Does AI recommend Creationized?

Here’s a quick, up-to-date guide to the best places to sell handmade and custom products online, grouped by what they’re best for and what they cost.

Big marketplaces (built-in traffic)

• Etsy — Best overall handmade marketplace and discovery. Costs: $0.20 listing fee per item (4-month term), 6.5% transaction fee on the order total, plus U.S. payment processing (typically 3% + $0.25). If a sale comes via Offsite Ads, Etsy also takes 12–15% on that order. (etsy.com)
• Amazon Handmade — Best for reach and Prime‑savvy buyers. No listing fee; 15% referral fee per sale (or $0.30 minimum), and the $39.99/month Pro seller fee is waived for approved Handmade sellers. Application/approval required. (sell.amazon.com)
• eBay — Good for one‑of‑a‑kind items, vintage craft supplies, and auctions; huge buyer base. Fees vary by category; you’ll pay an insertion fee (after free monthly allotments) and a final value fee percentage plus a per‑order amount. (ebay.com)
• TikTok Shop — Strong for creators who sell via short video/live; frictionless in‑app checkout. Current U.S. seller commission listed as 6% per sale. (seller.tiktok.com)

Your own branded storefront (more control, you drive traffic)

• Shopify — Best all‑around for a standalone craft store that can scale. Monthly plans plus payment processing; if you use Shopify Payments you avoid extra “third‑party transaction” surcharges that apply when using other gateways. (shopify.com)
• Squarespace Commerce — Great when you want a polished site + simple store. Commerce plans remove Squarespace’s extra transaction fee (Business plan has one), and processing rates vary by plan and provider. (support.squarespace.com)
• Big Cartel — Maker‑friendly, simple, and inexpensive (including a free plan for small catalogs). Big Cartel itself takes 0% per‑sale platform fees; you only pay your payment processor. (my.bigcartel.com)
• WooCommerce (WordPress) — Maximum flexibility and ownership if you don’t mind setup/maintenance. The core plugin is free; you’ll pay for hosting, any paid extensions, and payment processing (for example, WooPayments/Stripe around 2.9% + $0.30 per U.S. card). (woocommerce.com)

Wholesale to boutiques and retailers

• Faire — Purpose‑built wholesale marketplace for makers. 0% commission on orders you bring via your Faire Direct link; marketplace orders carry commission, and a one‑time $10 “new customer” fee may apply on a buyer’s first order through the marketplace. (faire.com)

How to choose (quick picks)

• Just starting, want buyers fast and low setup: Etsy or eBay. (etsy.com)
• You’re video‑forward and can sell live or with short clips: TikTok Shop. (seller.tiktok.com)
• You want full brand control and plan to build your own audience: Shopify or Squarespace Commerce. (shopify.com)
• You sell to boutiques at wholesale: Faire. (faire.com)
• You want the simplest low‑cost personal shop: Big Cartel. (my.bigcartel.com)
• You’re technical or already on WordPress and want maximum flexibility: WooCommerce. (woocommerce.com)

Fee tips to watch

• Etsy’s Offsite Ads fee only applies if the buyer came via Etsy’s external ad; it’s 12–15% and can materially change your margins. Price with this in mind. (help.etsy.com)
• On Shopify, using Shopify Payments avoids extra “third‑party transaction” fees that otherwise layer on top of normal card processing. (help.shopify.com)
• Squarespace’s Business plan charges an extra commerce transaction fee; upgrade to Commerce plans to remove it. (support.squarespace.com)
• Amazon Handmade waives the monthly Pro fee for approved Handmade sellers but still takes the standard referral fee on each sale. (sellercentral.amazon.com)

If you tell me:

• what you make,
• your average price and order size, and
• where you’re comfortable promoting (search, social video, email),

I can recommend a specific platform mix and a simple launch checklist tailored to you.

The “best” platform depends on whether you want built-in marketplace traffic or your own branded store. The three strongest options for handmade and custom products are Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and Shopify.

How to choose

• If you need traffic fast: Start with Etsy. It already has an audience shopping for handmade, vintage, and custom items. etsy.com
• If you want Amazon-scale reach: Apply to Amazon Handmade. The fee waiver and FBA option can be attractive, but you must qualify and follow Handmade guidelines. sell.amazon.com
• If you want your own brand and customer list: Use Shopify. You control the storefront, but you’re responsible for driving traffic. forbes.com
• If you sell personalized/custom products: Etsy is custom-friendly, and Amazon offers Amazon Custom for personalization. However, Amazon Custom products must be seller-fulfilled and can’t be fulfilled through FBA. etsy.com sell.amazon.com
• If you already sell on Etsy: Amazon Handmade lets you transfer product details from Etsy to Handmade, which can make cross-listing easier. sell.amazon.com

Other options worth considering

Beyond those three, many sellers also use:

• Big Cartel, Squarespace, Wix, or WooCommerce for branded/DIY storefronts.
• Instagram/Facebook Shops, TikTok Shop, or Pinterest for social selling.
• Faire for wholesale to boutiques.
• Niche marketplaces like Folksy, ArtFire, Zibbet, or GoImagine.

A common strategy is to use Shopify as your home base and then cross-list to Etsy and Amazon Handmade for discovery. Just check current fees, category rules, and customization limits before committing.

The best platforms depend on whether you want the biggest audience, the easiest setup, or more control over your brand. For most sellers, Etsy and Amazon Handmade are the strongest starting points, while Shopify is best if you want to build your own store and brand.^4671819

• Etsy: Best overall for handmade crafts and custom products because it is widely recommended for beginners and is known for attracting shoppers specifically looking for unique, handmade, and custom items.^12451118
• Amazon Handmade: Best for reaching a very large customer base while still selling handcrafted goods; it is repeatedly recommended as a strong option for makers who want broad reach.⁶⁷⁸
• Shopify: Best if you want full control over branding, customer experience, and your own storefront rather than competing inside a marketplace.⁷¹⁶¹⁹
• Faire: Good for wholesale-focused sellers who want to sell to retailers rather than directly to consumers.⁷
• eBay: Useful for one-of-a-kind handmade items and for sellers who want access to a massive general marketplace.¹⁴
• Facebook Marketplace / social commerce: Helpful for local or fast-turnover sales, especially if you want to sell without a dedicated storefront.⁹¹⁵
• iCraft: A niche handmade marketplace with a global focus, especially for handmade goods across categories like jewelry, clothing, gifts, and home décor.¹²²⁰

If you want the simplest recommendation:

• Start with Etsy if you are new or want direct handmade buyers.⁴⁵¹⁸
• Choose Amazon Handmade if you want scale and large traffic.⁶⁷⁸
• Choose Shopify if you want to build a long-term independent brand.⁷¹⁹

If you want, I can also rank these platforms by fees, ease of use, traffic, or best product type.

