If you enjoy shopping online, you’ve probably checked out Etsy or eBay. These are really popular places for both buyers and sellers, just behind Amazon.
This can make it tricky for sellers to decide where to sell their Goods. If you’re not into big platforms like Amazon, Etsy and eBay could be great options for reaching more people.
Not sure if selling on Etsy or eBay is worth it?
Keep reading! We’ll help you understand each platform better and make the decision easier for you. Let’s dive deeper into Etsy vs eBay comparison and discover all the details.
Etsy vs eBay: Seller, buyer, and product comparison
Types of sellers
Etsy
- Independent creators: Artists and crafters making unique, handmade items.
- Small business owners: Entrepreneurs selling their original designs or crafts.
- Digital sellers: Sellers offering digital downloads like art, planners, and templates.
eBay
- Individual sellers: Regular people selling their personal items or collectibles.
- Retailers: Shops selling new or refurbished products.
- Auction sellers: The thrill-seekers offering products up for bidding.
Types of customers
Etsy
- Creative shoppers: People on the hunt for handmade, custom, or artistic products.
- Gift buyers: Those looking for that perfect, personalized present.
- DIY enthusiasts: Crafters are always on the lookout for unique supplies.
- Bargain hunters: Shoppers with an eye for deals and discounts.
- Collectors: Enthusiasts searching high and low for rare or collectible items.
- General consumers: People buy everyday products at competitive prices.
Types of products
Etsy
- Handmade goods: Jewelry, clothing, and unique home decor.
- Vintage items: Goods at least 20 years old, like retro fashion or home decor.
- Craft supplies: All the materials you need for your next DIY project.
- Digital products: Printable art, templates, and digital downloads for the tech-savvy.
eBay
- Electronics: From phones to laptops and everything in between.
- Fashion and accessories: Clothes, shoes, and bling for every style.
- Automotive parts: For all you car enthusiasts out there.
- Vintage items: A treasure trove of old-school electronics, fashion, and knick-knacks.
- Collectibles: Memorabilia, antiques, and more to satisfy your inner collector.
This is a quick and easy breakdown of what you’ll find on Etsy and eBay. Now let’s find out their differences.
eBay vs Etsy: What’s the difference?
| Particulars | eBay | Etsy |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy vs eBay: Seller Tools | eBay has in-built seller tools and facilities like Promotions Manager, Seller Hub, File Exchange, and more, along with more 3rd party tools. | Etsy sellers rely on third-party apps like Etsy on Sale, Backsty, Around.io, Wix, Google Trends, etc. |
| Etsy vs eBay: Fees | eBay charges two types of seller fees: – A selling fee levied on listing of an item and it depends on what you sell – Sales fees when the item is sold and the price is usually 10% of the product’s price |
Etsy nominally charges a fee of 0.20 US$ to publish a listing. Once the item is sold, a 5% transaction fee is levied on the sales price. A seller also has to pay PayPal processing fees, making the process expensive. |
| Etsy vs eBay: Ease Of Use | eBay is fairly easy to use. Almost anyone can sell on eBay, whether they have a new product or an old one. You need to create an eBay account to get started. | Etsy is super simple. All you have to do is create an account, set up a store name, stock your store, configure payment methods and other settings, and you’re good to go! |
| Etsy vs eBay: Customer Service | eBay not only allows customers to contact sellers with ease, but it also allows them to check a seller’s information before making a purchase. There are various toll-free numbers available where you can get help from both sellers and eBay teams. | Etsy has an Opt-in email feature but doesn’t allow email marketing without permission. However, Etsy has various customer forums and customer service options. |
| Etsy vs eBay: Reach | eBay has a global reach of 153.2 million to be precise (Statista). If you sell a product on eBay, you can sell it across the globe. A mass audience provides leverage to eBay. | Etsy, although niche, has a targeted audience of around 40 million. These are loyal customers interested in a certain type of product. However, the platform is expanding rapidly. |
| Etsy vs eBay: Reliability | Almost all kinds of sellers are scattered on eBay, many with fake or me-too products. So finding a genuine source for a buyer can be difficult. | Although Etsy is creative in its own sense, many products there are unreliable or copycat products. Buyers often find genuine sellers and stick to them for purchases. |
| Etsy vs eBay: Sustainability Focus | Encourages the buying and selling of used items, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste. eBay has various green initiatives to promote sustainable practices, including partnerships with eco-friendly organizations. | Etsy is committed to sustainability, offsetting 100% of carbon emissions from shipping and investing in renewable energy. Promotes handmade, vintage, and eco-friendly products, aligning with environmentally conscious buyers. |
| Etsy vs eBay: Return Policies | eBay allows sellers to set their own return policies, including no returns, returns accepted, or exchanges only. Protects buyers by ensuring they receive the item they ordered or get their money back. | Etsy sellers set their own return and refund policies, but Etsy encourages clear communication and fair practices. Offers purchase protection for buyers if items are not delivered as described or damaged in transit. |
Etsy vs eBay: An in-depth comparison
When comparing Etsy and eBay, it’s essential to explore their distinct features and benefits. Let’s dig deeper into the specifics to understand how each platform stands out for sellers and buyers.
Listing duration
How long can your products stay visible?
- Etsy: Your listings stay active for 4 months. After that, they’ll automatically renew (for a small fee) unless you say otherwise.
- eBay: Offers more flexibility. You can choose durations from 1-30 days, or opt for “Good ‘Til Cancelled” listings that renew monthly.
Quick tip: For seasonal items, eBay’s shorter durations might be more cost-effective. For evergreen products, Etsy’s longer listing period could save you time on renewals.
Winner: Etsy, for longer listing periods.
Mobile app functionality
Selling on-the-go? Let’s see how these platforms perform in your pocket.
- Etsy: User-friendly app allows you to manage listings, respond to customers, and even create new listings right from your phone.
- eBay: Robust app offering full selling capabilities, including scanning barcodes for quick listing creation.
Quick tip: Try both apps to see which interface you find more intuitive for your selling style.
Winner: It’s a tie! Both offer comprehensive mobile selling experiences.
Seller protection policies
Nobody likes disputes. How do these platforms have your back?
- Etsy: Offers a seller protection program covering you against fraudulent chargebacks on eligible orders.
- eBay: Provides extensive seller protections, including safeguards against unfair feedback and item not received claims.
Quick tip: Always read and follow the platform’s selling policies to ensure you’re eligible for these protections.
Winner: eBay, for its more comprehensive seller protection measures.
Seasonal promotions and events
How do these platforms help you capitalize on holiday rushes?
- Etsy: Runs site-wide sales events like cyber week. Sellers can participate in these events or create their own sales.
- eBay: Offers various promotional events throughout the year, plus tools for sellers to create their own seasonal promotions.
Quick tip: Plan your inventory and promotions around these events to maximize sales.
Winner: It’s a tie! Both platforms offer good seasonal promotional opportunities.
Marketing tools
Let’s see how these platforms help you get the word out!
- Etsy: Offers on-site and off-site advertising options. Etsy Ads allow you to promote listings within the platform, while offsite ads advertise on Google, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
- eBay: Provides promoted listings standard and advanced, eBay ads, and the promotions manager for sales and discounts.
Quick tip: Start with a small budget to test different ad types and see what works best for your products.
Winner: Etsy, for its more diverse and customizable marketing options.
Analytics
Knowledge is power. How do these platforms help you understand your business?
- Etsy: Provides Etsy stats with insights on views, favorites, and orders. Shop stats offer data on traffic sources and listing performance.
- eBay: Offers seller hub with detailed analytics on sales, traffic, and competitor pricing. Terapeak provides in-depth market research.
Quick tip: Regularly review your analytics to identify trends and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Winner: eBay, for its more comprehensive analytics and market research tools.
Design features
First impressions matter. How can you make your shop stand out?
- Etsy: Allows for a custom shop banner, profile picture, and about section. Limited customization beyond this.
- eBay: Offers more customization for eBay Stores, including custom categories, HTML design options, and featured items.
Quick tip: Keep your design consistent with your brand identity across all platforms.
Winner: eBay, for offering more extensive design customization options.
Scalability
Room to grow? Let’s see how these platforms support your business expansion.
- Etsy: Good for small to medium-sized businesses. Offers Etsy Plus for additional features but has limitations for high-volume sellers.
- eBay: Scales well for businesses of all sizes. Offers different store subscription levels with increasing benefits for larger operations.
Quick tip: Consider your long-term growth plans when choosing a platform. It’s easier to start small and scale up than to switch platforms later.
Winner: eBay, for its ability to accommodate businesses as they grow from small startups to large operations.
Overall winner
While both platforms have their strengths, eBay edges out as the overall winner in this Etsy vs eBay comparison.
Its broader reach, more flexible listing options, and comprehensive seller tools make it a versatile choice for many sellers.
However, Etsy remains an excellent option for handmade and vintage item sellers looking for a more niche, creative marketplace.
Remember, the best platform for you depends on your specific products, target audience, and business needs. Consider trying both to see which aligns better with your selling style and goals.
Etsy vs eBay: Some relevant stats for you
Etsy
- 96.48 million people purchased goods from Etsy in 2023.
- Etsy gross merchandise sales volume crossed 13 billion USD in 2024.
- Etsy’s annual marketplace revenue in 2023 is 2.74838 billion dollars.
- There are approx 9 million sellers on Etsy in 2023.
- The handmade category represents 85% of Etsy’s revenue.
eBay
- eBay’s annual marketplace revenue in 2013 was 10.112 billion dollars.
- The U.S. leads with 10.6 million eBay app downloads, and the UK follows with 2.5 million.
