For years, Etsy was the dream online store for handmade creators—a place where small artisans could showcase their work with more than 90 million active buyers! But things aren’t quite what they used to be. Rising fees, an influx of dropshippers, and minimal control over store customization have left many Etsy sellers feeling stuck and undervalued. Sound familiar?

If you’re nodding along, you’ve probably wondered if there’s a better option out there. And, yes, there is!

In fact, there are several platforms designed to give you what Etsy can’t—lower fees, more control over your brand, and the freedom to shape your sales and marketing strategies.

In this guide, we’ll review the best Etsy alternatives to help you reclaim control over your business and thrive online. Let’s find the right fit for you. 

What Should You Care About When Choosing a Platform?

 Before we get into the meat of the matter, let's take a moment to think about what really matters when choosing a new platform for your business. This isn’t just about where your products show up online—you’re choosing the foundation for your entire business.

That’s a pretty big decision, right? Naturally, there are some things to keep in mind: 

Fees

Transaction fees, listing fees, offsite ad costs... it all adds up fast! Here, platforms like Bonanza ease the burden with low or no listing fees, while Big Cartel opts for a flat monthly subscription to keep things at least somewhat predictable.

Visibility

One of Etsy’s biggest advantages is traffic—millions of shoppers browse the site every day. The catch is that you’re up against intense competition. Some alternative platforms may have smaller audiences but better tools to directly engage and retain your ideal customers.

Customization and Control

Want your brand to stand out? Etsy’s almost non-existent customization options won't get you there. If full creative control matters—over your layout, colors, even your domain—Shopify and Squarespace give you the ability to design your store your way.

If you need someone to handle all the tech for you, check out Dropbuild’s DFY store-building service and get your custom site launched and ready to make money! 

Marketing Tools

Think about your marketing strategy. Do you need built-in SEO tools, email marketing, or social media integration? Wix comes equipped with these features, putting more control over outreach and promotion in your hands.

Now that you've got these factors in mind, let's take a look at the actual platform options—everything from big marketplaces to niche ecommerce sites—so you can decide what fits your crafty business best. 

1. Shopify – The Powerhouse for Scaling Your Business 

For sellers who want to take full control of their brand and manage their own store, Shopify is nearly always the go-to. Unlike Etsy, where you’re just a vendor in a big online marketplace, Shopify allows you to build out a custom ecommerce store on a clean slate.

It’s not a coincidence that over 4 million businesses worldwide rely on Shopify for its flexibility and features. 

Here, you’re in charge. You get a custom domain and total control over your store’s design, branding, and functionality. If you're tired of Etsy’s rigid structure, such a high level of customizability can make a big difference.

Plus, Shopify lets you manage sales across multiple channels with ease. You can integrate your store with Etsy, Amazon, Facebook, and Instagram and open your store to a larger marketplace while keeping all your sales data in one place. 

Of course, Shopify isn’t just about looks. It also comes with tools to handle business tasks like inventory tracking, marketing automation, and sales reports. For example, its cart abandonment feature automatically reminds potential buyers to finish their purchases—something Etsy doesn’t offer by default.

Shopify Pros:‍

• Complete control over your branding and sales strategy.
• Access to thousands of apps to customize and expand your store.
• Scalable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprises.

Shopify Cons:‍

• Monthly fees might feel steep for beginners. 
• Heavily reliant on third-party apps, which adds even more costs.
  

Shopify Fees:‍

• Basic plan: $39/month.
• Shopify plan: $105/month.
• Advanced plan: $399/month.

Who’s Shopify Best For? ‍

Shopify is ideal for sellers with a long-term view for an ecommerce store. If you’ve outgrown Etsy’s limitations and want your own website with full control over branding, marketing, and sales channels, Shopify is one of the best alternatives available.

2. Amazon Handmade – Built-in Visibility but Heavy Competition

A big one! Amazon Handmade gives you access to millions of potential customers on the world’s largest marketplace. If visibility is at the top of your priority list, this platform puts your products in front of a massive audience.

It’s crafted (no pun intended) specifically for artisans because it creates a dedicated space for handmade products like jewelry, home decor, and clothing. There are no listing fees or expiration dates—so no more worrying about renewing your listings every four months like on Etsy. 

With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can delegate logistics—storage, packaging, and shipping—to Amazon. Faster delivery and reliability go a long way in building customer trust. Amazon also offers built-in advertising tools that let you boost your visibility and push sales further. 

But there are some trade-offs. Competition on Amazon is brutal, and with mass-produced and handmade crafts all vying for attention, standing out can become a real challenge.

And while you dodge listing fees, Amazon’s 15% commission on every sale is no joke—especially if you’re used to Etsy’s 6.5% transaction fee. Success here means being smart with marketing and product differentiation. 

Amazon Handmade Pros:‍

• Access to Amazon’s massive, built-in customer base.
• Trusted brand reputation that boosts buyer confidence.

Amazon Handmade Cons:‍

• High competition from both handmade and mass-produced goods. 
• A steep 15% referral fee per sale can shrink your profit margins. 

Amazon Handmade Fees:‍

• Professional account: $39.99/month (waived after approval for Handmade).
• Referral fee: 15% per transaction.

