The world of ecommerce is ever-evolving with new platforms and solutions emerging all the time.

You might be reading this post because you’re an existing Etsy seller wondering if there’s a better option for your business.

Or perhaps you haven’t started your handmade business yet and you’re still weighing options. Investing in a particular ecommerce store platform is a big deal because switching to another isn’t always easy once you’re invested.

Either way, in this post, we’ll take a look at 15 of the best alternatives to Etsy, as well as some of the specific advantages and disadvantages of each.

By the end of this post, you’ll understand which solution is best for your business.

Let’s dive in!

About Etsy

Etsy has experienced tremendous growth since it was founded in 2005. Today, it is one of the most popular ecommerce websites for handmade and vintage items – becoming a household name for shoppers and crafters alike.

The success of the Etsy store is a testament to how successful online platforms can be if they focus on providing quality products and services that meet customer needs.

However, this success has also led to a need for Etsy alternatives. While Etsy is an excellent platform for buying and selling handmade items and vintage products, it may not be the best choice for everyone.

And it’s not the only game in town if you have handmade goods to sell online.

Many other online marketplaces provide similar services, with some offering more specialized features than Etsy and others being cheaper or more convenient.

There is also some value in selling your products on Etsy and another platform for wider exposure.

The main reasons merchants switch to Etsy alternatives

Restrictive rules

One reason merchants move away from Etsy is because of its limiting and sometimes restrictive rules on what users can sell (and how they can sell it). More on that later.

Limits to ownership and marketing

Another reason that merchants look for alternatives is to gain ownership of their ecommerce stores.

Etsy and other third-party marketplaces own all of an online store’s data, making it a challenge to run advanced marketing campaigns or access customer insights without the risk of violating a third-party agreement.

In other words, you can’t send retargeting ads or automated emails to customers across your sales channels.

High sales

Finally, some users switch away from Etsy after hitting high sales volume numbers. Here’s why.

Suppose you’ve been really cozy on Etsy doing handmade production, but your business is growing to the point that you want to pivot to outside production and feature mass-produced items.

This is a normal business evolution, especially for those that want to scale.

In that case, Etsy will prohibit you from selling your items on their platform.

Why? Etsy won’t let merchants resell on their platform. Doing so goes against their house rules. They consider it selling items that you, as the seller, didn’t design or make. The only exception to that rule is vintage goods.

Limitations such as these make it a challenge to grow your ecommerce business with an Etsy shop, which is one of the reasons why merchants go looking for a better, more flexible alternative to the Etsy platform.

When to switch to an Etsy alternative

So, how do you know you’ve outgrown Etsy? Or that it just isn’t a good fit for your online business?

If you’re a seller or merchant looking to make the switch or avoid Etsy in the first place, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Can you get your product in front of the right people?

If you are testing a product listing’s traffic on Etsy to see if an audience responds and you’re not getting the traffic or sales you expected, it could be time to explore other platforms.

Do you need better customer insights?

Etsy is limited in the customer data it gathers, which can be problematic for businesses looking to grow their customer base or get better insight into their target buyers.

Do you need to own your online store?

As mentioned, Etsy and other third-party marketplaces own all of an online store’s data.

Do you want full control over your brand?

If you’re looking for more control over customer insights or running advanced marketing campaigns, a switch may be in order.

Are you limited by Etsy’s rules?

As mentioned earlier, Etsy prohibits merchants from selling items they didn’t design or make themselves. If you need to offer more options and cannot do so through Etsy, consider an alternative.

Are you going to be mass-producing crafts and handmade goods out of the gate?

Say you’ve gotten a small business loan and want to start mass-producing your handmade goods immediately. In that case, Etsy won’t be your best option – look for an alternative.

By asking yourself these questions and understanding the limitations of Etsy and other third-party marketplaces, you can determine if now is the right time for you to switch and try an alternative ecommerce platform.

15 Etsy alternatives to try in 2023

Here are 15 of the best Etsy alternatives that handmade craft sellers can try out in 2023. All of these platforms have something unique to offer and can help you expand your business’ reach.

