Selling platforms: 17 top marketplaces for 2025

As a creator, artist, or entrepreneur, venturing into online selling can be overwhelming with so many selling platforms at your disposal. It's not just about setting up a digital storefront; the right platform can streamline your operations, connect you with your target audience, and thus propel your business to new heights. 

This blog explores the best online-selling sites in 2025, highlighting their pros and cons so you can pick one that aligns with your business goals. From well-known giants like Shopify and Etsy to promising newcomers, we've crafted a comprehensive overview to support your journey to successful entrepreneurship.

• Understanding selling platforms and their unique features helps navigate the complex world of online entrepreneurship.

• To sell online, the right platform should be selected based on its demographics, geographical reach, capabilities, and customer support.

• There are 17 top commerce platforms for 2025, including Shopify and Etsy. Each has its pros and cons and various fees, from a final value fee and payment processing fees to shipping fees. 

• Gelato offers smooth integration for creating custom products on major marketplaces, enabling global reach and sustainability.

Let's explore the top-selling platforms in 2025 and examine their benefits and drawbacks. This will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the available options and help you pick the best one for your business.

1. Shopify

Shopify is a leading online selling platform known for its user-friendly interface and scalability, making it popular among businesses of all sizes. It offers features like a drag-and-drop editor, customizable themes, reliable hosting, and print on demand integrations to help you create a functional online store.

Shopify fees:

• Basic Plan: $39/month

• Advance Plan: $399/month

• Plus Plan: $2,300/month

If you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, the fee structure of Shopify charges transaction fees as a percentage of each sale. The fee varies by plan: Basic charges 2%, Advanced charges 0.5%, and Shopify Plus charges 0.15–0.30%.

Benefits of selling on Shopify:

• User-friendly interface and drag-and-drop design features with various SEO tools

• Extensive library of apps and integrations for enhanced functionality

• Reliable hosting, secure payment options, and 24x7 customer support

Things to consider when selling on Shopify:

• Transaction fees are applied to each sale unless using Shopify Payments

• Advanced features may require additional app integrations, increasing monthly expenses

• Customization options may be limited depending on the selected theme

2. WooCommerce

This is a customizable, open-source ecommerce platform built on WordPress that enables users to build online stores from scratch or add ecommerce functionality to existing WordPress sites. It's free to start, with costs arising when purchasing premium extensions. It supports both physical and digital goods with multiple payment gateway options for selling things online. 

WooCommerce fees: Fees may vary depending on the themes you choose. Contact the sales team for more info.

Benefits of selling on WooCommerce:

• Highly customizable platform that allows businesses to create a unique, branded online store. 

• With many plugins available, you can add various features to your store, including SEO tools, contact forms, and more. 

• As a WordPress plugin, WooCommerce leverages WordPress's strong SEO capabilities. 

Things to consider when selling on WooCommerce:

• While WooCommerce is a powerful tool, it requires some familiarity with WordPress, which may present a learning curve for some users. 

• While the basic WooCommerce plugin is free, many of the most useful add-ons and themes are expensive. 

• As a self-hosted platform, your store's security, performance, and hosting are your responsibilities.

3. Squarespace

This user-friendly platform offers beautifully designed templates for varied business needs. It provides a fully hosted, all-in-one solution with features like analytics, SEO tools, and 24/7 support to sell stuff online.

Squarespace fees:

• Personal Plan: $16/month

• Business Plan: $23/month

• Commerce Basic Plan: $28/month

• Commerce Advanced Plan: $52/month

The fees they charge depend on the kind of credit or debit cards you use, from domestic to international. 

Benefits of selling on Squarespace:

• It offers a range of sleek, professional templates, all mobile-friendly. 

• This drag-and-drop builder requires no coding skills and allows users to build visually impressive websites quickly. 

• Squarespace also offers integrated ecommerce functionality, allowing users to sell products directly from their sites. 

Things to consider when selling on Squarespace:

• May not be the best fit for complex ecommerce sites with a high volume of products.

• It has limited customization capabilities compared to other ecommerce-focused platforms. 

• There is no free version beyond the 14-day free trial, and transaction fees apply unless you're on an advanced commerce plan.

4. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a leading cloud ecommerce platform for businesses of all sizes. It provides a comprehensive solution for launching an online store, offering built-in features such as marketing tools, analytics, and hundreds of integrations with other business tools. Plus, its scalability makes it a great choice for growing businesses.

BigCommerce fees:

• Standard Plan: $29/month

• Plus Plan: $79/month

• Pro Plan: $299/month

• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing according to your needs

BigCommerce's processing fees for debit and credit cards start at 2.59% + 49¢ per transaction. 

Benefits of selling on BigCommerce:

• BigCommerce is a fully hosted ecommerce platform, meaning you don't need to worry about site performance or security updates. 