- It has 132 million active users as of 2023.
- As per a 2023 survey, eBay was listed as the 2nd most popular marketplace Worldwide.
- eBay garnered 81/100 on customer satisfaction in 2023 in a survey conducted by ASCI.
Etsy vs eBay: Which one will you choose?
Etsy vs eBay, which one is easier to sell on? Well both have a competitive advantage in their own way. Almost both the platforms are similar in their offerings and usage. However, what differs is the target audience. It is important to look at the target audience of each platform before settling for one.
As mentioned above, eBay is highly popular across the masses whereas Etsy is specifically targeted towards the niche audience that prefers handmade items from small creators. Both platforms have their own pros and cons.
Here’s a quick look:
Etsy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is easy to list products on Etsy; the process involves a few steps to complete the configuration, and you’re ready to start selling. | Etsy lacks official seller tools for promotion and sales; sellers must rely on multiple third-party apps for different features. |
| Etsy has a decent audience reach, providing exposure to potential buyers interested in unique products. | Relevance might be limited if your products are similar to those of other sellers on Etsy. |
| The platform’s targeted customer base offers the opportunity to build a loyal following. | High fees and multiple charges on sales can deter sellers; there is also a risk of copycats plagiarizing your products. |
| Etsy’s focus on handmade and unique items helps sellers stand out in a less saturated market. | Navigating Etsy’s search algorithm can be challenging for new sellers, affecting their visibility. |
| The platform supports creativity and craftsmanship, making it ideal for artisans and small-batch producers. | Etsy’s strict policies, particularly regarding handmade or vintage items, can lead to shop suspensions if guidelines are not met. |
eBay
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The biggest advantage of eBay is its large customer base, providing significant potential to reach a broad audience, especially in the US. | eBay favors buyers over sellers, so in case of conflicts, sellers may have to bear the consequences due to the platform’s bias towards buyers. |
| eBay is known for its safety and reliability, with years of brand recognition instilling trust among sellers. | Buyers may commit to purchases but back out at the last minute, making the selling process unreliable for sellers. |
| The platform offers robust analytics and marketing tools to help sellers optimize their listings and sales strategies. | The competitive nature of eBay can make it challenging for new sellers to stand out and establish a presence. |
| eBay’s global shipping program simplifies reaching international markets by handling the complexities of international shipping for sellers. | Frequent changes in eBay’s policies and algorithms require sellers to continuously adapt their strategies to maintain visibility and performance. |
Final pick – Your choice
Our recommendation to you would be to analyse the type of product you wish to sell and study both the marketplaces to figure out the best possible outcome. Will you be able to make more profit on Etsy due to the nature of your products? Then go for it!
Do you wish to reach the masses in order to sell as many products as you can? Then go for eBay! Understand the potential, gaps and opportunities in both the platforms to make a final decision.
Here’s a little help
As a brand that has helped sellers and marketers for decades, at Putler we’ve realised that any kind of selling requires a little extra effort. Analytical efforts to be precise. You can’t make marketing and sales decisions until you KNOW what’s happening with your store, right?
Advanced reporting helps sellers and companies understand their sales activities, audience behaviour and goals. Facts and figures give you an overview on how your business is faring and what you can do to make it better.
This feature is lacking in both the marketplaces- Etsy and eBay. While you have third party tools that help you sell. You won’t be able to find a tool that incorporates all your store activities, data, facts and figures into comprehensible data in a single dashboard and in the simplest form of charts.
Until you look at Putler.
FAQ’s
Who has less fees, Etsy or eBay?
Etsy generally has lower fees, with a $0.20 listing fee and 5% transaction fee. eBay has more complex fees with insertion fees and final value fees ranging from 10-12%, though Store subscribers get reduced fees. Both platforms charge payment processing fees.
What is the difference between selling on Etsy and eBay?
Etsy focuses on handmade, vintage, and craft items, attracting buyers for unique products. eBay is a general marketplace for new and used items. Etsy has a boutique feel with fixed-price listings, while eBay offers auctions, fixed-price, and a broader reach.
Is it easier to sell on Etsy or eBay?
Etsy is easier for beginners selling handmade or vintage items due to its straightforward setup and less competition. eBay offers more features and is better for mainstream products but has a steeper learning curve. The ease of selling depends on your products and audience.
Can you sell the same items on Etsy and eBay?
Yes, but consider each platform’s rules. Etsy allows handmade, vintage (20+ years), and craft supplies. Mass-produced items are generally not allowed on Etsy. Tailor your listings to fit each platform’s audience and style.
Which platform is better for handmade items, Etsy or eBay?
Etsy is better for handmade items, as it’s designed for unique and vintage products. The platform’s focus aligns well with handmade sellers who can reach buyers willing to pay premium prices. eBay’s handmade category is less prominent and can get overshadowed by mass-produced items.