If one is faced with the decision of picking the most ideal online marketplace specifically for selling handcrafted products or fashion apparel and vintage products, then Poshmark vs Etsy are the most recommended ones. But how do you determine which is the better platform to promote your business during the Etsy vs Poshmark debate?
Still, to help you make the best decision, we have created a detailed rundown of the most crucial differences between two platforms to address the question: Etsy or Poshmark which is better. Now, let’s dive in!
Overview of Etsy vs Poshmark
What’s Etsy?
Etsy is an online marketplace launched in 2005, primarily catering to artisans, crafters, and collectors. It is famous for presenting hand-made, vintage, and one-of-a-kind products from various categories – Jewelry, Clothing, Art & Accessories, Home & Living, etc. Etsy is an online marketplace that offers sellers their own selling space where they can list their products, process orders, and reach out to customers across the globe.
What’s Poshmark?
Founded in 2011, Poshmark is a social commerce marketplace that caters to fashion. The types of products that can be sold include new and used clothing, shoes, accessories, and some home items. Whereas sites like Poshmark combine the idea of sharing their listings to get more visibility with a social aspect that sets it apart. Affected by social interaction, the platform is ideal for fashion-savvy sellers and buyers.
What’s the difference between Etsy and Poshmark?
Here’s a quick comparison of Poshmark vs Etsy based on key criteria:
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Audience | Artisans, crafters, collectors | Fashion enthusiasts, casual sellers |
| Products | Handmade, vintage, craft supplies, collectibles | Clothing, shoes, accessories |
| Seller Fees | 6.5% transaction fee + $0.20 listing fee | 20% on sales over $15, $2.95 for sales under $15 |
| Ease of Setup | Moderate (requires customization) | Extremely simple and user-friendly |
| Market Size | Global | U.S., Canada, Australia |
| Shipping | Seller handles shipping | Prepaid shipping labels provided |
| Payments | PayPal, credit cards, direct bank transfers | Direct deposit or check |
| Ecommerce Features | Tools, targeting SEO, ads and analytics at an advanced level. | Basic text and links for sharing. |
| Return Policy | Managed by individual sellers | No refund or exchange if not misrepresented |
Etsy vs Poshmark: Detail Comparison
Now, let’s dive deeper into specific categories to better understand how Etsy vs Poshmark compare on various selling features.
#1 Audience
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Primary Audience | Creators, small business owners, and vintage enthusiasts. | Fashion-forward individuals, sellers cleaning out closets |
| Global Reach | Overseas, particularly in the United States, Europe and Australia | Primarily in the US, Canada, and Australia, typically tapping into a fashion-conscious audience. |
| Buyer Behavior | Products that are bought based on their distinctiveness, quality workmanship and are produced in a sustainable manner. | It focuses on the latest and cheap clothing and socialization. |
While Etsy has a broader range of consumers located in different countries seeking unique products, Poshmark is mainly for consumers in the U. S. and Canada with emphasis on fashion.
#2 Products
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Product Range | a diverse range of products, including handmade goods, vintage items, craft supplies, personalized products, home décor, and beauty items | Clothing, shoes, fashion accessories, jewelries, bags, belts, wallets, sunglasses |
| Categories | Home décor, art, jewelry, clothing, craft supplies, and more | Fashion and only a few household items |
| Customization | A wide variety of handmade items | There is no customization that can be done on second hand products. |
While Etsy has a diverse selection of products that are more elegant, Poshmark is oriented mainly on hot fashion items and items that are closely related to it.
#3 Seller Fees
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Listing Fee | $0.20 per listing | Free |
| Transaction Fee | 6.5% on the total order value | 20% on sales above $15; flat $2.95 for sales below $15 |
| Payment Processing Fee | 3% + $0.25 per order | Included in the transaction fee |
Etsy offers listing services at a small fee, and slightly lower transaction fee, but the payment processing fee counts. Posing does not have the listing fees but it takes 20% of the big sales which may amount to a lot for high ticket products.
#4 Ease of Setup
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Setup Process | Takes more time, effort and needs a lot of customization. | Fast and convenient, does not require much preparation |
| Customization | Total management of the visual aesthetics of the store front | Limited customization, but faster to get started |
| Seller Dashboard | Advanced have multiple activities for promotion and management. | Basic user interface with main tasks of putting items in list/ sharing. |
Poshmark is perfect for those who do not want to wait to get started as it does not offer a custom branded store while Etsy offers better targeted control for the sellers.
For more insights on getting started with selling on Etsy, check out our beginner’s guide to selling on Etsy.
#5 Market Size
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Global Reach | Over 80 million active buyers worldwide | Primarily U.S.-based, expanding into Canada and Australia |
| Seller Community | Over 7.5 million active sellers | Over 8 million sellers, largely fashion-focused |
Etsy has a more global audience with diverse product interests, whereas Poshmark’s community is largely centered around fashion and is geographically limited to the U.S. and nearby markets.
#6 Shipping
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Shipping Method | Seller arranges shipping, often through external carriers | Prepaid shipping labels generated for sellers |
| Shipping Fees | Varies by seller’s chosen method | Flat shipping fee based on item weight |
Etsy gives sellers control over shipping options and costs, while Poshmark simplifies shipping with flat fees and prepaid labels.
