Etsy changed the game for independent creators. For a long time, it was the only logical place to launch a handmade brand or test a new product idea. It brought millions of buyers to one spot and made it easy for anyone to set up shop. But if you are reading this in 2026, you already know the landscape has shifted.
The platform that once felt like a community craft fair has evolved into a massive, algorithm-driven marketplace. While the traffic is still there, so are the rising fees, the intense competition, and the unpredictable policy changes that can upend an Etsy business overnight.
Many sellers are realizing that relying on a single channel is a vulnerability. Whether you are looking to escape the fees, build a standalone brand, or simply diversify your income streams, looking for Etsy alternatives is the smartest move you can make this year.
This isn’t about bashing Etsy; it’s about business maturity. Finding the best alternatives to Etsy depends entirely on what you sell and how you want to grow. Whether you are looking to sell handmade items, scale a dropshipping business, or find the best platform to sell digital products, there is likely a platform that aligns better with your margins and goals.
The migration away from Etsy usually starts with the math. When you add up the listing fees, transaction fees, payment processing costs, and mandatory off-site ads for high-volume sellers, the cost of selling stuff on Etsy can be higher than expected. For sellers working with thin margins — like those running a pod for Etsy model — these costs eat directly into profitability.
Beyond the financials, there is the issue of ownership. On a marketplace, you don’t own the customer relationship. You are renting access to their audience. This limits your ability to run effective etsy marketing campaigns, build an email list, or create a retention strategy. If Etsy changes its search algorithm, your traffic can disappear, and you have no way to contact your past buyers.
Then there is the saturation. The influx of mass-produced items masquerading as handmade goods has made it difficult for genuine artisans to stand out. If you are trying to build a unique brand, competing against thousands of dropshipping with Etsy listings can feel like a losing battle. Moving to — or adding — a new platform allows you to reclaim control over your brand narrative.
The ecommerce landscape in 2026 is vast. We have broken down the top platforms by their strengths, fees, and best-use cases.
If your priority is volume, Amazon Handmade is the only marketplace that can rival Etsy’s traffic. It is a dedicated section within Amazon restricted to artisans. The trade-off is clear: you get access to Amazon’s massive customer base — millions of Prime members ready to buy — but you have to play by their strict rules.
For an Amazon Handmade seller, credibility is the main asset. Unlike the general marketplace, you must pass an application process to prove your products are genuinely modified or made by you. This audit helps keep the category cleaner than the rest of Amazon.
The fee structure is different here. Amazon typically waives the monthly professional selling fee for approved Handmade artisans, but they take a significantly higher referral fee (often around 15%) on every sale. While this is steep, you have to view it as a marketing cost. You aren’t paying for listings, and you don’t have to drive your own traffic. If you have winning products that just need visibility, Amazon Handmade can deliver sales volume that independent sites cannot match.
Shopify is not a marketplace; it is a tool to make your own store. If you want to build a brand that has equity and value, this is the industry standard. You control the design, the domain, and most importantly, the customer data.
This is the best option for scaling. Whether you are selling print on demand products via a Shopify POD app or holding your own inventory, Shopify’s ecosystem of apps allows you to add any feature you need — from email marketing to loyalty programs. It connects seamlessly with digital dropshipping suppliers and fulfillment centers.
The pricing model favors growth. You pay a monthly subscription (starting around $39), but the transaction fees are minimal compared to marketplaces, especially if you use Shopify Payments. As your revenue grows, your costs as a percentage of sales actually go down. If you want to set up a Shopify store, you are betting on yourself to drive traffic, but you get to keep the long-term rewards.
Wix has moved far beyond being a basic website builder. It is now a fully capable ecommerce platform that appeals to sellers who prioritize visuals over technical customization. If you are an artist or designer, Wix allows you to build a portfolio that doubles as a store without touching a line of code.
It is particularly strong for selling digital products. The interface for managing downloads and files is intuitive, making it a strong contender for the best platform for selling digital products for creatives.
Wix does not charge listing fees. You pay a monthly subscription for the platform and standard processing rates for transactions. For those who find Shopify too technical or “retail-focused,” Wix offers a softer, design-first approach to build your own store online.
eBay is often overlooked by the “aesthetic” crowd, but it remains a powerhouse for specific niches. It is one of the best alternatives to Etsy for vintage sellers, supplies, and collectibles. The audience here is vast and knows exactly how to search for specific items.
The auction format is a unique feature that Etsy lacks. If you have rare or one-of-a-kind handmade items, an auction can sometimes drive the final price much higher than a fixed listing.
For a dropshipping business, eBay provides a structured environment with massive reach, provided you can meet their shipping standards. Fees in 2026 are generally comparable to Etsy’s total costs (around 13% + fixed fees), but the organic traffic for second-hand and vintage goods is superior.
If your brand image is premium and minimalist, Squarespace is the answer. It is widely considered the best platform for creatives who want a website that looks like an art gallery.
Squarespace is excellent if you want to create and sell digital products alongside physical ones. Their tools for selling services, scheduling appointments, and managing memberships are built right in. It feels less like a chaotic marketplace and more like a high-end boutique.