Whether you’re looking for a more specialized service or a cheaper option, there’s sure to be something here for you.

How we chose the Etsy alternatives

We selected each web-building alternative to Etsy based on:

• The types of businesses it’s good for (like established businesses, DIY-minded users, people already selling on Amazon, etc.)
• Ease of use
• The features it offers
• Notable pros and cons
• And more

1. Shopify

The Shopify ecommerce platform was founded in 2006 and since then, it’s developed into one of the best all-around Etsy alternatives in the market.

It offers everything you need to launch a custom online store and manage sales and payments. Once you get it launched and going, it handles everything from marketing and payments to secure transactions and shipping.

The platform also features customizable templates with free website designs that allow you to quickly and easily launch your store.

• Price: Shopify doesn’t charge any listing fees. Instead, it charges merchants a monthly subscription fee and a standard credit card processing fee per transaction. They offer a free trial (3 days) and discounts for the first few months you sign up for their plans. Their basic package starts at $39 per month, while the advanced plan can go as high as $399 per month.
• Key features: Shopify offers mobile apps, powerful analytics, marketing tools, order and inventory management and shipping fulfillment.
• Ease of use: Fairly easy. No web developer or designer skills are needed for setup since there are plenty of pre-designed themes to choose from. You will, however, need to use Liquid template language to make changes to the backend.  
• Who it’s best for: Sellers who want to get serious about business growth and optimize to improve profitability and sales. It’s also a good solution for any seller that is thinking about a move from Etsy to a self-hosted website.
• Pros: No software or web server maintenance and upgrades, POS app, various sales channels, ability to sell gift cards and other forms of cards, fast setup process and integration with various payment gateways.
• Cons: Higher fees than most alternatives and monthly subscription costs can add up quickly.

2. Amazon Handmade

Amazon Handmade is Amazon’s version of an Etsy store. From jewelry to stationery to pet supplies, Amazon Handmade is a booming online marketplace for skilled artisans and craftspeople to scale their businesses.

Potential Amazon handmade sellers will also be happy to know that the platform offers buyers access to millions of items from around the world, thereby extending the reach of your brand.

• Price: It will cost you $39.99 per month (minus the first month) to sign up for their Amazon Professional selling account. Additionally, Amazon takes a 15% cut out of every sale (referral fee) made on Amazon Handmade.
• Key features: Business management and marketing tools, mobile app, listings with no expiration date and ability to customize product listings.
• Ease of use: Relatively easy to use and navigate. Before you can start marketplace selling, though, you are required to go through the company’s 4-step process.
• Who it’s best for: Etsy sellers who want to boost their sales. Amazon Handmade is also great for sellers who are already selling on Amazon. Of all the Etsy alternatives, selling through this platform comes with significant costs and maintenance. Therefore, this solution is best for larger businesses that have a high sales volume and can handle the fees charged by Amazon.
• Pros: High sales volume and traffic, fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), high ROI for investment, no additional monthly fee and you only pay when you make a sale.
• Cons: Higher fees than most alternatives, there are metrics you must meet, limited digital and downloadable products and required Amazon Professional selling account.

3. eBay

This website has been around since 1995 and let’s be honest, who hasn’t bid on an eBay item? It’s one of the oldest and most popular marketplace websites to buy, sell and trade items. It offers buyers access to a variety of goods from sellers all over the globe.

• Price: eBay charges selling fees and they are a final value fee % + $0.30 per order. Final value fees vary depending on what you’re selling, but they generally range from 3% to 15%. They also charge a listing fee. The first 250 listings per month are free and then it’s $0.35 a month per listing.
• Key features: Ability to promote items in different categories and customizable product listings.
• Ease of use: Relatively simple to use and navigate.
• Who it’s best for: Sellers looking for a platform to reach millions of shoppers quickly and easily.
• Pros: International reach, mobile app does most of the marketplace selling, established reputation and low fees compared to other platforms.
• Cons: Limited customization options and buyers are notorious for not wanting to pay full retail prices.

4. Bonanza

Bonanza was founded in 2008 and they offer buyers access to unique, one-of-a-kind items from all over the world.

