Gumroad vs Etsy: Difference and Comparison

The online market is expanding globally, leading to purchasing and selling items directly from their homes and business outlets. Online e-commerce has made it easier for small business owners to expand their business globally and easily without investing a huge lump sum of money in product marketing. As most of the population of the world is on the internet, it has been a lot easier for business owners to communicate and sell. 

Key Takeaways

  1. Gumroad is a platform for creators to sell digital products, while Etsy is a marketplace for handmade and vintage items.
  2. Gumroad offers more customization options and direct payment processing, while Etsy has a larger audience and a more established reputation.
  3. Gumroad is better suited for digital creators and niche markets, while Etsy is ideal for artists and makers with physical products.

Gumroad vs Etsy 

The difference between Gumroad and Etsy is that Gumroad directly deals with the customers and sells their products online. On the other hand, the company Etsy deals with vintage items, handmade items, and craft supplies. They buy, sell, and collect items, which include different home décor items, furniture, toys, jewellery, and many more.

Gumroad vs Etsy

Gumroad is a company founded by two leaders, Sahil Lavingia and Sachin Khanna. The purpose of the website they created was to directly sell the products and services to their customers as a social service. The company was based in San Francisco, United States, and was founded a decade ago from the present, that is, in 2011.

Etsy is an e-commerce platform that mainly focuses on the selling and buying of vintage, handmade, and craft supplies. The items have a wide variety, such as jewellery, toys, furniture, home décor products, etc. The firm was created and founded by Robert Kalin, Chris Maguire, Haim Schoppik, and Jared Tarbell. They founded it in the year 2005 and are based in Brooklyn, New York.

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Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonGumroadEtsy
Founded BySahil Lavingia and Sachin KhannaRobert Kalin, Chris Maguire, Haim Schoppik, and later Jared Tarbell
Founded In 20112005
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, United StatesBrooklyn, New York
IndustrySelf-publishing, Digital distribution, E-commerce, music, and film platformE-commerce
Category Sells directly to their customersSells buys, and collect vintage and collectible items
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What is Gumroad?

Gumroad is a company or firm located in San Francisco, California, United States. The company was founded in late 2010 but came into existence in 2011. There were two founders of the company that is – Sahil Lavingia and Sachin Khanna. The company’s basic aim was to sell its goods and services directly to its customers.

The idea of building Gumroad came into Sahil Lavingia when he wanted to sell his photorealistic icon, which took him considerable time to sell. After this incident, he then built the first iteration of Gumroad in a week.

The Gumroad platform allows many creators, such as music artists, authors, comedians, and designers, to sell their services and goods directly to customers. Initially, the site’s hosting fee was low compared to other platforms but was then changed and increased accordingly.

Many renowned music artists such as Eminem, David Banner, Wiz Khalifa, Bon Jovi, and Sam Hyde have used the platform to sell their products. Despite musicians, many authors and filmmakers have also used the platform to sell through it. For example – Man on Wire, Jesus Camp, Page One: Inside the New York Times, Tim Ferriss, Chris Guillebeau, etc.

What is Etsy?

Etsy or Etsy Inc. is a company or firm whose headquarters is located in Brooklyn, New York, United States. The company or firm was founded by three individuals that is Robert Kalin, Chris Maguire, Haim Schoppik, and later Jared Tarbell came on board. The group launched or founded the company in the year 2005.

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Etsy Inc is an American-based e-commerce platform that aims at selling and buying goods online to their customers like others, but the unique feature of the company is they mainly focus on handmade products, vintage items (which must be at least 20 years or older), and craft supplies. The subcategories for the items were quite vast- they deal in jewellery, furniture, handbags, men, women, kids’ items and products, toys, art pieces, craft tools, and many more.

They offer the traditional craft open, fair system for their customers to buy products as well as give access to the owner to set a personal storefront at a fee of $0.20 on each item. The owners decide the payment methods for the items, which can be paid via credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, etc.

Main Differences Between Gumroad and Etsy

  1. The Gumroad firm was founded by two people, Sahil Lavingia and Sachin Khanna, while on the other hand, the Etsy Incorporation was founded by three people and later Jared Tarbell. 
  2. The Gumroad company was eventually founded in 2010 but came into existence in 2011, while on the other hand, Etsy Inc. was founded back in 2005. 
  3. Gumroad’s headquarters is in San Francisco, California, United States, while Etsy Inc. is also an American-based e-commerce company; thus, its headquarters is in Brooklyn, New York, United States.
  4. The Gumroad firm/company is a self-publishing, music, film, digital distribution, and e-commerce platform, while Etsy Inc. is simply an e-commerce website.
  5. Gumroad majorly deals with the direct selling of products and their services to their customers as social service, while comparatively on the other, Etsy Inc. deals with handmade, vintage, and craft supplies, which have vast sub-varieties to choose from, such as jewellery, furniture, toys, home décor, art, craft tools, and many more. 
Difference Between Gumroad and Etsy

References

  1. https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amp.2015.0111
  2. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=3IdCCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT2&dq=difference+between+gumroad+and+etsy&ots=Y4UZxrfCM6&sig=LkQvHImDNP8Za1hvpfE2YcgCZ-Y&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
  3. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08853134.2019.1659741
  4. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/108645

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Chara Yadav
Chara Yadav

Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.

