Etsy and Shopify are the most preferred ecommerce platforms among new handmade sellers. Both give tools to run an online store. Their fee structures work very differently, and those differences change your profit.
You need clear numbers on fees and sales volume. This article breaks down Etsy vs Shopify fees so you can pick the best fit for your shop and goals.
(Read our Complete Etsy Fees Breakdown for a deeper look at every Etsy charge.)
Fee Structure Comparison Table
| Fee Type | Etsy | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fees | $0.20 per item (renewed every 4 months) | None |
| Transaction Fees | 6.5% per sale | None (when using Shopify Payments) |
| Payment Processing Fees | ~6% + $0.30 per transaction | 2.9% + $0.30 (Shopify Payments) |
| Subscription Fees | None (Etsy Standard), $10/month (Etsy Plus) | $29–$39/month (Basic Plan) |
| Additional Fees | Optional Ads, Offsite Ads (12–15%) | Premium themes, apps, and marketing tools |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-sale | Monthly subscription |
Etsy charges fees on each sale. Shopify charges a monthly fee. Your total cost depends on how much you sell.
Understanding Etsy’s Fee Structure
Etsy focuses on handmade, vintage, craft, and digital sellers who want marketplace traffic.
Key charges on Etsy:
- Listing Fee: $0.20 per item, renewed every four months.
- Transaction Fee: 6.5% on the item price plus shipping and gift wrap.
- Payment Processing Fee: About 6% plus $0.30 per transaction.
- Optional Subscription: Etsy Plus costs $10/month and adds shop customization.
Etsy has no monthly fee for standard accounts. You only pay when you make a sale, so the model suits low-volume or hobby sellers.
As sales grow, per-sale fees add up and cut into profit.
(See our Complete Etsy Fees Breakdown for detailed calculations on listing, ad, and processing costs.)
Understanding Shopify’s Fee Structure
Shopify supports sellers who want a branded storefront and room to scale.
Core points for Shopify:
- Monthly Plans: Basic runs about $29–$39/month. Higher tiers add features.
- No Listing Fees: Add unlimited products without per-item costs.
- Payment Processing Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction with Shopify Payments.
- Additional Fees: Choose another payment provider and pay about 1% extra per sale.
- Extra Costs: Premium themes and apps raise monthly expenses.
Shopify fits higher-volume sellers who need marketing tools, automation, and full brand control.
Transaction Fee Differences
Etsy’s mix of transaction and processing fees can top 12% per sale once ads run.
Shopify’s processing fees land near 3% to 4% per sale.
As order count rises, the cost gap widens. Many sellers see higher net profit after moving to Shopify, even after paying the monthly fee.
Pricing Model Comparison: Monthly vs Per-Sale
Etsy uses a pay-as-you-go model. Pay only when a sale occurs. This keeps startup costs low for new sellers.
Shopify uses a fixed monthly subscription. You pay the same fee whether sales are low or high. The subscription becomes more cost-effective as revenue grows.
The breakeven point sits near $600 in monthly sales. Below that level, Etsy usually costs less. Above it, Shopify’s lower per-sale fees usually save money.
(Learn pricing tactics in our guide on Etsy Pricing Strategies.)
Who Should Choose Etsy vs Shopify
Etsy works well for:
- Hobby sellers and crafters.
- Shops are testing new products.
- Sellers who want marketplace exposure without a monthly fee.
Shopify works well for:
- Growing brands and established sellers.
- Shops with steady monthly sales.
- Sellers who want a custom storefront and advanced integrations.
In short: Etsy makes starting easy. Shopify makes scaling cheaper.
Fee Impact Example: 100 Orders at $50 Average Order Value
Compare a concrete scenario.
- Etsy: 100 orders × $50 = $5,000 gross sales.
- Listing Fees: $20
- Transaction Fees (6.5%): $325
- Payment Processing Fees (~6% + $0.30): ~$410
- Total Etsy Fees: ~$755
- Shopify (Basic Plan):
- Subscription: $39
- Payment Processing (2.9% + $0.30): ~$165
- Total Shopify Fees: ~$204
That shows a $551 advantage for Shopify on this sales volume. The example illustrates how volume flips the cost comparison.
Decide by matching your current volume to each model.
Use our Etsy Fee Calculator to measure exact fees versus profit.
Try Shopify’s free trial to compare platform features and costs side by side. Choose the platform that helps you keep more of your revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is Shopify cheaper than Etsy?
It depends on sales volume. Etsy costs less for many small sellers under $600 per month. Once sales rise above that, Shopify’s lower transaction rates make it cheaper.
2. Why does Etsy charge so many different fees?
Etsy runs a marketplace. Listing, transaction, and processing fees pay for traffic, search, and platform services. Those fees reduce margins as order volume rises.
3. Does Shopify take a percentage of each sale?
Not when you use Shopify Payments. You pay the standard processing fee of about 2.9% plus $0.30. Using another payment gateway adds roughly 1% per transaction.
4. Can I use both Etsy and Shopify together?
Yes. Many sellers use Etsy for marketplace buyers and Shopify for a branded store. You can sync inventory with third-party tools.
5. How do I calculate my exact Etsy fees?
Use our free Etsy Fee Calculator for a full breakdown of listing, transaction, and processing fees. It shows net profit per sale.
