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5 Best Etsy alternatives to sell your crafts (2026)

Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by Himanshu Rawat

Etsy is a popular starting point for crafters, artisans, and vintage sellers, and it’s easy to see why. The platform was specifically created with these groups in mind.

When searching for Etsy alternatives, it’s crucial to consider platforms that focus on handmade and one-of-a-kind items. Each of these options comes with its own set of features, benefits, and potential downsides. 

This comprehensive guide will help you explore the best platforms for your handmade business, whether you’re looking for lower fees, greater customization, or access to new customers. Let’s take a quick look at why some sellers are choosing to move beyond Etsy.

Why Sellers Are Leaving Etsy in 2026

Before exploring alternatives, it’s important to understand what is pushing sellers away. Etsy has faced growing criticism for strict, ever-changing policies that frustrate sellers. 

One key change is mandatory Offsite Ads, where sellers pay up to 15% per sale generated through platforms like Google, Pinterest, and Instagram. 

• Rising fees. Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per item, a 6.5% transaction fee. Payment processing fees vary by country (for example, around 3% + a fixed fee in the US), in addition to Etsy’s listing, transaction, and advertising fees.
• Mandatory advertising. Clarified the Offsite Ads threshold correctly — under $10K it’s optional at 15% if you opt in; over $10K it’s mandatory but drops to 12%
• Heavy competition. Etsy’s search surfaces similar products from competing sellers right on your own listing page. Differentiating yourself is harder than ever.
• Limited branding. Every Etsy shop looks more or less the same. You can’t fully control your storefront’s design, colors, or layout — making it difficult to build a recognizable brand identity.
• No customer data. Etsy doesn’t let you access buyer email addresses or build your own marketing lists. You’re renting access to their audience, not building your own.

Best Free Etsy Alternatives to Start Selling

Here are the best free (or free-to-start) Etsy alternatives you can consider if you’re looking to sell online while keeping upfront costs low or completely avoiding monthly fees. 

1. Big Cartel

A lightweight eCommerce platform tailored for independent artists, creators, and small businesses who want a simple, no-frills online store without technical complexity. It’s especially popular among beginners and hobby sellers who don’t need advanced features.

Free Plan: Up to 5 listings, 1 image per product

Key Features:

• No listing fees
• Beginner-friendly setup
• Designed for artists & small sellers
• Paid plans (up to $30/month) unlock more features

2. Bonanza

A growing online marketplace similar to Etsy and eBay that focuses on ease of use and low selling fees. It’s a good option for sellers who want to expand beyond Etsy while still reaching an existing audience.

Free Plan: Free to list items

Key Features:

• Low final value fees (~3.5–5%)
• Import products from Etsy, eBay, or Amazon
• Access to an existing customer base
• Quick setup for handmade and general products

3. Depop

Depop is a popular marketplace focused on fashion, vintage items, and trendy products, making it a strong alternative to Etsy for sellers targeting a younger, style-conscious audience. It combines eCommerce with a social media feel, allowing users to follow shops, like items, and engage directly with sellers. While it’s free to list products, Depop charges a fee only when you make a sale, making it beginner-friendly and low-risk.

Free plan: free to list unlimited products

Key Features:

• Free product listings
• Social media-style platform (follow, like, message buyers)
• Ideal for fashion, vintage, and handmade clothing
• Depop charges a marketplace fee in addition to payment processing, though fees may vary by region. Check Depop’s latest pricing before listing.
• Built-in audience of Gen Z and trend-focused buyers
• Easy mobile app for managing your shop on the go

4. Gumroad

A creator-focused selling platform designed primarily for digital products such as ebooks, courses, templates, and memberships. It’s ideal for creators who want a simple way to sell and market their work without managing a full store.

Free Plan: Free to start (pay-per-sale model)

Key Features:

• 10% transaction fee + payment processing (2.9% + $0.30)
• Ideal for digital products
• Built-in email marketing tools
• No monthly subscription required

5. Storenvy

A hybrid platform that combines a customizable online store with a built-in marketplace, making it easier for indie brands to both create their own storefront and gain exposure through a community-driven environment.

Free Plan: Free store setup

Key Features:

• Marketplace + standalone store
• Custom domain support
• Social/indie brand community feel
• Optional paid upgrades for advanced features

Best Etsy Alternatives for Digital Products

Selling printables, sewing patterns, digital art, or templates? These platforms are built for it:

• Gumroad — The easiest setup; handles file delivery, licensing, and subscriptions automatically. Best if you’re selling to an audience you’ve built elsewhere (social media, email list). 
• Payhip — Similar to Gumroad with more flexible pricing tiers. Supports EU VAT handling automatically, which is a big plus for international sellers. 
• Shopify + digital delivery app — If you want to scale, Shopify with a digital downloads app (like SendOwl or Sky Pilot) gives you full control and the lowest per-transaction fees at volume.
• WooCommerce — Handles digital products natively with its free core plugin. Zero per-sale fees beyond payment processing.