27 Comments

  1. The detailed exploration of Gumroad and Etsy’s core features and founders’ stories enhances the reader’s understanding of these platforms. It’s a valuable piece for individuals navigating the e-commerce landscape.

    • I completely agree. The article provides a wealth of knowledge about Gumroad and Etsy, offering valuable insights for creators and entrepreneurs looking to establish a strong online presence and reach a global audience.

  2. The article’s exploration of Gumroad and Etsy’s origins and focus areas is both informative and enlightening. It helps to establish a deep understanding of the unique value propositions offered by each platform.

    • I agree. The detailed overview of Gumroad and Etsy’s headquarters, industry focus, and target markets provides essential knowledge for small business owners seeking to reach a global audience.

    • The comprehensive analysis of Gumroad’s and Etsy’s features provides a valuable resource for creators and business owners to evaluate their e-commerce options. It’s a well-researched and insightful article.

  3. The article presents a clear distinction between Gumroad and Etsy, focusing on their unique selling points and target markets. This level of detail is beneficial for individuals exploring e-commerce options.

    • Absolutely. Understanding the core offerings and industry focus of Gumroad and Etsy is essential for sellers to make informed decisions about the most suitable platform for their products.

    • The depth of information about Gumroad and Etsy’s operations and historical background adds significant value to the article. It’s helpful for readers to gain comprehensive insights into these platforms.

  4. The comparisons made between Gumroad and Etsy are detailed and well-structured, providing essential information for creators looking to establish an online presence. The article offers a valuable resource for decision-making.

    • I completely agree. The in-depth analysis of the differences between Gumroad and Etsy equips readers with a clear understanding of the strengths and limitations of each platform.

    • The detailed comparison table and descriptions of Gumroad and Etsy’s founding story highlight the article’s thoroughness in examining these e-commerce platforms. It’s a valuable educational piece.

  5. This article provides a great comparison between Gumroad and Etsy, two popular online e-commerce platforms. It’s interesting to learn about their differences and similarities.

    • I found the historical background of Gumroad and Etsy very insightful. It’s fascinating to learn about their founders and how these platforms came into existence.

    • I agree, it’s important for business owners to understand the unique benefits of each platform in order to make informed decisions about where to sell their products.

  6. The details about what Gumroad and Etsy specifically offer to creators and sellers are enlightening. It’s clear that each platform has its own strengths and advantages for different types of products.

    • I agree. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the distinct features and benefits of Gumroad and Etsy, which is valuable for anyone considering selling products online.

    • Understanding the direct payment processing of Gumroad and the broader audience of Etsy sheds light on their respective capabilities. It’s important for creators to weigh these factors when choosing a platform.

  7. The section on Gumroad’s founders and creation story is particularly compelling. It’s inspiring to read about the origins of the platform and its evolution over time.

    • I agree. The entrepreneurial journey of Gumroad’s founders highlights the vision and innovation behind the platform, offering valuable insights for aspiring creators and business owners.

  8. Learning about the founders and the unique focus of each platform gives a deeper understanding of Gumroad and Etsy. It’s clear that they serve different purposes in the e-commerce space.

    • The wealth of information about the founders and history of Gumroad and Etsy adds valuable context to the article. It’s always helpful to know the origins of these platforms.

    • Absolutely. The distinct offerings of Gumroad and Etsy make them suitable for different types of sellers and products, which is important for small business owners to consider.

  9. Understanding the distinct characteristics and functions of Gumroad and Etsy is crucial for creators and entrepreneurs venturing into online sales. This article serves as an excellent educational resource for them.

    • Absolutely. The article’s deep dive into the unique offerings and focus areas of Gumroad and Etsy equips readers with comprehensive knowledge to make informed decisions about their e-commerce strategies.

  10. The comparison table is very helpful in understanding the key differences between Gumroad and Etsy. It’s clear that both platforms cater to different types of products and audiences.

    • Agreed. It’s crucial for creators to consider the specific features of each platform and how it aligns with their target market when deciding where to sell their products.

    • The detailed information about the headquarters and industry focus of Gumroad and Etsy provides valuable context for understanding their operations and customer base.

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