Unlike Etsy, Bonanza’s focus isn’t on crafts and handmade items. Instead, it is a more general marketplace and its booths include cosmetics, dishes, furniture, jewelry and more.

Bonanza also lets you list your items on its marketplace or build your own online store. That means you get to keep customers and maintain control over your brand.

• Price: Bonanza is free to join and list your products. Plus, they let you keep a lot of your hard-earned money by not taking a commission or charging a bunch of fees. Bonanza bases its transaction fees on the final offer value (FOV), along with your item’s sales performance of your item. Advertising and selling fees of 3.5% are only added after you finalize a sale. 
• Breakdown of fees: (a) For a FOV that is less than $500: A simple 3.5% commission. (b) For a FOV that is greater than $500: A fee of 3.5% plus 1.5% of the amount greater than $500. (c) For FOV, if you are using Google Shopping ads, you add 5.5%.
• Key features: Integrated POS, shipping integrations, ability to customize product listings and easy-to-use interface. Also, Bonanza lets you import products from other online marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, Shopify and eBay.
• Ease of use: Fairly easy to set up and navigate.
• Who it’s best for: Sellers looking for an alternative to Etsy with lower fees and more customization options. It’s also perfect for merchants who want more reach and will negotiate on their pricing.
• Pros: Lower marketplace fees than most platforms, search engine optimization, integrated chat for solving purchase issues, ability to customize product listings, exponential brand reach and presence with automated listings on platforms like eBay, Nextag and Google Shopping.
• Cons: Design tools used to customize your standalone online store are less friendly and user-friendly than other platforms on this list. And, per Sitejabber reviewers, Bonanza can sometimes have lacklustre customer service.

5. Folksy

Folksy is one of the biggest online marketplaces in the world, counting 10,000 UK artists, designers and artisans as its users.

It’s also one of the best Etsy alternatives if you live in the United Kingdom. One of the primary things that set Folksy apart from Etsy and other ecommerce platforms is there are no shipping costs.

Started in 2008, it prides itself on being an ethical platform for independent designers and makers. The marketplace has a focus on handmade items and artwork. 

• Price: It’s free to join folksy, but they charge a commission fee of 6% + Value Added Tax (VAT). There are also listing fees that are charged to Folksy accounts. For instance, for the Folksy Basic plan, the first three listings are free, but after that, it’s £0.15 + VAT per item. They also only accept PayPal and Stripe for fees, so be sure you figure in transaction fees from them too.
• Key features: Focus on handmade products, ability to customize product listings and easy-to-use interface.
• Ease of use: Fairly simple to use and navigate.
• Who it’s best for: UK-based Sellers looking for a platform to promote handmade/vintage goods and artwork.
• Pros: You can import your items from Etsy, built-in payment processing, focus on handmade and original products only and no shipping fees.
• Cons: No reselling of mass-produced items, poor traffic, no website app for mobile devices and no opening for merchants outside of the UK.

6. Aftcra

Aftcra is one of the best Etsy alternatives if you are selling handmade products made in America. Additionally, it’s a great marketplace to showcase your unique products to buyers who appreciate originality.

• Price: Aftcra charges sellers a 7% commission for each sale but doesn’t charge a listing fee for items.
• Key features: Ability to customize product listings, easy-to-use interface and integrated payment processing.
• Ease of use: Easy to set up and navigate.
• Who it’s best for: Sellers who wish to feature handmade or vintage products on the platform.
• Pros: Simple setup process, integrated payment processing and focus on handmade/vintage products only.
• Cons: Limited international reach.

7. Magento Open Source

Research has shown that Magento is used to design around 20% of ecommerce sites globally. Magento Open Source was first released in 2007 and it is the open-source version of Adobe Commerce.

Those looking to set up a full-fledged online store may find this website builder to be the best Etsy alternative.

