Great Etsy alternatives include the likes of Amazon Handmade, eBay, Shopify, Bonanza, Folksy, Michaels MakerPlace, Faire, Big Cartel, Goimagine and Squarespace. Amazon Handmade is the platform for artisans to reach Amazon shoppers and eBay is for vintage sellers. Shopify and Big Cartel do support businesses to build independent stores, while Faire does the same by offering a platform for connecting makers to wholesale buyers.
Sites similar to Etsy give artists, crafters and small business owners more options to sell handmade products online. While Etsy brings sellers together with buyers seeking out unique finds, it’s not the only online platform available to help you start a creative business.
Etsy alternatives are some sellers choice due to fees of the marketplace, high competition, or less options for branding, or varying visibility of their shops. Others wish to sell to wholesale buyers or build their own e-stores. If you are new to selling on Etsy, start by learning how to start an Etsy shop before exploring other marketplaces.
This guide covers popular online marketplaces like Etsy, how they compare and which ones are best suited to certain handmade businesses.
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Amazon Handmade is one of the most popular Etsy alternatives. It will enable qualified artisans to sell handmade products via the Amazon platform for shopping. Jewelry, home décor, artwork, clothing, accessories and gifts can be listed by the seller. Amazon also allows the makers to showcase their collections on customizable storefronts.
Amazon Handmade does not allow sellers to sell items without an application process, like Etsy, to ensure that products are handmade to their standards.
Selling fees: Amazon will pay you a 15% referral fee or $0.30 for each item shipped, whichever is higher. Approved Handmade merchants will also get a waiver of the month-to-month Professional selling plan.
Best for: Artisans who want access to a large customer base.
eBay is an online general marketplace for selling accessories, collectibles, vintage products and handmade crafts. It has a very broad audience and is beneficial for businesses that sell various kinds of products.
For instance, a jewellery maker can sell handmade necklaces with vintage pieces. Sellers also receive listing management, shipping and performance reports. But eBay doesn’t just cater to handmade products. Sellers face competition from retail stores and retailers that produce mass products. Etsy also supports digital product sellers who want to offer downloadable items. Read our guide to selling digital products on Etsy to learn how this business model works.
Selling fees: Fees vary by product type, seller account and transaction specifics. Review the official eBay fee schedule.
Best for: Vintage sellers, collectors and makers with multiple product categories.
Shopify is not like a regular online marketplace such as Etsy. It lets sellers establish their own online shops, rather than listing products on a common platform.
It has the greatest benefit in terms of brand control and shopping experience. But Shopify’s traffic is not enough to attract shoppers to your store. Social media, search engines and advertising are all means of attracting your visitors.
Selling fees: Shopify has paid subscription plans, the cost of which varies depending on the subscription plan and the terms of payment. There are payment processing fees as well.
Best for: Handmade businesses that want to build an independent brand. Explore the best digital products to sell for more ideas.”
Bonanza is an online marketplace where individuals can post their handmade products, fashion accessories, collectibles and other products.
One such function it provides is the inventory management system. Sellers can add listings from other marketplaces like Etsy and control products from a single dashboard.
Selling fees: Bonanza does not have any fees for individual product listings. It has a transaction fee, however and its final value fee is variable based on the amount of the sale and the terms applied.
Best for: Sellers who want another marketplace to expand their product reach.
Folksy is a British site, specializing in handmade products and independent craftsmanship. It links people with British jewellers, artists, designers, clothes, gift makers, home decorators and designers.
Folksy is not like an ordinary marketplace; it’s centered on handmade items. It’s a topic that could be of interest to artists who wish to connect with customers who are looking for independent producers.
Selling fees: It has a Basic account that has listing fees and a sales commission and Folksy Plus has unlimited listings, with monthly or annual account fees. The two plans come with other costs to sell.
Best for: UK-based artists, crafters and small handmade businesses.
Michaels MakerPlace is a place where people can sell their handmade goods and creative items and services. It is a platform for connecting makers and buyers who are interested in arts, crafts and DIY projects.
Sellers can post stuff they make and teach classes or how-tos. This is another avenue for creators to share their expertise and create a business around it.
Selling fees: It’s free and charges a transaction fee for Standard membership. Eligible sellers can also enjoy a Premium plan which has a lower transaction fee.
