FPFeeProofed

Guide

10 min readReviewed 2026-07-04

Etsy vs Amazon Handmade fees

Etsy usually has the lower fee on a simple handmade order. Amazon Handmade can still be worth testing when Amazon demand is stronger for the product and the seller can handle the listing rules.

Quick answer

Etsy usually costs less than Amazon Handmade on a simple US handmade sale before ads. Verified July 4, 2026, Amazon Handmade lists a 15% referral fee or $0.30 minimum, with the Professional selling fee waived for Handmade. On a $50 sale, that is $7.50. A standard US Etsy $50 sale with no Offsite Ads is $5.20 before product cost and shipping label cost.

Test the answer with your own cost, fee, and margin numbers.

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Decision checkpoints

  • Etsy has a lower fee in the $50 example.
  • Amazon Handmade waives the Professional selling fee, but the referral fee still matters.
  • Amazon can win only if demand or conversion offsets the higher fee.
See worked examples

Use the numbers while you read

Etsy Fee Calculator

Open this guide beside the calculator and test your own cost, fee, margin, or ad assumptions. The examples below are useful, but your decision should use your own numbers.

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Core formulas

The formulas to keep straight

Amazon Handmade referral fee = sale amount x 15%, subject to $0.30 minimum
Etsy standard fee = listing fee + transaction fee + Etsy Payments processing
Channel profit = order revenue - channel fees - COGS - shipping - packaging - ads
Better channel = higher profit per order x realistic order volume

Is Etsy or Amazon Handmade cheaper?

Etsy is usually cheaper on fee percentage for a simple handmade order. Amazon Handmade uses a 15% referral fee, while Etsy combines listing, transaction, and payment processing fees.

That does not mean Etsy always wins. A product that sells twice as often on Amazon at the same profit can still be worth the higher fee. The fee is only one part of channel economics.

Etsy vs Amazon Handmade fee example, checked July 4, 2026

$50 orderEstimated platform feeSeller receives before COGS and shipping
Etsy standard US example, no Offsite Ads$5.20$44.80
Amazon Handmade at 15%$7.50$42.50
Difference$2.30 more on AmazonAmazon needs stronger demand to justify it

When is Amazon Handmade worth the higher fee?

Amazon Handmade is worth testing when the product already matches Amazon buyer behavior: clear keywords, fast production, reliable fulfillment, simple variants, and enough margin to absorb the referral fee.

One-of-a-kind products, slow custom work, and fragile margin often fit Etsy better because the product story and search behavior matter more.

Channel fit signals

SignalBetter fit
Personalized but repeatableEither channel
One-of-a-kind artEtsy
Fast replenishable itemAmazon Handmade
Thin marginEtsy or direct
Strong brand searchOwn website or both

Should prices be the same on Etsy and Amazon Handmade?

Prices should protect profit by channel. If Amazon Handmade costs $2.30 more on a $50 order, either the Amazon price must rise, the cost must fall, or the seller must accept lower profit.

Copying the Etsy price to Amazon is fine only after the calculator shows the margin still works.

  • Calculate fee by channel.
  • Add shipping and packaging.
  • Use the same labor value.
  • Compare net profit, not revenue.

Decision table

Etsy vs Amazon Handmade decision table

QuestionChoose Etsy whenChoose Amazon Handmade when
Fee sensitivityMargin is thinMargin can absorb 15%
Product styleStory and custom work matterProduct is repeatable
FulfillmentLead time is flexibleFast shipping is realistic
DemandEtsy search fits the itemAmazon buyers already search it
OperationsSmall catalogCatalog can be kept clean

Worked examples

Examples you can compare against your own numbers

Example: $50 bracelet

A seller lists a handmade bracelet for $50 with no buyer-paid shipping.

Etsy standard fee$5.20US example with no Offsite Ads.
Amazon Handmade referral fee$7.5015% of $50.
Extra Amazon fee$2.30$7.50 - $5.20.
Required answerMore demand or higher priceAmazon must earn back the difference.

Takeaway: Amazon Handmade needs either higher order volume or a higher price to beat Etsy on profit.

Action checklist

Before you use this number in the real business

  1. 1Run the same product through both fee calculators.
  2. 2Add shipping label cost.
  3. 3Add labor and packaging.
  4. 4Compare profit per order.
  5. 5Test only products with enough margin.

Common mistakes

Mistakes that make the answer look better than reality

Assuming Amazon Handmade is free because the Professional fee is waived.
Ignoring the 15% referral fee.
Listing custom items that cannot ship reliably.
Using Etsy prices without recalculating.
Judging by revenue instead of profit.

FAQs

Questions people ask before making the decision

Does Amazon Handmade waive the monthly seller fee?

Amazon says the Professional selling fee is waived for Handmade sellers. The referral fee still applies.

How much is the Amazon Handmade referral fee?

Verified July 4, 2026, Amazon Handmade lists a 15% referral fee or a $0.30 minimum.

Is Etsy cheaper than Amazon Handmade?

For the $50 US example in this guide, yes. Etsy standard fees are $5.20 before Offsite Ads, while Amazon Handmade is $7.50 at 15%.

Can I sell on both Etsy and Amazon Handmade?

Yes, but track inventory and profit by channel. Multi-channel selling only helps if it does not create stock errors or margin leaks.

Sources and notes

Where the assumptions come from

Etsy Fees and Payments Policy

Official Etsy seller fee policy checked July 4, 2026.

Amazon Handmade

Official Amazon Handmade program page checked July 4, 2026.

FeeProofed methodology

FeeProofed source, calculator, and review methodology.