If you’re into crafting, collecting, or selling handmade items, chances are you know about Etsy.

With more than 96 million buyers, Etsy is the ideal place for entrepreneurs to start an ecommerce business.

But Etsy has its limits. It controls your customer data and doesn’t offer much flexibility in how your store looks or interacts with customers. As your business grows, you might find yourself looking for other options.

For those exploring new platforms or considering creating their own online store, here are some alternatives to Etsy that might better suit your needs.

Online store Etsy alternatives

This list is divided into two parts: platforms for building your own website, and marketplaces for those seeking a different place to sell their products.

Website-building Etsy alternatives

Sellers looking for alternatives to Etsy often do so because of its tight rules. For instance, Etsy controls all your data, which makes it tough to send custom emails or create targeted ads. And unless it’s vintage or craft supplies, reselling is a no-go.

Due to these limits, many crafters choose to build their own online stores. With the best website builders, you can create an ecommerce site that includes sales tools, marketing channels, and other features to boost your income.

→ Click Here to Launch Your Online Business with Shopify

1. Shopify

Shopify is the best alternative for crafters looking to transition from Etsy and expand their business. Shopify’s all-in-one platform makes it simple to switch, whether you’re selling online, at pop-up events, in a physical store, or through social media.

Unlike marketplaces, Shopify gives you a full set of tools, including a point-of-sale system with Shopify POS, merchant loans through Shopify Capital, and options for local delivery and fulfillment.

The platform is user-friendly, with loads of templates to make customizing your store simple. And when you use Shopify with a custom domain, you fully own your store and your customer list.

Note: You can also use both Shopify and Etsy together with an integration app from the Shopify app store.

2. Big Cartel

Big Cartel is a store builder designed for merchants selling art, handmade crafts, or other creative products online. It comes with simple templates you can adjust to match your brand. You can also use your own domain name and access some basic marketing tools.

You can choose to start with a free plan or pay a monthly fee based on how many items you’re selling. Customers can shop directly from your site and reach out to you through a contact form.

3. Squarespace

Squarespace is another platform where makers can sell online by building their own store. It comes with easy-to-use templates and drag-and-drop tools that work well for beginners. If you’re switching from Etsy, Squarespace lets you bring over your site so your listing URLs stay the same.

For Etsy sellers, Squarespace offers tools for managing inventory and integrating social media. With advanced pricing plans, you can also offer gift cards and subscription products directly through your site.

4. Wix

Wix is a website builder that helps you set up an online store and even move your Etsy shop over. It comes with templates and an easy drag-and-drop editor, so you can design a site that matches your brand.

Wix lets you set up discounts, track orders, and take payments via credit card or PayPal. You can also adjust shipping and tax settings based on location. Pricing plans are tiered monthly, and there’s a community hub where you can find answers and tips.

5. Ecwid

Ecwid is a handy tool for adding online shopping to your own site and any other places where you connect with customers. It lets people shop and buy your products right where they already hang out online.

Let’s say you’re an artist with a portfolio on a platform that works with Ecwid. You can easily add a Buy button to let fans purchase your work directly.

If you don’t have a website yet, you’ll need to use a website builder to get one going. And if you plan to sell on both Etsy and Ecwid, you’ll need a paid plan that covers the number of products you want to list.

6. IndieMade

IndieMade is another platform for artists and art dealers who want more than what Etsy offers. It lets you build a basic online store and also gives you tools to set up an event calendar, a personal blog, a news section, and an image gallery.

Its inventory management syncs with your Etsy store. But, like Etsy, it doesn’t give you much room to customize product variations, which can be a hassle if you’re adding more items to your shop.

Online marketplace Etsy alternatives

If you’re looking for an Etsy alternative but still want to use a third-party marketplace, check out the following platforms.

Selling on different marketplaces can help you reach more people. Each marketplace has its own crowd, so trying out a new one might introduce your products to a whole new audience.

Being on multiple marketplaces also spreads out your risk. If one site changes its rules or algorithms, it won’t hit your business as hard since you’ll still have other places driving traffic to your store.

7. Goimagine

Goimagine is a marketplace where artisans and crafters can list their handmade products and set up online shops.

To sell on Goimagine, your items need to be made by you using hand tools or light machinery. If your products fit the bill, you can list them and manage everything from sales to inventory through the site’s dashboard.

Once you’re approved, you can use their dashboard to check sales, track orders, and manage inventory. If you’re coming over from Etsy, you can bring your products by emailing a CSV file to their support team.

8. Amazon Handmade

Amazon isn’t the first place that comes to mind for handmade or unique items, but it does have a marketplace dedicated to them. Amazon Handmade lets artisans set up shop on the site to sell their creations.

One of the perks of Amazon Handmade is that you can use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for shipping, so you don’t have to worry about handling that yourself. Plus, your listings don’t expire, and you get access to Amazon’s analytics and sponsored ads to help boost sales.

But keep in mind, the costs can add up. Amazon takes a 15% cut of each sale, and there’s also a monthly fee to consider. And like Etsy, Amazon controls the customer relationship, which can make it difficult to expand into other sales channels.

9. Bonanza

Bonanza is an Etsy alternative for selling handmade crafts, arts, and collectibles. It allows you to create an online store and sell directly to consumers.

You can list items on Bonanza for free, and you only pay a fee when something sells. It’s easy to import your listings from Etsy and set up automated listings on Google Shopping, eBay, and more.

One thing to note: Bonanza lets buyers and sellers negotiate, so consider that when setting your prices.

10. Storenvy

Storenvy is a social marketplace geared toward indie brands. You can sell anything from offbeat jewelry to housewares on its platform. Storenvy also has good sales activity for books, recorded music, beauty items, and tech products.

Storenvy is unique compared to other Etsy alternatives—it offers a free online store hosted on its platform along with access to a commission-based marketplace. This means you can sell both independently and tap into the audience Storenvy attracts to its marketplace.

Etsy is just the beginning for your business

Etsy’s great for crafty entrepreneurs just starting out, but it does have its limits. A lot of Shopify sellers began on Etsy and then decided to keep their Etsy shop while also building a Shopify store. That way, they could reach more customers and boost sales.

You don’t have to ditch Etsy to explore other options. Growing beyond Etsy just means your business is doing well and ready for bigger things.

Etsy alternatives FAQ

Is Shopify the same as Etsy?

Shopify is a fully featured commerce platform that lets you sell online and in person. Compared to Etsy, Shopify gives you your own custom website and domain, meaning you fully own your store and customer list. Plus, it comes with tools to help you market and grow your business.

What is the best alternative to Etsy?

Shopify is the best Etsy alternative for entrepreneurs, artists, and craftspeople. Shopify gives you more control over your website, has no listing fees, and offers the ability to sell unlimited products.

Is selling on Etsy worth it?

Etsy makes it easy to reach buyers. However, selling on Etsy means giving up control over your customer data, which limits your ability to fully brand and market your business.