Best for: Craft makers, DIY educators and handmade gift businesses.
Faire is not like other websites for handmade products as it is meant for wholesale sales. Makers reach out to independent retailers, boutiques and gift shops rather than selling their products directly to customers.
Faire has provided a way for a handmade candle business to market his wares to stores that are interested in carrying them, for instance. Other companies such as jewelry makers, stationery stores and home decor stores can also showcase their merchandise to retail customers.
Selling fees: Consistency of quality, reliable production and appropriate bulk pricing are required for wholesale selling.
Best for: Established makers who can supply products in larger quantities.
Big Cartel is an e-commerce system that is created for independent artists and small creative companies. It enables sellers to create their own online stores and feature items without having to compete on a common marketplace.
It can be used by artists to sell their paintings, handmade jewelry, clothing and prints. Many of its store-building tools are easy to use, which makes it highly appropriate for novices who have smaller product inventories.
Selling fees: But Big Cartel doesn’t have the same built-in shopping crowd that Etsy has. Sellers must sell their products through various means of social media and other marketing techniques.
Best for: Independent artists and small creative businesses.
Goimagine is a marketplace of handmade and creative products. It provides an alternative avenue for artisans to market their original works of art, without being solely dependent on larger markets.
Sellers can visit to sell handmade gifts, accessories, artwork and home decor. It has been created with a handmade identity, so it appeals to people who like to purchase from independent makers.
Selling fees: Ensure a shop is available to open, including its eligibility as a seller, countries supported, fees and payment methods.
Best for: Handmade creators interested in niche marketplaces.
Squarespace is a web-building platform with an e-commerce feature. It can enable creative businesses to create professional websites for selling products, designing product collections and building brand identity. For instance, a handmade clothing business could have galleries of their clothing items, size information, shipping details and an About page that outlines the products that they offer.
Selling fees: Squarespace has templates and a website design system that can be customized. Sellers, however, must get website traffic by marketing it.
Best for: Creative businesses that value website design and branding.
| Platform | Best For | Selling Model |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Handmade | Established artisans | Marketplace |
| eBay | Vintage and collectibles | Marketplace |
| Shopify | Growing handmade brands | Independent store |
| Bonanza | Multi-category sellers | Marketplace |
| Folksy | British makers | Handmade marketplace |
| Michaels MakerPlace | Craft businesses | Handmade marketplace |
| Faire | Wholesale brands | Wholesale marketplace |
| Big Cartel | Independent artists | Independent store |
| Goimagine | Handmade creators | Handmade marketplace |
| Squarespace | Creative businesses | Independent store |
Fees and seller requirements vary by platform and location. Check official terms before opening a shop.
Practitioner Tip: Make sure to test the entire product catalog before moving all to another marketplace. Pick 5-10 products, optimize product listings and monitor the viewership, sales and fees. Check the results of those comparisons against your Etsy shop before putting in more of your investment.
The best sites similar to Etsy depend on what you sell and how you want to grow your business. Amazon Handmade and Michaels MakerPlace are the places for handmade makers and eBay and Bonanza for vendors with more products. Folksy is a marketplace for people making things in Britain and Faire is a wholesale one.
Shopify, Big Cartel and Squarespace offer stand-alone store-building solutions for more autonomy in business identity.
Before deciding on an alternative, consider selling fees, customer access and restrictions on products and tools. A few tests on another platform will enable you to test it and find a good selling place without changing your business to the extent that is not necessary.
Some of the other sites worth considering are Amazon Handmade, eBay, Shopify, Bonanza, Folksy or Michaels MakerPlace. It all depends on the products you’re selling, budget and business goals.
No one is the best-priced option for all sellers. Before selecting, check the costs for listing fees, commissions and payment processing fees, as well as the subscription fees.
Yes. Selling handmade goods is done on Amazon Handmade, eBay, Folksy, Michaels MakerPlace and your own e-commerce site!
Amazon shoppers can be reached through Amazon Handmade and Etsy is dedicated to selling handmade, vintage and creative products. The best option will be based on your audience, product needs and selling expenses.
Yes. Shopify is suitable for those who wish to have their own online store, the ability to brand it and greater control over customer interactions. But for store owners, they must bring their customers to their stores.
