If you want to sell crafts online or are looking to start an eCommerce business, there are many best-selling platforms for handmade products available.
You’ve probably heard of Etsy Canada and the drawbacks of using the platform, such as the high fees and changing algorithms.
If you’re looking for an alternative, many selling sites like Etsy have a range of features and price points.
This article details the 11 best online stores similar to Etsy. Find out the pros and cons, how the site works, and the main features of each.
Best Sites Like Etsy
Here are the 11 best online stores similar to Etsy:
1. Shopify
Shopify is an eCommerce platform that allows anyone to set up an online store to sell their products. It is a quick way to launch your business and start selling immediately.
How Does It Work?
Merchants can set up and customize an online store to sell products in multiple places, both online and in person.
It is completely cloud-based and hosted, so if you have both an online and physical store, your inventory and stock will be synced so you can manage it from one place.
Top Features
- Customizable templates for your store
- Tools to sell in multiple places, both online and in-person
- Integrated payment processing
- SEO and marketing tools
Fees
Shopify has a free trial where you only pay $1 monthly for 3 months on select plans. You can also try Shopify for three days for free without a credit card. After that, you can choose from five different pricing plans:
- Shopify Starter: $7/month
- Basic: $38/month
- Shopify: $99/month
- Advanced: $389/month
- Shopify Plus: starts at $2,000/month
What Can You Sell?
You can sell a range of products and services on Shopify, such as physical products, digital products, memberships, ticketed experiences, and classes and lessons.
Who Is It Best For?
Shopify is great for stores that sell physical and digital products requiring very little configuration. It’s perfect if you want to build a scalable online store.
Pros
- Run your business from anywhere, as long as you’re online
- Detailed back-end of your store with analytics
- Many customization options
- Many different plans available, with ranging features and prices
Cons
- There can be a steep learning curve when figuring out how to use Shopify and building a profitable store
- Pricing can be confusing, as there are five different tiers
- The built-in blog software isn’t very effective or detailed
2. Amazon Handmade Canada
Amazon Handmade Canada is an artisan-only community on Amazon where artists and crafters can sell their unique, one-of-a-kind handcrafted goods online.
This business model is different from other ways of selling on Amazon.
How Does It Work?
To join, you need to apply to become an artisan. Once approved, you’ll create a Seller Central account and complete registration, then leverage programs to list your products and manage and grow your business.
Top Features
- Custom URL for your profile, making it easy for customers to find your shop
- You can get a Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) badge on your listings
- Sponsored ads
- Sell on all three North American Amazon stores
Fees
You pay a $29.99 upfront fee when you’re approved for the program, and Amazon takes a 15% referral fee every time you make a sale.
What Can You Sell?
You can sell all kinds of handmade items, including artwork, jewelry, pet supplies, and baby products.
However, everything must be handmade, hand-altered, or hand-assembled. No mass-produced products are allowed on the marketplace.
Who Is It Best For?
Amazon Handmade Canada is best for people who make and sell handmade products and don’t mind the 15% fee.
Pros
- Only genuinely good handcrafted goods are allowed on the site, as there is an artisan application and audit process
- No fees for listing products and creating your shop
- High sales volume and traffic
- All fulfillment is done by Amazon
Cons
- 15% fee on every item sold
- High competition, as there are over 2.5 million sellers on Amazon
- Some specific policies and procedures can be tough on small business owners
3. Ruby Lane
Specializing in antiques, collectibles, dolls, fine art, furniture, jewelry, vintage fashion, and more, Ruby Lane is an e-commerce site like Etsy but cheaper.
It is perfect for anyone passionate about collecting vintage and antique items.
How Does It Work?
To sell on Ruby Lane, you set up a shop, list items, and sell.
You must be pre-screened by an in-house team of art and antique professionals and meet their standards before selling anything on the platform.
You can sell items in an auction format like eBay or at a set price.
Top Features
- One-of-a-kind products not available anywhere else
- High standards for quality
Fees
There are no setup or listing fees. Instead, there is a $25/month maintenance fee (unless you sell 15 or more items during the month) and a 9.9% service fee on every order total, capped at $250.
