Honest comparison
Mercader vs Etsy: your own storefront or a marketplace with an audience
Etsy is not just a store: it is a marketplace with buyers already searching. Mercader is your own storefront, with no built-in audience. Choosing between them is deciding whether you pay for discovery or for control.
We do not process payments · 0% on direct sales
Verified prices
Etsy charges for listing, for selling and, if you take part, for external advertising. Mercader charges a monthly fee and does not process payments.
| Plan or concept | Price | How it is billed |
|---|---|---|
| Mercader · 14-day trial | $0 | No card required |
| Mercader · Basic | $6/month | Monthly, no lock-in |
| Mercader · Pro | $24/month | Monthly, no lock-in |
| Mercader · Commission on direct sales | 0% | We do not process payments |
| Etsy · Listing | $0.20 per item | Every four months or when sold Charged even if the item does not sell. |
| Etsy · Transaction | 6.5% | Per sale on Etsy On price, shipping and gift wrap; not on sales tax for US sellers. |
| Etsy · Payment processing | Varies by country | Per transaction See the Etsy Payments policy for your country. |
| Etsy · Offsite Ads | 15% | Per attributed order 12% once a shop passes $10,000 in 365 days; participation becomes mandatory at that point. |
| Etsy · Pattern | $15/month | Monthly subscription A standalone website on Etsy after a 30-day trial. |
| Etsy · Currency conversion | 2.5% | If you list in another currency On the sale amount. |
USD fees checked in Etsy's official policy. Taxes and payment rates vary by country; we do not present them as a fixed number.
Verified on October 24, 2026 · Source: etsy.com
Mercader does not process payments or charge commission on direct sales. Etsy does process the payment and deducts its fees; these are different models, not two versions of the same one.
What each one does
| Feature | Mercader | Etsy |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer audience | No: you bring the traffic. | Yes: search and buyers inside the marketplace. |
| Checkout | No: payment is agreed elsewhere. | Yes, with Etsy Payments. |
| Catalog | Cards with photo, price and description. | Listings inside the marketplace. |
| Events and markets | Yes: a calendar on the storefront. | No: the shop has no market calendar. |
| Direct contact | Enquiry form. | Messaging inside Etsy; off-platform transactions are restricted. |
| Fees | 0% on direct sales. | 6.5% transaction fee plus listings, payments and ads. |
| Customer ownership | You decide how and when to follow up. | The relationship runs through Etsy and its policies. |
When to choose Etsy
Etsy is the sensible option in these scenarios:
- You need discovery and your products fit its audience.
- You want a checkout and marketplace infrastructure without building a store.
- You accept paying a commission per sale and optional advertising.
- You are fine with the buyer relationship happening inside Etsy.
When to choose Mercader
Mercader only replaces Etsy if the traffic is already yours:
- You already have followers, market customers or word of mouth.
- You want a link of your own to share and a consistent brand.
- You need to show your next market next to the catalog.
- You do not want to pay commission on every direct sale or depend on marketplace rules.
Use case
A real example: Raíz y Aroma
An artisan selling at local markets and on Instagram. Etsy can bring her new buyers, but every sale pays a fee and the relationship runs through the platform. Mercader serves the audience that already knows her: catalog, price and enquiry on her own link.
Raíz y Aroma groups six aromatherapy products on a public storefront under its own URL. It works as a destination for people who already follow the brand; Etsy would be the channel for people who do not know it yet.
See the storefront
raiz-y-aroma.mercader.app
Frequently asked questions
Is Etsy cheaper than Mercader?
It can be if you sell little and do not advertise, because there is no mandatory monthly fee. If you sell regularly, add listings, 6.5%, payments and Offsite Ads and compare that with a fixed fee.
Does Mercader bring me customers?
No. Mercader is not a marketplace and has no audience of its own: it is your storefront. Traffic comes from Instagram, markets, WhatsApp or your website.
Can I use Etsy and Mercader together?
Yes, and it often makes sense: Etsy for discovery, Mercader for your direct audience. Avoid duplicating the same catalog without a plan; decide which channel is the main one.
Does Mercader charge commission?
No. It does not process payments or keep a percentage of sales you close directly. The monthly fee is the only platform cost.
Can I move my Etsy listings to Mercader?
There is no automatic import. You can copy text and photos and recreate the listings; Etsy reviews and history do not transfer.
Keep reading
What it really costs to sell online as an artisan (without hidden fees)
Compare a custom website, a marketplace, and a storefront like Mercader. Includes commissions, time, and break-even.
Instagram is not your website: how to turn followers into customers
Use Instagram to attract attention and your own storefront to convert. A practical guide to stop depending on the algorithm and DMs.
Are you paying for traffic or for control?
If people already follow you and look for you, your own storefront avoids commissions and lets you show markets and prices. Try it without a card.
Mercader does not process payments or charge commission on direct sales. Etsy does process the payment and deducts its fees; these are different models, not two versions of the same one.