Etsy vs Shopify
type: Article
description: Etsy is a curated marketplace ideal for handmade and vintage items with built-in traffic, while Shopify is a customizable e-commerce platform suited for brands wanting full control and scalability. Etsy charges lower fees but limits customization, whereas Shopify offers more flexibility with higher baseline costs.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-05-23T10:40:26.689Z
date created: 2026-05-23T10:40:26.689Z
date modified: 2026-05-23T10:40:26.690Z
content reference time: 2026-05-23T10:40:26.690Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Etsy
about: Shopify
abstract: Etsy is a curated marketplace ideal for handmade and vintage items with built-in traffic, while Shopify is a customizable e-commerce platform suited for brands wanting full control and scalability. Etsy charges lower fees but limits customization, whereas Shopify offers more flexibility with higher baseline costs.
text: Business Model. Monthly Base Cost. Transaction Fees. Store Customization. Built-in Traffic. Seller Community. Brand Control. Scalability
conclusion text: Choose Etsy if you sell handmade, vintage, or craft items and want access to established buyer traffic with minimal upfront investment. Select Shopify if you're building a branded business, need extensive customization, or plan significant scaling with lower per-transaction costs.
additional property: Active Buyers
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 81.9 million (2020) | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Active Sellers
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Undisclosed | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Active Listings
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Undisclosed | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Q1 2026 GMS
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: $2.38-2.43 billion | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Primary Seller Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Artisans and creative entrepreneurs | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Year-over-Year Growth
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 2-4% growth Q1 2026 | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Product Category Focus
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Handmade, vintage, crafts only | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Market Position
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Niche specialist leader | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Transaction Fee Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 10.4% | Shopify: 3.89%
  value reference: Shopify
additional property: Monthly Costs at 100 Sales ($50/item)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: $520 | Shopify: $214
  value reference: Shopify
additional property: Base Monthly Subscription (Starter Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: $0 | Shopify: $29
  value reference: Etsy
additional property: Listing Renewal Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: $0.16 | Shopify: Included in subscription
additional property: Product Variant Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 70 variants max | Shopify: Unlimited
additional property: Sales Breakeven Point
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Optimal below $1,350 | Shopify: $1,350
additional property: Available App Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Limited marketplace integrations | Shopify: 8,000+ apps
additional property: Monthly Active Buyers (Marketplace Access)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 90+ | Shopify: Self-driven traffic
additional property: Monthly Base Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Free (listing fees apply) | Shopify: $29-$399
  value reference: Etsy
additional property: Transaction Fee Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 6.5% | Shopify: 2.9%
  value reference: Shopify
additional property: Payment Processing Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: $0.20 | Shopify: 2.9% + $0.30 (Shopify Payments)
  value reference: Etsy
additional property: Annual Marketplace Visitors
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 1.7 billion | Shopify: Self-generated
additional property: Store Design Flexibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Limited (3/10) | Shopify: Extensive (9/10)
  value reference: Shopify
additional property: Available Apps/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 2,000+ | Shopify: 10,000+
  value reference: Shopify
additional property: Suitable Product Categories
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: Handmade, vintage, craft | Shopify: All product types
additional property: Payment Methods Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 15+ | Shopify: 100+
  value reference: Shopify
additional property: Total Active Product Listings
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 94 million | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Number of Active Sellers
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 4.7 million | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Standard Shipping Time (Domestic)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 3-7 days | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Return Window
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 14-30 days (varies) | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Prime/Premium Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: $20/year (Etsy Plus optional) | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Average Customer Rating System
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 4.6/5 average seller rating | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Mobile App Downloads
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 280 million downloads | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Handmade/Artisanal Product Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: 85%+ handmade/vintage | Shopify: N/A
additional property: Active Stores
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 4.6 Million+
additional property: Global Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 27%
additional property: Platform Transaction Fees
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2.0% (third-party gateways) / 0% (Shopify Payments)
additional property: Available Apps/Plugins
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 13,000+
additional property: Average Conversion Rate (Desktop)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 1.4%
additional property: Average Conversion Rate (Mobile)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 1.2%
additional property: Hosting Model
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Fully Managed SaaS
additional property: AI/Automation Optimization
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Native AI-driven commerce agents built-in
additional property: Starting Monthly Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $29
additional property: Top Tier Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $399
additional property: Design Templates Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 200+ templates
additional property: App Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 8,000+
additional property: Support Channels
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Phone, Email & Chat
additional property: Enterprise Plan Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Yes ($2,300+/month)
additional property: Annual Cost (Base Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $468
additional property: Per-Transaction Commission
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 0%
additional property: Accessible Customer Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 0 (self-driven)
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/etsy
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/etsy
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/shopify
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/shopify
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/etsy-vs-shopify
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/etsy-vs-shopify
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/shopify-vs-squarespace
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ebay-vs-etsy
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/shopify-vs-wix
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/magento-vs-shopify
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/shopify-vs-square
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ecwid-vs-shopify
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/amazon-vs-etsy
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/amazon-vs-shopify
teaches: How to choose between Etsy and Shopify
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Etsy vs Shopify — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Etsy
type: Thing
language: en-US
description: Specialized marketplace with 4.7 million sellers offering handmade, vintage, and unique artisanal products.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Etsy
subject of: Etsy vs Shopify
image: ImageObject
  caption: Etsy