• It offers a variety of customizable, mobile-friendly templates and enables selling on multiple channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon. 

• Notable features include an embedded blog for SEO, many payment gateways, and zero transaction fees. 

Things to consider when selling on BigCommerce:

• It can be complex for those new to ecommerce, with a steeper learning curve compared to more user-friendly platforms like Squarespace. 

• BigCommerce uses a tiered pricing model based on annual sales volume, so costs can increase as your business grows. 

• While it has a multitude of features, you may still need to purchase additional apps or integrations to get exactly what you want out of your online store.

5. Amazon

Amazon is the world's largest curated marketplace. Its vast customer base and efficient fulfillment services offer sellers unparalleled visibility to millions of potential buyers. The FBA program further enhances this by handling packaging, shipping, and customer support, making it a prime choice for businesses.

Amazon fees:

There's a Professional Plan for $39.99/month. For each product sold, a referral fee varies by product category and is calculated as a percentage of the total selling price of the product.

Benefits of selling on Amazon:

• Massive customer base and global reach

• Ease of use and efficient fulfillment services

• Opportunity for increased exposure and sales

Things to consider when selling on Amazon:

• Competition can be fierce, so differentiation is key.

• Amazon selling fees can impact profit margins, so pricing strategy matters.

• Building your brand identity may be challenging within Amazon's ecosystem

6. Etsy

If you're an artist or craftsperson looking for a platform for handmade items, then Etsy is the place for you. Etsy attracts buyers who appreciate the craftsmanship and creativity of handmade products, creating connections between consumers and sellers.

Etsy fees:

• Etsy Standard: Available to all sellers at no additional monthly cost.

• Etsy Plus: $10/month

You will be charged a listing fee of $0.20 for each item and a transaction fee of 6.5% of the price you display for each listing. 

Benefits of selling on Etsy:

• Targeted audience of individuals seeking artisanal and unique products

• Opportunity to connect with like-minded creators and build a community

• Flexible listing options, allowing for customization and creativity

Things to consider when selling on Etsy:

• Competition within the handmade niche can be fierce, so showcasing your quality is paramount.

• Etsy charges fees per listing and transaction, impacting overall profitability.

• Maintaining high-quality customer service and prompt shipping is essential for positive reviews.

7. eBay

eBay is a versatile platform that supports auction-style listings and fixed-price sales, catering to a broad user base and a wide range of product categories. With its reliable feedback system, eBay ensures a trustworthy environment for trading items, from collectibles to electronics.

eBay fees

• Starter Store: $4.95/month

• Basic Store: $21.95/month

• Premium Store: $59.95/month

• Anchor Store: $299.95/month

• Enterprise Store: $2,999.95/month

If you list more than 250 items monthly, you'll start paying a $0.35 insertion fee per listing. The per-order fee is $0.30 for orders $10.00 or less and $0.40 for orders over $10.00.

Benefits of selling on eBay:

• Wide range of categories and products, catering to diverse customer needs

• Flexibility to list items through auctions or fixed prices

• Buyer feedback system that builds trust and credibility

Things to consider when selling on eBay:

• Competition can be intense, requiring compelling product descriptions and competitive pricing.

• Fees associated with listing, selling, and optional upgrades impact profitability.

• Managing timely shipping and responsive customer service is crucial for positive buyer feedback.

8. Wix

This is a website builder and an ecommerce platform. Its drag-and-drop design and user-friendly interface enable businesses to create professional-looking websites. It offers adaptable templates, secure online payment methods, marketing integrations, and SEO optimization features to help businesses grow online.

Wix fees

• Business Elite Plan: $159/month

• Business Plan: $36/month

• Core Plan: $29/month

• Light Plan: $17/month

Wix has one fixed processing fee for all credit cards in the US, which is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.

Benefits of selling on Wix:

• User-friendly interface and intuitive design tools

• Customizable templates for creating visually appealing online stores

• Integrated marketing and SEO tools to improve discoverability

Things to consider when selling on Wix:

• Although Wix provides the necessary tools, it may require additional plugins or integrations for specific functionalities.

• Transaction fees are associated with different payment gateways.

• Regular website maintenance and optimization are key for smooth operation & high conversion rates.

9. TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop allows businesses to connect directly with TikTok's vast user base, making it easy to reach new customers through engaging content. It's ideal for creators looking to turn their viral presence into a profitable online store.

TikTok fees

• Marketplace commission fee: A percentage of the total sale price, which includes the item cost and shipping fee. The rate varies by product category and location and is typically between 5–20%. 

• Transaction fee: A percentage of the customer payment. 

• Referral fee: A service fee charged on successfully paid and delivered orders. The fee is returned to sellers for canceled, returned, and refunded orders. 

You can use a TikTok Shop fee calculator to estimate shop fees.

Benefits of selling on TikTok Shop

• Access to a highly engaged audience.

