ByHand vs Folksy
Folksy is a handmade-only marketplace for makers in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, with its own checkout. ByHand is a worldwide directory of reviewed handmade shops: we send shoppers to wherever you already sell, including a Folksy shop.
Side by side
Folksy's details were checked in October 2026. They change, so check Folksy's own comparison with Etsy for the latest.
What it is
ByHand
A directory of reviewed handmade shops, linking to where each maker sells.
Folksy
A handmade marketplace with its own checkout.
Who can sell
ByHand
Worldwide. Shoppers can browse makers by country.
Folksy
Makers based in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Cost to list
ByHand
Free to list, and free to stay listed.
Folksy
15p plus VAT per item listed on the basic plan, or free listings with Folksy Plus (£7.50 a month, or £75 a year), at the time of writing.
Cut of each sale
ByHand
None. Shoppers buy on your own site or shop, so we never see the sale.
Folksy
6% plus VAT of the item price (not postage), plus PayPal or Stripe fees, at the time of writing.
What's allowed
ByHand
Things you, or a small team you work with, make yourselves. No reselling, drop-shipping or print-on-demand.
Folksy
Handmade only: no resellers and no vintage.
Who checks it's handmade
ByHand
A person looks through photos of your making before the shop goes up.
Folksy
Folksy's own rules and moderation.
Craft fairs
ByHand
Your craft fairs and markets go on your shop page and the markets calendar.
Folksy
No built-in markets calendar.
Why makers list on ByHand
- Makers anywhere in the world can list, and shoppers can browse by country.
- No listing fees, subscription or cut of your sales.
- Photos of your making are on show, so shoppers see the work behind each piece.
Where Folksy is the better fit
- A checkout of its own, so you don't need a website to take orders.
- A UK audience already looking for handmade.
You don't have to choose
Sell on Folksy and point your ByHand shop at it. ByHand sends people there, Folksy takes the order, and you keep both audiences.