As a reseller, there are a lot of choices when it comes to what marketplaces to sell on. However, not every marketplace is right for every reseller. Once you understand differences in fee structures, shipping, target audience, etc., it’s much easier to decide which marketplace is best for the type of items you’re selling.
So, when it comes to Etsy vs. Poshmark, which one is better? Let’s compare the two so you can decide which platform is better for you. You may even find that both fit your needs and you can benefit from cross-listing your items to both. Let’s dig in!
Etsy vs. Poshmark: How Do They Compare?
While Etsy and Poshmark are both popular online marketplaces, they are quite different when it comes to things like audience, what sells well, fee structure, and more. There is a bit of crossover, but these two platforms are pretty different. Let’s take a look at what you can expect from Etsy vs Poshmark as a seller.
Target Market and Audience
When it comes to selling on Etsy vs Poshmark one of the biggest differences is the target market or the audience each marketplace caters to. Etsy generally targets customers looking for handmade, custom, or vintage items while Poshmark tends to focus on more modern, fashionable items from well-known brands.
What You Can Sell on Etsy vs. Poshmark
What you can sell on Etsy vs Poshmark is pretty different as well. While you can sell most items on Poshmark that you could sell on Etsy, Etsy is a little more strict in what they want presented on their platform.
On Etsy, the priority is handmade or customized items, craft supplies, and vintage (20 years or older) or antique items. Meanwhile, on Poshmark, you can sell all of these items, but you can also sell a wider variety of items like modern clothing and home decor, electronics, makeup, and more. These types of items aren’t usually allowed on Etsy.
Etsy Fees vs. Poshmark Fees
One important aspect of any online seller is the fees. Knowing how much you’ll have to pay in fees to sell your items online is important in determining your potential profit. On Poshmark, it is free to list an item, and you only pay a fee once the item sells. The fee structure is a simple 20% on sales over $15 or $2.95 on sales under $15.
Etsy, on the other hand, has a more complicated fee structure, but the total fee tends to be lower. There is a listing fee of .20 for each item listed which is charged upon creation of the listing, regardless of if it sells. In addition, there is a 6.5% transaction fee on the total amount (item price plus shipping) and if you accept payments via Etsy payments, there is also a 3% + .25 per transaction fee within the US. There are other less common fees, which you can find on this page, for Etsy selling fees.
Etsy vs. Poshmark: Ease of Use
If you want something you can simply sign up for and start listing, Poshmark may be your best bet. Once you have an account, you can instantly list your first item. This is a little more complicated on Etsy since you must set up your shop. While this does take more time, it gives your potential buyer more of a branded shopping experience. In the end, Poshmark is easier, while Etsy provides you with more control.
Shipping on Etsy vs. Shipping on Poshmark
The shipping experience on Etsy vs Poshmark is completely different. Poshmark simplifies shipping by providing you with a prepaid label for up to 5 lbs that your buyer pays for upon making a purchase. If your package goes beyond 5 lbs, it’s up to you to upgrade the label through Poshmark.
Shipping on Etsy requires more knowledge and setup because it’s up to sellers to set up shipping profiles, weigh their items, and decide on shipping services. However, if you ship lightweight items, this may benefit your buyers if shipping is cheaper.
Getting Paid on Etsy vs. Poshmark
Luckily, getting paid on Poshmark vs Etsy is pretty straightforward. On Poshmark, your funds get released (minus fees) to your balance after the item has been marked delivered to the buyer and has accepted the item or 3 days have passed. From here, you can manually request a direct deposit or a check.
On Etsy, it’s even easier. When you receive an order, your funds will go into your Etsy Payment account and can be set to automatically deposit into your bank account daily, weekly, every two weeks, or monthly.
Can you sell on both Etsy and Poshmark?
If you have items eligible to be sold on both Etsy and Poshmark, you may not have to choose! For example, items like vintage clothing or home decor tend to do well on both platforms. By cross-posting items across both marketplaces with a software like Vendoo, you can double your chances of selling your items by getting them in front of two different audiences.
Etsy vs. Poshmark: Frequently Asked Questions
What sells best on Etsy?
Etsy is best for selling unique, handmade items along with craft supplies and anything vintage or antique. Think items like jewelry, home decor, art, and clothing. These categories tend to be top sellers on Etsy.
You might also be interested in Top-Selling Items on Etsy 2024
What sells best on Poshmark?
Poshmark is best known for secondhand or discounted fashion and mainly caters to current trends in clothing and accessories. Well known designers or even mall brands do very well on Poshmark as long as they are in style. However, vintage clothing, home decor, and even electronics have become more popular in recent years as Poshmark has expanded its categories.
You can also check out: Trends & Best Brands to Sell on Poshmark 2024
Now that you understand the key differences between Etsy vs. Poshmark it should be easier to choose between the two when it comes to your own reselling business. Make sure to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each platform.
Even better, if your items apply to both marketplaces, you can list them on both in an effort to capture both audiences and make more sales. If you decide to take that route, Using Vendoo can help you cross-list your items and manage your inventory. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s based on not just where your reselling business is now but also where you want it to go in the future.