5 alternatives to Etsy for selling your handmade crafts.

1. Shopify

As of 2026, Shopify powers millions of businesses across more than 175 countries, making it one of the world’s largest eCommerce platforms. It remains one of the most popular full-control Etsy competitors for sellers who’ve outgrown a marketplace listing

Shopify is an ideal platform for Etsy sellers seeking more control and flexibility. Unlike Etsy, which charges listing fees, Shopify allows sellers to avoid those costs while also giving them ownership of customer data and complete control over the design and branding of their store. Shopify even integrates with Etsy, enabling you to manage listings on both platforms from a single dashboard, making it easy to sell across multiple channels.

Many Etsy sellers switch to Shopify as their businesses grow, thanks to its easy migration tools. Shopify offers customizable themes and templates, sales tools like funding through Shopify Capital, POS devices, and discounted shipping options to help scale your business both online and offline.

Pricing:

• Basic – Starts at $29/month (annual billing)
• Grow – Starts at $79/month
• Advanced – Starts at $299/month
• For enterprise scaling, Shopify Plus starts at $2,300 per month

Fees: 

• The Basic Plan charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction for online sales and 2.7% + 10¢ for in-person sales, with a 2% fee if Shopify Payments is not used.
• The Shopify Plan offers a lower rate of 2.7% + 30¢ for online sales and 2.5% + 10¢ for in-person sales, with a 1% fee if not using Shopify Payments.
• The Advanced Plan has the lowest fees, at 2.5% + 30¢ for online sales and 2.4% + 10¢ for in-person sales, with a 0.6% fee for transactions not processed through Shopify Payments.

2. Amazon Handmade:

It is a section of Amazon dedicated to selling unique, handcrafted products. Sellers can create storefronts for their goods and benefit from Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for streamlined shipping. Listings don’t expire, and creators have access to analytics to track performance. Additionally, Amazon Handmade offers the option to use sponsored ads to increase visibility and reach a wider audience.

Amazon Handmade offers a more structured categorization system compared to Etsy, with 12 specific product categories designed to match different handmade items. Additional advantages include the option to use FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) for shipping, access to Amazon’s promotional tools, listings with no expiration date, and detailed web analytics.

However, Amazon Handmade comes at a higher cost than Etsy. It charges a 15% commission on each sale, along with a monthly membership fee.

Pricing: 

Amazon Handmade requires sellers to have a Professional Selling account. Amazon currently waives the monthly Professional selling subscription fee for approved Handmade artisans in many regions, but sellers still pay a 15% referral fee on each sale.

Fees:

Referral fees on Amazon vary by product. For jewelry, Amazon takes 20% up to $250 and 5% above that. However, for Handmade items, a flat 15% referral fee applies on all sales.

3. Big Cartel:

Big Cartel is a platform designed for artists, makers, and entrepreneurs who want to sell their creations online. With the free plan, users can list up to five products, making it a great option for budget-conscious sellers with a small product range who want to steer clear of Etsy’s listing fees. 

The platform offers customizable website templates, so you can tailor your site to reflect your brand. You also have the option to use your own domain name and access various marketing tools. Shoppers can make purchases directly from your store and get in touch with you through a contact form.

Pricing:

• The free Gold plan allows up to 5 products, 1 image per product, and basic selling features.
• The Platinum plan ($15/month or $144/year) offers up to 50 products, 5 images per product, a custom domain, ad support, and inventory tracking.
• The Diamond plan ($30/month or $288/year) includes up to 500 products, 25 images per product, and additional professional features.

Fees:

Big Cartel doesn’t charge transaction fees. You only pay the payment processor’s fees (e.g., PayPal or Stripe).

4. Squarespace:

Squarespace is a website builder that stands out for its easy drag-and-drop interface. One of its key benefits over Etsy is that it allows you to sell directly from your own website, helping you avoid Etsy’s seller fees. It also gives you access to customer data, which makes it easier to connect with your audience through channels you control, such as email. 

Similar to Shopify, Squarespace lets you import your Etsy listings using a third-party app, allowing you to sell on both your own custom e-commerce site and third-party marketplaces. However, since Squarespace isn’t specifically designed for e-commerce, some sellers may find that it lacks certain features needed to fully support business growth.

