CSGOEmpire vs ShadowPay
Side-by-side comparison of fees, payment methods, and features to help you choose the best CS2 marketplace for buying or selling skins.
Across 1,317 CS2 items listed on both, CSGOEmpire was cheaper on 57% and ShadowPay on 43%. CSGOEmpire lists the median shared item 0.93% below ShadowPay.
CSGOEmpire has lower combined fees (0% total vs 15%), making it generally cheaper for traders.
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | CSGOEmpire | ShadowPay | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer Fee | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Seller Fee | 0% | 10% | CSGOEmpire |
| Deposit Fee | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Withdrawal Fee | 0% | 5% | CSGOEmpire |
| Total Combined | 0% | 15% | CSGOEmpire |
Green = lower (better). Red = higher (worse). Fees shown as percentage of transaction value.
Price Spread
Lowest listed price on each market for actively traded items listed on both, grouped by the lower of the two prices. Data from Oct 21, 2026.
| Price Range | Items | CSGOEmpire cheaper | ShadowPay cheaper | Median CSGOEmpire vs ShadowPay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10 to $100 | 4 | 0% | 100% | +93.75% |
| Over $100 | 1,313 | 58% | 42% | -0.94% |
| All items | 1,317 | 57% | 43% | -0.93% |
| Most traded items | CSGOEmpire | ShadowPay |
|---|---|---|
| StatTrak™ M4A4 | Full Throttle (Factory New) | $326.94 | $331.27 |
| ★ Butterfly Knife | Rust Coat (Battle-Scarred) | $457.04 | $464.69 |
| ★ Butterfly Knife | Case Hardened (Field-Tested) | $644.88 | $658.88 |
| ★ Stiletto Knife | Slaughter (Minimal Wear) | $337.08 | $350.15 |
| M4A1-S | Printstream (Factory New) | $363.09 | $366.03 |
| AK-47 | Consequence of the Jinn (Minimal Wear) | $235.15 | $231.18 |
Payment Methods
Both · Only CSGOEmpire · Only ShadowPay
Payout / Withdrawal Methods
Both · Only CSGOEmpire · Only ShadowPay
Market Information
| Detail | CSGOEmpire | ShadowPay |
|---|---|---|
| Type | P2P Marketplace | P2P Marketplace |
| Founded | 2016 | 2018 |
| Country | CW | RU |
CSGOEmpire vs ShadowPay: Which Should You Use?
For Buyers
Equal buyer fees
Both charge 0% to buyers.
For Sellers
CSGOEmpire
Lower seller fee: 0%
Overall Fees
CSGOEmpire
0% combined vs 15%
Related Comparisons
About CSGOEmpire and ShadowPay
CSGOEmpire (founded 2016), based in CW, charges a 0% buyer fee and a 0% seller fee. Deposits are free. Withdrawals are free.
ShadowPay (founded 2018), based in RU, charges a 0% buyer fee and a 10% seller fee. Deposits are free. Withdrawals cost 5%.
On a $100 skin, the total transaction cost at CSGOEmpire is $0.00 in combined fees, versus $15.00 at ShadowPay. Selling it leaves you $100.00 on CSGOEmpire and $90.00 on ShadowPay after the seller fee. For active traders making many transactions, choosing the lower-fee platform can make a significant difference over time. Use SkinsTrack's marketplace explorer to compare all CS2 marketplaces side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are CS2 skins cheaper on CSGOEmpire or ShadowPay?
- Of 1,317 actively traded CS2 items listed on both, CSGOEmpire had the lower price on 757 (57%) and ShadowPay on 560 (43%). CSGOEmpire lists the median shared item 0.93% below ShadowPay. $10 to $100: ShadowPay is cheaper more often (4 items). Over $100: CSGOEmpire is cheaper more often (1,313 items). Data from Oct 21, 2026.
- What is the difference between CSGOEmpire and ShadowPay?
- CSGOEmpire and ShadowPay are both CS2 skin marketplaces. CSGOEmpire charges a 0% buyer fee and 0% seller fee. ShadowPay charges a 0% buyer fee and 10% seller fee. Overall, CSGOEmpire combined fees.
- Which is cheaper for buyers, CSGOEmpire or ShadowPay?
- Both CSGOEmpire and ShadowPay charge the same buyer fee of 0%.
- Which is better for selling CS2 skins, CSGOEmpire or ShadowPay?
- CSGOEmpire has a lower seller fee (0%) making it better for sellers.
- What payment methods does CSGOEmpire accept compared to ShadowPay?
- CSGOEmpire accepts: CS2 Skins, Cryptocurrency, Gift Cards, Credit Card, Astropay, PayPal, paysafecard, Klarna, Neteller, Trustly, iDEAL. ShadowPay accepts: Credit Card, PayPal, Cryptocurrency, WebMoney, QIWI.
- Which CS2 marketplace has lower total fees, CSGOEmpire or ShadowPay?
- CSGOEmpire has lower total combined fees (0%) versus ShadowPay (15%).