Shopify vs Etsy: Which is Better in 2023?

Which is better for your business in 2023: Shopify or Etsy? That's a question that a lot of business owners are asking themselves lately. Both platforms have their pros and cons, but which one is the best option for you?

In this blog post, we're going to break down the key differences between Shopify and Etsy and help you figure out which platform is the right fit for your business.

Which is better: Shopify or Etsy?

Which eCommerce platform is better for your business: Shopify or Etsy? If you can’t decide which one to choose, then our Shopify vs Etsy comparison is for you!

We’ll go over the key differences of each platform, so you can decide which one is the best fit for your business.

Etsy: An Overview

Etsy is an online marketplace that allows people to sell handmade or vintage items, as well as craft supplies. It’s a great platform for artists and crafters who want to sell their wares online.

Shopify: An Overview

Shopify is an eCommerce platform that allows businesses of all sizes to create an online store. It’s a great option for businesses that want to have complete control over their online store and need more customization options than what Etsy offers.  

Now that we’ve given you a brief overview of each platform, let’s dive into the key differences between Shopify and Etsy.

Key Differences Between Shopify and Etsy

1. Ownership

The biggest difference between Shopify and Etsy is who owns the store. With Shopify, you own your store and all of its contents. This means that you can do whatever you want with your store, including selling whatever products you want, setting your own prices, etc.

Etsy, on the other hand, owns your store. This means that they have the final say in what goes on in your store and can make changes at any time. For example, Etsy can change the fees they charge you, or they can change the rules of what can and can’t be sold on their platform.

2. Pricing

Shopify and Etsy have different pricing structures. Shopify has a monthly subscription fee that starts at $29/month. In addition to this, you will also need to pay for things like your domain name, apps, and other add-ons.

Etsy has a listing fee of $0.20 per item, and a transaction fee of 3.5% of the sale price. You will also need to pay for shipping costs.

3. Transaction Fees

Another key difference between Shopify and Etsy is the transaction fees they charge. Shopify charges a 2% transaction fee on all sales made through their platform. Etsy, on the other hand, charges a 3.5% transaction fee.

4. Customization

Shopify offers more customization options than Etsy. With Shopify, you can choose from a variety of themes and customize your store to match your brand. You can also add apps and plugins to extend the functionality of your store.

Etsy allows you to customize your shop banner and avatar, as well as add a few sections to your shop homepage. However, you can’t make major changes to the overall look and feel of your store.

5. Payment Options

Shopify gives you the option to use a variety of different payment processors, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net. Etsy only allows you to use PayPal or direct checkout.

6. Shipping Options

Shopify offers more shipping options than Etsy. With Shopify, you can offer free shipping, flat rate shipping, or real-time shipping rates from USPS, UPS, or Canada Post. Etsy only offers flat rate shipping and real-time shipping rates from USPS.

7. Support

Shopify and Etsy offer different levels of support. Shopify has 24/7 phone and live chat support, as well as email support. Etsy only offers email support.

Is Shopify or Etsy more popular than BigCommerce?

Is Shopify or Etsy a more popular choice than BigCommerce? According to data from BuiltWith, Shopify is the most popular platform, with over 1.7 million live websites using it. Etsy is a close second, with just over 1 million live websites. BigCommerce is less popular than both Shopify and Etsy, with about 500,000 live websites.

So there you have it: a full Shopify vs Etsy overview! Now it’s your turn to choose which one of these platforms matches your business needs the most. 

Updated: 03 March, 2023