You can sell on Depop without a bank account, but you will need a way to receive money
Depop does not require you to have a traditional bank account to list and sell items. However, you do need a payment method connected to your Depop account to cash out your earnings. The platform uses Stripe, a payment processor, to handle payouts. Stripe can send money to a bank account, a debit card, or in some cases a prepaid card — but you have to connect one of those to receive what you sell.
If you do not have a bank account, you have two realistic paths: open a prepaid card account that Stripe accepts, or use a mobile banking app that provides a routing number and account number even if you do not walk into a traditional bank branch.
Key Takeaways
- Depop itself does not require a bank account, but Stripe, the payment processor Depop uses, requires you to connect a bank account, debit card, or accepted prepaid card to receive payouts.
- Prepaid cards like Chime, GoBank, and NetSpend can receive Depop payouts, though availability and fees vary by card and by state.
- Mobile banking apps like Chime and Cash App can provide routing and account numbers that work with Stripe even without a traditional bank account.
- Depop holds your first payout for up to 14 days after your first sale, so plan ahead if you need the money quickly.
- If you cannot connect any payment method, you cannot cash out — your earnings will sit in your Depop account indefinitely.
How Depop payouts work and where the bank account requirement comes in
When you sell an item on Depop, the buyer's payment goes to Depop first. Depop then takes its fee (usually 10 percent plus payment processing fees) and holds the rest. To move that money out of Depop and into your possession, you have to request a payout. That payout goes through Stripe, and Stripe is the entity that actually requires the bank account or card.
Stripe's rules are strict: it will not send money to a cash app, a PayPal account, or a gift card. It sends to a bank account, a debit card, or a prepaid card that has a routing number and account number behind it. This is why you cannot simply use a payment app you already have — Stripe needs to verify the account holder's identity and connect to an actual financial institution.
Prepaid cards that work with Stripe and Depop
Several prepaid card companies allow Stripe to deposit money directly. The most common ones are Chime, GoBank, NetSpend, and Walmart MoneyCard. Each has different fees, different requirements to open, and different rules about how much you can hold or withdraw. Some charge monthly maintenance fees; others charge per transaction or per withdrawal.
Chime is often the easiest entry point because it has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no opening deposit. You download the app, verify your identity with a photo ID and Social Security number, and you get a routing number and account number within minutes. Depop and Stripe will accept it. The catch: Chime is a mobile-only bank, so you cannot walk into a branch, and some employers or government agencies do not recognize it as a valid bank account for direct deposit purposes (though Depop does).
NetSpend and Walmart MoneyCard require you to load money onto them before you can use them, and they charge fees for certain transactions. GoBank has similar restrictions. Before you open any prepaid card, check the fee schedule on the company's website and confirm on Depop's support page or in the Stripe documentation that the card is currently accepted — prepaid card acceptance changes sometimes.
Mobile banking apps as an alternative to prepaid cards
Some mobile banking apps provide a full routing number and account number without requiring you to visit a bank branch or maintain a minimum balance. Cash App, for example, does not provide this — it is a peer-to-peer payment app, not a bank. But Chime, which is technically a mobile bank, does provide both numbers, and Stripe accepts it.
Other options include SoFi (formerly SoFi Money), which is an online bank with no monthly fees and no minimum balance, and Varo, which is also online-only and has no fees. Both provide routing and account numbers. You can open either one through an app on your phone, verify your identity, and connect to Depop within a day or two. The advantage over a prepaid card is that these are actual banks, so they may be recognized by other services you use later.
The disadvantage is that they may take longer to open (usually 1 to 3 business days) and they require a Social Security number and a valid ID. If you do not have those, a prepaid card may be your only option.
What happens to your money if you cannot connect a payment method
If you sell items on Depop but do not connect a bank account, debit card, or prepaid card to your Stripe account, your earnings simply stay in your Depop account. You cannot withdraw them. Depop will not hold the money indefinitely — if your account is inactive for a long time, Depop may close it — but there is no automatic payout to a default method. You have to actively request a payout, and that request will fail if no payment method is connected.
This means if you are selling on Depop and do not yet have a way to receive payouts, you should open a prepaid card or mobile banking account before you make your first sale. Otherwise you will have money trapped in your Depop account that you cannot access.
Timing of payouts and holds on your first withdrawal
Depop holds your first payout for up to 14 days after your first sale, even if you have a valid payment method connected. This is a fraud prevention measure. After that initial hold, payouts usually arrive within 1 to 2 business days. If you request a payout on a Friday evening, it may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
If you need money quickly from your first sale, plan accordingly. Do not count on that money being in your account the next day. Some prepaid cards also hold deposits for a day or two, so the total time from sale to usable money can be 16 to 18 days on your first transaction.
Fees and costs of using prepaid cards or mobile banks
The cost of receiving Depop payouts through a prepaid card or mobile bank varies. Chime charges no monthly fee and no per-deposit fee, so if you use Chime, the only cost is the fee Depop already takes from your sale (the 10 percent seller fee plus payment processing). Other prepaid cards charge monthly maintenance fees ranging from $2 to $10, or charge per withdrawal or per transaction.
Before you open any card, add up the fees you would pay in a month and compare them to how much you expect to sell. If you sell one item a month for $20, a card with a $5 monthly fee costs you 25 percent of your earnings. If you sell ten items a month, the same card costs you 5 percent. The math matters.
Mobile banks like Chime and SoFi have no monthly fees and no per-deposit fees, so they are usually cheaper than prepaid cards if you are selling regularly. The trade-off is that they take longer to open and require more identity verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use PayPal or Cash App to receive Depop payouts?
No. Stripe, which processes Depop payouts, does not send money to PayPal or Cash App. It only sends to bank accounts, debit cards, or prepaid cards that have a routing number and account number. You would need to connect one of those to Depop, not a payment app.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
Most prepaid cards and mobile banks require a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open. If you do not have either, you may not be able to open an account that Stripe accepts. Contact Depop support to ask about alternatives, though options are limited.
How long does it take to open a prepaid card or mobile bank account?
Chime and other mobile banks usually approve you within minutes to a few hours and provide a routing number and account number the same day. Prepaid cards vary — some are instant, others take 1 to 3 business days. You can usually start selling on Depop before your card arrives in the mail, as long as you have the account number.
Can I change my payout method after I connect one?
Yes. You can disconnect one bank account or card and connect a different one at any time through your Depop settings. There is no fee to change, and future payouts will go to the new account. Past payouts cannot be redirected.
What if my prepaid card is declined when Stripe tries to deposit money?
Contact the prepaid card company's customer service and ask them to check whether Stripe deposits are being blocked. Some cards have fraud filters that reject deposits from unfamiliar sources. You may need to whitelist Stripe or call the card company to approve the deposit manually. If the card genuinely does not accept Stripe deposits, you will need to open a different card or mobile bank account.