Ready to monetize your work or find unique handmade items?
If so you may have heard of two popular platforms i.e. Patreon and Etsy.
patreon vs etsy
Today I’m gonna compare Patreon vs Etsy, which are both super amazing platforms for you!
Both offer ways to showcase and sell your creations, but which one is better for you? Let’s dive in and compare the two!
Introduction: Etsy vs Patreon
Patreon is a membership platform that allows creators to earn recurring revenue by offering exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and other perks to their patrons. On the other hand, Etsy is an e-commerce platform that enables creators to sell their handmade, vintage, and unique items to a wide audience.
patreon user interface
etsy user interface
So, which platform is better? It depends on what you’re looking for.
Patreon vs Etsy: What are they Used for?
Let’s discuss the purpose of use for which one they are popular!
To Build Community
If you are interested in building a community of supporters who are willing to support you on a recurring basis.
Then Patreon is the way to go.
Statista says that Patreon has over 200,000 active creators and over 7 million active patrons. This shows that there is a huge potential audience on Patreon who are willing to support creators they love.
To Increase Buying and Selling
On the other hand, if you’re interested in selling physical items to a wider audience.
Etsy has over 4.4 million active sellers and 81.9 million active buyers.
Etsy’s marketplace allows creators to easily reach a wide audience and its search engine optimization tools make it easier for buyers to find their products.
In Term of Features: Patreon vs Etsy
One advantage of Patreon is that it allows creators to have more control over their income.
Creators can earn recurring income through monthly subscriptions instead of relying solely on one-time sales.
This allows creators to have a more stable income stream and plan for the future.
Etsy, on the other hand, is great for creators who are interested in selling physical items.
One advantage of Etsy is that it offers a shipping service that allows creators to ship their products directly to buyers, which can save time and money.
Pricing
In terms of fees we see many differences like Patreon takes a 5% commission on each transaction while Etsy takes a 5% transaction fee and a 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee.
Patreon allows creators to brand themselves, while Etsy focuses on the marketplace brand.
Search Engine Optimization
Etsy offers robust SEO tools for sellers, while Patreon does not focus on SEO.
Membership Levels
Patreon offers multiple membership levels for different pricing tiers, while Etsy does not offer membership levels.
Community
Patreon allows creators to build a community of supporters, while Etsy does not offer a built-in community feature.
Related Stuff!
Similarities and Dissimilarities
Similarities
Both platforms allow creators to monetize their work and connect with their audience/fan base.
Both platforms have a fee structure where they take a percentage of the revenue generated through their platform.
Both platforms have a large user base and are popular among creators and buyers respectively.
Dissimilarities
Patreon is a membership-based platform that focuses on recurring income through memberships, while Etsy is an e-commerce platform that focuses on one-time sales of physical items.
Patreon is targeted towards creators and their supporters, while Etsy is targeted towards buyers looking for unique and handmade items.
Patreon does not offer shipping services, while Etsy has a built-in shipping service.
Patreon allows creators to brand themselves, while Etsy focuses on the marketplace brand.
Patreon does not offer SEO tools for sellers, while Etsy offers robust SEO tools.
Patreon offers multiple membership levels for different pricing tiers, while Etsy does not offer membership levels.
Patreon allows creators to build a community of supporters, while Etsy does not offer a built-in community feature.
Pros and Cons: Patreon vs Etsy
Pros of Patreon
Recurring income through memberships provides stable income for creators.
Allows creators to build a community of supporters and engage with their audience.
Offers flexibility for creators to create digital content.
Cons of Patreon
Limited to digital content and access to creators only.
Not suitable for selling physical items.
No built-in shipping service.
Pros of Etsy
Offers a platform for creators to sell unique and handmade physical items.
Built-in shipping service simplifies the shipping process for sellers.
Robust SEO tools help sellers reach a larger audience.
Cons of Etsy
One-time sales model does not provide stable income for creators.
Physical items such as handmade crafts, vintage items, and unique products
Shipping
It does not offer to ship
It has a built-in shipping service
Branding
Allows creators to brand themselves
Focuses on the marketplace brand
Search Engine Optimization
Does not focus on SEO
Offers robust SEO tools for sellers
Membership Levels
Offers multiple membership levels for different pricing tiers
It does not offer membership levels
Community
Allows creators to build a community of supporters
It does not offer a built-in community feature
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Patreon and Etsy:
What kind of content can I sell on Patreon?
Creators on Patreon can sell a wide range of digital content such as exclusive access to live streams, early access to content, downloadable content, and more. The platform is flexible and allows creators to offer a variety of membership tiers with different perks for each tier.
Can I sell physical items on Patreon?
While Patreon primarily focuses on digital content and access to creators, there is an option for creators to sell physical items as well. However, the platform is not as well-suited for physical sales as Etsy.
How do I get paid on Etsy?
Etsy uses a payment system called Etsy Payments, which allows sellers to receive payment through various methods such as credit card, PayPal, and more. Payments are typically transferred to the seller’s bank account on a weekly basis, although there are options for faster payment processing for a fee.
Concluding!
In conclusion, both Patreon and Etsy have their advantages and disadvantages.
Patreon is the way to go if you are looking to build a community of supporters and earn recurring income.
Etsy is amazing for you If you are interested in selling your products to a wider audience.
Ultimately the decision comes down to your individual goals and what you hope to achieve as a creator.
So why not try both and see which one works best for you?
Choose Patreon for recurring income through memberships or Etsy for one-time sales of physical products and start connecting with your audience today!
Meet Mr. Afzal, Also the founder as well as author of Comparlify (comparison-based website). I am writing comparisons for a long while on many websites and struggling hard for you so that you can be awesome in Course Creation.
