Etsy vs. eBay - Which Online Marketplace Platform Is Better

Deciding between Etsy vs. eBay can feel like choosing between two entirely different worlds of e-commerce. With over 96 million buyers on Etsy and 138 million active users on eBay globally, these platforms dominate the online selling space. But which one truly suits your business goals? Let's explore their strengths and differences.

Etsy vs. eBay - An Overview of Some of the Best Online Selling Platforms

When you decide to start an e-commerce business, you'll have to think about many things. However, one of the most important decisions is where you'll promote your items. Of course, you should pick the platforms that suit your business needs the most. So, let's check out the two most popular ones.

Etsy, Where Crafty Handmade and Vintage Items Flourish 

Etsy is often dubbed the "marketplace for artisans." Launched in 2005, it has become a hub for resellers specializing in handmade, vintage, or niche items. Its appeal lies in its highly engaged community of buyers who seek unique, high-quality goods. To get a bigger picture, this platform receives an average of 377.4 million monthly visitors.

eBay Is a Place Where Everything Sells 

Unlike Etsy's artisan niche, eBay dominates as a multichannel listing software platform for everything under the sun. From electronics and clothing to collectibles and household items, eBay's vast scope ensures a wide-reaching customer base. As a result, the platform has more than 1.2 billion monthly visits.

Who Is Shopping Where?

Whether you open an Etsy shop or an eBay one should mainly depend on who your audience is. Of course, if you see that the audiences overlap, you can always use trustworthy cross-posting software and crosspost your items on both platforms. 

Etsy's Audience

Nearly 90% of buyers here are women, many of whom are millennials and Gen Z shoppers drawn to the charm of sustainability and handmade treasures. These buyers aren't just looking for products - they're also seeking stories. In other words, unique tales that make each item feel personal and purposeful. 

For them, shopping isn't just a transaction but a connection, a way to align their values with their purchases while supporting craftsmanship and individuality. However, if you're a beginner, it's normal you still don't have an audience. Watch the video below for some tips on what to do instead.

eBay's Audience

eBay's audience spans a broader demographic, including a noteworthy share of male buyers, making it a haven for both casual shoppers hunting for deals and niche collectors chasing rare finds. Whether it's a one-of-a-kind collectible or a competitive auction, eBay's appeal lies in its sheer variety (pretty much like the Facebook Marketplace is). 

This difference in audience makes it a versatile platform - ideal for resellers looking to scale up and reach diverse buyers, while Etsy caters to those with a specific creative niche seeking a more curated crowd.

eBay Fees vs. Etsy Fees - The Costs a Reseller Has to Cover on Each Platform

Now that you have figured out that reselling is actually profitable and have a clear reselling business idea, it's time to explore the fees you'll encounter on these platforms. There are some costs you need to cover, whether you're a part- or full-time reseller. After all, fees are a dealbreaker for many resellers. Let's break down eBay vs. Etsy fees for UK sellers. Here are the Etsy fees:

• Listing fee - £0.15 per item, renewed every four months,
• Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the total sale price (including shipping),
• Payment Processing Fee: 4% + £0.20 per transaction for UK sellers.

Of course, you need to check out the eBay fees. You'll be paying:

• Listing Fee - Free for up to 1,000 items per month; after that, £0.35 per item,
• Final Value Fee - 12.8% + £0.30 per transaction for most categories (including shipping),
• Promoted Listing Fees - Optional and based on ad performance.

What Sells Best Where?

The type of product you resell plays a critical role in determining the better multi-vendor marketplace platform for you. Etsy is the ideal marketplace for resellers offering handmade creations, vintage goods, art, and craft supplies. The platform thrives on its curated, niche aesthetic, attracting buyers who value originality and craftsmanship. For instance, if you're a jewelry maker, a vintage clothing seller, or an artist creating custom pieces, Etsy provides the perfect environment to showcase and sell your work.

On the other hand, eBay excels in versatility, making it a go-to platform for selling collectibles, electronics, fashion, and bulk items. Its broad product range caters to buyers seeking everything from rare antiques to the latest gadgets. eBay's auction feature is particularly advantageous for items with fluctuating or high demand, such as rare sports memorabilia or limited-edition sneakers, as it allows sellers to maximize profits through competitive bidding. This can be extremely handy, especially when using software to sell on both eBay and Depop.

Why Not Both? Crossposting With Zipsale Makes It Easy

Both marketplaces have unique strengths, making them excellent choices for resellers with a wide range of goods. Whether you're drawn to Etsy's artisan appeal or eBay's global reach, why limit yourself to one platform when you can use help from a crossposting app?

That's when Zipsale steps in, a leading crosslisting software, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. This powerful selling software simplifies the process of managing inventory across multiple platforms, helping you save time, reduce errors, and increase sales. Sign up with Zipsale today and experience the power of streamlined crossposting.