Choosing the right platform to sell your art online is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an artist. We've compared the top platforms on the factors that matter most — commission rates, fees, audience, and features — so you can make an informed choice.
All rates sourced directly from official platform help centres and documentation. Commission rates are verified as of June 2026 and are subject to change.
| Feature | ZicoArt | Saatchi Art | Etsy | Artfinder | Fine Art America |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | Free | Free | $0.20 per item | Free | Free / $30/year premium |
| Monthly subscription | None | None | Optional $10+/month | £4.99–£19.99/month | $30/year |
| Commission on originals | 25% | 40% | ~9.5% + $0.45 | 40–45% | Markup model |
| You keep (originals) | 75% | 60% | ~90% before fees | 55–60% | Varies |
| Payment processing | Included in 25% | Additional bank fees | 3% + $0.25 extra | Included | PayPal/Stripe |
| Sell original artwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sell limited edition prints | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sell online art classes | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Certificate of Authenticity | ✓ Every sale | Not standard | Not standard | Optional | Not standard |
| Artist approval required | Yes — quality | Yes — ID verification | No | Yes — curated | No |
| Payout speed | 3–5 days | 14 days + 4–5 days | Weekly deposits | Monthly | Monthly |
| Promo discounts affect earnings | No | Yes — shared | No | No | No |
| Copyright retained by artist | ✓ 100% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Non-exclusive listing | ✓ Sell anywhere | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | Originals + prints + classes | Fine art collectors | Handmade / prints | Curated fine art | Open edition prints |
ZicoArt launched in 2026 as one of the only platforms that lets artists sell original artwork, limited edition prints, and online art classes from a single free profile. The 25% commission is the lowest of any comparable fine art platform, and the flat structure — no listing fees, no monthly subscription, no payment processing surcharge — means the price you see is the price you pay. Artists are verified before listing, which maintains platform quality and collector trust. Every sale includes a Certificate of Authenticity at no extra cost.
Saatchi Art is the most established name in online fine art selling. Its 1.8 million monthly visitors and global collector network give artists genuine reach — but that reach comes at a significant cost. Saatchi Art raised its commission from 35% to 40% in 2026, meaning artists now keep only 60% of each sale. Additionally, Saatchi frequently runs promotional discount codes of 10–20% — and that discount is deducted before the commission split, further reducing artist earnings on promoted sales.
Etsy's 500 million+ monthly visitors make it the largest marketplace by traffic. For artists selling affordable prints, handmade goods, or digital downloads, Etsy's built-in audience is a genuine advantage. However, Etsy's fee structure is the most complex of any platform — and many artists significantly underestimate the true cost. The combined mandatory fees (listing + transaction + payment processing) reach approximately 9.5% + $0.45 per sale, and Etsy's Offsite Ads can add 12–15% on top of that for sellers earning over $10,000 annually.
Artfinder positions itself as a curated marketplace with a focus on independent artists and collector experience. The curation process is genuine — not every artist is accepted — which does maintain quality standards. However, Artfinder's mandatory monthly subscription fees (£4.99–£19.99/month depending on plan) combined with a 40–45% commission on sales make it one of the most expensive platforms for artists by total cost.
Yes — most platforms are non-exclusive, meaning you can list the same work on ZicoArt and Saatchi Art simultaneously. Just ensure your pricing is consistent across all platforms to maintain credibility with collectors who might find you on both. Start by getting established on one platform before expanding to others.
ZicoArt pays within 3–5 business days of a completed sale. Etsy deposits weekly. Saatchi Art takes 14 days after delivery plus 4–5 additional processing days — making it the slowest payout of the major platforms at up to 19 days total.
Etsy can work for original paintings but the platform's buyer expectations lean toward lower price points. Collectors shopping Etsy typically expect to spend under $200 for art. For original paintings priced above $300, a dedicated art marketplace like ZicoArt or Saatchi Art will convert better because the buyer audience is specifically looking for fine art originals.
Yes. Saatchi Art raised its commission from 35% to 40% in 2026, confirmed directly by their official help centre. This means artists now keep 60% of each original artwork sale, down from the previous 65%. Many existing Saatchi artists report not being notified of this change.
ZicoArt charges the lowest commission of any comparable fine art platform in 2026 at 25% — with no listing fees, no monthly subscription, and no payment processing fee on top. Artists keep 75% of every sale. Saatchi Art charges 40%, Artfinder 40–45%, and traditional galleries 40–50%.
ZicoArt is free to join. 25% commission only when you sell. Keep 75%, get paid in 3–5 days.