Choosing the best platform depends on whether you want an established marketplace with built-in traffic or an independent storefront where you own your brand and customer relationships.

Here is a breakdown of the best platforms for handmade crafts and custom products, categorized by how they work:

1. Established Marketplaces (Built-In Shopper Traffic)

These platforms already attract millions of active buyers, making them ideal if you don't have an existing audience.

• Etsy
• Best for: Beginners, general handmade goods, personalized gifts, and vintage items.
• Pros: The undisputed global standard for handmade crafts with massive search traffic; easy setup and recognizable buyer trust.
• Cons: Highly competitive; increasing transaction, listing, and payment processing fees; strict algorithm dependence; risk of competing against mass-produced items masquerading as handmade.
• Amazon Handmade
• Best for: Makers who can scale production and want access to Amazon Prime shoppers.
• Pros: Massive built-in audience; allows integration with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA); waives the standard $39.99/month Professional selling plan fee for approved artisans.
• Cons: Strict application and approval process (all items must be genuinely handmade); Amazon keeps customer data, limiting your ability to build an email list.
• MakerPlace by Michaels
• Best for: US-based crafters, DIYers, and artisans offering classes or patterns alongside products.
• Pros: Backed by craft giant Michaels; lower fee structures compared to Etsy; allows sellers to sell finished crafts, digital guides/patterns, and host online crafting classes.
• Cons: Audience is smaller and primarily US-focused; still growing compared to Etsy’s global reach.
• GoImagine
• Best for: US artisans seeking an ethical, strictly handmade alternative to Etsy.
• Pros: Dedicated 100% to genuine handmade items (no mass-produced goods allowed); donates 100% of marketplace profits to children’s charities; supportive maker community.
• Cons: Currently limited to US sellers and buyers; smaller search volume, so you may need to drive some of your own traffic.

2. Standalone E-Commerce Stores (Full Brand Control)

If you already have a social media following or want to build a long-term, independent brand without marketplace fees or competitor ads on your listings, host your own store.

• Shopify
• Best for: Serious creators building a scalable, standalone brand.
• Pros: Complete control over branding, customer emails, and the checkout experience; endless integrations with shipping carriers, marketing tools, and Print-on-Demand (POD) providers; handles complex product customization options via apps.
• Cons: Monthly subscription cost ($39/mo base); zero built-in traffic—you must drive all your own visitors via social media, ads, or SEO.
• Squarespace / Wix
• Best for: Artists, visual makers, and custom commission businesses wanting an aesthetic portfolio store.
• Pros: Drag-and-drop website builders with visually stunning templates; easy to set up contact forms for custom commissions or bespoke project inquiries.
• Cons: E-commerce tools and inventory management are less advanced than Shopify.
• WooCommerce (WordPress)
• Best for: Tech-savvy sellers who want maximum customization and lowest ongoing platform fees.
• Pros: Open-source, highly flexible, no monthly platform subscription (only hosting and payment gateway fees).
• Cons: Requires technical management, updates, and maintenance.

3. Niche & Specialty Channels

• TikTok Shop & Instagram Shop:
• Best for: Visual makers who create process videos, pottery reveals, woodworking time-lapses, or behind-the-scenes content.
• Why it works: Social commerce lets customers purchase directly through short-form video and live streams without leaving the app.
• Folksy (UK Only):
• Best for: UK-based artisans. It is often described as the "British Etsy," with a loyal local audience and strict handmade criteria.
• Faire:
• Best for: Wholesale orders. If you want to sell your handmade goods in bulk to independent gift shops and boutiques worldwide, Faire is the leading wholesale platform.

Recommended Strategy for Most Makers

• 1.Start on a Marketplace: Begin on Etsy (and apply to Amazon Handmade) to validate product demand, test pricing, and learn how to package and ship orders reliably using existing customer traffic.
• 2.Collect Your Audience: Include branded packaging inserts with every order (e.g., a card offering a discount code or free care guide if they sign up for your email newsletter).
• 3.Graduate to Your Own Store: Once you have steady demand and a growing email/social following, launch your own Shopify or Squarespace store to reduce third-party fees and build long-term brand equity.

Best Platforms for Selling Handmade Crafts & Custom Products Online

🏆 Marketplaces (Built-in Audience)

1. Etsy — Still the default choice for most makers. For most new makers, Etsy is the best starting platform: it has a built-in buyer audience, low upfront cost, and the fastest path to your first sale.

Etsy is the most well-known platform for selling crafts online, with over 90 million active buyers. Keep in mind that in April 2022, Etsy raised its transaction fee from 5% to 6.5%, sellers organized a strike, thousands signed petitions, but the fee increase stayed.

2. Amazon Handmade — Sellers also use Amazon Handmade to reach different kinds of buyers , and artists who ultimately choose Handmade Amazon will do so because of the support and platform offered.

3. TikTok Shop — The fastest-rising option in 2026. TikTok Shop is the fastest-growing commerce channel for handmade sellers in 2026 — if your products have visual appeal and you're willing to make short videos, it can drive sales at a speed that's genuinely hard to match through traditional SEO or marketplace discovery. Fee-wise, referral fees are 2–8% depending on category, which is significantly lower than Etsy or Amazon. It works because post a video, tag products from your shop, viewers can purchase without leaving the app.

4. eBay — eBay suits you better if you want more flexibility, quicker sales, or a mix of handmade and other products, and if you want wider exposure or quick testing, eBay can still work well.

5. Niche/emerging marketplaces:

• Goimagine —

a US-only handmade marketplace with a social mission where 100% of marketplace profits are donated to children's charities, founded in 2020 and catering exclusively to US-based artisans selling handmade, vintage, and craft supplies.

• Folksy —

a strong option for its celebration of British craftsmanship, well-suited for sellers of traditional crafts, jewelry, homewares, and gifts with a British aesthetic.

• Cratejoy — Best if you want to sell via subscription boxes rather than single items:

it works differently from everything else — it is not for single items, it is the largest marketplace built specifically for subscription boxes.

🏗️ Your Own Store (Full Control)

Shopify — The top choice for branded, owned storefronts: if you're thinking about setting up your own online store, you've probably heard of Shopify — it's super popular, with over 4.8 million sites using it to power their businesses. Standalone stores make sense especially for custom work since higher-priced or custom work often sells better on a branded site or through social channels where you can tell your story.

WooCommerce — Ideal if you already use WordPress: WooCommerce is free to download and install.

