Quick answer
- Etsy: built-in traffic, but ~6.5% transaction fee + listing + processing + possible offsite ad fees.
- Shopify: monthly plan, you keep more per sale, your brand, and your customer list, but you bring the traffic.
- Best strategy: use Etsy for discovery, Shopify as your home base.
Fees compared
| Fee | Etsy | Shopify (Basic) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | None (optional Etsy Plus) | $29/mo yearly |
| Listing fee | $0.20 per listing (renews every 4 months or on sale) | None |
| Transaction fee | 6.5% of item + shipping | None with Shopify Payments |
| Payment processing | ~3% + $0.25 (US) | 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Ads fee | Offsite Ads fee on attributed sales | You choose your ads |
Worked example: $2,000/month in sales
On Etsy, transaction and processing fees alone come to roughly $190+ a month before listing fees and any offsite ad fees. On Shopify Basic, you'd pay the plan plus about $70 in processing at that volume (depending on order count). As you grow, the gap widens in Shopify's favor.
Traffic
Etsy's biggest advantage is its marketplace: shoppers come to Etsy already looking for handmade gifts. On Shopify, you drive traffic yourself through social, search, email and ads. That's harder at first but builds an asset you own. See how to get your first Shopify sale.
Branding and customer ownership
On Etsy, you're one shop among many, with limited branding, and Etsy's rules limit how you can market to buyers. On Shopify, your brand is front and center, and you build an email list you can market to forever.
Using Etsy and Shopify together
- Keep your Etsy shop for discovery.
- Launch a Shopify store as your brand home.
- Sync inventory with an app to avoid overselling.
- Grow your email list and social following, and send repeat buyers to Shopify.
Launch your own Shopify store (opens in a new tab)
Our verdict
Etsy is a fantastic place to start and test products. Shopify is where you build a brand you own and keep more of every sale. Our advice: don't choose. Use Etsy for reach and Shopify as home base.
Try Shopify free (opens in a new tab)Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify cheaper than Etsy?
Once you have steady sales, usually yes. Etsy takes a percentage of every sale plus listing and processing fees, while Shopify charges a flat monthly fee plus processing.
Can I connect Etsy to Shopify?
Yes. Apps can sync products and inventory between Shopify and Etsy, so you can sell on both without overselling.
Should beginners start on Etsy or Shopify?
Etsy is a quick way to test demand. If you can bring your own audience through social media, starting on Shopify builds a more valuable long-term business.