• Price: Magento Open Source can be downloaded for free – but it’s highly recommended to pay for hosting and other services that help manage the store. Development services, including hosting, will run you around $12,000–57,000+ per year.
• Key features: Scalability and flexibility, internationalization, advertising & marketing, order and catalog management and search engine optimization.
• Ease of use: Fairly challenging. Some features are pretty user-friendly and intuitive and it is arguably one of the most customizable ecommerce stores. You need advanced dev skills to run it and it is also somewhat complex to set up and navigate.
• Who it’s best for: Small businesses that prefer a special page-builder for a convenient storefront setup. Magento is also good for businesses that want to build their own store and brand from scratch for full control of their solution.
• Pros: Established online marketplace, easy checkout, international reach and customizable product listings.
• Cons: The true cost of Magento Open Source is expensive. Magento Commerce and Magento Commerce Cloud are even more so.

8. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is an open-source and flexible ecommerce platform that is built for and powered by WordPress.

The platform allows users to create their own websites without any technical expertise and set up a shop quickly.

It also helps integrate third-party apps easily, making it one of the most popular platforms among beginners. With a WooCommerce account, you can upload unlimited products and have full control of your site.

• Price: WooCommerce is free but requires hosting services and a custom domain name, which incurs fees but is recommended. Web hosting ranges from $6.95 to $8.95/month; the domain name is $15/year. The transaction fees are dependent on your sales volume.
• Key features: Customizable product listings, ability to offer discounts/coupons, international reach and real-time reporting.
• Ease of use: Set up is easy enough for just about anyone to learn.
• Who it’s best for: Small to medium-sized businesses who want to create a reliable online store without the hassle of coding and managing a website.
• Pros: Ability to create a fully functional online store quickly, integration with third-party apps and no commissions charged.
• Cons: Hosting fees are applicable and add up.

9. Squarespace

Launched in 2004, Squarespace is a popular ecommerce site-builder. The company provides SaaS services for building and hosting websites.

It allows merchants to use pre-built drag-and-drop elements and modern, elegant templates to create and modify pages on websites. You can easily create a beautiful website or blog with it.

• Price: Squarespace offers four pricing plans that range from $16 to $49/month. These monthly listed prices are based on one-year contracts. Domain registration is free for the first year.
• Key features: Smooth, built-in SEO and marketing tools, mobile editing, social media templates and free logo design.
• Ease of use: Squarespace is incredibly user-friendly and makes it easy for even beginners to get started building their online shop quickly. The website builder is very intuitive and their customization tools are easily accessed.
• Who it’s best for: This platform is best for those merchants looking for a comprehensive website solution. It’s also a smart choice for ecommerce business owners on a tight budget who want to invest time and effort into DIYing their website.
• Pros: Rich blogging features, strong inventory system, four different mobile apps and generous page limits
• Cons: The usability of the editor needs improving, templates get low ratings for page speed and a single sub-navigation, making it near impossible to design multilingual sites.

10. BigCartel

Founded in 2005, BigCartel is a great place to set up an independent ecommerce site. Unlike Etsy, it allows you to launch a personal website, giving your business a more standalone brand prominence and presence.

You can list items such as handbags, art, pottery and stickers on their online marketplace. 

• Price: BigCartel is free for up to five products. Plas range from $9.99 – $29.99/month (plus transaction fees). Transaction fees are 4% + 30¢ per order.
• Key features: Ability to customize product listings and integrated with four of the best payment processing services, each with its own per-transaction fee, built-in analytics and inventory tracking and a loyalty program for customers.
• Ease of use: Relatively simple to set up shop and navigate.
• Who it’s best for: Artisans, craftspeople and artists who want to try their hand at turning their digital handmade product business into its own digital store and brand.
• Pros: Lower marketplace fees than most platforms, powerful search engine optimization and ability to customize product listings and loyalty program for customers.
• Cons: BigCartel only offers PayPal or Stripe as payment options which can deter some buyers.

11. Instagram Shopping

Each month, over 100 million people tap on Instagram shopping posts, making it one of the most popular platforms for businesses to market their products and services.

In 2019, Instagram launched its new shopping feature, which allows merchants to tag items in photos and promote them directly on their page.

This feature makes it much easier for customers to shop right from the app without having to leave and visit a website.