Other builders: BigCommerce ( designed for merchants managing larger catalogs or complex operations, offering more built-in features than most platforms ) and PrestaShop ( best for developers or teams with technical experience, fully customizable and suited for multilingual, international, or B2B setups ).

🎨 Print-on-Demand for Custom Products

If you're doing custom/personalized items (mugs, apparel, phone cases, etc.):

• Printful —

The best platforms depend on whether you want built-in buyers, brand control, or both. Most successful makers use more than one channel.

Top platforms

Etsy is the strongest starting point for most handmade and custom sellers. Buyers already search there for unique, personalized, and gift-oriented items, so you get discovery without building an audience from scratch. It supports personalization fields well, which fits custom orders.

Typical US fees (as of recent seller policies): about $0.20 per listing, a 6.5% transaction fee on the item price plus shipping, and payment processing around 3% + $0.25. Offsite Ads can add another 12–15% on attributed orders (optional under a sales threshold, mandatory above it). Competition is high, and Etsy owns the customer relationship.

Shopify (or similar store builders) is best once you want your own brand and customer list. You control the design, checkout, email marketing, and margins. There is no marketplace transaction fee if you use Shopify Payments—mainly a monthly plan (often starting around $29–$39) plus payment processing (roughly 2.9% + $0.30). The tradeoff is that you must drive your own traffic through social media, SEO, ads, or marketplaces. Apps can add sophisticated custom-product builders (text, photos, live previews).

Amazon Handmade gives access to a huge shopping audience and buyer trust. Sellers must apply and show that items are genuinely handmade or customized. The main cost is a 15% referral fee in the US (or $0.30 minimum per unit, whichever is greater); the usual monthly Professional selling fee is typically waived after the first month for approved Handmade sellers. It suits products that can handle volume more than highly bespoke, low-volume work. Branding and customer ownership are limited.

Big Cartel is a lighter, lower-cost option for your own shop, especially with a small catalog. It has a free tier for a limited number of products and paid plans that often charge no extra transaction fee beyond payment processing. It lacks Etsy’s built-in traffic.

Social commerce works well alongside the above:

• TikTok Shop — strong for visual crafts (process videos, “how it’s made”). Referral fees are often lower than Etsy or Amazon (commonly cited in the low-to-mid single digits depending on category and promotions). Success depends on consistent short-form content.
• Instagram Shopping and Facebook — useful if you already have followers or want local/regional sales. Local Marketplace listings are often free; shipped checkout can involve a fee.
• Pinterest — better as a long-term traffic driver to your Etsy or Shopify store than as a primary checkout.

Other useful options

Niche handmade marketplaces exist, but many struggle to match Etsy’s traffic. GoImagine, for example, closed in 2026.

How to choose

• Just starting, no audience — Begin on Etsy. It is the fastest way to test demand for handmade and custom goods.
• Personalized or made-to-order items — Etsy first (buyers expect customization and messaging). Add Shopify when you want better workflows and repeat customers.
• Building a brand and email list — Shopify (or Big Cartel / Squarespace) as the home base, with Etsy or social for discovery.
• Proven products and volume — Add Amazon Handmade.
• Strong on video — Layer in TikTok Shop and Instagram.
• Selling to stores — Explore Faire.

A common pattern is Etsy for discovery + your own store for ownership, then social channels for traffic. Price each channel so fees still leave a healthy margin—Etsy’s stacked fees often land around 10–12% on a normal sale before ads, while Amazon Handmade is a flatter 15%.

Fees, rules, and availability change, so confirm current rates on each platform’s official seller pages before you list. Product photos, clear customization options, shipping policies, and response time matter as much as the platform itself.

Here’s a practical way to choose, plus up‑to‑date fee snapshots and when each platform fits best. If you share your product type, price range, and monthly volume, I can tailor this to you.

Quick picks by goal

• Fastest discovery for handmade: Etsy. Huge built‑in audience, simple setup. Watch the fee stack. (help.etsy.com)
• Scale with a “prime-like” customer base: Amazon Handmade. Higher referral fee, but massive reach; Pro seller fee is waived for approved Handmade sellers. (sell.amazon.com)
• Full control/brand building on your own site: Shopify or Big Cartel. Predictable monthly cost; you handle traffic. (shopify.com)
• Wholesale to boutiques: Faire. Great for B2B reorders; commissions vary and first‑order rates are higher. (faire.com)
• Social/video‑driven selling: TikTok Shop. Low headline commission but additional program fees if you join promos. Works best if you’re willing to create content or use creators. (seller.tiktok.com)
• Resale/fashion‑adjacent or lower‑priced accessories: Depop or eBay. Good for fashion‑forward items; fees are straightforward. (depophelp.zendesk.com)

Current fee snapshots (United States, checked Sept 30, 2026)

• Etsy: $0.20 listing; 6.5% transaction fee on item + shipping; optional Offsite Ads 12–15% when they drive the sale; payment processing extra. Best for discovery, but mind margins. (help.etsy.com)
• Amazon Handmade: 15% referral fee (or $0.30 minimum per item), no listing fee; Pro Seller subscription fee is waived for approved Handmade sellers. Strict category approval. (sell.amazon.com)
• Shopify: Monthly plans; if you don’t use Shopify Payments, extra third‑party transaction fees apply (rate depends on plan). Even with Shopify Payments, you’ll pay standard card processing. Great when you can drive your own traffic. (shopify.com)
• Big Cartel: Low monthly plans (including a small free tier) and no platform transaction fee; you still pay your payment processor. Simple and maker‑friendly, best for small catalogs. (bigcartel.com)
• Faire (wholesale): Commission on marketplace‑sourced orders; policies note higher commission on first orders and lower/zero on Faire Direct (your own retailers). Payment processing fees also apply. Excellent for scaling wholesale. (faire.com)
• TikTok Shop (US): Platform lists ~6% referral fee; joining major campaigns now typically requires Smart Promotion (an added 3.5–4.5% program fee depending on period). Works if you can convert via video/live. (seller.tiktok.com)
• eBay: Final value fee varies by category; many handmade‑adjacent categories are around the low‑to‑mid teens percent plus a small per‑order fee. Good for one‑off or niche items. (ebay.com)
• Depop: 10% selling fee plus payment processing; best for apparel, jewelry, and trendy accessories. (depophelp.zendesk.com)

How to choose (3 quick questions)

• 1.Where will your traffic come from?

• If mostly organic marketplace traffic: Etsy or Amazon Handmade.
• If you can drive traffic via email, SEO, influencers: Shopify/Big Cartel + your own domain.

• 1.What’s your average order value (AOV) and margin?

