The Guide to the Best Etsy Alternatives for Sellers

The Guide to the Best Etsy Alternatives for Sellers

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Etsy has long been the undisputed champion for artisans, crafters, and collectors of vintage goods. It’s a global marketplace built on the principle of keeping commerce human, connecting millions of buyers with independent sellers creating everything from unique handcrafted pieces to rare vintage treasures. For many creative entrepreneurs, it’s the perfect platform to turn an idea into a successful business.

However, the e-commerce landscape is vast and constantly evolving. While Etsy is a phenomenal starting point, it isn’t the only option available. Many sellers find themselves asking, “what can i use instead of etsy?” for a variety of reasons. Concerns over rising fees, intense competition, specific policy changes, or simply the desire for more branding control have led many to explore alternatives to selling on etsy. Some even question, “why selling on etsy is a bad idea for their specific business model?” leading them to search for websites similar to etsy.

If you’re wondering where to sell other than etsy, you’ve come to the right place. This guide explores the best Etsy alternatives has to offer, from sprawling marketplaces to powerful standalone website builders. Whether you’re looking for free alternatives to etsy or a platform that offers more robust features, this list will help you find the perfect new home for your creative business.

Table of Contents

Why Look for an Etsy Alternative?

Before diving into the list, it’s helpful to understand the common reasons sellers begin their search. The question “why are sellers leaving etsy?” has several potential answers, and identifying your own motivations will help you choose the right path forward.

  • Fees: Etsy’s fee structure, which includes listing fees, transaction fees, payment processing fees, and Offsite Ads fees, can add up. Some sellers look for a cheaper alternative to etsy with a more predictable pricing model.
  • Competition: With millions of active sellers, standing out on Etsy can be a challenge. Some creators prefer smaller, more niche marketplaces like etsy where their products can be more easily discovered.
  • Branding Control: While Etsy allows for some customization, you’re ultimately operating within their ecosystem. Sellers who want complete control over their branding, customer experience, and policies often look for etsy shop alternatives like building their own site.
  • Policy Changes: Etsy’s policies can change, which sometimes affects sellers’ business models. This can prompt a search for other platforms like etsy that offer more stability or different rules.
  • Niche Focus: Some platforms are hyper-focused on specific categories, like fine art or digital goods, which can be more appealing than Etsy’s broad marketplace.

Understanding your “why” is the first step in finding a platform that is better than etsy for your unique business needs.

Standalone E-commerce Platforms

If your primary goal is to build a distinct brand and have full control over your business, a standalone platform is one of the best alternatives to etsy. These e commerce sites like etsy provide the tools to build your own online store, but be prepared—you’ll be responsible for driving your own traffic.

Shopify

Shopify is a titan in the e-commerce world, empowering entrepreneurs to build their own online stores from the ground up. It’s one of the most powerful and scalable online selling platforms like etsy for those serious about growing a brand.

  • Best For: Sellers who are ready to invest in marketing and want complete control over their brand, from the website design to customer policies.
  • Pros: Highly customizable with thousands of themes and apps, scalable for businesses of any size, robust analytics, and you own the customer relationship.
  • Cons: No built-in marketplace traffic (you must generate your own), and it operates on a monthly subscription model which can be more expensive upfront.

Big Cartel

Big Cartel is designed specifically for artists and makers. It’s known for its simplicity and artist-friendly approach, making it one of the most popular platforms like etsy for creators with smaller inventories.

  • Best For: Artists, bands, and makers with a limited number of unique products.
  • Pros: Incredibly easy to use, beautiful minimalist themes, and offers a free plan for up to 5 products, making it one of the best etsy alternatives free of charge to start.
  • Cons: The free plan is limited, and even paid plans have fewer features and integrations compared to Shopify.

Squarespace

Known for its stunning, design-forward templates, Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder that includes powerful e-commerce capabilities. It’s an excellent choice for sellers who want a visually striking online presence that combines a portfolio with a store.

  • Best For: Artists, photographers, and designers who want a beautiful, professional website where commerce is integrated, not the sole focus.
  • Pros: Award-winning, easy-to-use templates; strong blogging and content features; all-in-one platform (hosting, domain, e-commerce).
  • Cons: Monthly subscription fee; fewer e-commerce-specific apps than Shopify.

Marketplaces for Handmade & Craft Goods

If you love the built-in audience of a marketplace but are looking for other marketplaces like etsy, these platforms are excellent choices. They offer a community of buyers specifically looking for handmade and unique items.

Amazon Handmade

As a direct competitor to Etsy, Amazon Handmade offers artisans a storefront on the world’s largest online retail site. It provides access to a massive customer base but comes with a more rigorous application process.

  • Best For: Established artisans who can handle higher sales volume and want to leverage Amazon’s vast logistics and Prime shipping benefits.
  • Pros: Unparalleled customer traffic, access to Amazon Prime shipping, and a trusted brand name.
  • Cons: A strict, artisan-only application process; higher commission fees than Etsy; less of a “small business” community feel. For many, it’s the first place they look for where to sell instead of etsy.

Artfire

Artfire is one of the older craft websites like etsy, offering a marketplace for handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. It has a strong community focus and offers different subscription plans for sellers.

  • Best For: Crafters looking for a smaller, community-oriented marketplace with more predictable monthly fees instead of per-listing charges.
  • Pros: Multiple seller plans (including one without listing fees), focuses solely on the handmade community.
  • Cons: Significantly less traffic than Etsy or Amazon Handmade.