Shopify
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: Fully managed cloud-based e-commerce platform with integrated payments and hosting.
subject of: Etsy vs Shopify

Etsy vs Shopify — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Etsy vs Shopify. Contains 128 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Active Buyers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audience
variable measured: Active Sellers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Active Listings
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Inventory
variable measured: Q1 2026 GMS
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial
variable measured: Primary Seller Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Business Model
variable measured: Year-over-Year Growth
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Growth
variable measured: Product Category Focus
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Specialization
variable measured: Market Position
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Strategy
variable measured: Transaction Fee Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Monthly Costs at 100 Sales ($50/item)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Base Monthly Subscription (Starter Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Listing Renewal Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Product Variant Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Sales Breakeven Point
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Economics
variable measured: Available App Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integrations
variable measured: Monthly Active Buyers (Marketplace Access)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market
variable measured: Monthly Base Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Transaction Fee Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Payment Processing Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Marketplace Visitors
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Traffic
variable measured: Store Design Flexibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customization
variable measured: Available Apps/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integrations
variable measured: Suitable Product Categories
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Product Type
variable measured: Payment Methods Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Total Active Product Listings
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale & Selection
variable measured: Number of Active Sellers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale & Selection
variable measured: Standard Shipping Time (Domestic)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Shipping & Delivery
variable measured: Return Window
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customer Service
variable measured: Prime/Premium Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Average Customer Rating System
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality & Trust
variable measured: Mobile App Downloads
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Base
variable measured: Handmade/Artisanal Product Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Product Mix
variable measured: Active Stores
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
variable measured: Global Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Position
variable measured: Platform Transaction Fees
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Apps/Plugins
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ecosystem
variable measured: Average Conversion Rate (Desktop)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Average Conversion Rate (Mobile)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Hosting Model
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technical
variable measured: AI/Automation Optimization
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Innovation
variable measured: Starting Monthly Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Top Tier Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Design Templates Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design
variable measured: App Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: Support Channels
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Support
variable measured: Enterprise Plan Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Annual Cost (Base Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Per-Transaction Commission
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Accessible Customer Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Access
variable measured: Setup Time to First Sale
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Time to Revenue
variable measured: Brand Control Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Control
variable measured: App/Integration Ecosystem
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: Annual Account Suspension Risk
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Reliability
variable measured: Typical Seller Monthly Revenue Threshold
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale Potential
variable measured: Product Variation Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Product Management
variable measured: Multi-Currency Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: International Features
variable measured: Transaction Processing Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Design Customization Entry Point
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ease of Use
variable measured: Available Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design
variable measured: Recommended Maximum Annual Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scalability
variable measured: Commission Fee (Per Transaction)
variable measured: Built-in Customer Base
variable measured: Average Time to First Sale
variable measured: Brand Customization Level
variable measured: Customer Data Access
variable measured: Product Listing Limits
variable measured: Setup Time to Live Store
variable measured: Available Apps & Integrations
variable measured: Checkout Conversion Rate
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/etsy-vs-shopify

Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Etsy vs Shopify.
has defined term: Audience
has defined term: Community
has defined term: Inventory
has defined term: Financial
has defined term: Business Model
has defined term: Growth
has defined term: Specialization
has defined term: Strategy
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Economics
has defined term: Integrations
has defined term: Market
has defined term: Traffic
has defined term: Customization
has defined term: Product Type
has defined term: Scale & Selection
has defined term: Shipping & Delivery
has defined term: Customer Service
has defined term: Quality & Trust
has defined term: User Base
has defined term: Product Mix
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Market Position
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Technical
has defined term: Innovation
has defined term: Design
has defined term: Integration
has defined term: Support
has defined term: Market Access
has defined term: Time to Revenue
has defined term: Control
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Reliability
has defined term: Scale Potential
has defined term: Product Management
has defined term: International Features
has defined term: Ease of Use
has defined term: Scalability
has defined term: Costs
has defined term: Reach & Traffic
has defined term: Speed & Efficiency
has defined term: Control & Flexibility
has defined term: Implementation
has defined term: Functionality
has defined term: Market Fit
has defined term: Setup & Deployment
has defined term: Operating Costs
has defined term: Payments
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Free Plan
has defined term: Security
has defined term: Ownership

Audience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: audience
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Inventory
type: DefinedTerm
term code: inventory
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Financial
type: DefinedTerm
term code: financial
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Business Model
type: DefinedTerm
term code: business-model
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Growth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: growth
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Specialization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: specialization
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Strategy
type: DefinedTerm
term code: strategy
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Economics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: economics
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integrations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integrations
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Traffic
type: DefinedTerm
term code: traffic
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customization
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Type
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-type
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scale & Selection
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scale-&-selection
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Shipping & Delivery
type: DefinedTerm
term code: shipping-&-delivery
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Service
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-service
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality & Trust
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality-&-trust
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Base
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-base
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Mix
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-mix
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Position
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-position
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technical
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technical
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Innovation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: innovation
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: support
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Access
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-access
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Time to Revenue
type: DefinedTerm
term code: time-to-revenue
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Control
type: DefinedTerm
term code: control
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Extensibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extensibility
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reliability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reliability
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scale Potential
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scale-potential
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Management
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-management
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

International Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: international-features
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ease of Use
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ease-of-use
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scalability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scalability
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Costs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: costs
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reach & Traffic
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reach-&-traffic
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Speed & Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: speed-&-efficiency
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Control & Flexibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: control-&-flexibility
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Implementation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: implementation
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Functionality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: functionality
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Fit
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-fit
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Setup & Deployment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: setup-&-deployment
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operating Costs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operating-costs
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Payments
type: DefinedTerm
term code: payments
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Free Plan
type: DefinedTerm
term code: free-plan
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: security
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ownership
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ownership
in defined term set: Etsy vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-05-23T10:40:26.690Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: etsy-vs-shopify
main entity: Is Etsy or Shopify better for beginners?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Etsy is better for absolute beginners due to zero monthly fees and built-in customer base. However, Shopify may be preferable if you're starting a branded business and can invest $29/month, as it offers more long-term control and growth potential.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which platform is cheaper overall?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Etsy has lower upfront costs with no subscription, but Shopify becomes cheaper at higher sales volumes due to lower transaction fees (2.9% vs 6.5%). Break-even typically occurs around $500-$1,000 in monthly sales.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I sell anything on both platforms?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Etsy restricts listings to handmade items, vintage goods (20+ years old), and craft supplies. Shopify allows any legal product, making it suitable for traditional retail, dropshipping, digital products, and more.
    language: en-US
main entity: How does traffic comparison work?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Etsy brings organic traffic from 1.7B annual marketplace visitors, while Shopify requires you to drive your own traffic through marketing, SEO, social media, or paid ads. Etsy wins for passive discovery; Shopify wins for brands building owned audiences.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which platform integrates better with third-party tools?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Shopify has a significantly larger app ecosystem (10,000+) compared to Etsy (2,000+), offering more integrations for inventory management, email marketing, accounting, and advanced analytics. Shopify is the clear winner for tool integration.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Etsy and Shopify
type: HowTo
description: Etsy is a curated marketplace ideal for handmade and vintage items with built-in traffic, while Shopify is a customizable e-commerce platform suited for brands wanting full control and scalability. Etsy charges lower fees but limits customization, whereas Shopify offers more flexibility with higher baseline costs.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Business Model
step: Consider: Monthly Base Cost
step: Consider: Transaction Fees
step: Consider: Store Customization
step: Consider: Built-in Traffic
step: Consider: Seller Community
step: Consider: Brand Control
step: Consider: Scalability
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Etsy if you sell handmade, vintage, or craft items and want access to established buyer traffic with minimal upfront investment. Select Shopify if you're building a branded business, need extensive customization, or plan significant scaling with lower per-transaction costs.

