Amazon KDP vs Etsy: Honest Comparison
Two options, side by side, with the real costs and the honest downsides. No hype, just what I'd want my own family to know before they choose.
| Amazon KDP | Etsy | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.5✓ | 4 |
| Monthly cost | $0 | $0 |
| Category | Online selling platform | Online selling platform |
| Pros | Free to publish ebooks and paperbacks; Reach Amazon's huge global customer base; Ebook royalty options of 35% or 70%; Print on demand, so no inventory to buy | No monthly fee to open a shop; Huge built-in audience of shoppers; Great for crafts, art, vintage and digital downloads; Simple to set up and start listing |
| Cons | The 70% ebook royalty only applies to eligible prices and works; Heavy competition in popular categories; Marketing your book is up to you; Paperback royalties are reduced by printing costs | $0.20 listing fee per item, renewed every 4 months; 6.5% transaction fee on each sale, plus payment processing; Offsite Ads can take an extra 12% to 15% on some sales; Crowded marketplace with lots of competition |
| Verdict | Amazon KDP is the simplest way to turn knowledge or stories into a product you can sell, with no upfront cost. Sales depend on choosing the right topic and promoting your book, so it pairs well with an email list and an audience of your own. | Etsy is one of the easiest ways to start selling creative products from home, with buyers already searching the site every day. Fees add up, so price your items with listing, transaction and processing fees in mind. |
Choose Amazon KDP if you want to publish ebooks or paperbacks with no upfront cost. Choose Etsy if you make handmade, vintage or digital creative products.
Amazon KDP
Amazon's free self-publishing service for selling ebooks and paperbacks on Amazon and Kindle, paying royalties on each sale.
Etsy
An online marketplace, founded in 2005, where people sell handmade goods, vintage items, craft supplies and digital downloads.
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