Goimagine

Goimagine is a newer marketplace with a unique mission: 100% of its profits are donated to charities that support children in need. It’s a strictly handmade-only platform, making it one of the most mission-driven handmade sites like etsy.

  • Best For: Sellers who value social impact and want to be part of a marketplace with a strong ethical commitment and a purely handmade ethos.
  • Pros: Your sales contribute to a charitable cause, strict handmade-only policy, growing community.
  • Cons: As a newer platform, its customer base is still small and growing.

Platforms for Digital Products & Art

For artists and designers, finding the right home for digital creations is key. If you’re searching for sites like etsy to sell digital products, these specialized platforms are for you.

Creative Market

Creative Market is a curated marketplace for design assets like fonts, graphics, templates, and photos. It’s not just a place to sell; it’s a community for designers.

  • Best For: Graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers selling high-quality digital assets.
  • Pros: Targeted audience of designers and creatives, curated for quality, potential for high earnings.
  • Cons: You must apply and be accepted to open a shop, and they take a percentage-based commission on sales. This is a top etsy alternative for digital products.

Gumroad

Gumroad is a simple yet powerful platform that makes it incredibly easy to sell digital products directly to your audience. From ebooks to software to digital art, it’s a favorite among creators with an existing following.

  • Best For: Creators, writers, and artists who have their own audience and need a straightforward way to sell digital downloads. Perfect if you’re wondering where to sell printables other than etsy.
  • Pros: Very easy to set up, flexible “pay what you want” pricing, handles file delivery and payments seamlessly.
  • Cons: No built-in marketplace, so you are entirely responsible for traffic.

Big Cartel

Also mentioned above, Big Cartel is fantastic for artists. Its free plan is perfect for those testing the waters with a few prints or digital downloads, making it one of the best free selling sites like etsy for digital art.

Other Selling Platforms to Consider

The universe of online shops like etsy is broad. Depending on what you sell, one of these selling platforms similar to etsy might be the perfect fit.

eBay

One of the original online selling sites like etsy, eBay has a massive audience for a huge variety of goods. It’s particularly strong for vintage items and unique collectibles but also has a growing section for handmade products.

  • Best For: Sellers of vintage goods, antiques, and unique one-off items. It’s one of the classic sites like ebay and etsy.
  • Pros: Huge global audience, flexible selling formats (auction and “Buy It Now”), strong for second-hand and vintage items.
  • Cons: Can have a “flea market” perception, fees can be complex, less focused on the “handmade” aesthetic.

Redbubble / Society6

These are print-on-demand (POD) marketplaces. You upload your designs, and they handle the printing, inventory, and shipping of products like t-shirts, mugs, and art prints. This makes them great alternatives to etsy for artists who don’t want to manage physical stock.

  • Best For: Artists and designers who want to sell their artwork on a variety of products without handling manufacturing or shipping.
  • Pros: Completely hands-off fulfillment, no upfront inventory costs, wide range of products.
  • Cons: Lower profit margins, less control over product quality and branding.

Instagram Shopping / Facebook Marketplace

Leveraging your social media presence to sell directly is a powerful strategy. These platforms allow you to connect with your followers and turn them into customers right where they are.

  • Best For: Sellers with an established social media following who want to sell directly to their community.
  • Pros: Sell directly to an engaged audience, seamless integration with your social media content, low barrier to entry.
  • Cons: Less formal than a dedicated store, requires building trust, not ideal for managing large inventories.

At-a-Glance Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick look at how some of the top alternative sites to etsy stack up.

Platform Best For Pricing Model Built-in Traffic Customization
Etsy Handmade, Vintage, Crafts Listing + Transaction Fees High Medium
Shopify Building a Standalone Brand Monthly Subscription Bring Your Own High
Amazon Handmade High-Volume Artisans Referral Fee (per sale) Very High Low
Big Cartel Artists with Small Inventory Free & Subscription Tiers Bring Your Own Medium
Creative Market Digital Design Assets Commission-Based High (Niche) Low
eBay Vintage & Collectibles Listing + Final Value Fees Very High Low

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular online selling platforms?
Besides Etsy, some of the most popular platforms include Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and Squarespace. The best platform depends on what you sell and your business goals. For creators specifically, platforms similar to etsy like Amazon Handmade and Big Cartel are also very popular.

Which is the best online selling platform?
There is no single “best etsy alternative.” The best platform for you depends entirely on your needs. If you want total brand control, Shopify is often considered the best. If you need a massive, built-in audience for handmade goods, Amazon Handmade is a strong contender. If you’re just starting and want something simple and free, Big Cartel is excellent.

What is the best platform to sell handmade items online?
Etsy remains a top choice, but strong alternatives for etsy include Amazon Handmade for its sheer volume of traffic, Goimagine for its charitable mission and handmade-only focus, and Artfire for its tight-knit community. Many sellers also find success building their own brand on Shopify or Squarespace to sell handmade goods.

Is Etsy reliable for sellers?
Etsy is a large, publicly-traded company with millions of buyers and sellers, making it a generally reliable platform. They have systems in place like Etsy’s Purchase Protection program to help protect both buyers and sellers on qualifying orders. However, like any large marketplace, individual seller experiences can vary. Some sellers express frustration with policy changes or customer service, which is a common reason they seek out other stores like etsy.

Why are sellers leaving Etsy?
Sellers explore other places to sell besides etsy for several reasons. The primary drivers often reported include increasing transaction and advertising fees, high levels of competition making it difficult to be seen, a desire for more direct control over their branding and customer policies, and disagreements with platform-wide policy changes. This has led to a growing interest in selling platforms like etsy that may offer a different balance of features, fees, and creative freedom.