Etsy vs Amazon Handmade: Fee Comparison for 2026

Fee Comparison Table

Worked Example: Selling a $30 Item

Let's see exactly how much you take home from a $30 sale on each platform (assuming free shipping, no ads).

On a $30 item you keep $1.20 more on Etsy than on Amazon Handmade. The gap widens on higher-priced items and narrows on cheaper ones because of Etsy's flat per-item fees.

When Etsy Is Better

• Lower overall fees. At roughly 12-13% total, Etsy takes less per sale than Amazon Handmade's 15%, especially on items priced above $15.
• Built-in handmade audience. Etsy's 90+ million buyers specifically come looking for handmade and unique goods. You don't have to compete with mass-produced products for attention.
• Easier to get started. No application process, no approval wait. You can open a shop and list products the same day.
• Shop branding and customization. Etsy gives you a dedicated shop page with banner images, an about section, and shop policies that let you build a brand identity.
• Lower-cost items. For items under $15-20, Etsy's percentage-based fees are meaningfully lower, even after adding the flat listing and processing fees.

When Amazon Handmade Is Better

• Massive built-in traffic. Amazon has hundreds of millions of active shoppers. Your handmade products appear alongside everything else on the world's largest marketplace.
• Prime shipping trust. If you use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Seller-Fulfilled Prime, your items get the Prime badge, which dramatically increases buyer confidence and conversion rates.
• Simpler fee structure. One flat 15% referral fee covers everything, including payment processing. No surprise per-listing or per-transaction charges.
• Higher-value orders. Amazon shoppers tend to spend more per order. If your average order value is high, the extra 2-3% in fees can be offset by higher sales volume.
• No listing fees. You can list unlimited products for free, which is ideal if you have a large catalog.

Can You Sell on Both?

Yes, and many successful makers do. Neither Etsy nor Amazon Handmade requires exclusivity, so you can list the same products on both platforms to maximize your reach.

The key is to adjust your pricing for each platform's fee structure. Since Amazon Handmade takes a higher percentage, you may want to price items slightly higher there to maintain the same profit margin. Alternatively, some sellers keep prices identical and accept a slightly lower margin on Amazon in exchange for the higher traffic.

Use both of our calculators to find the right listing price for each marketplace:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Etsy or Amazon Handmade cheaper for sellers?

For most items, Etsy's combined fees (about 12-13%) are lower than Amazon Handmade's flat 15% referral fee. However, Etsy's $0.20 listing fee and $0.25 flat processing fee hit harder on very cheap items, so the gap narrows below roughly $10.

Can I sell on both Etsy and Amazon Handmade at the same time?

Yes. Many handmade sellers list products on both platforms. There is no exclusivity requirement on either marketplace. Just make sure your pricing accounts for each platform's different fee structure so you maintain healthy margins on both.

Does Amazon Handmade charge a monthly subscription fee?

No. Amazon waives the $39.99/month Professional selling plan fee for approved Handmade artisans. You only pay the 15% referral fee when an item sells.

What is Etsy's total fee percentage in 2026?

Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee, a 6.5% transaction fee, and a payment processing fee of 3% plus $0.25 per order. Combined, that works out to roughly 12-13% of your sale price depending on the item price and shipping.

Which platform has more traffic for handmade products?

Amazon has far more total shoppers, but Etsy's audience is specifically looking for handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. Amazon Handmade gives you access to hundreds of millions of Prime members, while Etsy has around 90 million active buyers who are already in a handmade-shopping mindset.

Do I need to apply to sell on Amazon Handmade?

Yes. Amazon Handmade requires an artisan application where you describe your process and prove your products are genuinely handmade. Etsy has a simpler signup process with no formal application, though they also require items to be handmade, vintage, or craft supplies.