• Price: Free to use, but there is an additional cost for ads.
• Key features: Ability to tag products in photos, promote items directly on your page, shop from the app without leaving it and integrated checkout system for streamlining transactions.
• Ease of use: Instagram shopping is intuitive and easy to use.
• Who it’s best for: Small business owners who want to reach potential customers on Instagram.
• Pros: Allows merchants to tag products in photos and promote them directly from their page, integrated checkout system for streamlining transactions, no marketplace fees
• Cons: Limited ability to customize product listings, can be difficult to find items due to the lack of a search function and the discovery process is time-consuming and ads can get expensive if not managed properly.​​​  ​

12. Wix

Bad aesthetics don’t show your goods in the best light, which could be a dealbreaker for a shopper looking to buy your wares.

Enter Wix, a website builder which has been around since 2006, which allows users to create a stunning digital store with just a few clicks.

Wix also integrates seamlessly with dozens of third-party apps, making it a great all-in-one solution. Likewise, Wix offers Etsy integration so you can hold onto your existing product listings.

• Pricing: Wix offers a free domain for the first year. Paid plans include $300 in advert vouchers. There are also several pricing plans, ranging from $16/month to $45/month. That said, the best value for your money is the Pro plan. It offers complete online branding for a monthly subscription fee of $27.
• Key features: Thousands of advanced design capabilities, more than 800 templates, custom logo, domain and other brand tools and full stack web developer tools for custom functionality.
• Ease of use: Easy to set up shop and navigate.  AI tech helps create the Wix site for you.
• Who it’s best for: Sellers looking to create a stunning online store without the hassle of coding and managing a website. Wix is also good for shoestring budgets and companies that want to design their ecommerce site before making the switch and fully investing in building a new one on another platform.
• Pros: Ability to create a fully functional online store quickly, integration with third-party apps, built-in SEO and lots of advanced design capabilities.
• Cons: Wix’s free plan doesn’t let you accept online payments, you can’t change templates when your site goes live, there are storage limits on plans and visitor analytics aren’t available on combo or free plans.

13. Weebly

Weebly has been around since 2006 and it’s great for those looking to launch a professionally designed store in minutes. It’s also one of the more affordable site builders out there, offering premium plans for as little as $26 per month with annual billing.

With Weebly, you can customize your digital store with product images, descriptions, pricing and more and you can also link it to a payment gateway for secure transactions.

• Price: Plans range from $0/month to $26/month. Transaction fees are 3% for Free, Starter, or Pro plans.
• Key features: Hundreds of themes and templates, built-in SEO tools, unlimited storage space, PayPal integration and more.
• Ease of use: Very beginner-friendly and no coding knowledge is required to create a website.
• Pros: Free forever plan, free SSL security and lots of ecommerce features
• Cons: Square ads unless you pay for the Professional plan and over, limited customization features, no free domain and phone support is only available on Professional plan and over

14. Volusion

Volusion is an excellent Etsy alternative for sellers with more advanced needs. It was founded in 1999 and offers an easy-to-use ecommerce platform that allows merchants to customize their stores and increase sales.

You can use Volusion’s resources to build a website with a custom domain. Volusion’s website is responsive, so users can view your store on any device.

• Price: There is a free trial (14 days) and sellers can choose from 4 different membership plans that start at $35/month. Their highest advertised paid plan is the Business plan, which supports up to $400K in gross monthly volume. You pay $299 for unlimited products with the Business plan.
• Key features: Ability to customize product listings, built-in analytics, integrated POS and a loyalty program for customers.
• Ease of use: Easy to set up shop but more complex than other Etsy alternatives due to its more advanced features. There is no coding required, though. It is easy to use once set up.
• Who it’s best for: Sellers looking for a platform with robust customization options. Volusion is especially great if you are selling physical products such as apparel, jewelry, or art prints.
• Pros: Lower marketplace fees than most platforms.
• Cons: Limited features for competitive marketing and a lack of themes.

15. Storenvy

Storenvy is a great Etsy alternative for those who are looking to launch their own store without spending a lot of money.

They offer low-cost plans that start at only $14 per month and also have an app (iOS and Android) so you can manage your store from anywhere.