What Can You Sell?
You can sell high-quality antiques, collectibles, vintage furniture, fashion and art, antique collectible dolls, and handcrafted artisan jewelry.
Who Is It Best For?
Ruby Lane is best for those who sell vintage or antique items and want to sell to that specific audience.
Pros
- No setup or listing fees
- High standard for quality inventory and service
- Vetted sellers
Cons
- High service fees of almost 10%
- Significantly less traffic than websites like Etsy and eBay
- Not the most user-friendly website
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4. iCraft Gifts
iCraft Gifts is an online marketplace with the highest quality handmade jewelry, hand-knitted products, home decor items, and more from independent artists and crafters.
How Does It Work?
To sell on iCraft Gifts, you’ll open a store (add a description, customizable banner, etc.), choose a subscription package, set up your store policies, and start selling.
Top Features
- Only unique handmade products are available
- No listing fees – keep all of your profits
- Connect social feeds to your store
Fees
There is a one-time registration fee of $25. After that, choose your subscription package – either pay monthly ($15/month), for 6 months ($12/month), or for 12 months ($10/month).
The subscription includes unlimited listings, interchangeable products, and a free or discounted domain.
What Can You Sell?
You can sell handmade items such as jewelry, home decor, clothing, crafts, bath & body, and toys.
Who Is It Best For?
iCraft Gifts is one of the best-selling platforms for handmade art, crafts, and fashion creations. It’s perfect for those who make anything handmade, not mass-produced.
Pros
- Handmade items only, with no resellers
- No commission on sales
- No listing fees
Cons
- iCraft Gifts doesn’t allow art supplies, mass-produced items, or vintage products to be sold as Etsy does
- Restrictions for the sale of items – they must be handmade
- The site’s customer base is in the market for specific things only, so you may not get a lot of traffic to your store
5. Big Cartel
Big Cartel is one of the only free eCommerce builders made for artists, makers, and small brands. It is a viable Etsy alternative.
How Does It Work?
You are provided with all the tools you need to get your business up and running, including a storefront where you can showcase the goods you are selling. Add your products, set up your checkout with PayPal or Stripe, and customize your shop.
Top Features
- Easy store setup
- Inventory tracking
- Custom domain
Fees
There are no fees or percentages taken for each sale. Instead, choose from three monthly plans:
- 5 products – free
- 50 products – $9.99/month
- 500 products – $19.99/month
What Can You Sell?
You can sell handmade goods like paintings, jewelry, woodwork, handmade soap, and candles.
Who Is It Best For?
Big Cartel is best for small businesses just starting out rather than looking for major growth.
Pros
- User-friendly onboarding process with helpful tips on how to set up your store
- Perfect for artists selling individual pieces
- Budget-friendly plans
Cons
- Very basic with minimal features
- Minimal customization
- Coding knowledge is necessary to move your store beyond the basics
6. eBay
eBay is one of the biggest global commerce platforms, connecting millions of buyers and sellers. Best known for its auctions and consumer-to-consumer sales, it is used in nearly every country.
How Does It Work?
To start an eCommerce business using eBay, you’ll set up an eBay shop, which enables you to display all your merchandise in one place.
eBay works by listing an item, adding photos, and choosing the price and shipping options.
The buyers can bid on it or select “Buy It Now.” Once the buyer has paid for the item, the seller ships it.
Top Features
- Huge, competitive platform with millions of buyers
- Instant trust – the majority of people trust eBay because it is popular and widely known
- You have the option to put items for auction to get a higher price
Fees
There are no setup or monthly fees. A percentage is taken from the total sale + $0.30 per order based on the selling price.
Your first 250 listings per month are free, but after that, you’ll need to pay $0.30 per listing.
What Can You Sell?
You can sell almost anything on eBay except for a few prohibited items.
Antiques, jewelry, clothing, books, electronics, and sporting goods are commonly sold.
Who Is It Best For?
eBay is best for anyone who wants to sell their products quickly without building an online store.
