Zazzle has been a go-to for personalized products and passive print-on-demand income for years.
With its massive product catalog and built-in customer base, it offers creators a hands-off way to earn royalties on everything from wedding invites to mugs.
But while Zazzle is free and easy to get started with, it comes with some serious trade-offs: outdated tools, limited branding options, low royalties, and a marketplace that’s saturated to the brim.
It’s great if you’re dabbling in event-based merch or niche templates; however, if you're trying to scale, grow a brand, or sell apparel at volume, you'll quickly hit a wall.
So if Zazzle isn’t quite cutting it for your creative ambitions, don’t worry, we’ve got options!
In this guide, we’ll break down the 13 best alternatives to Zazzle for artists, creators, and entrepreneurs who want more control, better tools, and higher margins.
Zazzle has carved out a unique niche in the print-on-demand space by focusing on personalized products, especially for life’s big moments like weddings, birthdays, holidays, and events.
While it may not be your go-to for scaling a full-blown brand, it absolutely shines as a hands-off solution for passive income and hyper-customizable gifts.
Here’s a full breakdown of why Zazzle continues to attract creators, designers, and even corporate teams looking for custom merch:
Zazzle isn’t just a marketplace; it’s a full-fledged design playground.
Creators and customers alike can create fully personalized products with Zazzle’s built-in design editor, which sets it apart from most POD platforms that rely on third-party software.
Zazzle is fully hands-off:
There’s no custom-branded packaging, but customers expect the Zazzle branding, so that’s not really a drawback on this platform.
With over 1,000 customizable products, Zazzle is easily one of the most versatile POD marketplaces out there.
You’ll find standard categories like:
But where Zazzle really sets itself apart is in its event-based inventory:
If you’re targeting niche audiences (like DIY brides or party planners), this is where Zazzle absolutely thrives.
Zazzle’s royalty model gives sellers flexibility while keeping the barrier to entry at zero:
It's worth noting that you won't be earning massive margins like with Shopify + Printful setups, but it’s a great model for passive earnings.
Unlike Shopify or WooCommerce, where you’re responsible for driving traffic, Zazzle is a discovery-based marketplace with over 30 million active customers.
That makes Zazzle ideal for creators who don’t want to deal with marketing or setting up a full eCommerce website.
Here’s a feature that’s shockingly rare in POD marketplaces: instant downloads.
Zazzle lets you sell digital goods like:
It’s one of the few platforms that allows this hybrid approach, giving you even more ways to monetize your creativity.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Zazzle isn’t built for creators who want full control, scalability, or serious brand growth.
If you’re hoping to run a professional online merch store or dominate in eCommerce, there are some major limitations you need to know.
Here are some other reasons why Zazzle falls short, and why you might want to consider looking elsewhere:
If you're looking to build a recognizable brand, Zazzle provides you with almost no tools to do so.
Zazzle’s product editor feels stuck in the early 2010s.
If you’re uploading more than a few designs, this becomes a time-consuming task.
Want to know which products are driving the most traffic? Which listings convert best? Too bad.
Zazzle’s dashboard gives you barebones analytics at best:
If you're used to platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or even Redbubble, Zazzle’s reporting will feel extremely limited.
With millions of designs uploaded, Zazzle’s marketplace is brutally competitive.
Unless you're hyper-niched or targeting seasonal trends, you’ll likely struggle to stand out.
Zazzle allows you to set your own royalty rate; however, this freedom comes with a catch.
It’s passive income, yes, but it’s more of a drip feed than a revenue stream.
Zazzle's customer support is primarily geared toward buyers, rather than sellers.
You’re largely on your own, and the tools they offer reflect that.
Overall, Zazzle is great for what it is: a passive, event-focused POD platform with built-in traffic and zero startup cost.
But if you're dreaming bigger than birthday mugs and baby shower invites, it’s probably time to level up. Take a look at the alternative platforms below and compare them to Zazzle.
Fourthwall is a modern, creator-first eCommerce platform designed for people who want full control over their brand, from storefront to fulfillment.
Unlike Zazzle, which locks you into its marketplace, Fourthwall allows you to build your own website, sell both physical and digital products, offer memberships, accept tips, and connect directly with your audience.
With built-in integrations for YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and email tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp, it’s perfect for creators looking to turn fans into customers without needing coding or outside tools.