Consider: Business Model
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Business Model: Etsy has Marketplace (seller community), while Shopify has SaaS platform (independent stores).

Consider: Monthly Base Cost
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Monthly Base Cost: Etsy has $0 (pay-per-listing), while Shopify has $29-$399 (subscription plan).

Consider: Transaction Fees
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Transaction Fees: Etsy has 6.5% + $0.20 per transaction, while Shopify has 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.

Consider: Store Customization
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Store Customization: Etsy has Limited (fixed templates), while Shopify has Extensive (themes & code).

Consider: Built-in Traffic
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Built-in Traffic: Etsy has Yes (1.7B annual visitors), while Shopify has No (requires marketing).

Consider: Seller Community
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Seller Community: Etsy has 500M+ active listings, while Shopify has Individual storefronts.

Consider: Brand Control
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Brand Control: Etsy has Limited (Etsy branding), while Shopify has Full control (white-label).

Consider: Scalability
type: HowToStep
position: 8
text: Scalability: Etsy has Medium (marketplace limits), while Shopify has High (unlimited growth).

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Etsy vs Shopify
review body: Etsy is a curated marketplace ideal for handmade and vintage items with built-in traffic, while Shopify is a customizable e-commerce platform suited for brands wanting full control and scalability. Etsy charges lower fees but limits customization, whereas Shopify offers more flexibility with higher baseline costs.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Etsy vs Shopify

Setup Time to First Sale
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 1-3 days

Brand Control Score
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 9-10 (full)

App/Integration Ecosystem
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 4,600+

Annual Account Suspension Risk
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: ~0.01%

Typical Seller Monthly Revenue Threshold
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $5,000+ (lower barrier)

Product Variation Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2,000+

Multi-Currency Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 200+

Transaction Processing Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 0% (on Shopify Payments)

Design Customization Entry Point
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Advanced (Liquid code access)

Available Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: ~300 (optimized for sales)

Recommended Maximum Annual Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Unlimited

Commission Fee (Per Transaction)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2.9% + $0.30

Built-in Customer Base
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Zero (must generate own traffic)

Average Time to First Sale
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 30-90 days (with marketing)

Brand Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Complete (10/10)

Customer Data Access
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 100% direct access to customer emails and data

Product Listing Limits
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Unlimited products

Setup Time to Live Store
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 7-14 days

Available Apps & Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 6,000+ apps

Checkout Conversion Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 3.2-3.5%

Platform Uptime SLA
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 99.99%

Built-in Enterprise Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Moderate; app-dependent for advanced needs

API Control & Headless Capability
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Good GraphQL API; limited headless options

Ideal Business Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $0-20M GMV (optimal fit)

Implementation Complexity
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Low; point-and-click setup

Developer Cost (Hourly)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $100-150 (optional)

Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: ~30% of all online stores

Free Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $5 (Starter plan minimum)

Transaction Fee (Standard)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2.7% + $0.30

Supported Sales Channels
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 10+ (online store, POS, social, marketplace, B2B, wholesale)

Inventory Locations Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Unlimited with advanced sync

Starting Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $5 (Starter Plan)

Monthly Base Cost (Starter Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $5-39 (all-inclusive)

Initial Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Hours to 1 day

Built-in Features Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Hosting, SSL, domain, support included

Multi-Store Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Separate subscriptions required

Maximum Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $2,300+ (Shopify Plus enterprise)

New Features (Feb-Mar 2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Ongoing regular updates

Mid-Tier Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $105 (Shopify Plan)

Enterprise Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $2,300+ (Shopify Plus)

Third-Party App Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 6000+

Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 30-60 minutes

Free Physical Items Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: None (paid plans only)

Mobile Responsiveness
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Mobile-optimized by default

Starting Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $39

Transaction Fees
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Available Plugins/Apps
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 8,500+

Setup Time to Launch
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 1-2 days

Customization Flexibility
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 6 (Liquid templating limits)

Security Management
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Shopify manages all compliance

Product Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Unlimited (pricing tier independent)

Annual Cost (100K Revenue)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $468 + transaction fees ($2,900)

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $39/month (Basic plan)

Transaction Fees (Standard)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2.9% + $0.30

Uptime SLA Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 99.99%

Native App Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 6,800 verified apps

Setup Time (No-Code)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 1-2 hours to launch

Customization Depth (Code Access)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Theme/app API limited (Liquid template language)

Payment Gateway Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 100+ official integrations

PCI DSS Compliance Built-in
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Level 1 (fully managed)

Transaction Fees (Basic Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2.9% + $0.30

Product Upload Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Unlimited

Average Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2-3 days

App Ecosystem Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: ~8,000+ apps

Market Share (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 28%

Native Multi-Vendor Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: No (requires apps)

Advanced SEO Tools (Built-in)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Limited (basic automation)

Starting Monthly Cost (USD)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $39/month

Transaction Fees (Payment Processing)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Product Listings Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Unlimited

API Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Full REST & GraphQL APIs

Multi-Channel Selling Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 100+ sales channels (Amazon, Facebook, TikTok, eBay, etc.)

Free SSL Certificate & Hosting
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Included in all plans

Annual Cost (Base Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: $348-3,588/year

Available Extensions/Apps
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 8,000+ apps

Uptime Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 99.99% guaranteed

Customer Support Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: 24/7 dedicated support team

SEO Customization Control
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Built-in tools with limitations on code-level access

Data Portability
type: PropertyValue
value: Etsy: N/A | Shopify: Possible but complex; vendor lock-in concerns exist

SpeakableSpecification
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css selector: #verdict
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xpath: //*[@id='short-answer']
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Etsy — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Shopify — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Etsy vs Shopify
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/etsy-vs-shopify
object: Etsy
object: Shopify

Commission Fee (Per Transaction)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Costs

Built-in Customer Base
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reach & Traffic

Average Time to First Sale
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Speed & Efficiency

Brand Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Control & Flexibility

Customer Data Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Control & Flexibility

Product Listing Limits
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scalability

Setup Time to Live Store
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Implementation

Available Apps & Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Checkout Conversion Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Platform Uptime SLA
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reliability

Built-in Enterprise Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

API Control & Headless Capability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customization

Ideal Business Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market Fit

Implementation Complexity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Setup & Deployment

Developer Cost (Hourly)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Operating Costs

Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Free Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Transaction Fee (Standard)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Payments

Supported Sales Channels
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Inventory Locations Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Starting Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Base Cost (Starter Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Initial Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Built-in Features Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Multi-Store Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Maximum Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

New Features (Feb-Mar 2026)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Innovation

Mid-Tier Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Enterprise Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Third-Party App Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Free Physical Items Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Free Plan

Mobile Responsiveness
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Starting Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Transaction Fees
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available Plugins/Apps
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Setup Time to Launch
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

Customization Flexibility
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Security Management
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Product Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Annual Cost (100K Revenue)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Transaction Fees (Standard)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Uptime SLA Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reliability

Native App Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Setup Time (No-Code)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

Customization Depth (Code Access)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Payment Gateway Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Payments

PCI DSS Compliance Built-in
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Transaction Fees (Basic Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Product Upload Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Average Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Implementation

App Ecosystem Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integrations

Market Share (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market Position

Native Multi-Vendor Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Advanced SEO Tools (Built-in)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Starting Monthly Cost (USD)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Transaction Fees (Payment Processing)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Product Listings Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

API Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technical

Multi-Channel Selling Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Free SSL Certificate & Hosting
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Annual Cost (Base Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available Extensions/Apps
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customization

Uptime Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reliability

Customer Support Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Support

SEO Customization Control
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Data Portability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ownership