Shopify vs Etsy: Which is Better to Sell Online?

Selling products online is an incredibly viable business. But to achieve that, you need an outlet, a good eCommerce store, for which you will need to choose an eCommerce development platform. Or do you? Two outstanding platforms for selling products online are Shopify and Etsy.

While Shopify can help create high-quality eCommerce websites, Etsy is a marketplace where you can sell handmade, vintage, and unique items to a ready-made audience.

Through this blog, I’ll explain how the eCommerce experts choose Shopify vs Etsy and which one is better. Let’s begin.

Shopify vs Etsy: Comparison Table

Factor	Shopify	Etsy
Platform Type	eCommerce Platform	Online Marketplace
Control	Full control over store design and functionality	Limited control over store design and functionality
Target Audience	Wide range of businesses, from small startups to established brands	Sellers of handmade, vintage, and unique items
Pricing	Monthly subscription fees, transaction fees, and additional costs for themes, apps, and payment processing	Listing fees, transaction fees, and optional subscription fees for additional features
Customization	High level of customization through themes, apps, and coding	Limited customization options
Customer Support	24/7 customer support	Limited customer support, often relying on community forums and help centers
Ideal for	Businesses seeking full control over their online store and advanced features	Sellers of handmade, vintage, and unique items who want to reach a specific niche market

If you’re unsure about which platform is the best fit for your business, you’re not alone. Many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle with this decision. Choosing the wrong platform can lead to wasted time, money, and missed opportunities.

So next, we’ll cover the overviews of these two key tools.

Overview of Shopify

Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform that empowers businesses to create, customize, and manage their online stores. It offers a wide range of features and tools to help you sell your products online and in person.

Key features and benefits of Shopify

• User-friendly interface: Easy to use, even for beginners.   
• Customizable themes: Design your store to match your brand identity.   
• App store: Expand your store’s functionality with thousands of apps.   
• Payment processing: Accept payments from various sources.   
• Marketing tools: Promote your products and attract customers.   
• Inventory management: Keep track of your stock levels.   
• Shipping and fulfillment: Manage shipping and fulfillment processes.   
• Customer support: 24/7 customer support available.

With its comprehensive features and flexible pricing plans, Shopify can help you take your online business to the next level.

Overview of Etsy

Etsy is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell unique, handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. It’s a platform that values creativity and individuality, connecting sellers with millions of buyers around the world.

Key features and benefits of Etsy

• Global marketplace: Reach a vast audience of potential buyers.
• Easy-to-use interface: Simple to set up and manage your shop.
• Low barriers to entry: Start selling with minimal upfront costs.
• Community-driven platform: Connect with other sellers and buyers.
• Built-in marketing tools: Promote your products and attract customers.
• Secure payment processing: Safe and reliable transactions.
• Customer support: Assistance with any questions or issues.

Etsy provides a supportive community and a platform to connect with buyers who appreciate one-of-a-kind items.

If you need an idea on which platform would be more suitable for the store, opt for our professional eCommerce development services.

Which has the Better Design? Shopify or Etsy?

Shopify offers a high degree of design flexibility. You can customize your store’s theme, layout, and branding to match your unique vision. This allows you to create a professional and visually appealing online store.   

Etsy, on the other hand, has a more standardized design aesthetic. While you can customize your shop’s banner, logo, and product images, the overall layout and feel are consistent with the platform’s branding.

This can be both a benefit and a drawback, as it provides a familiar shopping experience for customers but limits your ability to create a truly unique online presence.

Verdict

Ultimately, the better design is what you and your customers prefer. If the preference is more customization and branding control, Shopify is the clear winner. But if you want a simple, minimalist design and comfortable aesthetics, Etsy would be a good fit.

Which is Easier to Set Up? Shopify or Etsy?

Shopify requires more setup effort. You’ll need to choose a theme, customize your store’s design, set up payment gateways, and configure shipping settings. However, Shopify provides a user-friendly interface and helpful resources to guide you through the process.

Etsy, on the other hand, is generally easier to set up. It’s a pre-built marketplace, so you don’t need to worry about designing a website or setting up complex payment gateways. You simply create a seller account, list your products, and start selling.

Verdict

While Shopify offers more flexibility and control, Etsy is a quicker and simpler option for those who want to start selling quickly without much technical expertise.

Which is More Cost Effective? Shopify or Etsy?

The most cost-effective platform between Shopify and Etsy depends on two key factors: the upfront cost and transaction fees.

Upfront Cost

• Shopify: Starts from $29 per month. For those looking for more features and customization, there are more advanced plans available.
• Etsy: With Etsy, there’s a listing fee of $0.2 per listing.

Transaction Fees

• Shopify: The transaction fees for Shopify starts from 2% for the basic plan and goes as low as 0.6% for the advanced plan.
• Etsy: With Etsy, there is a transaction fee of 6.5% per transaction.

Verdict

If you are a low-volume seller of unique items, Etsy would be more cost-effective due to its free basic plan and lower upfront costs. But if you are a high-volume seller, the lower transaction fees of Shopify makes it a better option.

Which has Better Marketing Tools? Shopify or Etsy?

Shopify provides a robust suite of marketing tools, including:   

• SEO: Control over meta descriptions, title tags, and URL structure.   
• Email Marketing: Built-in email marketing tools to send promotional emails and newsletters.   
• Social Media Integration: Easily share products on social media platforms.   
• Discount Codes: Create and manage discount codes to attract customers.   
• Gift Cards: Offer gift cards to boost sales.   
• Analytics: Detailed analytics to track website traffic, sales, and customer behavior.   

Etsy, on the other hand, offers limited marketing tools. While it provides some basic tools like Etsy Ads and social media integration, it doesn’t offer the same level of customization and control as Shopify.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a platform with powerful marketing tools to help you grow your business, Shopify is the clear winner.

Which Platform Offers Better Support? Shopify or Etsy?

Shopify provides 24/7 customer support through various channels, including phone, email, and live chat. They have a dedicated support team that can assist with a wide range of issues, from technical problems to account management.

Additionally, Shopify offers a comprehensive knowledge base and community forums where users can find answers to common questions and troubleshooting tips.

On the flip side, Etsy also offers customer support, but it’s typically not as responsive or comprehensive as Shopify’s. While they do provide support through email and phone, response times can vary, and the level of support may not always be as helpful as needed.

Verdict

While Etsy’s community-based support can be helpful, Shopify’s dedicated support team and 24/7 availability often provide more timely and effective assistance. So Shopify is better.

Need more info and advice on which platform would be more suitable for your store? Then opt for our eCommerce consultation services.

---

FAQs on Shopify vs Etsy

---

So Which is Better? Shopify or Etsy?

The “better” platform between Shopify and Etsy depends on your specific business needs and goals.

Shopify is ideal for those who want full control over their online store, a wide range of customization options, and advanced marketing tools. And Etsy, on the other hand, offers a built-in audience and a simpler setup process with less customization and marketing flexibility compared to Shopify.

Ultimately, if you are selling a variety of products, from physical goods to digital downloads. But Etsy is a great choice for sellers of handmade, vintage, and unique items.

If you need help with setting up an online store, connect with us today!