With so many platforms offering affordable options, building an online store has become quite easy. Depending on your specific business needs, the platform’s price will change. Some platforms offer free plans that cover the basics. Others charge a small monthly fee but include extra tools that can make growing your business easier.
To find the cheapest ecommerce platform, my process involved a ton of research, testing, and comparing what’s there in the market. In this article, we will discuss the findings to help you make the best choice for your business. We’ll look at platforms that are not only budget-friendly but also offer the features you need to build and grow your store.
Create your online store in minutes!
Looking to sell online? Develop and launch your store with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder.
How to find the cheapest ecommerce platform?
Your ecommerce platform directly affects store traffic, just like a physical location determines foot traffic in a brick-and-mortar store. The right space, tools, and setup that fits your budget will work all the wonders. I’d pass through these steps to find the ideal and cheapest ecommerce platform.
- Define your budget wisely։ Figur out how much you can comfortably and realistically invest each month. Besides the subscription price, look for the transaction fees, add-ons, and extra costs that can nibble away at your profits.
- Check payment options. Make sure the platform supports trusted payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe. Also, review transaction fees carefully—some platforms charge more per sale, which can quickly add up (I will talk about this for each platform).
- Prioritize customization. Your store should reflect your brand, not look like a generic template. Choose a platform with enough design flexibility so you can create a unique, professional look without paying for expensive upgrades.
- Look for reliable support. If something goes wrong (and at some point, it will), fast and helpful customer support can save you time and stress. Look for a platform with responsive support—live chat, email, or phone—so you’re not left troubleshooting alone.
What does searching for a cheap ecommerce platform mean?
When searching for the cheapest ecommerce platform, price is not the only thing that counts. You should focus on certain important features customized to meet your needs. For me, here are the most important features of an ecommerce platform.
Scalability
Your business is not going to stay small. And as you grow, your ecommerce platform should keep up, accommodating increased traffic and a larger product catalog without compromising performance. I’d look for options that allow easy plan upgrades and offer unlimited product listings, even on basic plans. Integration capabilities with tools like email marketing software or accounting programs are also essential for future growth.
User-friendliness
A platform with an intuitive interface saves time and reduces stress. You should be able to manage products, orders, and store updates without technical expertise. Pre-made, customizable templates can help you quickly establish a professional online presence that aligns with your brand. Also, ensure the platform is mobile-responsive, as a significant number of consumers shop via mobile devices. The reports indicate that over 61.5% of global internet traffic comes from mobile devices.
Payment gateway support
Verify that the platform supports trusted payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe, or whatever is available in your region and/or convenient for you and your customers. Review transaction fees carefully, as they can impact your profitability. Offering multiple payment options can enhance customer convenience and increase sales.
Customization options
Your online store should reflect your brand’s identity. Choose a platform that offers sufficient customization options without necessitating costly premium plans. This flexibility allows you to create a distinctive shopping experience for your customers.
Reliable customer support
If you’re new to ecommerce, you’ll likely run into questions or technical issues along the way. Having the right assistance can save you time and frustration. Choose a platform that provides responsive support through various channels like live chat, email, or phone. Access to tutorials and help articles can also be beneficial as you set up and manage your store.
Security features
Protecting customer (and business) data means saving your reputation and money at the same time. The platform should have security standards such as SSL certificates and PCI-DSS compliance. And features like data encryption and fraud detection will safeguard your business and build customer trust.
SEO capabilities
If your SEO isn’t strong, potential customers might never notice your ecommerce store. Choosing a platform with strong SEO features is a game-changer. Look for one that lets you customize meta tags, URLs, and site structure to improve search rankings. Bonus points, if it includes blogging tools; creating valuable content, can drive organic traffic and keep customers coming back.
Inventory management
Balancing stock levels means meeting customer demand. While overstocking can be manageable, understocking is far riskier, it can lead to lost sales and frustrated customers. The right inventory management tools help you track stock in real-time, set low-stock alerts, and efficiently manage product variants.
Looking to sell online? Develop and launch your store with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder.
Create your online store in minutes!
What costs to consider
Choosing the cheapest ecommerce platform involves looking at more than just the advertised price. You need to weigh various expenses to find the best value for your business.
Hidden fees
Watch out for hidden costs to prevent surprises later on. Some companies charge extra for features you might need and the pricing details aren’t always easy to find. These can include:
- Bandwidth fees
- SSL certificates
- Custom domain names
- Support fees
Check if the platform limits product listings or sales volume. You may have to pay more as your store grows. Some platforms also charge for themes or apps you want to add.
Transaction costs
Transaction fees can eat into your profits. Most ecommerce platforms take a cut of each sale. This is on top of what payment processors charge. Here’s what to look for:
- Percentage taken per sale
- Flat fee per transaction
- Monthly processing limits
Some platforms offer lower rates if you use their payment system. Others let you use external processors for a fee. Compare the total cost based on your expected sales volume. This helps you find the cheapest ecommerce platform for your needs.
Looking to sell online? Develop and launch your store with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder.
Create your online store in minutes!
14 cheapest ecommerce platforms
After testing 14 different ecommerce platforms, I quickly realized that features, ease of use, and hidden costs can be deciding factors, not just the price of the platform. So when looking for the cheapest ecommerce platform, you should also consider these factors.
