Etsy vs Square Online
A side-by-side look at Etsy and Square Online. On our scoring, Square Online comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 3.8/5 | 4.1/5 |
| User rating | 4.1 | 4 |
| Reviews | 5,120 | 1,320 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | pay per listing + selling fees | free plan + processing fees |
| Transaction fees | 6.5% transaction fee + $0.20 per listing | 2.9% + 30¢ online |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Marketplace | Fully hosted (SaaS) |
| Free trial | No subscription required | Free plan available |
| Staff accounts | Limited | Role-based |
| Product limit | Unlimited listings | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Etsy Payments | Square (primary) |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | Shop customization | Template-based |
| App marketplace | Etsy integrations | Square App Marketplace |
| Multi-currency | Yes | No |
| Multi-language | Yes | No |
| POS included | Yes | Yes |
| Abandoned cart recovery | No | Yes |
| Built-in blog | No | No |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | No | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Support channels | Email, help center, limited chat | Phone & chat (business hours), email |
| 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 Square Online?
Square Online is the obvious add-on for businesses already running Square POS in the real world. The free plan is genuinely usable, though serious online-first brands will outgrow its lighter feature set.
Best for: Retail & restaurants already using Square
Read the full Square Online review