The Best Etsy Alternatives for Your Creative Business
Etsy has long been the go-to platform for creators and small businesses looking to buy and sell handmade or vintage items, art, and supplies. It’s a vibrant marketplace where unique stories are shared through millions of items from around the world. However, as businesses grow and needs evolve, many entrepreneurs find themselves searching for a robust Etsy alternative that offers different features, pricing structures, or a wider reach. Whether you're seeking more control, lower fees, or a different audience, there are numerous excellent platforms to consider.
Top Etsy Alternatives
If you're looking to expand beyond Etsy or simply want to explore other options for selling your crafts, vintage finds, or unique products, here’s a curated list of top alternatives, each offering distinct advantages for different business models.
Amazon
Amazon is a massive online shopping website with an extensive selection that goes far beyond handmade items. While not exclusively for crafts, Amazon offers a vast customer base and can be a powerful Etsy alternative for sellers looking for high volume. It's available as a Free web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, iPad, and Apple Watch platform, featuring a comprehensive online shop and e-commerce capabilities. For handmade sellers, Amazon Handmade provides a dedicated section similar to Etsy.
eBay
eBay is a classic online auction and retail website where you can buy and sell almost anything, including electronics, clothing, collectibles, and even handmade goods. As a Freemium platform available on Web, Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows RT, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Kindle Fire, eBay offers unique features like bidding, a traditional online shop, e-commerce, and user-generated content, making it a flexible Etsy alternative for various product types.
OpenBazaar
OpenBazaar is an open-source project focused on creating a decentralized network for online commerce using Bitcoin. This Free and Open Source platform, available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, is a unique Etsy alternative for those prioritizing anonymity, no fees, and censorship resistance. Its features include cryptocurrency support, Bitcoin acceptance, decentralized e-commerce, peer-to-peer trading, and user-generated content, offering a truly independent selling experience.
PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a powerful open-source e-commerce free software used by nearly 200,000 online stores worldwide. This platform, available for Free, Open Source on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, and Self-Hosted via PHP, is an excellent Etsy alternative for those who want full control over their online store. It offers comprehensive e-commerce features, inventory management, support for multiple currencies and languages, multi-store capabilities, and a robust online shop.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free and open-source e-commerce toolkit that transforms any WordPress website into a comprehensive online store. As a Free, Open Source, and Self-Hosted WordPress plugin, it's a fantastic Etsy alternative for those already using WordPress or looking to build a highly customizable, integrated store. Key features include deep WordPress integration, e-commerce functionality, multiple language support, and seamless PayPal and Stripe integration.
Shopify
Shopify is a leading commercial e-commerce platform that allows you to easily create and manage an online store. As a Commercial, $$$ Web-based platform, Shopify is a popular Etsy alternative for those seeking an all-in-one solution with strong support and scalability. It provides an easy-to-use online store builder, fully customizable designs, a secure shopping cart, PayPal integration, cloud computing, and custom templates for a professional online presence.
Magento
Magento is a powerful open-source e-commerce software platform known for its flexibility and scalability, ideal for growing businesses. Available as Free Personal and Open Source on Linux, Web, and Self-Hosted, Magento is a robust Etsy alternative for those requiring extensive customization and multi-store capabilities. Its features include highly flexible customizations, e-commerce functionality, multi-store support, and PayPal integration.
Thirty Bees
Thirty Bees is an open-source e-commerce software designed for optimal performance and stability. As a Free, Open Source, Web, Self-Hosted, and Cloudways platform, it serves as an excellent Etsy alternative, particularly for merchants prioritizing speed and a bug-free experience. Features include multi-store support, an intuitive interface, mobile optimization, order tracking, warehouse management, compatibility with PrestaShop modules, CSV import, lightweight design, multiple language support, multiple vendor support, online shop functionality, and both PayPal and Stripe support.
Saleor
Saleor is a GraphQL-first e-commerce platform known for its modern architecture and beautiful design. This Free, Open Source, Self-Hosted platform (built with Django and GraphQL) is an ideal Etsy alternative for developers and businesses looking for a PWA-ready solution with headless e-commerce capabilities. Its core features include Django and GraphQL integration, making it highly flexible and extensible.
Needora
Needora offers a unique marketplace experience where customers post what they need, and sellers then offer their products, allowing buyers to get the best price. As a Free web platform, Needora is a distinctive Etsy alternative for those who prefer a demand-driven selling model.
Choosing the right Etsy alternative depends heavily on your specific business needs, technical comfort, desired level of control, and budget. Each platform offers unique benefits, from broad market reach to deep customization options. Explore these alternatives to find the best fit for your creative business and thrive in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape.