For years, Etsy was the go-to marketplace for indie sellers. But today, it’s a crowded, pay-to-play catalog where indie merchants get buried under mass-produced junk.

That’s why so many sellers are searching for Etsy alternatives.

The truth? Marketplaces like Depop, Mercari, Poshmark, eBay, Whatnot, Amazon Handmade, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram Shops, and TikTok Shops all promise visibility. But they come with the same tradeoffs: fees, lack of control, and no ownership of your buyers.

👉 Clued is different. We’re not another marketplace — we’re your shop, your subscribers, your freedom.

Popular Etsy alternatives (and their limits)

Depop

Great for low- to mid-tier resale goods, especially fashion. But fees fall on buyers, which makes pricing tricky — and sellers don’t own the customer.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs Depop.

Poshmark

Social-style marketplace with focus on clothing. But discovery depends on constant self-promotion, and you never own your buyers.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs Poshmark.

Mercari

Simple marketplace for reselling anything. Buyer fees keep margins thin, and sellers compete in a race-to-the-bottom environment.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs Mercari.

eBay

The original resale giant. Powerful, but built for auctions and commoditized goods, not indie sellers building a brand.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs eBay.

Whatnot

Livestream shopping with hype. Great for collectibles, but time-intensive and platform-dependent — your audience isn’t yours.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs Whatnot.

Amazon Handmade

Amazon’s attempt at Etsy. But with the same issues: high fees, factory knockoffs, and zero identity for your brand.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs Amazon Handmade.

Facebook Marketplace

Easy to list, huge audience. But no tools for building subscribers or creating a lasting brand.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs Facebook Marketplace.

Instagram Shops

Seamless for social. But you’re always at the mercy of the algorithm — no guarantee your followers see your drops.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs Instagram Shops.

TikTok Shops

Explosive traffic, but built for TikTok’s priorities, not yours. Algorithms decide your fate, not your relationship with buyers.

👉 Read the full comparison: Clued vs TikTok Shops.

The problem with marketplaces

Marketplaces can give you reach. But they all share the same weaknesses:

• No ownership → buyers belong to the platform, not you.
  
• Fees on fees → margins shrink with every sale.
  
• Algorithm roulette → you only get seen if you pay or if the algo favors you.
  
• Commodification → your goods sit next to mass-produced junk.
  

You’re not building a business. You’re renting a stall in someone else’s mall.

Why sellers choose Clued instead

Clued flips the script. We’re not another marketplace — we’re the anti-Etsy.

• Your buyers, your list → every drop builds subscribers you own forever.
  
• Your shop, your brand → look like a real brand, not a listing in a warehouse.
  
• Scroll-stopping marketing built in → AI-powered Scenes make your goods visible instantly.
  
• Checkout + shipping included → commerce without clutter.
  
• Mobile-first → built for sellers who live on Instagram, TikTok, and drops.
  

👉 Marketplaces rent you an audience. Clued helps you own one.

Which path do you want?

• If you want to keep fighting algorithms and fees: stick with marketplaces.
  
• If you want freedom — to own your buyers, build your brand, and actually grow — choose Clued.
  

Ready to make the switch?

Every day you depend on Etsy or its lookalikes, you’re gambling your future on an algorithm you don’t control.

Clued makes you visible by default. Your shop, your buyers, your growth — all in one place.

👉 Make your first Scene today and join the sellers choosing independence over marketplaces.

Because the truth is simple: marketplaces rent you an audience. Clued helps you own one.

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