Skinport vs CSFloat: fees, delays and security compared
Skinport and CSFloat are two of the most used and best-rated skin marketplaces in Europe. Yet they work very differently, and depending on whether you are buying or selling, one or the other will suit you better. Here is the point-by-point comparison, backed by figures.
The 30-second summary
- To sell at the best price: CSFloat, thanks to its 2% commission, if you are happy to send the trades yourself.
- To sell without the hassle: Skinport, where you deposit your skin on a bot, with a free SEPA transfer at the end.
- To buy: compare the total price case by case. Both show 0% buyer fees, but CSFloat adds fees when you deposit by card.
The fees, side by side
| Skinport | CSFloat | |
|---|---|---|
| Seller commission | 8% (6% above €1,000, 2% for private sales) | 2% |
| Buyer fees | 0% | 0% |
| Card deposit | not published | 2.8% + $0.30 |
| Withdrawal | 0% on Skinport's side, bank transfer only | 0.5 to 2.5% depending on your volume |
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transfer or card (Stripe), USDC |
| Identity verification | Required to withdraw | Required to withdraw |
Skinport cut its commission from 12% to 8% in July 2025. CSFloat still has the lowest commission among the major Western marketplaces.
Worked example: selling a skin for €100
- CSFloat: €2 commission, then up to €2.45 in withdrawal fees (2.5% for a new seller). You get €95.55, a little more if your sales volume lowers the withdrawal fees.
- Skinport: €8 commission, free withdrawal. You get €92.00.
The gap: about €3.55 in CSFloat's favour on €100. Above €1,000, Skinport's commission drops to 6%: on a €1,200 item, you would get about €1,128 on Skinport versus about €1,146.60 on CSFloat.
But be careful: these calculations assume your skin sells for the same price on both sites. In practice, prices differ from site to site. The sell calculator uses the lowest price actually listed on each site, which is more realistic.
How they work: bots versus peer to peer
Skinport: deposit and forget
On Skinport, you send your skin to one of the site's bots when you list it. When it sells, Skinport takes care of everything. It is simple for the buyer too: they pay and receive the skin from the bot. This model has another advantage: the site holds the item, which removes the risk of a seller not delivering.
CSFloat: you keep your skin until it sells
On CSFloat, your skin stays in your Steam inventory. When it sells, you send the trade offer to the buyer yourself, within a set time. So you need to be available and check each offer carefully. In return, you benefit from the lowest commission and from very advanced tools for showing off your item's float, pattern and stickers.
Buying: what differs between the two
On the buyer side, both sites show 0% buyer fees, but the experience differs:
- On Skinport, you pay and the site's bot sends you the skin within a few minutes. Payment fees are not published as a fixed rate: look at the total at checkout.
- On CSFloat, you first deposit money to your balance (2.8% + $0.30 by card, about 1% in crypto), then you buy. The seller sends you the trade, within the time set by the site. In return, you see each listing's float, pattern and stickers in great detail.
On a skin listed at €50, a card deposit on CSFloat adds about €1.66. If the same skin is listed €1 higher on Skinport, Skinport is still cheaper overall. That is why you need to compare the total price, which is what every skin page does.
The other options worth a look
Skinport and CSFloat are not alone. Depending on your needs:
- DMarket takes 2 to 10% depending on the item's liquidity: very competitive on the most traded skins.
- CS.Money takes 5% on its market and offers an instant sell, useful for cashing out quickly.
- SkinBaron drops to 2% from €999, ideal for expensive items.
The marketplace comparison ranks them by net amount received from a €100 sale.
Payout times
On both sites, the money from a sale is only available after the 7-day trade protection Steam introduced in July 2025, so about 8 days. Then add the transfer time: usually one to two working days for a SEPA transfer from Skinport. Full details in our guide to trade protection.
Reputation and security
Both sites are well established:
- Skinport has existed since 2016, is a German company and had about 35,000 reviews with a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot in July 2026. In January 2026, Skinport bought the assets of Skinbid, a bankrupt platform.
- CSFloat (formerly CSGOFloat, a US company) had about 6,700 reviews with a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot in July 2026.
On CSFloat, security also depends on you: since you send the trades yourself, you must check each offer to avoid the API key scam (see skin scams).
The verdict for your profile
| Your profile | Our advice |
|---|---|
| You sell often and want to maximise every sale | CSFloat |
| You sell now and then and want it to be simple | Skinport |
| You are selling an item over €1,000 | Compare SkinBaron too (2% from €999) |
| You buy by card | Compare the total: CSFloat's deposit fees can change the ranking |
| You are looking for a specific float or pattern | CSFloat, for its filters |
| You want a fee-free SEPA transfer | Skinport |
You don't have to choose once and for all: many players use both depending on the item. The simplest thing is to compare each time on the skin's page.
FAQ
Skinport or CSFloat, which is cheaper for buying?
Neither is cheaper across the board. Listed prices vary from skin to skin, and CSFloat adds card deposit fees. Compare the total price on the skin's page when you buy.
Do you need an account on both sites?
It is not required, but having both lets you sell where you get the most and buy where it is cheapest.
Is CSFloat safe?
Yes, it is an established, well-rated site. The thing to watch is sending trades: check the recipient and the items in the Steam app before confirming.
Why does Skinport only pay by bank transfer?
It is the site's choice: withdrawals are by bank transfer only, with no fee on its side. No PayPal or crypto.