the core software to ensure you maximize the value of every lot sold.
How do I calculate how much money I am losing to fees?
Use the Auction Cost Calculator at the top of this page. Simply enter your average monthly sales volume and the percentage your current provider charges. The result is the amount of cash you could reinvest in marketing, inventory, or profit by switching to a flat-fee provider.