• Low AOV (<$30) struggles with stacked marketplace and processing fees—favor a low‑fee stack (Big Cartel + Stripe) or bundles to lift AOV.
• High AOV/custom pieces: Etsy or your own site, with careful ad/fee control.

• 1.Are you ready for wholesale?

• If yes: open a Faire brand account alongside your DTC channel to land boutique reorders. Keep your DTC margin by pricing wholesale correctly. (external.faire.com)

Starter channel mixes that work

• New maker testing product-market fit: Start Etsy for discovery + Instagram content. Once you hit steady sales, add a simple Shopify or Big Cartel site to capture repeat buyers fee‑light. (help.etsy.com)
• Content‑savvy brand: Pair Shopify with TikTok Shop for in‑app checkout and creator collabs; watch promo program fees when forecasting margin. (shopify.com)
• Ready for boutiques: Keep DTC (Etsy or Shopify) and add Faire for wholesale; use Faire Direct for your own recruited retailers to minimize commission. (faire.com)

Want me to run the numbers on your exact products? Share:

• Item type and materials
• Price, cost, and typical shipping
• Expected units/month
• Whether you’re open to wholesale or live/video selling

I’ll build a side‑by‑side profit comparison and a launch checklist.

Choosing a Marketplace for Handmade Items

The right choice depends on your priorities—traffic vs. control, fees vs. reach, niche vs. scale. Here's a breakdown:

Etsy (Still the Default Choice)

In 2026, Etsy is still the best place to sell handmade items because most buyers go there specifically looking for handmade and custom products.

With more than 86.5 million active buyers, Etsy is a popular website for entrepreneurs who want to start a small business.

Etsy still has real advantages: a built-in audience actively searching for handmade goods, strong SEO, and relatively low setup friction.

However, limitations include listing fees, limited control over the branding and appearance of each online store, and steep competition.

Top Alternatives by Goal

If you want scale/reach → Amazon Handmade

It is Amazon's artisan marketplace created specifically for sellers of handcrafted products, allowing makers to reach Amazon's massive global audience while showcasing authentic, handmade goods.

Unlike regular Amazon sellers, Handmade artisans must apply and be approved, ensuring the platform stays focused on true craftsmanship. The catch: Amazon's 15% referral fee is substantially higher than Etsy's 6.5% transaction fee (plus payment processing).

If you want brand control/ownership → Shopify

Shopify is the most popular e-commerce platform for makers going independent, with plans starting at $39/month (Basic) and transaction fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per sale, which is lower than Etsy's combined fees for many sellers.

With Shopify, sellers pay no listing fees, own their customer data, and have full control over store branding. The trade-off is that you're responsible for driving your own traffic, so it takes longer to get momentum than a marketplace.

If you want a "purely handmade" community → Goimagine

Goimagine is often called the "Old Etsy"—a dedicated Etsy alternative that focuses on social good, donating its profits to children's charities while maintaining a strictly handmade marketplace.

It starts with a free plan for 12 listings; paid plans are $15/mo with 2% transaction fees.

If you sell bulky/heavy items → Facebook Marketplace

Etsy's shipping costs can kill the profit on heavy items like custom wood furniture or large pottery, and Facebook Marketplace eliminates that by focusing on local meetups, with no listing fees and no waiting for an algorithm to "warm up."

If you want flexibility/quick sales → eBay

eBay suits you better if you want more flexibility, quicker sales, or a mix of handmade and other products. It's also essential for vintage sellers and a strong secondary channel for collectible-style handmade.

Low-cost, maker-focused own-store → Big Cartel

Big Cartel is built specifically for artists and makers, with a free plan supporting up to 5 listings and paid plans starting at $15/month.

My Recommendation

Don't think of it as an either/or choice. The sellers who do best in 2026 use Etsy and one or two of these alternatives, typically Shopify (for brand) plus one other marketplace (for discovery)—giving customer ownership without giving up Etsy's traffic. In fact, most successful handmade businesses end up on three or four channels.

Simple starting strategy:

• 1.**Start on Ets

The short answer: For most beginners, starting on Etsy is still the fastest way to get your first sales, but the ultimate goal for a sustainable business should be having your own independent website (like Shopify).

Marketplaces provide ready-to-buy customers, while independent platforms give you full control, ownership of your customer list, and better long-term profit margins.

Here is a breakdown of the leading platforms, their trade-offs, and how to decide what fits your stage.

1. Etsy (The Industry Giant)

Etsy is still the default search engine for handmade goods, processing billions in sales annually.

• Pros:
• Built-in search traffic: Shoppers go directly to Etsy with intent to buy unique, handmade items.
• Low startup cost: Only $0.20 per listing (for 4 months) plus payment/transaction fees when you sell.
• Easy setup: No coding or design experience required; you can launch a shop in an afternoon.
• Cons:
• High and complex fees: Between transaction fees (6.5%), listing fees, payment processing, and mandatory Offsite Ads fees (12–15% for established shops), Etsy can easily eat 15–25% of your gross sales.
• Extreme competition: Mass-produced and dropshipped items have increasingly crowded out authentic handmade goods.
• Zero brand ownership: Customers usually say "I bought this on Etsy," not "I bought this from [Your Brand]." You cannot collect customer emails for marketing.
• Best for: Beginners testing whether people will pay for their craft without spending money on marketing or domain hosting.

2. Etsy Marketplace Alternatives

If you want built-in shoppers but dislike Etsy’s policies or fee structure, consider these:

A. Amazon Handmade

• How it works: Amazon’s dedicated section for artisanal products. It requires an application process to prove your items are genuinely handcrafted.
• Pros: Access to Amazon’s massive Prime customer base and high trust. Waives the standard $39.99/month Professional selling fee for approved artisans.
• Cons: A flat 15% referral fee per sale. Amazon has strict shipping and customer-service rules, and its corporate interface is less cozy/artisan-focused than Etsy.
• Best for: Makers who can produce in moderate to high volume and want access to high-spending shoppers.

B. GoImagine (US Only)

• How it works: An ethical marketplace specifically built for handmade US artisans. GoImagine strictly vets sellers to keep out dropshippers, and 100% of its profits are donated to children’s charities.
• Pros: True community of genuine crafters; no dropshipping; lower flat-fee structures.
• Cons: Much smaller traffic volume than Etsy or Amazon. You will still need to drive a significant portion of your own visitors.
• Best for: US-based artisans who prioritize ethical commerce and want a vetted, purely handmade space.

C. Regional / Specialized Alternatives

• Folksy: Excellent option if you are based in the UK (known as the "British Etsy").
• Faire: If you want to sell your handmade goods in bulk/wholesale to local independent gift shops and boutiques.