Transaction fees depend on your plan. The basic business plan usually carries a small transaction fee, but upgrading to a commerce plan removes it. If you want to escape the cluttered look of an Etsy store and present a polished, professional face to the world, Squarespace is a strong choice.
Gumroad is the darling of the creator economy for a reason. It is arguably the best Etsy alternative because it removes all the friction. If you sell PDFs, brushes, software, or courses, Gumroad is the fastest way to get them online.
There is typically no monthly fee to start; they just take a flat percentage of your sales. This makes it risk-free for testing trending products. Gumroad also acts as a light marketplace, helping recommend your products to buyers who have purchased similar items.
It handles the VAT and tax compliance for digital goods automatically, which is a massive headache saver for anyone selling globally. For digital dropshipping or content creators, it is the most efficient path to revenue.
Bonanza describes itself as a seller-centric marketplace. It focuses on “everything but the ordinary” and has built a reputation for being easier to work with than the giants.
A major advantage is the import tool. You can pull your listings directly from Etsy, eBay, or Amazon, making it an easy addition to a multichannel strategy. You don’t have to rebuild your inventory from scratch.
Bonanza’s fees are generally lower than Etsy’s. They also offer a unique advertising model where you can opt-in to pay higher commission rates in exchange for Google Shopping exposure. This gives you control over your visibility without complicated ad managers.
Depop is where the Gen Z audience shops. It functions like a hybrid of Instagram and a marketplace. If you sell vintage fashion, upcycled clothing, or trendy accessories, this is where your customers are hanging out.
Success here depends on your content. The photos need to be styled and “on trend.” It is less about SEO keywords and more about the visual vibe.
In 2026, Depop remains the leader for sustainable fashion. While fees are standard (around 10%), the engagement is high. It is not the right place for a generic POD platform store, but for unique fashion, it is unbeatable.
Ko-fi started as a way to accept donations but has quietly built a fantastic shop feature. It allows creators to sell physical and digital items directly to their fans with 0% listing fees.
If you have a social media following, this is often better than a traditional marketplace. It feels personal and low-pressure. You can sell commissions or exclusive downloads easily. It is a strong platform to sell digital products for artists who want to keep 100% of their sales (if they pay for the Gold membership).
For artists who want to monetize their art without handling logistics, Redbubble is the leading POD platform. You upload the design, and they handle the printing, shipping, and customer service.
The margins are lower than doing it yourself, but the volume potential is high. In 2026, Redbubble’s tiered account system helps separate serious artists from spam accounts, giving better visibility to quality designs. It is the perfect place to test print on demand products before launching a dedicated store.
Goimagine is the ethical alternative. They donate 100% of their profits to charity, which is a powerful selling point for socially conscious buyers.
They maintain a strict “handmade only” policy. You generally have to be based in the US and prove your production process. This protects you from competing against mass-produced dropshipping with Etsy inventory. The fees are reasonable, and the community is supportive.
Big Cartel is designed specifically for makers and bands. It keeps things simple. You don’t pay listing fees. Instead, you pay a flat monthly subscription based on the number of products you have.
This model is excellent for high-volume sellers because your costs don’t increase with your sales. It offers enough customization to make your own store look unique without the complexity of Shopify.
Not every platform will suit every seller. Your ideal choice depends on your product type, business model, and growth goals.
If you’re focused on digital products to sell on Etsy — like templates, courses, or art prints — you may benefit from platforms like Gumroad, Shopify, or Ko-fi. For physical products like handmade jewelry or POD products, consider Shopify POD integrations or platforms like Redbubble.
Some sellers are ready to scale and need the tools offered by Shopify or Amazon Handmade. Others prefer simplicity or community-based selling — where platforms like Ko-fi or Big Cartel shine. Align the platform’s features with how you want to build your online retail presence.
Marketplaces like eBay, Amazon Handmade, or Depop offer built-in traffic. But if branding is your priority, building your own Shopify store may be more effective long-term. Think about whether you want to grow independently or tap into an existing audience.
For creators who aren’t technically inclined, platforms like Wix or Gumroad offer easier setup and management. But always factor in transaction fees, marketing support, and customization when choosing the best platform to sell digital products or handmade goods.
The most successful sellers in 2026 don’t choose just one. They are everywhere.
Relying on one platform is risky. If your account is suspended or fees rise, your income stops. A multichannel strategy involves having your own “home base” (like a Shopify store) while listing your products on marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon to capture their traffic.
You can use inventory sync tools to ensure you don’t sell the same item twice. This allows you to acquire customers on high-traffic marketplaces and then funnel them to your own site for repeat purchases. It is the best way to secure your dropshipping business or brand for the long haul.
Leaving or expanding beyond Etsy feels like a significant leap, but it is a necessary step for business maturity. The “safe” option of staying on one platform is actually the riskiest choice in a changing economy.
Whether you choose the massive traffic potential of Amazon Handmade, the complete autonomy of a Shopify store, or the community vibe of Goimagine, the goal is the same: to build a resilient, profitable business that you control.
Take a hard look at your numbers. Evaluate your capacity for marketing. Then, pick one Etsy alternative to test this quarter. The ecommerce world of 2026 is vast — don’t limit yourself to just one corner of it. Happy selling!
