Ebay vs. Etsy

Can’t decide between Etsy and Ebay?

Whether you’re a hobbyist, a professional seller, or just clearing out your home, choosing the right platform to sell on can make a huge difference in your success. Two of the most popular options are eBay and Etsy. Both have massive user bases and global reach, but they cater to different audiences and types of products. In this post, we’ll compare eBay and Etsy to help you decide which one is best for you.

1. Audience & Product Focus

eBay is a global marketplace where you can sell almost anything—electronics, clothing, collectibles, and more. It’s best for sellers with a wide variety of products, as eBay attracts buyers looking for both new and secondhand items in a broad range of categories.

Etsy, on the other hand, specialises in handmade, vintage, and unique goods. Its audience is looking for one-of-a-kind products, often in the arts and crafts, home décor, or fashion space. If you’re selling handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, or custom crafts, Etsy’s niche focus and community of creative buyers may be a perfect fit for you.

2. Ease of Use

Etsy is designed with creatives in mind, making it easy to set up a visually appealing shop. Sellers can quickly upload product photos, customise their storefront, and offer personalized or made-to-order items. It’s great for artisans and makers who want a straightforward setup process and a visually oriented platform.

eBay offers more advanced selling features and options, such as auctions, Buy It Now, and multi-quantity listings. However, it can be a bit more complex to navigate, especially if you’re new to online selling. If you’re selling in multiple categories or need flexibility in how you price and promote your items, eBay’s tools can offer more versatility, though the setup can feel more involved.

3. Fees

Etsy charges a listing fee of $0.20 per item, plus a 6.5% transaction fee when your item sells. There’s also a payment processing fee (around 3%) and an optional advertising fee if you use Etsy’s on-site ads or Offsite Ads, which can further eat into your profits.

eBay fees are a bit more variable. Typically, you’ll pay a final value fee of 10-12% depending on the category, plus PayPal or eBay payment processing fees. Some listings may also come with extra charges, such as insertion fees or fees for listing upgrades (bold titles, extra photos, etc.). eBay’s fees can add up quickly, but it offers higher flexibility for large-scale sellers.

4. Seller Tools & Features

Etsy is built for creative sellers and offers features tailored to their needs. From customisable shops to easy-to-use tools for creating and managing listings, Etsy keeps things simple. However, its marketing and promotional tools, while effective, are more basic than those available on other platforms. Etsy sellers can use tools like discounts, coupons, and sales events, but larger-scale features like detailed analytics are limited unless you subscribe to Etsy Plus.

eBay shines in terms of advanced seller tools. It offers options for bulk listings, promotional campaigns, eBay Stores, and powerful analytics to help you track performance. It’s great for sellers looking to scale their operations and manage high-volume listings. eBay also supports sellers with tools for international shipping and inventory management, which can be key for businesses looking to expand.

5. Shipping

eBay provides sellers with access to discounted shipping rates, integrated tracking, and the ability to offer both domestic and international shipping. The platform also automates shipping updates for buyers, making the process streamlined for sellers handling large volumes of orders.

Etsy also offers shipping labels directly through the platform with discounted rates, but shipping can feel more hands-on. Etsy sellers often need to customize shipping settings for made-to-order or unique items, and the platform caters primarily to domestic shipping (though international options are available).

6. Product Listings

Etsy limits sellers to handmade items, vintage goods (at least 20 years old), and craft supplies. This niche focus can be a blessing if your products fall into these categories, but if you want to sell more diverse or mass-produced items, Etsy won’t be the right fit.

eBay has no such limitations. You can sell practically anything, from secondhand goods and collectibles to new electronics, cars, and appliances. It’s an ideal platform for sellers with a wide range of inventory.

Which Platform Is Right for You?

If your products are handmade, vintage, or creatively unique, Etsy is likely the better choice. The platform is designed for artisans, crafters, and vintage sellers who want a visually appealing, niche-focused marketplace. Its community of buyers is specifically looking for personalized or creative items, making it easier to target the right audience.

For sellers with a broader inventory who want more control over pricing, listing types, and advanced selling tools, eBay offers unmatched versatility. eBay’s massive global reach and category diversity make it the go-to platform for both casual sellers and larger businesses looking to scale.

In the end, the best platform depends on what you’re selling and how you want to grow your business. If you specialise in handmade goods, Etsy’s creative community is hard to beat. But if you’re selling a wide range of products and need access to powerful selling tools, eBay might be the better choice.

You could always list on both and others as well using Shopfront. Sign up now as we gear up to launch Etsy.