Pros
- Lots of traffic, with over 164 million active buyers
- Easy to gain repeat customers
- Seller protection
- Simple to get started
Cons
- Very competitive, as many of the same products are sold by other people
- The marketplace fees may not be worth it if you’re selling low-priced items
- You don’t have much control over your eBay shop, as eBay owns it
7. IndieMade
IndieMade is a website builder made to create an artist’s website with a store, blog, galleries, and more. It has all the tools an artist needs to make and market a website.
How Does It Work?
You set up your website, select a theme, set up your store, set shipping rates, and add products.
You can start selling right away, and you also have the option to write blog posts.
Top Features
- Web store
- Blog
- Easy-to-add web pages
- Custom domain
Fees
You get a 30-day free trial with no setup fees. Choose from 4 monthly plans:
- Basic – $4.95/month
- Standard – $12.95/month
- Pro – $14.95/month
- Plus – $19.95/month
What Can You Sell?
You can sell a wide range of physical products, digital goods, and services.
Who Is It Best For?
IndieMade is best for anyone who wants to talk about their work, share photos, or create a storefront to sell products.
It’s for crafters, artisans, photographers, musicians, performers, or any kind of micro-entrepreneur.
Pros
- After signing up, your website is ready. All you need to do is select a theme and upload your content
- Simple, clean, professional-looking websites
- Everything is integrated, including a blog
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Paypal is the only payment option
- People will not stumble across your site like Etsy – you need to bring the traffic
8. Storenvy
Storenvy is an Etsy alternative. This online store builder and social marketplace allows store owners, makers, and artists to open a free, customizable online store.
It’s home to emerging brands and inspired goods.
How Does It Work?
You can easily design and launch a professional, customized store in just a few minutes. You can promote your business with the Storenvy Marketplace, which works like a social network for shopping.
To get started, set up and customize your store, list your products, and add details like shipping and item costs.
Connect a domain name to your custom store, and you can start selling.
Top Features
- A Marketplace store where millions of customers can see your products
- Quick and easy storefront design
- Built-in analytics
Fees
There are no listing fees, but you can choose from one of four monthly plans:
- Free – list up to 20 products
- Artisan – $9.99/month, list up to 100 products
- Growth plan – $24.99/month, list up to 500 products
- Professional plan – $49.99/month, list up to 5000 products
If your product is sold from their Marketplace, Storenvy takes a 15% fee.
What Can You Sell?
You can sell almost anything except for a list of prohibited products.
Clothing, jewelry, art, home decor, music, and health and beauty products are commonly sold on Storenvy.
Who Is It Best For?
Storenvy is a great platform for small brands and authentic goods. It’s perfect for people just starting their business.
Pros
- No technical skills or coding required
- 20 product listings for free
- Marketplace helps you sell by putting your products in the face of the customers
- Easy to use and set up
Cons
- Shipping costs are not calculated for you
- A 15% fee is taken from anything you sell using their Marketplace
- Not as large a marketplace as websites like Etsy and eBay
9. Zazzle
Zazzle is an online marketplace for designers and customers to create their own products with independent manufacturers, such as clothing and posters.
Every item is custom-made with one-of-a-kind designs.
How Does It Work?
As a creator, you can sell your artwork on products in the marketplace with the Zazzle Creator Program.
As a Maker, you can manufacture physical products and sell them through the Zazzle Maker Platform.
Zazzle allows you to upload your art and use it on everything from T-shirts to tote bags. It takes care of the manufacturing, inventory, shipping, and customer service.
Top Features
- A wide variety of products are available
- Easy-to-use interface
- Affiliate marketing program
Fees
It’s free to sign up. Designers pay 30% of their revenue to the site and a shipping services fee.
What Can You Sell?
As a creator, you can create any design as long as you own the copyrights to the images and content and do not violate Zazzle’s guidelines.
Who Is It Best For?
Zazzle is best for those who want to design and sell customized products.
Pros
- You can set your own royalty rate
- Low barrier to entry
Cons
- Quality of products may not be consistent
- Limited options for store customization
10. Bonanza
Bonanza is an online shopping platform that connects buyers and sellers from all over the world.
It combines a marketplace and web store, with each seller listing their items for sale, just like eBay.
