Short answer: Etsy is a marketplace with built-in buyers and search; instead of a monthly subscription, you pay per listing and per sale. Shopify is a platform for your own store; you pay a monthly subscription and bring your own traffic, but the brand, design and customer relationship are fully yours. For someone starting out with handmade, vintage or their own designs, Etsy is usually the faster start; for a brand with its own audience, Shopify gives more control.
Etsy vs Shopify at a glance
| Etsy | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A marketplace (buyers search on Etsy) | Your own online store |
| Monthly fee | None (except optional packages like Etsy Plus) | A subscription; prices vary by country |
| Per sale | 6.5% transaction + payment processing (3% + $0.25 in the US) | Payment provider fees; an extra Shopify fee with third-party providers |
| Per listing | $0.20 listing fee | None |
| Traffic | Etsy search and Etsy ads | You bring it: SEO, social media, ads |
| What you can sell | Made, designed, vintage, craft supplies | Almost anything legal |
| Control | Etsy's rules and design framework | Design, domain and customer data are yours |
Fees: which is cheaper?
Etsy
Etsy has no fixed monthly fee. You pay a $0.20 listing fee per listing, a 6.5% transaction fee on the item price plus shipping and gift wrap, and a payment processing fee based on your bank account's country (3% + $0.25 in the US). If a sale comes from Etsy's offsite ads, an Offsite Ads fee applies too.
Shopify
Shopify charges a monthly subscription, and prices depend on the visitor's country. For example, on October 31, 2026 the pricing page shown in Türkiye listed the Basic plan at $27 billed monthly, or $24 a month billed yearly. If you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify's own, Basic adds a 2% fee. Check the current price for your country on Shopify's pricing page.
Traffic: who brings the buyers?
On Etsy, buyers are already searching for products; if your listing shows up with the right words, good photos and a competitive price, your first sale can come from inside Etsy. A Shopify store has no traffic of its own: you bring visitors through Google, social media, email or ads. That's why marketing time and budget belong in a Shopify plan from day one.
Which one is right for you?
| Situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| You're starting and have no audience | Etsy |
| Handmade, vintage or your own designs | Etsy |
| You have your own brand and loyal customers | Shopify |
| Products that don't fit Etsy's rules | Shopify |
| Customer data and an email list matter | Shopify |
Using Etsy and Shopify together
Many sellers start on Etsy and add a Shopify store as sales and reviews grow. According to Shopify's pricing page, marketplace orders can be imported into Shopify; 50 synced marketplace orders a month are free, with a 1% fee above that (up to $99 a month). Keep stock and prices consistent across both channels.
If you're starting on Etsy
Listimize is built for Etsy: keyword and product research, the SEO Score and AI listing optimization help you grow your Etsy listings.
FAQ
Is Etsy or Shopify cheaper?
With few sales, Etsy is usually cheaper because there's no monthly subscription. As sales grow, Etsy's per-sale fees grow too; Shopify's monthly fee stays fixed, but you bring the traffic.
Can I use Etsy and Shopify at the same time?
Yes. According to Shopify's pricing page, marketplace orders can be imported into Shopify; 50 orders a month are free, with a fee above that.
Which is better for beginners?
For someone without an audience selling handmade or their own designs, Etsy's built-in buyers usually make for a faster start.
Sources
- Etsy Fees & Payments Policy
- Etsy Payments Policy (payment processing fees by country)
- Shopify Pricing (prices shown vary by country)
Checked on October 31, 2026