When sellers ask me which marketplace is better for their business, the conversation always circles back to the same two names: Etsy and eBay.
Both platforms sit right behind Amazon in popularity, yet they attract completely different types of sellers and buyers. This makes the decision genuinely difficult, especially when you are just starting out or looking to expand your reach.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Etsy vs eBay. From fees and seller tools to audience reach and scalability, we cover the factors that actually matter when choosing where to sell your products.
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.
eBay
- 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: 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: Updated fee breakdown for 2025
Understanding the true cost of selling on each platform requires looking beyond the headline numbers. Both Etsy and eBay have multiple fee layers that add up quickly. Here is a detailed breakdown of current fees on both platforms.
Etsy Fees (2025)
Mandatory fees:
- Listing fee: $0.20 per item. Charged when you publish or renew a listing. Listings expire after 4 months.
- Transaction fee: 6.5% of the total sale price. This includes item price, shipping, and gift wrapping.
- Payment processing fee (US): 3% + $0.25 per transaction through Etsy Payments.
- Payment processing fee (UK): 4% + £0.20 per transaction.
- Payment processing fee (EU): 4% + €0.30 per transaction.
- Regulatory operating fee: 0.29% to 2.27% for sellers in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, India, and Turkey.
- Currency conversion fee: 2.5% if your listing currency differs from your payment account currency.
Optional fees:
- Etsy Plus subscription: $10 per month. Includes advanced customization, restock notifications, and listing credits.
- Etsy Ads (onsite): Pay-per-click. You set your daily budget.
- Offsite Ads: 12% fee for shops earning over $10,000 annually (mandatory). 15% for shops under $10,000 (optional).
- Pattern website: $15 per month for a standalone website connected to your Etsy shop.
Example calculation for a $50 item with $5 shipping (US seller):
- Listing fee: $0.20
- Transaction fee (6.5% of $55): $3.58
- Payment processing (3% of $55 + $0.25): $1.90
- Total Etsy fees: $5.68
- Net revenue: $49.32
eBay Fees (2025)
Mandatory fees:
- Insertion fee: $0.35 per listing. First 250 listings are free per month for most sellers.
- Final value fee: 10% to 15%, depending on category. Most categories charge 13.25% + $0.30 per order.
- Final value fee on shipping: Same percentage as item fee. Charged for shipping cost as well.
- International fee: Additional 1.65% for sales to international buyers.
- Payment processing: Included in final value fee. No separate charge.
Category-specific final value fees:
- Books, DVDs, Music: 14.95%
- Clothing and accessories: 12.9%
- Electronics: 12.9%
- Collectibles: 12.9%
- Jewelry and watches: 15%
- Musical instruments: 12.9%
- Sporting goods: 12.9%
- Business and industrial: 12.9%
eBay Store subscription options:
- Starter Store: $4.95 per month. 250 free listings. Lower final value fees on some categories.
- Basic Store: $21.95 per month. 1,000 free listings. Additional fee discounts.
- Premium Store: $59.95 per month. 10,000 free listings. Lowest final value fees.
- Anchor Store: $299.95 per month. 25,000 free listings. Best rates for high-volume sellers.
- Enterprise Store: $2,999.95 per month. Custom solutions for very large operations.
Example calculation for a $50 item with $5 shipping (most categories):
- Insertion fee: $0.00 (within free allocation)
- Final value fee (13.25% of $55): $7.29
- Per order fee: $0.30
- Total eBay fees: $7.59
- Net revenue: $47.41
Fee Comparison Summary
- Lower fees for low-volume sellers: Etsy wins. The combination of lower transaction percentage and free insertion fees (within limits) makes Etsy more economical for sellers moving fewer than 250 items monthly.
- Lower fees for high-volume sellers: eBay wins with store subscriptions. Premium and Anchor store subscribers get significantly reduced final value fees that offset subscription costs.
- Digital products: Etsy wins. No shipping fees mean higher margins, and Etsy’s fee structure remains the same regardless of product type.
- High-value items: eBay wins. The percentage-based fees become more favorable on eBay for items priced above $100, especially with store subscription discounts.