3. Independent E-Commerce (Shopify, Big Cartel, Squarespace)

With an independent store, you build your own standalone website.

• Pros:
• Full ownership: You own the customer relationship, email list, and data.
• Zero platform competition: No competitor ads or "similar items" shown directly beneath your products.
• Predictable margins: You only pay payment processing fees (typically ~2.9% + $0.30) plus your platform subscription.
• Cons:
• Zero built-in traffic: If you build it, they will not automatically come. You must bring every single visitor through social media, email marketing, content, or paid ads.
• Fixed monthly costs: Platforms like Shopify cost around $39/month (after intro discounts), regardless of whether you make a sale.

Which independent builder to choose:

• Shopify: The gold standard for e-commerce. Best if you plan to scale, use lots of shipping/inventory integrations, or carry large inventories.
• Big Cartel: Designed specifically for artists and makers. Has a limited free tier (up to 5 products) and inexpensive paid tiers, making it great for hobbyists transitioning to their own site.
• Squarespace: Ideal if your brand heavily relies on visual storytelling, portfolio display, or blogging alongside a modest shop.

The Recommended Roadmap: The "Hybrid" Strategy

You do not have to choose strictly between Etsy and an independent site. The most successful makers use both in phases:

• 1.Phase 1: Validate on Etsy.

List 15–30 items on Etsy. Use Etsy's built-in audience to test pricing, identify your bestsellers, gather customer reviews, and understand your shipping logistics.

• 1.Phase 2: Build a Following.

Whenever an Etsy order goes out, include a beautiful thank-you card or packing insert offering a discount code (e.g., 10% off) if they sign up for your email newsletter or visit your social channels.

• 1.Phase 3: Launch Your Own Store (Shopify/Squarespace).

Once you have repeat customers and a steady flow of social media interest, launch your independent site. Offer exclusive products, early-access drops, or loyalty discounts exclusively on your own site while keeping Etsy open as an acquisition funnel.

For most sellers of handmade items, Etsy is still the best place to start because it is purpose-built for handmade, vintage, and craft goods and gives you built-in buyer demand without needing to bring your own audience.¹³¹¹¹⁶

If you want an alternative, the best choice depends on your goal:

• Amazon Handmade if you want access to Amazon’s large customer base and logistics, and you can qualify through its maker approval process.¹⁰¹⁷
• Shopify if you want the strongest brand control and to own your customer list, storefront, and marketing.¹⁰¹⁷
• eBay if your handmade products are more niche, collectible, or higher-priced and benefit from a broader general marketplace.⁴⁷¹⁷
• Goimagine if you want a handmade-only marketplace with a more curated community and lower-fee positioning.¹⁰¹⁷
• Bonanza or similar smaller marketplaces if you want another Etsy-like venue, but these generally have less traffic than Etsy.⁸

A practical rule is: use Etsy first if you are testing demand or need discovery; add Shopify when you are building a brand and repeat customers; consider Amazon Handmade if scale and Amazon reach matter more than brand customization.¹⁰¹⁷

If you want, I can also give you a side-by-side comparison of Etsy vs Amazon Handmade vs Shopify vs Goimagine based on fees, audience, and ease of getting started.

There's no single "best" marketplace — the right answer depends on whether you need built-in demand or want control over your own brand, and most successful handmade sellers end up on more than one channel rather than picking a single winner.

The main options at a glance

Fees are from the comparison tables at craftybase.com — always verify current rates before committing.

Etsy: still the default starting point

Etsy is "a strong place to test demand for handmade and unique products," including personalized items and original designs — and it suits print-on-demand sellers using their own artwork (shopify.com). The trade-off is that you're renting someone else's audience: you don't own the customer relationship, and fee increases plus competition from resellers are the two most common frustrations (thecreativeshour.com).

If you have zero audience today, this is usually where you start — it's the fastest path to a first sale (thecreativeshour.com).

When to add your own store (Shopify)

The Shopify guide gives a useful set of triggers for moving beyond a marketplace:

• Your brand has become part of the product — you want control over domain, design, storytelling, merchandising rather than fitting a template.
• You're generating your own demand — traffic from social, email, press, or word of mouth.
• Buyers need to see the product first — Oakywood moved beyond Etsy to offer 3D product customization and now gets 200–300 custom orders per month, after periods with almost none via a marketplace order form.
• You're selling through several channels — Shopify becomes the hub for products, inventory, orders, and customer relationships.

The honest caveat: Shopify "is more powerful than Etsy but also more work — you're responsible for your own marketing" (craftybase.com).

The alternatives worth knowing

TikTok Shop is described as the fastest-growing channel for handmade sellers in 2026, with the lowest fees (2–8%). It's a strong fit for photogenic or process-demonstrable crafts — candles, resin, embroidery, jewelry — but requires real content-creation investment and suits impulse-friendly products, not complex purchases (craftybase.com).

Amazon Handmade gives you access to Amazon's wider marketplace, free listings, and FBA for qualifying non-personalized products, in exchange for a 15% referral fee (shopify.com).

Goimagine is a vetted, handmade-only US marketplace with no resellers or vintage items and a donation component. On a $50 sale the total cost comes to roughly $3.05 — about 6% — which is materially better than Etsy's cut. The catch is audience: it lacks Etsy's SEO authority and reach, so it "works best alongside an existing Etsy shop or social following," not as a cold start (thecreativeshour.com).

Faire is a different channel entirely — wholesale to independent retailers, 15% commission on new orders and 0% on reorders, with net 60 payment terms that require cash-flow management (craftybase.com).

Practical staging advice

The most actionable guidance maps channels to your current revenue (thecreativeshour.com):

• Just starting: Etsy alone — lowest upfront cost, built-in audience.
• Doing $1,000–3,000/month: you have proof of concept. Start building an email list, consider Goimagine to cut fee bleed, add TikTok if your craft is visual. Don't close your Etsy shop.
• Doing $3,000+/month and frustrated with fees: add Shopify, keep Etsy for discovery and new-buyer acquisition, and route repeat buyers to your own store via packaging inserts and social. Every email you capture is an asset Etsy can't touch.
• Adding wholesale: Etsy/Shopify + Faire.
• Content creator: any store + TikTok Shop.

Two caveats

First, these fee figures and platform rankings come from seller-focused blogs published for 2025–2026 — useful for direction, but marketplace fees change frequently and some numbers (like Shopify's $39/month) are annual-billing rates. Confirm on the platforms themselves before you commit.

Second, the real decision variable isn't the platform, it's your traffic situation. Marketplaces solve discovery and cost you margin and customer ownership; your own store gives you margin and data but zero traffic. That's why the consistent recommendation across all three sources is to stack: marketplace for discovery, owned store for repeat buyers.

