Market Express vs Etsy

A marketplace for global manufacturers vs. a platform focused on handmade and vintage.

The Fundamental Difference

Etsy was built for handmade crafts, vintage items, and craft supplies — targeting artisans and small-scale creators. Market Express is built for manufacturers and brands producing at scale, with US market entry services, duty optimization, and professional fulfillment that Etsy doesn't offer.

Feature
Market Express
Etsy
Target Seller
Manufacturers & brands
Artisans & crafters
Product Types
All categories, manufactured goods
Handmade, vintage, craft supplies
Vendor Vetting
All vendors vetted for quality
Self-certification, limited enforcement
Effective Fee Rate
10%above $125K GMV only
7-22%6.5% + payment + ads + listings
Annual Platform Fee
$24,0002-year commitment$30K for 1-year
$0-180Plus subscription optional
Fulfillment Services
Full warehouse + pick/pack/ship
None — self-fulfill only
Shipping Discounts
Enterprise rates (UPS/FedEx/USPS)
None — pay retail rates
Payment Processing
Pooled volume = lower rates
3% + $0.25 — no discounts
Import Duty Optimization
40-60% savings via transfer pricing
No support
US Entity Formation
Nevada LLC included
Not offered
Mandatory Advertising Fees
None — you control your marketing
12-15% offsite ads fee (if >$10K sales)
Manufacturing Scale
Built for production at scale
Technically against ToS for mass-produced
Vendor Support
Dedicated humans, 8AM-6PM PST
Limited, mostly self-service

Market Express is Best For:

  • Manufacturers producing at commercial scale
  • Brands with established product lines
  • International vendors entering US market
  • High-volume sellers wanting integrated fulfillment
  • Electronics, industrial, automotive, home goods

Etsy May Be Better For:

  • Truly handmade, one-of-a-kind items
  • Vintage goods (20+ years old)
  • Craft supplies
  • Individual artisans with low volume
  • Sellers wanting Etsy's built-in craft-focused traffic

Important: Etsy's Manufacturing Policy

Etsy's Terms of Service technically prohibit mass-produced goods. While enforcement is inconsistent, manufacturers selling on Etsy risk account suspension. Market Express was built specifically for manufacturers — no policy risk, no gray areas.

Cost Comparison: $200,000 Annual Sales

Market Express

Annual Membership (2-year):$24,000
GMV Fee (10% on $80K above floor):$8,000
Fulfillment:Included
Total Cost:$32,000
Effective rate: 16%

Etsy

Listing Fees ($0.20 × 2,000):$400
Transaction Fee (6.5%):$13,000
Payment Processing (3% + $0.25):$6,500
Offsite Ads Fee (12% on attributed):$4,800
Self-Fulfillment Costs (est.):$10,000
Total Cost:$34,700
Effective rate: 17.35%
Save $2,700/yearwith Market Express at $200K GMV — plus fulfillment included

* At higher volumes, Market Express savings increase significantly. At $500K GMV, savings exceed $20,000/year.

Ready to Compare Your Numbers?

Use our calculator to see exactly how much you could save with Market Express based on your specific products, volume, and country of origin.

Calculate Your SavingsTalk to Sales

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