Who’s Amazon Handmade Best For?  ‍

Amazon Handmade is for sellers who want to tap into Amazon’s enormous customer base and are willing to accept lower margins in exchange for visibility. It works best if you already have competitive products and can handle the logistics and scale of selling in a marketplace filled with millions of other sellers. 

Selling on Amazon can feel overwhelming, especially with so many products fighting for attention. Let Dropbuild build a unique, eye-catching store that puts your brand ahead and leaves the competition in the dust!

3. eBay – The Resale Giant with Global Reach

eBay might be best known for auctions and reselling, but it's also a good alternative for sellers of vintage, collectibles, and specialty items.

Here, you get both auction and "Buy It Now" options, which give you more flexibility in how you sell. You can also set up a custom storefront with personalized banners, product descriptions, and organized categories to create a more professional look.

Much like other alternatives on this list, it comes with marketing tools to help you promote listings, run discounts, and analyze performance data.

However, eBay’s strict rules can be a headache—account suspensions aren’t unheard of if you accidentally break a rule. And if you exclusively sell handmade Items, eBay’s more general marketplace lacks the community-driven feel of Etsy that you might want.

eBay Pros:‍

• Well-known platform with high global traffic.
• Great for sellers with diverse product categories.

eBay Cons:‍

• Strict policies that could lead to account suspensions.
• Less tailored to handmade goods, which can make standing out harder. 

eBay Fees:‍

• Starter Store: $4.95/month.
• Final Value Fees: 12.9%–15% of the product price.

Who’s eBay Best For?   ‍

eBay is for sellers of collectibles, vintage items, and merchandise with a general, worldwide demand. Setting up an eBay store makes sense if you’re dealing with high-resale or niche items, but it requires careful compliance with platform rules.

4. Squarespace – For Visual Creatives 

‍

Squarespace has become the usual choice for creatives—artists, photographers, and designers—who seek a beautiful, eye-catching web presence.

The drag-and-drop builder and professionally designed templates make it easy to build your own site that sells and wows. If you're selling handmade items, custom work, or digital artwork, Squarespace helps your brand’s uniqueness stand out. 

On the functional side, you have SEO tools, email marketing integration, and simple inventory management. Squarespace keeps technology simple enough for you to care about looks but still have a feature-packed experience.

Sadly, it integrates only with Stripe and PayPal for payments, which could become a limiting factor if you have an international audience or specific payment needs. 

Squarespace Pros:‍

• Stunning templates that highlight your brand’s visuals.
• Easy-to-use editor, ideal for creative businesses.

Squarespace Cons:‍

• Fewer advanced ecommerce tools compared to platforms like Shopify.
• Limited payment options (Stripe and PayPal only).

Squarespace Fees:‍

• Business: $33/month (3% transaction fee).
• Basic Commerce: $36/month (0% transaction fee).

Who’s Squarespace Best For?   ‍

If you’re any kind of artist and want a visually striking site with some essential ecommerce tools, Squarespace is a platform you can't go wrong with. 

5. Big Cartel – A Budget-Friendly Option for Indie Creators 

Big Cartel is designed with indie creators, artists, and small businesses in mind. Its free plan supports up to five products, making for a budget-friendly way to launch an online store. Store themes can be customized, and their basic inventory and order management help keep your shop in tip-top shape without the need for any tech skills. 

That said, Big Cartel is all about simplicity—sometimes too much so. It doesn’t have advanced features like automated marketing or deep customization. And since there’s no built-in payment system, you’ll need to rely on Stripe or PayPal to handle your transactions. 

Big Cartel Pros:

• Free plan for up to 5 products
• No platform or transaction fees, so you keep more of your profit. 

Big Cartel Cons:

• Limited features and scalability compared to platforms like Shopify. 
• Relies on third-party payment processors (Stripe and PayPal). 

Big Cartel Fees:‍

• Free plan: Up to 5 products.
• Platinum: $9.99/month (50 products).
• Diamond: $19.99/month (500 products).

Who’s Big Cartel Best For?  ‍

Big Cartel is best for small inventories and independent creators who want a low-cost, no-fuss solution to sell online. For new sellers with a limited budget and no need for complicated features, Big Cartel is a good starting point.

If you are short on time or tech skills, Dropbuild’s done-for-you service can help you create an indie-friendly store with zero hassle. Go here to learn more.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this list has shown you how different Etsy alternatives fit unique business goals. As with most things, the platform that’s right for you comes down to your own goals—whether that’s lowering fees, expanding your reach to new customers, or something else entirely. 

Think about where you’re at in your business journey. Do you need a custom website to showcase your brand, or are you leaning toward a marketplace with high traffic to get sales rolling faster?

There’s no perfect answer, but choosing the right platform could be the move that helps you break free from Etsy’s restrictions and unlock new opportunities. 

And if all this store setup has your head spinning, it might be time to hand it off. Dropbuild provides a done-for-you service that delivers a professionally built e-commerce store, freeing you up to enjoy crafting your unique merch and letting your creativity flow. 

‍Ready to bring your ideas to life? Get started with Dropbuild.