Choosing between Shopify and Etsy can be quite challenging because you have to consider a variety of factors while making a smart choice between these platforms. However, this process can be made easier by reading this thorough guide about Shopify vs. Etsy.

In this article, you will get to know the differences between Shopify and Etsy.

Etsy Vs. Shopify

When it comes to Etsy vs. Shopify, almost everything is different on these platforms. However, the end goal of both of these platforms is to help you in creating and managing e-commerce platforms. You can choose the best platform for you by determining your own company requirements and knowing the differences between Shopify and Etsy.

Overview of Shopify Vs. Etsy

1. In terms of the functionalities, the primary function of Shopify is to help you create a standalone online store, while Etsy is a marketplace that helps you in selling a variety of products.
2. Etsy is well-known by a large number of users, while Shopify lets you build your own online store and promote it.
3. You can only get limited control over your store in Etsy, while Shopify provides you absolute control.
4. The customization options on Etsy are extremely limited, while Shopify stores are customizable to a great extent.
5. Users have paid a number of listing and additional charges on Etsy, while Shopify is a subscription-based platform.

Shopify vs. Etsy: Business Model

The very core business model of Shopify and Etsy is quite different from each other. Etsy is a marketplace that allows sellers to set their online stores and sell a variety of products. On the other hand, Shopify is a platform that allows users to develop their own customized e-commerce store.

The concept of marketplaces is similar to any physical market in which a large number of sellers come together to sell their products. According to official statistics, there are more than 3.5 million sellers on Etsy. On the other hand, Shopify is powering more than 800k stores on a global level. It means that both of these platforms are being used by a large number of people.

Shopify vs. Etsy: Popularity

In terms of the reach and popularity of Shopify and Etsy, it is quite evident that Etsy is much more popular than Shopify. Even if a large number of users are familiar with both Shopify and Etsy, the majority of the people are using Etsy because they can provide much more exposure to your business and products. In 2020 alone, Etsy reported that more than 70 million customers were active on the platform.

However, it does not mean that Etsy is the only suitable option for you to reach a wider audience. In fact, you can use Shopify to build an online store and then implement various marketing strategies to promote your products and companies.

Shopify vs. Etsy: Domain

Since Etsy is an online marketplace, it does not provide much control over the domain and customization options to the users. It is an online platform that allows you to showcase and sell your products. As a result, all of the important functions are controlled by Etsy, and you cannot customize them as per your own requirements.

On the other hand, Shopify provides you with complete control over your online store because you will be building a web store with absolute ownership of the store. On Etsy, you will not be getting a domain with the name of your store. In comparison, Shopify will provide an online store with your personal domain.

Shopify vs. Etsy: Payment

Shopify and Etsy have very different payment systems. In Etsy, you will be paying a number of fees while selling the products on the marketplace. These charges include transaction fees, shipping fees, advertising fees, and other such charges. At first, these fees are quite minimal, but they keep increasing with the growth of your business.

Shopify has a completely different business model because it functions as a subscription-based platform. It provides several different packages to fulfill the requirements of different types and scales of businesses. The basic pricing plan is enough to fulfill the needs of beginners. However, other packages are also available to provide more functionalities to run a complex online business.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that discussing Shopify vs. Etsy is highly useful to ensure you are making the right choice in terms of choosing the best e-commerce platform for your business. However, the final decision is completely dependent on your company’s requirements, budget, and type of products that you want to sell online.