Auction Software Cost Calculator
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.
Are You Paying the "Triple Success Tax"?
Legacy auction platforms don't just charge you once; they often penalize you three different ways.
- The Platform Tax: They take a percentage of your total sales (Hammer Price).
- The Buyer Tax: They tack extra fees onto your winning bidders (Internet Premiums).
- The Growth Tax: They charge you "per seat" for every employee you add.
Use the calculator below to see exactly how much this "Triple Tax" is costing you.
Choose Your Selling Lane Plan
Your Current Auction Business
Seller Fee You Pay
Buyer Fee Charged
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 Net Annual Savings (after Selling Lane SaaS Costs)
$0.00 Your Net Annual Savings
$0.00
This belongs in your pocket.
Your Net Monthly Savings
$0.00
Monthly cashflow improvement.
Adjust the calculator above to see your savings
| Category | The Offenders | The "Tax" (Fee Structure) | The Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE EXTORTIONISTS (Marketplaces) | LiveAuctioneers Proxibid HiBid | THE SUCCESS TAX • 1-5% Commission on Sales • 5-20% Buyer's Fee • Activation Fees ($500+) • 1-2% "Internet Fees" | You work, they eat. You lose a massive chunk of your gross revenue just for showing up. Plus, they own your bidder data. |
| THE WANNABES (Tiered SaaS) | AuctionMethod BidWrangler BidJS | HIDDEN FEES • Simulcast Fees (+$150/mo) • "Growth" Penalties • Per-Lot Charges | The "Bait & Switch." The base price looks cheap until you actually try to run a business. Then the paywalls hit. |
| RUBBER CHICKEN BRIGADE (Gala/Charity) | OneCause GiveSmart | GALA PRICING • % of Proceeds taken • Annual fees ($2,400+) | Great for PTA Bake Sales. Useless for serious auctioneers moving real inventory. |
| THE SOLUTION | SELLING LANE | FLAT FEE • $0 Commission • Unlimited Items & Users • Simulcast Included | Total Freedom. You keep 100% of the profit. We provide the engine, you keep the cash. |
⚠️ Official Legal-ish Disclaimer: Competitors listed above may experience symptoms of "Truth Shock." The data is based on their public pricing, which they probably hope you don't read. No rubber chickens were harmed in the making of this chart, though several commissions were brutally murdered. But seriously, do your homework before making a decision, we are sure you'll pick Selling Lane once you do.
Common Questions
How much does legacy auction software charge per auction?
While some platforms advertise low upfront costs, they often monetize through "Internet Premiums" or transaction fees (often 1%-5% of hammer price). If you sell $50,000, a 3% fee costs you $1,500 for one auction. Selling Lane costs a flat fee regardless of volume.
Is there auction software without commission fees?
Yes. Selling Lane is 100% commission-free for the auctioneer. We utilize a SaaS model. You pay a predictable flat fee, and you keep every penny of the final bid price.
Why is a flat-fee subscription better?
Predictability. With a percentage model, your costs rise indefinitely as your business grows. With a flat-fee model, your costs remain fixed, allowing you to scale without penalty.
Does Selling Lane include everything in the one SaaS Price?
Absolutely. We don't believe in "modules" or paywalls. Your flat monthly or annual fee includes every feature we offer: unlimited users, unlimited auctions, simulcast, clerk ring, cashiering, and all future updates.
How fast can I get started?
You can be live in minutes. Since Selling Lane is a modern SaaS platform, there are no servers to install or long onboarding delays. You can sign up, create an account, and launch your first auction the same day.