Add in high-quality merch, global fulfillment, and advanced print options like DTG, sublimation, embroidery, and screen printing, and you’ve got a platform made to scale with you, not restrict you.
And for those ready to level up, there’s now Fourthwall Pro, an optional upgrade built for creators and teams looking to scale without limits. For $19/month (or $180 annually), Pro unlocks premium tools designed to maximize profits, streamline collaboration, and enhance your storefront:
🔑 Fourthwall Pro Features:
Whether you’re just starting out or managing a growing merch empire, Fourthwall gives you everything you need to build, customize, and scale your brand all in one platform.
💰Pricing:
Free Plan – $0/month
Pro Plan – $19/month ($180 annually)
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
Printful delivers high-quality printing with no minimum order requirements, making it an excellent choice for creators and small business owners seeking a reliable print-on-demand partner.
Its platform is easy to navigate and integrates seamlessly with popular eCommerce solutions like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Squarespace, allowing sellers to connect with their audience wherever they already shop.
One of Printful’s most useful tools is its built-in mockup generator, which allows you to preview your designs on over 230 products, ranging from clothing and accessories to home décor and wall art.
This feature streamlines the setup process, helping you create polished, professional listings without requiring graphic design experience.
With global fulfillment centers and the ability to customize everything from inside shirt labels to branded packing slips, Printful gives you the infrastructure to run a serious ecommerce business
💰Pricing:
Free Plan – $0/month
Printful Growth – $24.99/month (or free if you hit $12,000 in annual sales)
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
Similar to Fourthwall, Sellfy is an all-in-one eCommerce platform built for those who want a simple but powerful solution for selling print-on-demand products, digital downloads, and subscriptions, all from a fully customizable storefront.
Unlike Zazzle, which locks you into its marketplace, Sellfy gives you complete control over your brand with a built-in website builder, custom domains, and seamless integration across social media, YouTube, and your existing site.
Its print-on-demand feature makes it easy to design and sell high-quality products, such as t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, hats, and framed posters.
Sellfy automatically handles production, fulfillment, and global shipping from 11 fulfillment centers worldwide.
On top of that, it comes equipped with powerful built-in marketing tools, like email campaigns, discount codes, upsells, affiliate programs, and cart abandonment recovery, so you can grow your business without juggling multiple platforms.
💰Pricing:
Starter Plan – $22/month
Business Plan – $59/month
Premium Plan – $119/month
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
When it comes to scaling a global print-on-demand business, Gelato stands out by making it possible to sell worldwide while producing locally.
With a network of 140+ production partners across 32 countries, Gelato ensures your products are printed and shipped from the facility closest to your customer, resulting in faster delivery times, lower shipping costs, and reduced carbon emissions.
The platform integrates seamlessly with top eCommerce solutions like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, and API connections, so you can link your existing store or start fresh without heavy setup.
Plus, Gelato equips creators with free design tools, a robust mockup studio, branded packaging options, and millions of stock images, giving you everything you need to create, customize, and sell high-quality products, without managing inventory or fulfillment yourself.
💰Pricing:
Free Plan – $0/month
Gelato+ – $25/month (or $249/year, save 17%)
Gelato+ Gold – $129/month (or $1,285/year, save 17%)
Gelato Platinum – Custom Pricing
✅ Pros
❌ Cons
If you want massive product variety and the lowest possible prices in print-on-demand, Printify is one of the best platforms to make it happen.
Acting as a POD aggregator, Printify connects you with 80+ trusted print providers worldwide and gives you access to over 1,300 customizable products, from apparel and mugs to home décor, phone cases, and more.
The platform integrates seamlessly with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Amazon, eBay, TikTok, and other major marketplaces, making it a versatile choice for sellers seeking flexibility and broad reach.
With tools like the free Product Creator, AI-powered mockup generator, and Printify Choice (which automatically routes orders to the best-quality print provider), Printify makes it easy for anyone to launch, scale, and profit, without upfront costs or inventory headaches.
💰Pricing:
Free Plan – $0/month
Premium Plan – $29/month (or $299/year, save 14%)
Enterprise Plan – Custom Pricing
✅ Pros
❌ Cons
Founded in 2002, Spreadshirt has grown into one of the largest print-on-demand (POD) platforms globally, with over 250 customizable products and a network of 100,000+ active sellers.
Whether you want to build your own branded shop, tap into Spreadshirt’s existing marketplace, or integrate POD into your existing Shopify or WooCommerce store through SPOD, the platform gives creators complete control over how they sell and scale.
