Etsy vs Amazon: seller fees
Marketplace seller fees · snapshot June 2026
For sellers, Etsy is cheaper for sellers (~10.0% vs ~15.0% on a $50 sale). Etsy charges 6.5% transaction fee (all categories) and Amazon charges 8% to 45% by category (most categories 15%). On a $50 item that is about $5.00 on Etsy vs $7.50 on Amazon. Snapshot June 2026 - marketplaces change fees; verify on the official fee page before relying on these figures.
Source: Official marketplace fee pages. Data as of June 2026.
Etsy vs Amazon side by side
| Factor | Etsy | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Handmade & vintage | General marketplace |
| Pricing model | Listing fee + transaction fee + payment processing | Referral fee (percentage of total sale) by category + optional FBA fulfillment |
| Selling / commission fee | 6.5% transaction fee (all categories) | 8% to 45% by category (most categories 15%) |
| Per-order fixed fee | None | None |
| Payment processing | 3% + $0.25 | Bundled / none |
| Listing fee | $0.20 | None |
| Monthly fee | None | $39.99/mo |
| Fee on a $50 sale | $5.00 | $7.50 |
| Best for | Handmade, craft, vintage and digital downloads; engaged buyer base for unique goods. | Branded products and private label at scale; high traffic but high fees and fierce competition. |
Sources: Etsy Fees & Payments Policy · Amazon Seller Central referral fee schedule.
Verdict for sellers
On the headline fee a seller pays, Etsy is cheaper for sellers (~10.0% vs ~15.0% on a $50 sale). But fees aren't everything: Etsy (built-in audience actively shopping for handmade and vintage.) versus Amazon (largest us shopper base and built-in trust.). Read each full breakdown — Etsy and Amazon — and run your real numbers in the profit calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Etsy or Amazon cheaper for sellers?
On a $50 sale, Etsy is cheaper for sellers (~10.0% vs ~15.0% on a $50 sale). Etsy: 6.5% transaction fee (all categories). Amazon: 8% to 45% by category (most categories 15%). Watch the gotchas: Etsy - listing fee is charged even if the item never sells.; Amazon - total take with fba + referral often hits 30-40% of the sale price.. snapshot June 2026.
Etsy vs Amazon: which fee model is simpler?
Etsy uses listing fee + transaction fee + payment processing. Amazon uses referral fee (percentage of total sale) by category + optional fba fulfillment. Snapshot June 2026 - marketplaces change fees; verify on the official fee page before relying on these figures.
Etsy vs Amazon: what does each take on a $50 sale?
Etsy takes about $5.00 (~10.0%). Amazon takes about $7.50 (~15.0%).
More comparisons
Last updated: 2026-06-29