Quick Answer
Why This Comparison Matters More Than Ever in 2026
Amazon has increased fees four times in three years. Etsy introduced mandatory offsite advertising (12–15%). AI-powered store builders now make launching your own store genuinely simple — which changes the calculus entirely for independent sellers.
The Real Cost of Selling on Amazon in 2026
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Referral Fee | 8–30% | avg 15–17% |
| FBA Fee | $3.22–$8.25+/unit | size + weight dependent |
| Storage | $0.78–$2.40/cubic ft | higher in Q4 |
| Subscription | $39.99/month | Professional account |
| Advertising | $500–$2,000+/month | near-mandatory in 2026 |
| Estimated Total | 35–55% of revenue | typical FBA seller including ads |
Jungle Scout 2025 State of the Amazon Seller Report: 55% of Amazon sellers say profitability has gotten harder in the past two years. The average seller keeps approximately 40–50 cents per dollar after all fees. Amazon also uses seller data to identify high-performing products and launch competing private-label versions.
The Real Cost of Selling on Etsy in 2026
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | $0.20/item | renews every 4 months |
| Transaction Fee | 6.5% | on item price + shipping |
| Payment Processing | 3% + $0.25/transaction | |
| Offsite Ads | 12–15% | mandatory for sellers over $10K/year |
| Etsy Plus | $10/month | optional |
| Estimated Total | 15–25% of revenue | typical established seller |
For a seller making $3,000/month on Etsy, total fees run $450–$750/month. Etsy also owns the SEO traffic to your listings — if Etsy's algorithm changes, sales can drop 40% overnight.
The Case for Your Own Online Store in 2026
| Fee Type | ExaStore Growth ($29/mo) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $29 | 500 products, custom domain |
| Transaction Fee | 0% | zero commission on all plans |
| Payment Processing | ~2.9%+$0.30 | Stripe/PayPal direct |
| Advertising | Optional | not mandatory |
| Estimated Total | ~3–5% of revenue | at $3,000/month: ~$87–$150 total costs |
Side-by-Side Comparison: Amazon vs Etsy vs ExaStore
| Criteria | Amazon | Etsy | ExaStore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission | 15–30% | 6.5–15% | 0% |
| Monthly Fee | $39.99 | $0–$10 | $9–$69 |
| Own Customer Data? | No | No | Yes |
| Launch Time | Days (approval) | Hours | 5 minutes |
| Own Branding? | Limited | Limited | Full control |
| Built-in AI Agent? | No | No | Yes 24/7 |
| Countries | 21 marketplaces | ~100 | 150+ |
| Keeps from $3,000/month? | ~$1,200–$1,800 | ~$2,250–$2,550 | ~$2,912 |
When Amazon or Etsy Still Makes Sense
Choose Amazon if:
- You sell commodity products with enough margin to absorb 40–50% cost of sale
- You are using Amazon as a launch pad to validate a product before building your own brand
- Your category benefits heavily from Prime fulfilment
Choose Etsy if:
- Your buyers specifically search for handmade or vintage items on Etsy
- You want to use Etsy as one channel while building your own store in parallel
Choose your own store (ExaStore) if:
- You want to own customer relationships and build your email list
- You want to keep 95%+ of your revenue
- You want to build a real brand with your own domain and visual identity
- You want AI handling operations 24/7 without additional cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell on both Etsy and ExaStore?
Yes — many sellers run both simultaneously. Etsy provides marketplace discovery while ExaStore builds your owned customer base and keeps the margin on repeat purchases.
Does ExaStore work for physical and digital products?
Yes. ExaStore supports physical products (with Shiprocket shipping integration for India-based sellers), digital downloads, and services/bookings — all on the same store.
What about Amazon reviews if I switch?
Amazon reviews stay on Amazon. Most sellers use the hybrid strategy: maintain Amazon presence for discoverability, include an insert card in orders directing customers to ExaStore for repeat purchases.
Is 0% commission sustainable for ExaStore?
Yes — ExaStore's business model is subscription-based. Revenue comes from monthly plan fees, not a cut of your sales. This is a deliberate design choice aligned with seller success.
The Bottom Line
For a seller earning $3,000/month, the difference between Amazon (~$1,500 kept) and ExaStore (~$2,912 kept) is $1,412/month — or $16,944/year. That is the compounding value of owning your own store.
Compare your current fees and see what you'd keep on ExaStore — free for one month.
View ExaStore pricing →