Its design editor is beginner-friendly, allowing you to upload your own artwork or create designs from scratch using built-in templates, text tools, and community-created assets.
It also offers five printing methods, including direct digital printing, embroidery, flex, flock, and special effects printing, making it a great option for sellers who want professional-quality merch.
With no upfront costs, multiple sales channels, and global fulfillment, it’s designed to help creators monetize their designs without worrying about inventory or logistics.
💰Pricing:
Free to Use — $0/month
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
Gooten isn’t your typical print-on-demand platform. It’s more like having a personal logistics team working behind the scenes, connecting you to a global network of manufacturers and automating everything from production to delivery.
With over 150 customizable products, strong margins, and powerful automation tools, it’s built for sellers who treat print-on-demand like a business, not a hobby.
Where Gooten really stands out is in its backend fulfillment model. Instead of handling production in-house, Gooten dynamically routes each order to the best printing partner based on location, product type, and inventory availability.
That means faster shipping times, fewer errors, and competitive base costs across apparel, wall art, home goods, drinkware, accessories, and niche products, such as pet beds, yoga mats, and ornaments.
While it’s not the flashiest platform, its automation tools, supplier network, and competitive pricing make it ideal for scaling businesses and agencies managing multiple clients.
💰 Pricing:
Free to Use — $0/month
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
When it comes to helping small businesses look big, VistaPrint is in a league of its own.
While it’s best known for printing billions of business cards since 1995, today VistaPrint has evolved into a full-service hub for custom marketing materials, branded merch, promotional products, and even print-on-demand fulfillment.
The platform offers intuitive design tools, thousands of ready-to-use templates, and a robust reseller program that enables creators and businesses to customize, white-label, and sell products directly to customers.
Whether you’re ordering bulk apparel, creating high-end signage, or testing out POD items for your shop, VistaPrint offers a streamlined experience designed to help brands look polished, professional, and prepared without requiring design expertise.
💰Pricing: Because VistaPrint has an extensive catalog of over 1,000+ products, its pricing varies depending on the product and service:
Standard Product Pricing (Pay Per Product)
Reseller Program (Optional)
Basic Plan – Free Forever
Premium Plan – $74.99/year
Vista x Wix Website Builder (Optional)
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
If you’ve got quirky designs or niche ideas that deserve an audience, CafePress has been doing print-on-demand since before it was cool.
This platform doubles as both a POD service and a global online marketplace, making it an attractive alternative to Zazzle for creators who want to sell custom products without upfront costs.
CafePress allows you to upload your designs, personalize hundreds of products, including apparel, mugs, stationery, home décor, and even unique items like license plates and clocks, and you can either sell them through your own shop or the CafePress marketplace.
With its vast licensed content library, easy-to-use design tools, and built-in customer base, CafePress gives creators a simple way to generate passive income while tapping into a platform that attracts millions of shoppers worldwide.
💰Pricing:
Free to Join – $0/month
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
Looking for a platform where your art can travel the world while you focus purely on creating? Redbubble makes that possible.
Founded in 2006, Redbubble has grown into one of the largest artist-first print-on-demand marketplaces, connecting over 700,000 independent designers with millions of buyers globally.
Creators can upload their designs and place them on over 70 different products, ranging from apparel and stickers to home décor and accessories. Redbubble then handles the rest, from printing to shipping.
Its built-in audience, global reach, and strong creative community make it a great Zazzle alternative for artists who want passive income without managing inventory.
💰 Pricing:
Free to Join – $0/month
Fee Structure:
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
Spring, formerly known as Teespring, has evolved from a simple t-shirt crowdfunding platform in 2011 into one of the most creator-focused print-on-demand (POD) platforms available today.
Designed for social-first selling, Spring makes it easy to create and sell custom products without upfront costs, inventory management, or technical hassle.
With over 8 million creators on the platform, Spring integrates seamlessly with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch, allowing you to reach your audience where they’re already engaging.
From apparel and home décor to digital downloads and even unique items like plush dolls and phone cases, Spring handles everything (including printing, fulfillment, shipping, and payment processing) so you can focus on designing and growing your brand.
💰 Pricing:
Free to Use – $0/month
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
When it comes to pulling off big merch drops, team events, or branded swag campaigns, Custom Ink has been the go-to name in custom printing for over two decades.