How Does It Work?
Each seller lists their items for sale, and buyers purchase directly from them.
Bonanza does not produce or ship any inventory. Set up your online store (called a “booth”), add your payment and shipping details, and list your products to get started selling.
Top Features
- Automatic eBay, Amazon, and Shopify inventory import or sync
- Customized marketing campaign tools
- Web stores are automatically built from your marketplace account
Fees
There are no listing or monthly fees. When you sell an item, you pay a base 3.5% fee.
If you are a part of the Advertising Program, you will pay a commission fee.
What Can You Sell?
You can sell almost anything on Bonanza, such as clothing, health & beauty items, home decor, and jewelry.
Who Is It Best For?
Bonanza is best if you’re just starting your business and want to list items for a low fee.
Pros
- Low fees
- Easy-to-use import features for eBay, Etsy, and Amazon listings
- Listings are automatically sent to Bing and Google Shopping, allowing sellers to have more exposure
Cons
- Limited customization
- Not many monthly users
- Large sites like Etsy have a superior item inventory compared to Bonanza
11. Ecwid
Ecwid is an online store builder where you can set up catalogues of products and add photos, pricing, and weight for each item.
You can set up your Ecwid store to sync and sell across a website, social media, in-person, and more.
How Does It Work?
With Ecwid, you get a widget to place on other sites or social media profiles to display your store.
You can sell online, through social media, or in person, and Ecwid will sync your orders and inventory so you can eliminate manual tracking errors.
Top Features
- POS features to sell in physical locations as well as online
- SEO optimization features
- You can use Ecwid with other platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix
Fees
You can choose from one of four monthly plans:
- Free plan – $0/month, sell up to 10 products
- Venture – $12.50/month billed annually or $15 month-to-month, sell up to 100 products
- Business – $29.17/month billed annually or $35 month-to-month, sell up to 2500 products
- Unlimited – $82.50/month billed annually or $99 month-to-month, sell unlimited products
What Can You Sell?
You can sell almost anything on Ecwid, as it is software that connects to your online store. Physical products, digital goods, and services are all included.
Who Is It Best For?
Ecwid is best for small to medium-sized businesses that are just getting started selling online.
Pros
- Add eCommerce to any existing website
- POS functionality available
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Phone support is only available on the most expensive plans
- Very basic SEO features
- A limited number of apps and integrations included in the Ecwid app store
What Are the Best Alternatives to Selling on Etsy?
There are a few different and often free Etsy alternatives depending on your needs.
Shopify is good for vendors who want an easy way to build and manage a robust, independent store.
It includes many features and benefits, which is why many people choose to use it.
Amazon Handmade is also another great craft site like Etsy. Although the fees are quite high, it is the largest online marketplace, and there is huge potential for people to see your products.
Amazon has 300 million active customers, while Etsy has only 35 Million.
Etsy Alternatives FAQs
There is not only one big competitor to Etsy. However, the two biggest competitors with the most similarities to Etsy are Amazon Handmade and Shopify.
Amazon Handmade is the best place to sell handmade products, as they have lower fees and are the biggest online marketplace in the world. They don’t change their algorithm as often as Etsy, and there is an application process to ensure you’re making the products you plan to sell.
Etsy has a USD $0.20 listing fee and several other fees, while Shopify has different pricing plans and no listing fees. Shopify has higher costs upfront but may be a better alternative to Etsy as it will become more expensive as you list more items.
Conclusion
There are many sites like Etsy for jewelry, clothing, handmade items, and much more.
Not all of them have the same features and pricing, so it’s important that you choose the best one for you.
If you’re just starting your business, Shopify or Big Cartel might work for you, or if you make one-of-a-kind handmade items, Amazon Handmade might be the best.
It all depends on your needs, budget, and business structure.
Related:
As a Storenvy seller, You might want to update the hobbyist plan aka the free plan, it was 20 items to sell but they made changes of it in November where you can now sell up to 1000 items on the free plan.
@William: Thanks for your comment. I could not find this information as their website only mentions up to 20 items for the free plan: https://www.storenvy.com/open-a-store