Etsy and eBay are two largest online selling platforms. Both have millions of buyers and sellers but operate differently. If one is planning to open an online store, one should understand the difference between Etsy vs eBay and pick the correct one.
This guide is a comparison of selling on eBay vs Etsy in 2025. It discusses seller tools, fees, risks, and account protection with reliable tools like ZiBird.
Etsy vs eBay: Which Is the Right Platform for You as a Seller?
Before deciding which platform to use, it helps to understand the main buyer types and popular products on each site.
Etsy focuses on handmade, vintage, and artistic products. In 2024, Etsy had over 96 million active buyers who mostly look for unique, creative items. Top-selling categories include personalized gifts, handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, and craft supplies. According to Etsy’s search and sales data, items like custom mugs, resin art, and vintage home decor are consistently popular.
eBay, with over 132 million buyers in 2024, serves as a global marketplace for a wide variety of goods, from used electronics and collectibles to brand-name products and rare finds. eBay buyers often look for bargains, second-hand items, or hard-to-find products. Popular listings include smartphones, gaming consoles, auto parts, and collectible cards, as reflected in eBay’s best-seller lists.
Key Buyer Type Differences and Which Platform to Use
- Buyers on Etsy are typically searching for artistic, handcrafted, or vintage items that are unique and personal.
- Buyers on eBay tend to seek general merchandise, discounted or used goods, and branded products.
If the products are handcrafted, artistic, or vintage, Etsy is usually the better choice. If selling a broad range of goods, including electronics, collectibles, or brand-name items, eBay offers a larger, more diverse marketplace.
Understanding these differences helps sellers choose the platform best suited to their products and target audience, increasing chances for success.
Selling on Etsy vs eBay – What's the Difference?
Even though both websites enable people to sell online, the way they work is different.
Etsy
Etsy is ideal for small, creative sellers. Shops tend to be private and personal, often run by individual artists or small teams. Buyers come expecting unique, handmade, or vintage items.
- Setting up a shop is simple but requires attention to brand storytelling and product uniqueness.
- Product listings focus heavily on visuals and detailed descriptions highlighting craftsmanship.
- Marketing often involves social media and community engagement to build loyal customers.
- Shipping is usually handled per order, with buyers appreciating personalized touches and clear communication.
eBay
eBay suits sellers with a wider range of products, from used goods to brand-new electronics. Listings need detailed product info, and auction-style or fixed-price sales are common. Buyers expect fast shipping, competitive prices, and reliable service.
- Registering a store involves setting up payment and shipping preferences for volume sales.
- Optimizing listings for search and including thorough product specs improves visibility and trust.
- Sellers often manage inventory closely to handle fast turnover and meet eBay’s performance standards.
- Customer service and timely shipping are critical to maintaining seller ratings and avoiding penalties.
By understanding these platform differences, sellers can tailor their setup and operations for success whether on Etsy or eBay.
Selling Style
Etsy is ideal for building a unique-looking brand. eBay is ideal for selling a whole bunch of different things at once, mostly used or clearance goods.
Etsy Fees vs eBay Fees – What's Less Costly?
The biggest question of all is: What site is less expensive for fees?
Etsy Fees (effective 2025)
- Listing Fee: $0.20 per item.
- Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the sale price.
- Payment Processing Fee: 3% + $0.25 (in US).
- Optional Ads or Offsite Ad Fees: 12%–15% if used.
eBay Fees (effective 2025)
- Insertion Fee: Free for the first 250 items per month, then $0.35 per item.
- Final Value Fee: 10%–15% depending on category.
- Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% + $0.30.
- Optional Promoted Listings: Extra fee dependent on ad bid.
Cost Comparison Example (For a $50 sale):
Fee Type | Etsy (USD) | eBay (USD) |
Listing/Insertion Fee | $0.20 | $0.00 |
Final Fee | $3.25 | $5.00–$7.50 |
Payment Fee | $1.75 | $1.75 |
Total Fees | ~$5.20 | ~$6.75–$9.25 |
In general, Etsy is cheaper than eBay for small vendors. But the best choice depends on what is being sold and how much is sold every month.
Account Security and Danger of Platform Bans – Etsy vs eBay
Etsy and eBay both spend a lot of effort making their platforms secure. Both use advanced mechanisms to detect malicious behavior, such as:
- Logging in from different locations.
- Using unfamiliar or blacklisted IP addresses.
- Sharing of duplicate accounts or usage of automation tools.
Etsy Risks
Etsy locks or suspends accounts if they suspect fraudulent activity. That involves excessive IP switches or logging in through suspected networks.
eBay Risks
eBay is also looking out for duplicate accounts as well as blocked sellers who are breaching policies. Several sellers have reported being blocked after logging in through unsafe IP addresses or shared devices.
Takeaway
Both sites are vigilant regarding account security. Sellers should steer clear of behaviors that appear suspicious—particularly things that appear in IP history or login activity.
Why High-Quality IPs Are Essential for Account Health
An IP address is a virtual home address. Etsy and eBay monitor IPs to ensure sellers are human beings and not spammers or banned individuals.
When a seller logs in from a:
- Public Wi-Fi.
- Cheap proxy of uncertain source.
- Shared or recycled IP addresses.
Well, the platform may view it as a threat. That can lead to blanket account bans or suspensions.
Sellers with multiple accounts or virtual assistants are even more vulnerable. Low-quality IPs are one of the primary reasons for account bans on both platforms.
Significant Risks of Using Poor IPs:
- Cross-account connection.
- IPs tagged due to past bans.
- Gradual reduction in customer support or trust score.
How ZiBird Protects Sellers on Etsy and eBay
Sellers need clean, high-quality IP addresses in order to remain safe. A number of services online promise this—but some are risky.
Why Not Just Use Any Proxy?
Some sellers try to save money and buy proxy IPs from low-cost websites. These services are likely to:
Reuse the same IPs for many individuals
- Sell blacklisted IPs that are already blocked by Etsy and eBay.
- Leak information or don't keep device fingerprints well-hidden.
- This makes it even easier for platforms to see that something's off.
Why Choose ZiBird?
ZiBird is an esteemed solution that works specifically for marketplace sellers. As mentioned on their official website:
- Every seller gets a new, individual IP.
- No traffic sharing, no recycling.
- Strong device fingerprint protection.
- Extensive documented history of account protection for Etsy and eBay sellers.
ZiBird's features keep sellers from getting flagged and banned because every login looks like a real, stable, and trusted user.
For multi-store and team sellers, ZiBird's proxy feature ensures total isolation among accounts. This keeps the "account family" flag that most platforms use to ban sets of accounts in one go.
Last Conclusion
Both eBay and Etsy are wonderful platforms to sell on in 2025. One simply needs to decide which is appropriate based on what they are selling and the brand aesthetic of the business.
- Select Etsy for handcrafted, vintage, or crafty items with a branded narrative.
- Select eBay for everyday goods, electronics, and resale products.
Comparing fees on Etsy versus eBay, Etsy is generally less expensive for small sellers. Nevertheless, no matter which platform is chosen, account security is essential.
To keep from getting locked out, banned, or flagged, sellers must not use untrusted proxy services and lock down their login settings.
ZiBird provides trusted, secure IP addresses designed for online vendors. It's a clever method of staying safe while building a store on Etsy or eBay.
For long-term success, clean network access is as valuable as a good price or product. Vendors who are searching for stability in 2025 should consider trying ZiBird.