• Smooth integration of shopping features with video content.

• Opportunities to leverage viral trends for sales.

Things to consider when selling on TikTok Shop

• Understanding TikTok's advertising and promotion costs.

• Staying up-to-date with trending content.

• Building a content strategy that balances product promotion with engagement.

Gelato's TikTok Shop integration enables creators to offer custom products easily without managing inventory.

10. Poshmark

Poshmark is a social commerce platform focused on fashion. Users can sell new or gently used items on the platform, a great option for people looking to monetize their style or clear out their closets.

Poshmark fees

• Per-item fee: Poshmark charges a fee of $1, $2, or $3 per item sold, depending on the item's sale. price.

• Percentage fee: Poshmark charges a 5.99% fee per item sold to both buyers and sellers.

Benefits of selling on Poshmark

• Easy listing process and a highly active community.

• Posh Parties for real-time, interactive selling.

• Access to dedicated fashion buyers.

Things to consider when selling on Poshmark

• The buyer covers shipping costs.

• Poshmark's high commission rates.

• Limited to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

11. Decluttr

Decluttr is an online marketplace specializing in tech gadgets, DVDs, and books. It's perfect for anyone looking to sell electronics or media items they no longer use.

Decluttr fees

• Decluttr does not charge sellers fees but offers set prices for items.

Benefits of selling on Decluttr

• Instant price quotes and free shipping.

• No listing fees or lengthy selling processes.

• Fast payment options for sellers.

Things to consider when selling on Decluttr

• Lower payout compared to other resale platforms.

• Limited categories, focusing mainly on electronics and media.

12. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a popular platform for local selling. It allows users to reach buyers in their area and is ideal for selling items quickly with no fees.

Facebook Marketplace fees

Facebook charges a seller transaction fee. This fee is typically 5% of the sale price or a minimum of $0.40 per transaction.

Benefits of selling on Facebook Marketplace

• Wide reach with the ability to connect with local buyers.

• Easy listing process and direct messaging with buyers.

• No fees for local cash transactions.

Things to consider when selling on Facebook Marketplace

• Safety considerations for meeting buyers.

• Highly competitive market with many similar listings.

• Limited support for dispute resolution.

13. OfferUp

This is a mobile-focused platform for local buying and selling. It's ideal for users who prefer a simplified, app-based experience and for people who want to sell items within their community.

OfferUp fees:

• OfferUp Premium Plan: $7.99/month

Sellers pay a 12.9% service fee on the final price of an item, with a minimum fee of $1.99.

Benefits of selling on OfferUp

• Easy listing through the app with photos and descriptions.

• Local focus, making it easy to connect with nearby buyers.

• Secure in-app messaging for safe communication.

Things to consider when selling on OfferUp

• Fees for shipped transactions.

• Local listings may require meeting buyers in person.

• Limited customer support for issues

14. Rakuten

Rakuten is a global marketplace that connects sellers with a vast international audience. It is especially popular in Japan and is ideal for businesses looking to expand their reach beyond local markets.

Rakuten fees:

• Monthly: $7.99/month 

• Every 3 months: $7.79 per 3 months, with a 3% savings 

• Every 6 months: $7.49 per 6 months, with a 6% savings 

• Every 12 months: $6.79 per 12 months, with a 15% savings 

• Free trial: A 30-day free trial is available

Rakuten has a registration fee of $552, a system commission fee of 2.0%-4.0%, +0.5% via mobile, a system enhancement fee of 0.1%, and a payment processing fee of 2.5%-3.5%. 

Benefits of selling on Rakuten

• Access to an international customer base, especially in Asia.

• Strong brand recognition and consumer trust.

• Support for global shipping options.

Things to consider when selling on Rakuten

• Higher costs include a monthly fee and commission.

• Necessary compliance with Rakuten's strict product guidelines.

• Understanding of international logistics and shipping.

15. AliExpress

This is an ecommerce platform that allows sellers to reach a global market. It's popular for dropshipping and wholesale, making it ideal for businesses looking to scale their online presence.

AliExpress fees

The annual seller fee is based on the product category and is usually between 5% and 8%. 

Benefits of selling on AliExpress

• Huge global audience with high traffic.

• Support for dropshipping and wholesale selling.

• Flexible pricing strategies and promotion options.

Things to consider when selling on AliExpress

• Competitive platform with many similar listings.

• Language and cultural differences when selling internationally.

• Maintaining high standards for customer service.

16. Bonanza

Bonanza is a seller-friendly marketplace known for its low fees and user-friendly setup. It's a good option for niche and unique products.

Bonanza fees

• Gold Plan: $25/month

• Diamond Plan: $113/month

• Titan Plan: $167/month

Bonanza charges a $0.25 transaction fee on all sales made from a Bonanza booth for sellers without an active membership subscription.