- International selling: Etsy wins. eBay’s additional 1.65% international fee adds up for global sellers.
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: A 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 to increase sales or create their own offers.
- 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 off-site 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: Check out these Etsy analytics tools to track performance metrics beyond what the native Etsy dashboard offers.
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.
Understanding SEO and search algorithms
Visibility on either platform depends heavily on how well you understand and optimize for their search algorithms. Both Etsy and eBay use different ranking factors, and mastering these can significantly impact your sales.
Etsy’s search algorithm
Etsy’s algorithm prioritizes relevancy and listing quality. It matches buyer searches with your titles, tags, categories, and attributes. In 2024, Etsy also began factoring in description keywords, making your entire listing text important for discoverability.
Key ranking factors on Etsy include:
- Query matching: How closely your keywords align with buyer searches.
- Listing quality score: Based on clicks, favorites, purchases, and time spent on your listing.
- Recency: New listings receive a temporary boost to test their performance.
- Shipping price: Listings with US shipping under $6 are prioritized in search results.
- Customer reviews: Positive feedback improves your shop’s credibility and ranking.
eBay’s search algorithm
eBay’s Best Match algorithm focuses on buyer satisfaction and seller performance. Unlike Etsy, eBay places greater emphasis on seller metrics and pricing competitiveness.
Key ranking factors on eBay include:
- Item specifics: Detailed attributes help eBay categorize and display your listings accurately.
- Seller performance: Shipping speed, defect rate, and customer service ratings affect visibility.
- Competitive pricing: Products priced competitively within their category rank higher.
- Listing format: Fixed-price listings often outperform auctions in search results.
- Free shipping: Offerings with free shipping tend to receive better placement.
High visibility does not always translate to conversions. If your listings are getting traffic but not sales, the issue likely lies in your pricing, photos, or product descriptions.
Winner: Etsy, for a more transparent and creator-friendly algorithm that rewards quality content and engagement.
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’s gross merchandise sales volume crossed 13 billion USD in 2024.
- Etsy’s annual marketplace revenue in 2023 is 2.74838 billion dollars.
- There are approximately 9 million sellers on Etsy in 2023.
- The handmade category represents 85% of Etsy’s revenue.
eBay
- eBay’s annual marketplace revenue in 2023 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 all 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. |
Selling on Both Platforms: A Multichannel Approach
Choosing between Etsy and eBay does not have to be an either/or decision. Many successful sellers operate on both platforms simultaneously to maximize reach and reduce risk.
Benefits of multichannel selling
- Expanded audience: eBay’s 133 million buyers and Etsy’s 96 million buyers represent different demographics. Listing on both means reaching customers who might never visit the other platform.
- Risk diversification: Relying on a single platform is risky. Account suspensions, policy changes, or algorithm updates can devastate your income overnight. Having presence on multiple channels provides a safety net.
- Product flexibility: Some items may sell better on one platform than the other. Testing both helps you identify where each product performs best.
Managing inventory across platforms
The biggest challenge with multichannel selling is inventory management. Selling the same item on both platforms creates the risk of overselling if you do not update stock immediately after a sale.
Several tools can help automate this process:
- Nembol: Official partner of both Etsy and eBay since 2015. Offers automatic inventory sync and bulk listing capabilities.
- 3Dsellers: Connects eBay and Etsy stores with real-time inventory synchronization and customer service management.
- Sellbrite: Multi-channel listing tool that supports Amazon, Walmart, Etsy, and eBay from a single dashboard.
Things you can do once you set up multichannel selling
- Create product listings once and publish to both platforms with a single click.
- Automatically adjust stock levels when sales occur on either channel.
- Test different pricing strategies on each platform to optimize profit margins.
- Tailor product descriptions and images to match each platform’s audience expectations.
- Consolidate order management and customer communications in one interface.
Some sellers take diversification even further by running multiple Etsy shops, each targeting a different niche or product category. This approach can help you test markets and reduce dependency on any single storefront.
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 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 of how your business is faring and what you can do to make it better.
This feature is lacking in both marketplaces- Etsy and eBay. At the same time, 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 fewer 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.