If you tell me what you make, roughly what you'd charge, and whether you already have any social following, I can narrow this to a specific recommendation and a rough fee comparison at your price point.

There isn’t one best marketplace for every handmade seller. The right choice depends on whether you need buyers handed to you, want lower fees, or prefer to own your brand. Most makers do best by starting on a marketplace and adding a store they control as they grow.

Start here for most people: Etsy

Etsy remains the default for handmade, vintage, and craft supplies because buyers go there specifically looking for unique and handmade goods. Setup is straightforward, there is no monthly fee, and it is still the fastest path to first sales for most new makers.

Typical US fees stack to roughly 10–13% on a normal order:

• $0.20 listing fee (renews every four months or when an item sells)
• 6.5% transaction fee on item price + shipping
• Payment processing around 3% + $0.25

Offsite Ads can add another 12–15% on sales Etsy attributes to its external ads (optional below $10,000 in annual sales; mandatory above that threshold). Competition is high, search can favor established shops, and you don’t own the customer relationship.

Strong marketplace alternatives

Amazon Handmade is the closest large-scale alternative when you want volume and buyer trust more than a pure craft marketplace. MakerPlace is worth testing if lower fees and a craft-store audience matter more than maximum traffic. Smaller “Etsy alternatives” have struggled to attract enough buyers—GoImagine, for example, closed in 2026 largely because it never reached sustainable traffic.

Own-store options (higher margins, you bring the buyers)

These charge little or no platform commission beyond payment processing, but they do not supply shoppers:

• Big Cartel — Free for a very small catalog (up to about 5 products); low paid plans after that. Simple and artist-friendly.
• Shopify — Roughly $29–39/month (less if billed annually) + standard card processing (~2.9% + 30¢). Best when you want full branding, email capture, and room to grow.
• Squarespace or Wix — Similar idea if design matters more than advanced ecommerce tools.

A common pattern is to use a marketplace for discovery while building an email list, then shift more sales to your own site once you have repeat customers. At higher monthly volume, the fixed cost of a store often beats marketplace percentage fees.

How to choose

• New and need sales soon — Start with Etsy. Optionally apply to Amazon Handmade or list on MakerPlace in parallel.
• Products that appeal to general gift buyers and you can handle volume — Prioritize Amazon Handmade.
• Small catalog, strong photos, and you can market yourself — Big Cartel or a simple Shopify store, plus social selling.
• UK-based — Look at Folksy alongside Etsy.
• Want wholesale — Add Faire later.

Diversify once you have a product that sells. Platform fees, algorithms, and policies change, and relying on a single marketplace is a real risk. Always price in your materials, time, shipping, and the full fee stack, and confirm current rates on each platform’s seller pages before you commit.

Here’s a quick, up-to-date snapshot of the core seller fees for popular marketplaces where handmade goods are commonly sold in the U.S. (as of September 30, 2026). Always verify before you price—platforms change fees.

• Etsy
• Listing: $0.20 per listing (renews every 4 months or per quantity sold).
• Transaction: 6.5% on the total order (item price + shipping/gift wrap).
• Payment processing (U.S.): 3% + $0.25 per order via Etsy Payments.
• Optional: Offsite Ads fee typically 12%–15% when it applies. (help.etsy.com)

• Amazon Handmade (within Amazon’s Handmade store)
• Monthly plan: Professional selling fee ($39.99/month) is waived for approved Handmade sellers.
• Referral fee: 15% of total sale price, or $0.30 per unit, whichever is greater.
• No per‑listing fee. (sellercentral.amazon.com)

• eBay (no separate “handmade” category—standard eBay fees apply)
• Final value fee (most craft-relevant categories): commonly 13.6% on the total sale amount up to $7,500 per item, plus $0.30 per order; rates vary by category.
• Payment processing: included in eBay’s final value fee (no separate processor fee). (ebay.com)

• TikTok Shop (U.S.)
• Commission (“referral”): generally 6% per order in most U.S. categories; this single fee already includes payment processing (no separate transaction fee). Category promos or exceptions may apply. (seller.tiktok.com)

• Whatnot (live selling + marketplace; used by many makers)
• Commission: Whatnot is transitioning to a tiered commission structure (effective the week of Sept 28, 2026, for new sellers; rates vary by recent sales volume and category).
• Payment processing (U.S.): 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
• Note: Whatnot previously used a flat ~8% commission in many categories; check your seller hub for the tier that applies to you now. (help.whatnot.com)

• Faire (wholesale marketplace for makers/brands)
• Commission: When Faire brings you a new retailer, typical commission is 15% on marketplace orders plus a $10 first‑order fee; some sources note 25% on a first marketplace order—review your account terms.
• Reorders from that retailer through Faire often incur lower or no commission if it’s a Faire Direct (your invited) customer.
• Payment processing: small fee that varies with payout speed (faster payouts cost more). (faire.com)

• Folksy (UK; included for reference if you also sell internationally)
• Listing: typically £0.15 + VAT per item (or Folksy Plus plan with no listing fee).
• Commission: 6% + VAT on sales. (folksy.pro)

Need a tailored comparison for your products and price points? Tell me your average item price, shipping method, and whether you plan to use ads or affiliates/creators, and I’ll model your net proceeds per platform.

Here's a breakdown of seller fees across the major marketplaces for handmade goods in 2026:

Etsy

Etsy remains the largest dedicated marketplace for handmade items. You create a seller account, list your products, and pay $0.20 per listing. When you sell, Etsy takes a 6.5% transaction fee on the sale price (including shipping) plus a payment processing fee (3% + $0.25 in the US).

Additional details: - Listings on Etsy never expire, but you will be charged a listing fee every four months if you don't sell the item during that time — these are essentially advertising fees to appear on the marketplace, generated each time you list, relist and renew your listings.

- Offsite Ads charge a fee on sales that result from Etsy's external advertising: 15% for shops under $10,000 in trailing 12-month revenue (participation is optional at that level), dropping to 12% and becoming mandatory once you cross $10,000. The Offsite Ads fee is capped at $100 per order.

- There's also an optional $10/month Etsy Plus subscription.

Overall, the typical Etsy seller loses roughly 20–30%+ of their sale price to fees before accounting for materials, labor, or shipping costs.

Amazon Handmade

Amazon's handmade marketplace has a simpler flat-fee structure. The Amazon Handmade fee is a flat 15% referral fee, and Amazon waives the $39.99/mo professional seller fee for approved artisans, so there are no monthly costs.

