Zibbet vs Etsy:Is Zibbet Still in Business?
Important Update: Zibbet shut down permanently in 2022. The platform is no longer operational. This guide explains what happened and shows you the best alternatives for handmade sellers.
Zibbet is No Longer in Business
Zibbet officially ceased operations in 2022. The website is no longer functional, seller accounts were closed, and all listings are gone. If you're looking for a Zibbet alternative, see our recommendations below.
Is Zibbet Still in Business?
No. Zibbet is no longer in business. If you're searching for "Zibbet vs Etsy" or wondering if Zibbet is still operational, you've likely found outdated articles. The platform shut down permanently in 2022.
This guide covers what happened to Zibbet, how it compared to Etsy when it existed, and most importantly, where former Zibbet sellers and those looking for Etsy alternatives should go now.
What Happened to Zibbet?
Zibbet launched in 2010 as an Australian-based marketplace for handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. For several years, it positioned itself as a fee-friendly alternative to Etsy with lower costs and multi-channel selling capabilities.
Timeline of Zibbet's Decline
Operated as a standalone marketplace similar to Etsy
Pivoted to a multi-channel listing tool (syncing across Etsy, eBay, Facebook)
Introduced subscription-based pricing, moved away from marketplace model
Struggled with declining user base and revenue
Officially shut down all operations
Why Zibbet Failed
- No buyer traffic - Sellers brought their own customers; marketplace discovery was nearly nonexistent
- Brand recognition - Buyers didn't search "Zibbet" for handmade goods
- Pivot confusion - Shifting from marketplace to tool alienated core users
- Feature competition - Better multi-channel tools emerged (Sellbrite, Listing Mirror, etc.)
- Etsy's dominance - Network effects made Etsy the default for handmade
How Zibbet Compared to Etsy (Historical)
Understanding what Zibbet offered helps you identify which current platform might fill that gap. Here's how the two compared when Zibbet was operational.
Pricing and Fees (Historical)
| Fee Type | Zibbet (When Active) | Etsy (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | $0 (included in subscription) | $0.20 per listing |
| Transaction Fee | 0% | 6.5% |
| Payment Processing | Varies by payment method | 3% + $0.25 |
| Monthly Fee | $5-$15/month | $0 (standard) |
Key Insight
Zibbet's subscription model appealed to high-volume sellers who wanted to avoid per-transaction fees. Etsy's pay-as-you-go model works better for occasional sellers or those testing products.
Etsy in 2026: Current State
With Zibbet gone, Etsy remains the dominant marketplace for handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. Here's what sellers need to know.
Etsy Pros
- Massive buyer traffic - Over 90 million active buyers
- Built-in search engine - Buyers discover products organically
- Trust and recognition - Customers trust the Etsy brand
- Mobile app - Strong buyer app drives purchases
- Seller tools - Analytics, promoted listings, star seller program
- Buyer protection - Purchase protection builds confidence
Etsy Cons
- Fee increases - Transaction fees have risen over time
- Algorithm dependency - Visibility depends on Etsy's search
- Offsite ads controversy - Mandatory for larger sellers
- Mass-produced competition - Some listings blur the "handmade" line
- Policy changes - Rules can shift, affecting strategies
- Limited branding - Difficult to build your own brand identity
Etsy Fees (2026)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Listing Fee | $0.20 per listing (4-month duration) |
| Transaction Fee | 6.5% of total sale price (including shipping) |
| Payment Processing | 3% + $0.25 per transaction |
| Offsite Ads Fee | 12-15% on attributed sales (mandatory over $10k/year) |
Best Etsy Alternatives for Former Zibbet Sellers
Since Zibbet is gone, here are the platforms that might serve sellers looking for alternatives to Etsy.
1. Shopify
Best for Brand BuildersSellers wanting full control over their brand and customer relationships.
2. Amazon Handmade
Best for VolumeSellers wanting Amazon's massive buyer base.
3. Big Cartel
Best for Small CatalogsArtists and makers wanting simplicity.
4. eBay
Best for VintageSellers with vintage items or unique collectibles.
How to Choose the Right Platform
Choose Etsy If:
- You're starting out and need buyer traffic
- Your products fit the "handmade/vintage/craft" category
- You don't have marketing budget for driving traffic
- You want to test products before building your own site
Choose Shopify If:
- You have an existing audience or marketing skills
- You want complete brand control
- You're willing to invest in driving traffic
- You want to own customer relationships
Choose Amazon Handmade If:
- You can handle higher fees for more volume
- Your products appeal to mainstream consumers
- You're comfortable with Amazon's rules
- You prioritize sales volume over brand building
Stay Multi-Platform If:
- You want to diversify income sources
- You can manage inventory across platforms
- You have time to optimize multiple channels
- You're testing which platform works best
What Zibbet Sellers Taught Us
The Zibbet shutdown offered valuable lessons for all online sellers:
Don't Put All Eggs in One Basket
Sellers who relied solely on Zibbet lost their entire sales channel overnight. Diversification across platforms provides security.
Own Your Customer Relationships
Building an email list and social following means you can redirect traffic if a platform closes. Zibbet sellers with their own audiences recovered faster.
Free/Cheap Isn't Always Better
Zibbet's low fees attracted sellers, but the lack of buyer traffic meant most sales came from external marketing anyway. Paying Etsy's fees for built-in traffic can be more cost-effective.
Platform Pivots Are Warning Signs
When Zibbet shifted from marketplace to listing tool, that signaled trouble. Stay alert to your platform's direction and have contingency plans.
Data Portability Matters
Keep records of your listings, photos, descriptions, and customer data outside your selling platform. When Zibbet closed, sellers who had backups could migrate faster.
Migrating from Etsy (or Any Platform)
If you're considering leaving Etsy for an alternative, here's how to migrate safely.
Export Your Data
Download all listings, photos, and customer information. Etsy allows data exports in Settings > Options > Download Data.
Set Up Your New Platform
Create your new shop or website. Don't close Etsy until the new platform is ready.
Test with New Listings
Launch a few products on the new platform. Test the workflow, shipping integration, and customer experience.
Run Parallel Operations
Operate both platforms simultaneously while building traffic on the new one. This protects income during transition.
Gradual Transition
Once the new platform generates consistent sales, decide whether to maintain Etsy as secondary or close it entirely.
Redirect Customers
Update your social media, email signatures, and marketing to point to your new primary platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Optimize Your Selling Strategy?
Whether you're on Etsy, building your own store, or selling across multiple platforms, InsightAgent helps you make data-driven decisions.