Its marketplace combines the best aspects of an ecommerce platform with those of a social network – you can launch a store and also interact with other buyers and sellers to boost your sales.

• Price: You are subscribed to Storeenvy’s free plan by default. You can also upgrade to two subscription plans: Plus, which is $14 user/month, and Pro, which is $29 user/month.
• Key features: Ability to customize product listings, integrated POS, social media integration and easy-to-use interface.
• Ease of use: Fairly easy to set up and navigate.
• Who it’s best for: Small business owners that want to launch a custom store or start selling in Storenvy’s marketplace for free. Sellers looking for an alternative to Etsy that offers a social shopping experience will find it a good fit too.
• Pros: Fully independent online store, social media integration and access to a massive social media marketplace.
• Cons: Doesn’t boast the significant traffic that competitors like Etsy and eBay does.

How to choose the right Etsy alternative for your business

As you can see, there are a lot of great Etsy alternatives out there that let you set up your own store. But which one is the right fit for your business?

Ultimately, the answer will depend on your individual needs and budget. Here are some tips to help you choose the best marketplace for your store:

• Determine what features you need – think about the features you need for your store and make sure the platform offers them.
• Assess fees and pricing – compare the prices of different platforms to ensure you’re getting a good value.
• Check out customer reviews – reading up on customer experiences can help you decide which platform is right for you.
• Determine ease of use – consider how easy the platform is to set up and use.
• Think about market size – larger markets often provide more reach and visibility for your products compared to smaller ones.

By keeping these tips in mind, Etsy sellers and those new to the game should be able to choose the best Etsy alternative for your business.

Alternatives to Etsy FAQs

What is the value of having your own online store?

Having your own digital store gives you a unique platform to showcase and sell your products. It also allows you to build relationships with customers, market your business better, have more control over pricing and offers and establish yourself as a serious brand.

Additionally, an independent digital store will give you more flexibility in terms of design and features compared to some of the larger market marketplaces like Etsy.

What are the top competitors of Etsy?

The top ecommerce sites that are competitors to Etsy include eBay, Amazon Handmade and Shopify. Each of these marketplaces offers their own unique benefits and features, so it’s important to research which one is right for your business.

What Etsy alternative is best for selling crafts?

If you’re selling crafts, then one of the best Etsy alternatives is Amazon Handmade. This marketplace was created specifically for handmade products and offers attractive features like low commission fees and integrated Amazon Prime shipping options. Additionally, it provides promotional tools to help you reach more potential customers.

Can I sell my handmade crafts online for free?

Yes, various marketplaces allow you to sell handmade crafts for free. However, each of these platforms has different fee structures when it comes to other services like processing online payments or using subscriptions. So before signing up with one of these marketplaces, make sure you understand the fees and what services are included.

Can I sell out of my own website?

Yes, you can design your own ecommerce website. Once you’re done, you can sell from your stand alone online store. However, it takes skill and knowledge to develop and maintain it, which many entrepreneurs simply don’t have. It takes resources and skill to build your own retail site and publicize it so shoppers can find you. If you’ve got all that or can hire someone with those skills, then selling from your own site could be a great option — but it generally costs more than many of the options listed above.

Is there an Etsy alternative for international sellers?

Etsy alternatives such as AliExpress, Wish and Etsy International are all popular choices for international sellers. These platforms offer a range of features, including multi-language support, currency conversion tools and secure payment processing.

The takeaways

Etsy is a powerful ecommerce platform with a solid track record and well-earned success. That said, it may not be right for everyone.

Take a closer look at each of these 15 platforms before making a decision. Dive deep into their features and make sure they align well with your goals.

Choosing an ecommerce store platform is a big commitment, so it’s worth spending some time weighing all your options before committing to one.

Manage your handmade inventory with Linnworks

Linnworks is an ecommerce inventory and order management software that helps retailers automate inventory management processes, reduce costs and grow their business.

We also seamlessly integrate with Etsy (and just about every other ecommerce software out there) so you can manage your shipping, quality control and multichannel inventory processes from one convenient dashboard.

Contact one of our experts or book your free demo today!