Pricing:

• Squarespace doesn’t offer a free plan but provides a 14-day free trial for every website.
• The pricing plans are as follows:
  • Personal Plan: $16/month – No eCommerce features
  • Business Plan: $23/month
  • Basic Commerce Plan: $28/month
  • Advanced Commerce Plan: $52/month

5. Wix:

Wix is a website builder that enables you to sell products directly to customers, avoiding Etsy’s fees and offering a personalized, branded experience. Similar to other alternatives on this list, Wix provides customizable website templates, custom domain options, site hosting, and some marketing tools. 

With Wix, you can manage orders, accept payments via PayPal and credit cards, create discount coupons, and set shipping and tax rules for various locations. It offers tiered monthly pricing plans, along with access to a community knowledge hub for support.

Pricing: 

Wix provides a variety of website plans, including a free plan without eCommerce capabilities. The business premium plans are:

• Business Elite: $159/month
• Business: $39/month
• Core: $29/month
• Light: $17/month
• Free: $0

6. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free, open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress that gives sellers complete control over their online store. Unlike Etsy, WooCommerce doesn’t charge listing fees or transaction fees (beyond your payment processor), making it an excellent option for businesses looking to maximize profits while building their own brand.

Because it’s highly customizable, WooCommerce supports everything from handmade crafts and vintage goods to digital downloads and print-on-demand products. You can choose from thousands of WordPress themes and plugins to add features like email marketing, SEO tools, inventory management, shipping integrations, and social media automation as your business grows.

Pricing:

WooCommerce itself is free to use. However, you’ll need to pay for:

• Web hosting (typically starts around $5–15/month)
• A domain name (around $10–20/year)
• Optional premium themes, plugins, or extensions

Fees:

WooCommerce does not charge listing or transaction fees. You’ll only pay payment processing fees (such as Stripe or PayPal) and any optional costs for hosting or premium extensions.

Etsy Alternatives Comparison Table

Should You Leave Etsy? When to Consider an Alternative

Stay on Etsy if:

• You’re just starting out and need built-in traffic
• Your monthly sales are under $500 and fees are manageable
• Your products are in a high-demand Etsy category (jewelry, printables, home décor)
• You don’t yet have a social following or email list to drive traffic elsewhere

Consider an alternative if:

• You’ve crossed the $10,000 threshold and are now locked into the Offsite Ads program
• You’re spending significant time competing against similar shops in Etsy search
• You want to build a recognizable brand, not just sell on a marketplace
• You sell digital products where 6.5%+ fees meaningfully cut into margins
• You want to own your customer data and build an email list

The smartest move for most growing sellers: Don’t abandon Etsy overnight. Start building your own store (Shopify or WooCommerce) while keeping your Etsy shop active. Use Etsy for discovery and redirect loyal customers to your own site for repeat purchases.

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How to find the ideal alternative to Etsy for your business

• Evaluate Your Needs:
  Assess your product type, sales volume, and required features like customization options, marketing tools, and payment methods.
• Compare Platforms:
  Research alternatives such as Shopify, Big Cartel, Wix, or Amazon Handmade, and compare their features, pricing, and ease of use.

• Consider Fees and Pricing:
  Look at the fee structure of each platform, including listing fees, transaction fees, and subscription costs, to find the most cost-effective option.
• Analyze Traffic and Reach:
  Consider whether the platform has a built-in audience or if you’ll need to drive your own traffic through marketing efforts.
• Test the Platform:
  Use free trials or demos to explore the platform’s user experience, customization options, and support before committing to it.

Conclusion

There’s no single “best” Etsy alternative, it all depends on your business goals. If you want full control over your brand and customer relationships, platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce are excellent long-term choices. 

Platforms like Shopify and BigCartel offer more control over branding and design, while Amazon Handmade provides access to a massive customer base. Squarespace is ideal for its sleek templates and intuitive builder, and Wix offers easy customization for full creative control. Consider factors like fees, ease of use, and audience reach to choose the best fit for your business.

FAQs on Etsy Alternatives

1. How is Shopify different from Etsy?

Shopify gives you full control over your store and branding, while Etsy is a marketplace where your products are listed alongside other sellers.

2. Is Wix good for selling handmade goods?

Yes, Wix offers customizable templates and easy site-building, but you’ll need to drive traffic to your store yourself.

3. How do Amazon’s Handmade fees compare to Etsy’s?

Amazon Handmade charges a 15% referral fee, while Etsy takes 5% for transactions and 3% for payment processing.

4. Can I sell on Squarespace like Etsy?

Yes, Squarespace allows you to create a custom online store, but you need to market your store independently, unlike Etsy’s built-in audience.

5. Can I sell on multiple platforms?

Yes, you can sell on Etsy, Shopify, Wix, and others at the same time, but managing multiple platforms may take extra effort.