Redbubble vs Merch by Amazon
Which POD Platform Wins in 2025?
10-factor comparison: royalties, traffic, approval, product range and passive income potential. Honest verdict from sellers who use both.
⚡ Quick Verdict
10-Factor Comparison
No — open to anyone, instant access
Yes — invite-only waitlist (weeks to months)
~$2–6 depending on markup
~$5–10 at standard pricing
Redbubble marketplace (~60M/mo)
Amazon.com — world's largest retailer
100+ products (stickers, cases, prints, apparel…)
T-shirts, hoodies, PopSockets, phone cases (limited)
Unlimited uploads
Tiered: starts at 10 designs, increases with sales
Very high — millions of designs
High — but Amazon search algo favors optimized listings
Strict removals, account risk
Extremely strict — immediate removal + account risk
Monthly (min $20)
Monthly (min $0 — pays out any amount)
PNG, JPG — flexible sizes
Strict: 4500×5400px PNG, specific file requirements
Moderate — crowded but large audience
High — Amazon traffic drives consistent sales for ranked listings
Redbubble vs Merch by Amazon — FAQs
Is Merch by Amazon better than Redbubble?▾
For apparel royalties and passive income potential, Merch by Amazon pays more per sale and has Amazon's massive traffic. But it requires approval and limits new sellers to 10 designs. Redbubble is open to everyone with unlimited uploads and 100+ product types. Most serious sellers use both.
How do I get into Merch by Amazon?▾
Go to merch.amazon.com and request an invitation. Approval typically takes 2-8 weeks. Amazon reviews your application and approves based on capacity. There's no guaranteed timeline — some sellers wait months.
Can I sell the same designs on both platforms?▾
Yes. Your designs aren't exclusive to either platform. Many sellers upload identical designs to Redbubble, TeePublic, and Merch by Amazon simultaneously to maximize reach.
How much does Merch by Amazon pay per T-shirt?▾
At the standard price point of $19.99, MBA pays approximately $6.21 in royalties. Redbubble at the same price pays around $2-4 depending on your markup setting. MBA royalties are higher but the approval barrier is significant.
Should I wait for MBA approval before starting POD?▾
No. Start selling on Redbubble and TeePublic immediately while your MBA application is pending. This lets you build your design portfolio, learn what niches work, and generate income while waiting for approval.