While Zazzle caters more to marketplace-driven sales, Custom Ink focuses on helping organizations, schools, businesses, and event planners create high-quality, personalized products with full creative control.
Its Design Lab makes customizing products easy, whether you’re uploading your own logo or using the platform’s fonts, templates, and artwork.
From t-shirts and hoodies to drinkware, bags, and tech accessories, Custom Ink handles printing, embroidery, and fulfillment, making it a strong alternative for brands or groups looking to produce professional, large-scale merch without managing inventory.
💰 Pricing:
Free to Use — $0/month
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
If you want to get your art in front of millions without dealing with the messy backend of fulfillment, TeePublic makes it simple.
The platform allows you to upload your designs and instantly sell them on 75+ products, ranging from T-shirts and hoodies to stickers, mugs, and wall art.
With transparent commissions, built-in off-site marketing, and high-quality direct-to-garment printing, TeePublic handles everything (printing, packing, shipping, and customer support) so you can focus on creating.
Additionally, with licensed fan art programs and a strong emphasis on sustainability, it’s an excellent Zazzle alternative for creators seeking an easy way to monetize their work while retaining 100% ownership of their designs.
💰Pricing:
TeePublic is completely free to use. However, you earn a commission on every sale, with rates based on your account type:
✅ Pros:
❌ Cons:
With so many print‑on‑demand platforms out there, picking the right one comes down to how much control you want over your brand.
Marketplaces like Zazzle are great if you just want to upload designs and let the platform handle visibility, but they limit your pricing, branding, and customer relationships.
If your goal is to build a real business and not just sell products, you need a platform that puts you at the center of your store, not the marketplace.
That’s where Fourthwall stands out.
Unlike other platforms that keep you locked inside their ecosystem, Fourthwall provides a customizable storefront that you fully own, complete with your own URL and branding.
You can sell physical products, digital downloads, and memberships all in one place, with no third-party apps required. Plus, with built‑in integrations for YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and email marketing tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp, connecting with your audience has never been easier.
So, if you’re serious about growing your POD business and want a platform that allows you to keep more of what you earn, then sign up with Fourthwall now!
There are no monthly fees, no upfront costs, and no contracts to use Fourthwall. You set your prices and choose your own margins. Here is how our pricing and splits work when you sell:
Additionally, all US-based credit card transactions have an added 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee (same as Shopify). Fees vary for PayPal and other providers. Learn more.
Product costs are listed directly in our product catalog.
If a t-shirt is listed in our catalog at a $10 cost, we will automatically deduct that amount from your profits whenever you make a sale. You can sell products for any price you want.
For example, if you sell the shirt for $22, you'll make $12 in profit on each unit sold. If you sell it for $50, then you'll make $40 in profit on each unit sold.
Yes! Fourthwall works with manufacturing & fulfillment partners around the globe in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Japan.
Shipping rates are dynamically determined by the size of package and destination. We work with most major carriers and pass through the true cost of shipping. That means that you can offer low-cost, fast shipping to your fans. Most items have a delivery window of 5-8 days.
Be sure to browse our product catalog to find products that are fulfilled out of your target regions to provide the fastest & cheapest shipping for your community.
Yes! Fourthwall operates as the "Merchant of Record" and automatically supports the following payment methods on checkout:
Fourthwall operates as the "Merchant of Record", which means that we're responsible for handling all sales taxes. This includes nexus registration, collecting sales tax, and remitting this to US states & other countries.
That way you can focus on designing products and promoting your shop, not taxes.
Yes. You can connect a custom domain or subdomain on Fourthwall. Learn More.
Fourthwall Pro subscribers receive a free custom domain upon upgrading.
If you need help finding an artist or designer, check out our design community.
This is a vetted network of exceptional designers that can help you make great quality designs for your audience. We also recommend tools like Canva or Kittl.
Yes. For any product from our product catalog, we'll handle all customer support for you.
From answering general order questions to making address changes, our team is there to ensure that your buyers are treated with the same level of care that you would personally give them. We have a 12-hour or less average reply time, including nights and weekends.
For any items that you source on your own and ship from home, however, you'll need to do customer support.
Yes! Over 200,000 sellers use Fourthwall to power their storefronts. This includes creators, podcasters, artists, musicians, startups, non-profits, and more.
Get inspired and browse all examples sites.
Fourthwall supports many free integrations, including:
There are no requirements to join Fourthwall! Sign up now.