Thinking about selling your products online but not sure where to set up shop?
🎯 Selling on Etsy vs. Amazon: Which One Pays More?
Most people start by weighing two of the giants: Etsy vs. Amazon. Both sound great on paper — huge audiences, built-in search traffic, and the chance to make real money from your crafts, printables, or physical products.
But which one actually puts more cash in your bank?
Let’s break it down.
🛍️ Fees That Cut Into Your Profits
Etsy:
- $0.20 listing fee per item
- 6.5% transaction fee
- Plus payment processing fees
Amazon (Individual Seller Account):
- $0.99 per item sold
- 15% referral fee (on average)
- Additional fees for Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) or special categories
🧮 Bottom Line: Etsy tends to have lower fees per item, especially for lower-priced products or digital downloads. But if you’re selling high-volume or higher-ticket items, Amazon might come out ahead — if you’re strategic.
📦 Control Over Your Brand
Etsy lets you customize your storefront, use your own branding, and speak directly to your niche. It’s a marketplace built for handmade, vintage, and unique goods — and people expect a more personal feel.
Amazon gives you almost no room for branding unless you sign up for Brand Registry. Your listing is just one among many, and you’re always competing on price.
If you’re selling a creative product (like a printable, planner, or DIY kit), Etsy gives you more freedom to shine.
🚀 Built-In Traffic vs. Marketing Hustle
Both platforms have MASSIVE reach — but it works differently:
- Etsy shoppers are usually looking for unique, niche items
- Amazon shoppers are searching for fast delivery and competitive prices
If your product solves a very specific problem or is highly giftable (like a printable budgeting planner), Etsy’s audience will respond more emotionally.
On Amazon, it’s all about keywords and competition — and your product has to survive the search results. And believe me that is tough, you can hire someone to do all that for you – but, then you have to weigh that in the mix to find out if you’re making money.
🧾 What Sells Best on Each Platform?
| Platform | Best For |
|---|---|
| Etsy | Handmade items, printables, planners, digital downloads, customized gifts |
| Amazon | Physical products, bulk sales, home essentials, and reselling |
So if you’re thinking of selling things like:
- Printables
- Planners
- Chore charts
- Meal organizers
…you’re better off on Etsy or your own site (using a platform like Pagewheel).
💡 Tip: You Don’t Have to Choose Just One
Many sellers list products on both — or start with Etsy to test the market and later move to Amazon for scale.
Or even better: list on both, then sell directly from your own site to keep all the profit (and email leads!).
🛒 Want to Start Selling Digital Products?
Check out the YouTube Launchpad for help promoting your products via short-form video — even if you don’t love being on camera.
Or try the Side Hustles For Busy People guide to get ideas flowing.
Final Thoughts
Etsy may win for creative people who want to keep more control and reach a loyal, niche audience. Amazon wins on scale — but it comes with bigger fees and tougher competition.
If you’re selling printables, guides, or products under $20 — Etsy is usually where you’ll see better margins, faster.
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