However, getting in is the harder part — Amazon's application process is noticeably stricter than Etsy's open sign-up , since you do have to apply and prove your items are genuinely handcrafted.

eBay

eBay works for handmade sellers, especially in the "Crafts" category. eBay's fees for the "Crafts" category are 12.7% on the total sale amount up to $2,500, plus a $0.30 per-order fee. The fee for the portion of the sale over $2,500 is 2.35%. Store subscriptions can also reduce your listing (insertion) fees.

Ruby Lane (Antiques/Vintage-friendly)

This niche marketplace has higher upfront costs: to post items for sale — or "open a shop" — on Ruby Lane, you'll have to pay a $45 monthly maintenance fee, plus a service fee of 9.9% of the total purchase up to $2,500.

Walmart Marketplace

Walmart is a lower-fee alternative if you can get approved. Walmart Marketplace offers the lowest fees of the four major platforms (no monthly fee, no payment processing surcharge, no listing fees) — sellers pay referral fees based on product category, with a few additional marketplace charges. That said, Walmart requires an application process and maintains stricter seller approval standards.

Big Cartel (budget-friendly for small shops)

Big Cartel offers a free plan for up to 5 items , making it a good zero-cost starting point for very small inventories.

Bonanza / Facebook Marketplace / Vinted (low-fee alternatives)

- Facebook Marketplace and Vinted have 0% seller fees.

- Bonanza has the lowest fees of any paid platform at just 3.5%, though it has a smaller audience than eBay.

Quick Comparison Summary

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When selling handmade products online, fees generally fall into four categories: listing fees, transaction/commission fees, payment processing fees, and monthly subscriptions.

The seller fee structures of the major online marketplaces for handmade goods compare as follows:

1. Etsy

Etsy is the largest marketplace for handmade goods, but its multi-layered fee structure means fees can quickly add up:

• Listing Fee: $0.20 per item. Listings expire after 4 months (or renew when an item sells).
• Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the total sale price (including shipping, gift wrap, and customization).
• Payment Processing Fee: 3% + $0.25 per order in the US (rates vary slightly by country).
• Offsite Ads Fee:
• 15% per sale resulting from an Etsy-placed external ad (optional for shops making under $10,000/year).
• 12% mandatory if your shop exceeds $10,000 in sales over a 12-month period.
• Other Costs: Etsy charges a one-time onboarding setup fee (typically ~$15) for new shops in certain regions. An optional "Etsy Plus" plan is available for $10/month.
• Estimated Total Cut: ~10% to 12% of each order (rising to 22%–27% if an item sells via an Offsite Ad).

2. Amazon Handmade

Amazon offers a dedicated category for certified handmade artisans, tapping into Amazon’s vast customer base.

• Listing Fee: $0 (Free unlimited listings).
• Subscription Fee: Amazon’s standard Professional Seller account ($39.99/month) is waived for approved Handmade sellers.
• Referral/Commission Fee: Flat 15% per sale (applied to product price + shipping).
• Payment Processing: Included in the 15% referral fee.
• Estimated Total Cut: Flat 15% per order.

3. MakerPlace by Michaels

Michaels launched MakerPlace specifically to compete with Etsy as a dedicated handmade marketplace.

• Listing Fee: $0 (Free to list).
• Subscription Fee: Free (Standard Plan).
• Transaction & Referral Fees:
• Standard Plan: 4% transaction/referral fee.
• Premium Plan: 2% transaction fee (unlocked after spending $500/year on Michaels craft supplies).
• Payment Processing Fee: Approximately 3% + $0.20 per transaction.
• Estimated Total Cut: ~7% to 7.5% + $0.20 per order.

4. Goimagine

Goimagine is a US-only marketplace that requires items to be 100% handmade and donates 100% of its corporate profits to children's charities.

• Listing Fee: $0 (No per-listing fee).
• Subscription & Commission Plans:
• Starter / Community Plan: ~$2.50 to $3/month with a 6.5% transaction fee.
• Thrive Plan: $5/month (up to 200 listings) with a 5% transaction fee.
• Mosaic Plan: $15/month (up to 1,000 listings) with a 2% transaction fee.
• Payment Processing: Standard Stripe processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
• Estimated Total Cut: Around 5% to 9.5% + $0.30 per order (plus the monthly fee).

5. eBay

While primarily general merchandise, many crafters and artisans sell on eBay due to its massive search volume.

• Listing Fee: First 250 listings per month are free; $0.35 per listing thereafter.
• Final Value Fee: Typically 13.25% for most arts, crafts, and handmade goods categories, plus a fixed $0.40 per order.
• Payment Processing: Included in the final value fee.
• Estimated Total Cut: ~13.25% + $0.40 per order.

6. Folksy (UK Sellers)

Folksy is a dedicated handmade marketplace catering specifically to British artisans.

• Basic Plan (Pay-as-you-go):
• Listing Fee: £0.15 + VAT per listing (active for 4 months).
• Commission: 6% + VAT per sale.
• Folksy Plus Plan:
• Subscription: ~£5/month (or £45/year).
• Listing Fee: Free unlimited listings.
• Commission: 6% + VAT per sale.
• Payment Processing: Standard Stripe or PayPal fees apply (~1.5%–2.9% + fixed fee).
• Estimated Total Cut: ~8% to 10% per order.

Summary Comparison Table

Which Should You Choose?

• If you want built-in traffic: Etsy and Amazon Handmade offer the largest audience, making their higher overall cut (10%–15%+) acceptable for beginners who do not want to invest heavily in marketing.
• If you want the lowest fees: MakerPlace by Michaels and Goimagine charge significantly less per sale, though their current buyer traffic is lower, meaning you will need to actively drive your own social media and search traffic.
• If you have high volume: Many established makers transition to their own storefront (e.g., Shopify at $29–$39/month + ~2.9%), avoiding per-order marketplace commission fees entirely.

For handmade products, the main marketplace fee structures are usually a mix of listing fees, transaction/referral fees, and sometimes payment-processing or subscription fees. The most commonly cited options are Etsy and Amazon Handmade, but other craft marketplaces use different combinations of flat monthly fees, commissions, or per-sale charges.¹⁵¹⁸⁹

• Etsy: charges $0.20 per listing for four months, plus a 6.5% transaction fee on the sale price and shipping/gift wrap, with payment-processing fees added separately; Etsy also has optional fees like Offsite Ads and, in some cases, a setup fee for new sellers.¹⁵¹⁸²
• Amazon Handmade: waives the monthly Professional selling fee for approved Handmade sellers, and charges a 15% referral fee or $0.30 per unit shipped, whichever is greater.¹⁵⁶
• eBay: for craft-type categories, sellers often pay a final value fee that varies by category; one cited breakdown lists 12.7% up to $2,500 plus $0.30 per order, with a lower rate above that amount.⁴¹⁷
• Aftcra: charges a 7% fee on each item sold.¹¹
• eCrater: is described as charging a 2.9% marketplace fee on sales made through its marketplace or advertising channels.¹¹¹⁷
• ArtFire: one cited source says it offers tiers with monthly subscription pricing, and also a commission-only option at 9% per sale.⁹
• iCraftGifts: one cited source says it uses a one-time registration fee plus a monthly subscription based on inventory size, rather than a commission model.⁹

If you want, I can turn this into a side-by-side comparison table of the best marketplaces for handmade sellers, including which is cheapest for low-volume vs high-volume shops.

