5 Best Etsy Alternatives in 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Are you an artist or small business owner looking for fresh avenues to showcase your handmade or digital products? Maybe you have tried Etsy and found it to be a bit crowded or restrictive. Or perhaps you’re considering branching out beyond Etsy to expand your reach and grow your business. No matter what the reason, you’re not alone. Many sellers are seeking Etsy alternatives in 2025 to better suit their unique needs and business goals.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best Etsy alternatives out there, each offering distinct advantages for sellers like you. Let’s dive in!

As of Nov. 2023, new sellers based in India will no longer be able to open shops on Etsy. However, existing shops in India can continue their operations and sell as usual.

Why Consider Etsy Alternatives?

Before we dive into the alternatives, let’s quickly see why you might be considering other options.

1. Competition and Visibility: Etsy is a giant marketplace, and while that means lots of potential customers, it also means a ton of competition. Your products may get lost in the shuffle, especially if you’re just starting out.
2. Fees and Costs: Etsy’s fees can add up quickly, with listing fees, transaction fees, and processing fees. These costs can eat into your profits, especially if you’re a small seller with tight margins.
3. Limited Customization: Etsy offers a fixed store layout with limited options for branding. If you want more control over the look and feel of your store, you might find this restrictive.
4. Changing Policies: As a platform grows, so do its policies, and sometimes these changes don’t align with your business. For example, Etsy has been known to update its algorithm and rules, which may not always work in favor of smaller sellers.
5. Niche Markets: Etsy is ideal for handmade and vintage items, but what if your business doesn’t fit neatly into those categories? You might find yourself wanting a platform that’s more suited to your unique offerings.

If any of these reasons resonate with you, it’s time to explore some other options. Let’s take a look at some of the best Etsy alternatives for creative sellers.

1. Bonanza – A Hidden Gem

Bonanza is a growing marketplace that allows sellers to list a variety of items, including handmade goods. It’s like a hybrid between Etsy and eBay, offering a simple and flexible platform for sellers. Bonanza offers a great opportunity for sellers who want to reach markets outside India, especially the US and UK. It’s an ideal platform if you’re looking to expand globally without worrying about additional costs and fees.

Some of the standout features of Bonanza include:

Feature	Description
Automatic Inventory Sync	Easily import and sync your inventory from platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Shopify.
Zero Effort Webstores	Bonanza automatically builds a webstore from your marketplace account, saving you time and effort.
Customized Marketing Campaign Tools	Create targeted campaigns to boost visibility and sales.
Multi Item Editing Capabilities	Manage multiple products at once with ease.
No Hidden Fees	No listing fees, monthly store fees, or any other sneaky costs.
One Click Publishing	Publish your products to all major buyer channels, and Bonanza will cover all advertising costs until you make a sale.

Pros of Bonanza:

• Lower Fees: Bonanza’s fees are generally lower than Etsy’s, and they don’t charge listing fees.
• Easy Integration: Bonanza makes it easy to import your Etsy listings to get started quickly.

Cons of Bonanza:

• Smaller Audience: Bonanza’s user base is not as large as Etsy’s, which may result in less traffic to your store.
• Fewer Built-in Tools: Compared to Shopify, Bonanza doesn’t offer as many advanced features for marketing and growing your business.

2. Amazon Handmade – The Giant’s Marketplace for Artisans

Amazon Handmade is a specialized section of Amazon where artisans can sell their handmade products. If you’re already familiar with Amazon’s ecosystem, you’ll find this platform easy to navigate, and it provides access to Amazon’s massive customer base. It’s a great place for makers to find customers who appreciate the value of handmade goods.

What do you get with Amazon Handmade?

Feature	Description
Showcase Your Authenticity	Amazon’s application and audit process ensures that only genuine handmade products are listed.
Connect with the Community	Amazon Handmade offers the Handmade Hub, where you can interact, support, and learn from fellow makers.
Pay When You Earn	Creating a Handmade storefront is free, and Amazon only takes a 15% referral fee when you make a sale. Say bye to additional listing or payment processing fees.

Pros of Amazon Handmade:

• Massive Audience: One of the biggest advantages of Amazon Handmade is its access to Amazon’s huge, established customer base.
• No Listing Fees: Amazon Handmade doesn’t charge listing fees, which is great for sellers looking to keep costs low.
• Trust Factor: Selling on Amazon gives your products a level of trust and credibility that can be hard to achieve on other platforms.

Cons of Amazon Handmade:

• Strict Requirements: Amazon Handmade has strict approval processes for sellers, which might be a hurdle for some.
• High Competition: Being part of Amazon means you’ll face more competition from not just other handmade sellers, but also larger companies selling similar products.
• Limited Customization: Like other large platforms, Amazon Handmade has limited design flexibility when it comes to your store’s appearance.

