Etsy vs Spreadshop
A side-by-side look at Etsy and Spreadshop. On our scoring, Spreadshop comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 3.8/5 | 3.8/5 |
| User rating | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Reviews | 5,120 | 580 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | pay per listing + selling fees | free shop, commission-based earnings |
| Transaction fees | 6.5% transaction fee + $0.20 per listing | Built into base price (you set margin) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Marketplace | Fully hosted + embeddable |
| Free trial | No subscription required | Free to use |
| Staff accounts | Limited | Single account |
| Product limit | Unlimited listings | Catalog-based |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Etsy Payments | Spreadshirt-managed |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | Shop customization | Shop customization |
| App marketplace | Etsy integrations | Embeds & integrations |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-language | Yes | Yes |
| POS included | Yes | No |
| Abandoned cart recovery | No | No |
| Built-in blog | No | No |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | No | No |
| API access | Yes | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | No |
| Support channels | Email, help center, limited chat | Email & phone support |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick Etsy?
Etsy connects independent makers with a built-in audience that specifically wants handmade, vintage, and craft goods, so discovery comes almost for free. Rising fees, mandatory ad costs, and tightening policies have frustrated many long-time sellers.
Best for: Makers selling handmade, vintage, or craft items
Read the full Etsy reviewWhy pick Spreadshop?
Spreadshop hands creators a fully free, ready-made merch shop where Spreadshirt handles printing, payments, and support end to end. The hands-off model is its strength and its ceiling, since you control little beyond designs and margin.
Best for: Creators who want a hands-off free merch shop
Read the full Spreadshop review