#7 Payments
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Payment Options | PayPal, credit cards, direct bank transfers | Direct deposit or check |
| Payment Timing | Once item ships or after buyer confirms receipt | Once the buyer confirms receipt or after three days |
Both platforms provide secure payment methods, but when choosing Poshmark or Etsy, you’ll find that Etsy offers a wider range of payment options, including PayPal.
#8 Ecommerce Features
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| SEO and Marketing | Advanced SEO tools, Etsy Ads, and Sales Events | Limited to sharing listings on social media |
| Analytics | Detailed metrics on shop performance | Basic sales and engagement metrics |
| Customization | Customizable storefront with branding options | Minimal customization for listings |
Etsy provides more advanced tools for marketing and analytics, giving sellers more control over how they promote and grow their businesses. Poshmark focuses on social interaction rather than complex ecommerce features.
#9 Return Policy
| Criteria | Etsy | Poshmark |
| Return Policy | Managed by individual sellers, varies by shop | No returns unless the item is misrepresented |
| Buyer Protection | Etsy Buyer Protection covers eligible orders | Poshmark’s Buyer Protection covers misrepresented items |
While shopping at Poshmark is easier for the buyers since no items can be returned, it might not be as convenient for the sellers since they cannot offer returns like sellers on Etsy.
Now that you’ve explored our detailed comparison, you should have a clearer idea of whether “Is Etsy better than Poshmark?”. To explore how Etsy compares with other platforms like eBay, check out our comprehensive comparison in Etsy vs eBay.
Which is Better: Poshmark or Etsy?
It determines the overall performance of the online store if it would be more suitable to use Etsy vs Poshmark. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and knowledge of these will help to determine which one is the best for the sort of products you sell and how you would like to run your store.
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
| Etsy | – Global audience- Customizable storefront- Ideal for handmade, vintage, and niche products | – Higher fees on small sales- More competition- More complex setup process |
| Poshmark | – Quick and easy to set up- Prepaid shipping labels provided- Active fashion-focused community | – Limited customization options- High commission on sales- Primarily for fashion, limiting product variety |
Etsy is best suited for:
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- Sellers who create handmade or unique products like crafts, jewelry, art, or vintage items.
- Those who want full control over their storefront’s look and feel.
- Individuals willing to invest time in promoting their shop through SEO and marketing tools.
- Sellers aim to reach a global audience and tap into a marketplace that appreciates uniqueness and craftsmanship.
Poshmark is best suited for:
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- Fashion product owners who mostly sell wears, bags, shoes etc online.
- Sellers who prefer a fast and easy selling process without much need for product customization or marketing.
- Sellers who would like to have face to face contact with the buyers on the sales floor.
- US-based sellers seeking the utilization of a fashion-targeted community.
If you’re considering Etsy alternatives or exploring other platforms, don’t miss our in-depth article on the best options for 2024.
Conclusion
All in all, the choice between Etsy vs Poshmark will greatly depend on the type of items you want to sell and the amount of time you can dedicate to shop management and promotion.
For people who are selling handmade, vintage, or custom items, Etsy offers more traffic, customization, and powerful promotion features. On the other hand, if you are more concerned with usability and are selling products related to fashion then Poshmark provides a quicker and easier integration with a pool of active fashion enthusiasts.
If you have any more questions, kindly do not hesitate to contact Masstic and our support service will be ready to help you. At last, remain an active follower of the changes in the market and different exciting details concerning ecommerce – check out our blog!
FAQs
Can I sell internationally on these platforms?
Etsy supports international sales. It is possible to ship to multiple locations and use Etsy’s integrated shipping features to manage orders from other countries. Etsy also gives sellers help with global selling, including getting paid in different currencies.
Poshmark operates mainly in the United States and up to now, they have not incorporated cross-border sales. The sellers can only ship to the address to the United States and there are no inbuilt functionalities for international orders.
Which platform has the best customer support?
Etsy provides its customers with an extensive help section that contains articles and forums and email and chat support. Etsy’s customer service agents are friendly and are explicit in their responses to customers’ issues and inquiries although customers have pointed out that the response time may be slow.
Poshmark offers customer service support: FAQ, support by email, and using in-app chat feature. It has vibrant and attentive customer support services mostly in dealing with concerns involving transactions and shipping. The customer support of Poshmark is usually praised especially when it comes to solving problems that most users encounter.
Which platform is better for new sellers?
Etsy is a good recommendation for new sellers, especially those with handmade or rather niche products. For the first-time users, the platform offers tools to create listings, promotion and sales tips. Another advantage for the new sellers in Etsy is a wide and versatile customer base.
Looking at what Poshmark offers, it is clear that the app is most beneficial to sellers in the fashion and apparel niche. Thus, new sellers who enter this niche can leverage the simpler setup with the help of the Poshmark community for gaining visibility and engagement. Nonetheless, Poshmark only allows for a small range of product categories, which may limit sellers with vast product offerings.