3. Big Cartel – Simple and Easy-to-Use

If you’re a small business or an independent artist looking for a simple and no-frills eCommerce platform, Big Cartel is a great Etsy alternative. It’s especially popular among independent artists and makers who want to run a minimalist online store without the complexity of other platforms.

Pros of Big Cartel:

• Free Plan: Big Cartel offers a free plan that allows you to list up to five products. This is perfect if you’re just getting started and want to try selling online without committing to a paid plan.
• Simple Setup: Setting up your store on Big Cartel is quick and easy. It’s ideal for sellers who want a straightforward solution without too many bells and whistles.
• Customization: You can customize your store’s appearance with a simple drag and drop interface.

Cons of Big Cartel:

• Limited Features: The free plan comes with a lot of limitations, and even the paid plans don’t offer as many advanced features as Shopify.
• Smaller Marketplace: Big Cartel doesn’t have the same built-in traffic that Etsy or other marketplaces provide.

4. Shopify – The ECommerce Powerhouse

If you’re looking for full control over your brand and the freedom to grow your online store, Shopify is a fantastic alternative. Unlike Etsy, which is a marketplace, Shopify is a dedicated eCommerce platform that allows you to build and manage your own website from the ground up. It gives you complete control over the look and feel of your store, and you can set your own pricing and fees.

Pros of Shopify:

• Customizability: Shopify offers hundreds of themes and customization options to make your online store truly yours.
• Scalability: As your business grows, Shopify can grow with you. You can easily upgrade your plan and add features like abandoned cart recovery and more.
• Built-in Payment System: Shopify Payments allows you to accept payments easily, and you can also integrate third-party payment gateways if needed.

Cons of Shopify:

• Monthly Fees: Shopify isn’t free. Plans start at $29 per month, which may be more than what some smaller businesses are willing to spend.
• Learning Curve: It can take some time to get the hang of all the features and tools.

5. eBay – A Global Marketplace with Unlimited Reach

eBay is one of the oldest and most established online marketplaces, and while it’s often associated with auctions, it’s also a great platform for handmade goods. eBay has a massive global audience and allows you to tap into a market that spans across continents.

Pros of eBay:

• Massive Global Reach: With millions of buyers worldwide, eBay gives you the potential to sell to a truly global audience.
• Auction or Fixed-Price Listings: eBay offers flexibility in how you sell your products. You can choose auction-style listings or fixed-price sales.
• Low Fees: eBay’s fees are generally lower than those of Etsy, especially for international sales.

Cons of eBay:

• Auction Model May Not Work for Everyone: While auctions can be great for some products, they might not suit everyone, especially if you want to set fixed prices.
• Heavy Competition: eBay has a lot of sellers, so standing out in such a crowded marketplace can be challenging.
• Less Focus on Handmade: eBay isn’t specifically tailored for handmade products, which can make it harder for your products to gain the right visibility.

Comparison Table- Etsy Alternatives, 2025

Below is a comparison table that provides an overview of key features, fees, and customization options for each of the platforms mentioned:

Platform	Website Link	Joining Fees	Commission Fees	Monthly Fees	Customisation Options	Ideal For
Bonanza	Bonaza	None	3.5%	None	Limited	Sellers seeking low fees and easy integration with other platforms
Amazon Handmade	Amazon Handmade	None	15% referral fee	None	Limited	Handmade sellers seeking global reach, building on the credibility of Amazon
Big Cartel	Big Cartel	Free (up to 5 products)	No transaction fees	$12/month (paid plans)	High	Independent artists and small businesses looking for simple, no-frills stores
Shopify	Shopify	$29/month	Transaction fees vary (usually 2.9% + 30¢)	$29/month	High	Sellers looking for full control and scalability
eBay	eBay	None	Varies (up to 12%)	None	Moderate	Global marketplace sellers

*Note: Prices may fluctuate. Visit to the official website to check the latest prices

Conclusion: The Right Choice for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing the best Etsy alternative. Whether you are looking for a platform with lower fees, more customization options, or a specific niche audience, there is an alternative out there that fits your needs.

Bonanza, Amazon Handmade, Big Cartel, Shopify, and eBay are some of the best Etsy alternatives available today if you want to reach a global audience. Start selling from anywhere and forget the worries that come with setting up a physical store. These platforms help you to go global from the comfort of your home.  Ultimately, the right platform will depend on your business goals, budget, and the type of products you sell. So, take your time, explore your options, and find the perfect Etsy alternative to help your creative business thrive!

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