Benefits of selling on Bonanza

• Low fees compared to larger marketplaces.

• Tools for easily importing listings from other platforms.

• Customizable store setup with branding options.

Things to consider when selling on Bonanza

• Lower traffic compared to giants like Amazon and eBay.

• Requires self-promotion to drive traffic to your listings.

• Limited customer service and dispute resolution support.

17. Walmart Marketplace

Walmart Marketplace offers sellers access to millions of customers through the trusted Walmart brand. It's a strong choice for established sellers wanting high visibility.

Walmart fees

Sellers are charged a commission fee based on the product category when they make a sale. The referral fee is typically between 6% and 20% of the item's selling price, with most products falling between 8% and 15%.

Benefits of selling on Walmart Marketplace

• Extensive reach with Walmart's customer base.

• Increased credibility from association with the Walmart brand.

• Access to Walmart's fulfillment services.

Things to consider when selling on Walmart Marketplace

• Strict requirements for approval as a seller.

• Strong competition with established brands.

• High standards for order fulfillment and customer service.

Several key criteria must be considered when selecting the right selling platform for your business. Understanding these criteria will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business objectives and maximizes your chances of success.

Here are some factors to bear in mind:

Target audience and market reach

Choose a platform that aligns with your audience's demographics and geographical reach, as some platforms cater to specific regions or industries. Be aware of fees and pricing structures to ensure profitability, from sales commissions to subscription or transaction fees.

Platform capabilities and features

Assess if the platform offers key features like inventory management, order tracking, and marketing tools. Integrations with other business tools, such as accounting and shipping services, can streamline operations and save time.

User experience and customer support

Opt for a platform with a user-friendly interface and strong customer support to ensure smooth operations and quick assistance when needed. This will enhance the selling experience and minimize disruptions in managing your store.

Selling in online marketplaces through multiple platforms can expand your reach to potential customers. However, it's important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before working on a multi-platform strategy.

Key advantages

• Broader customer base: Selling on multiple platforms lets you reach new audiences, reducing dependence on a single platform for sales stability.

• Increased brand exposure: More platforms mean greater brand visibility, with each offering unique promotional tools like ads and influencer partnerships.

• Market insights: Each platform provides valuable data on customer behavior, helping you refine strategies and make data-driven decisions.

Key disadvantages

• Operational complexity: Managing multiple platforms requires time and resources for inventory, order fulfillment, and customer service.

• Inventory management challenges: Tracking and syncing inventory across platforms can be tricky, so tools to streamline this process are essential.

• Brand Identity dilution: Consistent branding across different platforms is crucial to maintain brand recognition and customer trust.

• Pricing conflicts: Varying fees and promotional structures across platforms challenge coordinated pricing and promotions.

To maximize your success, weigh these pros and cons carefully, optimize your strategy, and develop a plan that minimizes risks in an omnichannel approach.

Understanding the diverse online selling platforms is crucial for business success. These platforms connect businesses to vast customer networks, helping them manage everything from sales to operations while providing valuable growth and efficiency resources.

Gelato, a print on demand (POD) solution, enhances this ecosystem by allowing businesses to streamline product creation without the hassle of managing inventory. Through our global network, spanning 34 countries, products are printed as orders come in, reducing overhead and enabling highly customized offerings tailored to a growing demand for personalization. With smooth integration options for popular platforms and a flexible API for unique business needs, Gelato empowers creators and businesses to reach global audiences efficiently. 

By localizing production, Gelato reduces shipping costs, shortens delivery times, and minimizes environmental impact. Sign up for Gelato today to transform your business model with sustainable, scalable, and customizable solutions.

What's the best platform to sell on?

The best platform depends on your product type and audience. Shopify offers excellent customization for general ecommerce, while Etsy is ideal for handmade and vintage items. Gelato provides an efficient, global solution for print on demand products. Amazon's high visibility benefits general goods, making it suitable for sellers with broader audiences. You can leverage an online selling site to market and sell your products, like t-shirts, wall art, mugs, phone cases, photo books, and more.

Which online marketplace is best for sales?

Amazon stands out as the top online marketplace for sales due to its vast reach and trusted shopping experience. Its reliable infrastructure and extensive traffic make it ideal for sellers aiming for high volume, though its fees and competitive nature should be considered. For small businesses, platforms like Etsy, Poshmark, and eBay offer focused audiences, while Gelato supports custom merchandise for those using a print on demand model. You can create your store, list your items with appealing photos and descriptions, decide on prices, and make delivery arrangements.

What is the best site to sell used items?

eBay is ideal for selling used items and attracting buyers seeking secondhand and unique finds. With options for bidding and direct sales, it accommodates various used products, from electronics to collectibles. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Nextdoor are popular platforms for selling local stuff. They allow you to easily reach people in your local community and arrange pickup or delivery.