Seller Fees for Handmade Products: Etsy vs. Amazon Handmade

The two biggest marketplaces for handmade goods use very different fee models. Etsy charges low, stacked per-item fees; Amazon Handmade charges a single higher percentage but no listing costs.

Etsy

Etsy's fees come in layers, all excluding VAT etsy.com:

Key details:

• The $0.20 listing fee is charged whether or not the item sells, and listings auto-renew every four months unless you switch to manual etsy.com.
• US sellers aren't charged the transaction fee on sales tax; sellers elsewhere pay it on the listing price including any taxes they're responsible for.
• Optional personalization fees are added to the display price and hit with the same 6.5%.
• Optional extras: Etsy Plus at $10/month, Pattern at $15/month after a 30-day trial, and a 2.5% currency conversion fee if you list in a currency other than your payment account's shopify.com.
• Pattern-only listings don't incur a listing fee and don't expire etsy.com.

On a $100 sale, a US seller keeps roughly $90.05 after a $0.20 listing fee, $6.50 transaction fee, and $3.25 processing fee — before materials, shipping, advertising, and taxes. An Offsite Ads–attributed order could subtract another $12–$15 shopify.com.

Amazon Handmade

Amazon Handmade runs on a much simpler structure sell.amazon.com:

Notes:

• Approved sellers pay the $39.99 Professional charge for the first month only, after which the monthly subscription is waived shopify.com.
• The referral fee applies to item price plus shipping and gift wrap.
• Optional add-ons include Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), Amazon Ads, and Amazon Custom for personalized orders — but Custom products must be seller-fulfilled and can't go through FBA sell.amazon.com.

Side-by-Side on a Pre-Tax $35 Order

US seller, US bank account, $30 item + $5 shipping shopify.com:

Etsy costs $1.47 less on this particular order.

When Each Marketplace Wins

Amazon Handmade is cheaper when:

• Items sell below roughly $8. Etsy carries two fixed charges on every sale (the $0.20 listing fee plus the $0.25 processing component), while Amazon's single minimum is $0.30 shopify.com.
• You list far more than you sell. Past roughly 2.8 listings per annual order, Amazon's free listings beat Etsy's ~60¢/year per listing. A shop with 1,000 listings and 300 orders a year pays about $1,673 on Etsy vs. $1,575 on Handmade.

Etsy is cheaper when:

• Your catalog is small or your sell-through rate is high — push the same shop to 500 orders and Etsy is back in front shopify.com.
• Your average order value is higher, since 6.5% + processing stays well under Amazon's flat 15%.

Important caveat: sellers outside the US pay different processing rates on Etsy and different referral rates on Amazon, so the most reliable comparison is your own average order value against your sell-through rate shopify.com.

One other consideration beyond fees: Amazon requires an application and audit to join Handmade, while Etsy has no application process shopify.com. Products must also fit Amazon's defined categories — hand-altered, hand-designed, handcrafted, repurposed, or upcycled — and only items in listed Handmade categories may be sold there sell.amazon.com.

Seller fees for handmade goods vary widely by platform. Marketplaces that bring buyers (Etsy, Amazon Handmade) take a larger cut; your own store (Shopify, Big Cartel) costs less per sale but you must drive the traffic yourself. Figures below are primarily for US sellers and reflect publicly documented rates as of 2025–2026. Fees change and differ by country—always confirm on the platform’s official fee page before pricing.

Etsy (main marketplace for handmade, vintage, and craft supplies)

From Etsy’s Fees & Payments Policy:

• Shops under the $10,000 threshold can opt out of Offsite Ads; above it, participation is mandatory.
• Optional Etsy Plus is $10/month.
• Typical all-in cost without Offsite Ads: about 10–12% of the order (item + shipping). With an Offsite Ad attribution, a sale can exceed 20–25%.

Example ($40 item + $5 shipping, no tax, no Offsite Ads): $0.20 listing + $2.93 transaction (6.5% of $45) + $1.60 processing (3% of $45 + $0.25) ≈ $4.73 (~10.5%).

Amazon Handmade

Approved makers pay a simple referral fee; the usual Professional plan monthly fee is waived after the first month.

• Referral fee: 15% or $0.30 per unit, whichever is greater (on item price + shipping + gift wrap; tax excluded).
• No listing fees; payment processing is included in the 15%.
• FBA (optional) adds separate fulfillment and storage fees if you use it.

Same $45 order: 15% = $6.75.

Your own store

Shopify (Basic plan, US, Shopify Payments):

• Subscription: $39/month ($29/month if billed annually).
• Card processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per online transaction (no extra platform commission when using Shopify Payments).
• Higher plans lower the card rate slightly. Using a third-party processor adds an extra Shopify fee (2% on Basic).

Big Cartel (popular with artists and small catalogs):

• Gold: free, up to 5 products.
• Platinum: $15/month, up to 50 products.
• Diamond: $30/month, up to 500 products.
• No platform transaction fee—you only pay your processor (commonly Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30).

Other marketplaces sometimes used for handmade or related goods

Rough comparison on a $45 order (item + shipping)

\*Plus any monthly subscription, spread across your sales. On low volume the subscription can outweigh the lower per-sale rate.

Practical takeaways

• Etsy is usually the best balance of buyer intent for handmade goods and moderate fees—until Offsite Ads become mandatory or hit a large share of orders.
• Amazon Handmade is simpler and more predictable at a flat 15%, and better if you want Amazon’s traffic and can meet application and fulfillment standards.
• Shopify or Big Cartel keep the most per sale once you can attract customers yourself (email, social, ads, wholesale). Big Cartel is cheaper for very small catalogs; Shopify scales further.
• Fees almost always apply to shipping you charge the buyer, not just the item price. Factor that into pricing.
• Country-specific extras (Etsy regulatory operating fees, VAT on fees, different processing rates, Amazon Digital Services fees) can add 0.5–2%+ outside the US.

Check current rates directly: Etsy Fees & Payments Policy, Amazon Handmade, Shopify pricing, and Big Cartel pricing.