Some platforms looked cheap at first but came with limitations that made scaling difficult. Others had more flexibility but required extra fees for essential features. I have gathered all of this information below to make your decision easier.
1. WooCommerce
Price: Free to start, charges for add-on plugins
WooCommerce is a free ecommerce plugin for WordPress websites, so to start, I decided to give it a try, considering its popularity and integration with WordPress. The flexibility it offered was impressive; I could customize my store extensively to match my brand’s identity and with the help of plugins. One big advantage of WooCommerce is its price. The basic plugin is free, which means you can start selling without spending money on software. You only pay for hosting, a domain name, and any premium add-ons you choose.
However, I noticed that managing the numerous plugins required for added functionality became a bit overwhelming. Each plugin has its own updates and potential conflicts, which demand constant attention. While the core WooCommerce plugin is free, many essential features I needed were only available through paid extensions, which added to the overall cost. This experience made me realize the importance of considering not just the initial setup but also the ongoing maintenance and expenses when choosing an ecommerce platform.
If you just need a simple storefront to showcase your products/services, WooCommerce will work just right. But if you are planning to grow, you should be able to handle the additional cost and maintenance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free basic plugin | Requires WordPress knowledge |
| Works with WordPress | Can be slow with many plugins |
| Many customization options | Some features need paid add-ons |
2. 10Web
Price: Starts at $11/month
Unlike traditional WooCommerce setups that require separate hosting and technical maintenance, 10Web takes care of building an ecommerce site and everything else involved—hosting, speed optimization, security, and most importantly AI-powered tools.
With 10Web’s AI Website Builder, setting up an online store is effortless, even if you have no technical experience. Instead of spending hours designing and coding, the AI generates a fully functional ecommerce site in minutes, customized to fit your brand. 10Web also integrates AI-generated product pages and descriptions, saving you time while ensuring your store looks polished and professional.
While WooCommerce only gives you the base platform and requires hosting to run, 10Web handles all technical details, like website building, hosting, security, optimization, and WooCommerce integration. So with 10Web, you kill two birds with one stone; an AI-powered ecommerce builder and fast hosting. The fully managed WordPress hosting provides fast load times, strong security, and automatic backups, so you never have to worry about your site slowing down.
For store owners who need inventory and order management, 10Web’s dashboard makes tracking stock and processing sales simple and intuitive. And if you’re switching from another platform, easy migration tools make it easy to transfer your existing store without losing important data.
So, 10Web is your go-to platform, if you are looking for affordability, user-friendliness, and security all under an AI-powered system.
| Pros | Cons |
| AI-powered features | WordPress-only hosting |
| Automated management tools | May not suit large enterprises |
| Migration support | Limited customization options |
Create your online store in minutes!
Looking to sell online? Develop and launch your store with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder.
3. Shopify
Price: Starts at $29/month
At first, it might seem difficult to navigate and use, but Shopify Basic has all the necessary features set up for a user. And you don’t have to spend much time figuring things out.
The Basic plan offers essential features like an online store, blog capabilities, and the ability to sell across social media platforms and online marketplaces. It also provides unlimited product listings and file storage–beneficial for businesses with extensive inventories.
The pricing for Shopify Basic is $39 per month, with an option to reduce this to $29 per month if billed annually. They also offer a 3-day free trial, allowing you to test the platform before committing.
One thing to consider is transaction fees. If you use a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments, additional transaction fees apply, which can affect your profit margins. While the plan includes basic reports and a free SSL certificate for secure checkouts, it limits the number of staff accounts to two and lacks advanced reporting features. As your business grows, you might find these limitations prompting an upgrade to a higher-tier plan.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly platform | Limited staff accounts |
| 24/7 support | Basic reporting only |
| Unlimited products | Transaction fees for external gateways |
4. BigCommerce
Price: Starts at $29/month
BigCommerce’s Standard plan promises scalability and good features for new online sellers. The plan, priced at $39 per month (or $29 if billed annually), offers unlimited product listings and mobile-responsive designs, which seemed ideal for showcasing a diverse product range. Also, the inclusion of marketing tools like discount codes and email campaign capabilities appeared beneficial for engaging customers.
However, going deeper, the platform has some challenges. The platform’s design flexibility feels somewhat constrained, making it difficult to achieve a unique storefront without extensive customization. Moreover, the absence of advanced features like abandoned cart recovery in the Standard plan is a real limitation. The annual sales cap of $50,000 could be another restriction for rapidly growing businesses.
I found BigCommerce’s Standard plan to be a solid foundation for newcomers to ecommerce. However, it’s essential to consider potential limitations and plan for future scalability. Learning about higher-tier plans or alternative platforms might be necessary for business growth.
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited products | Yearly sales limit |
| Mobile-friendly design | No abandoned cart recovery |
| Basic marketing tools | Limited features compared to higher plans |
5. Wix
Price: Starts at $17/month
In the list of the ecommerce platforms that I tested, Wix stood out with its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, which simplifies creating a professional-looking website, even without coding skills. The platform offers essential features like inventory management, payment processing, and shipping options, along with marketing tools and SEO capabilities to help grow your store.
Wix has Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) to make the website creation process easier by asking a few questions about your preferences and the purpose of your website, then generating a customized site draft. This approach simplifies the initial setup, making it accessible for those new to website building.
The plans start at $13.09 per month when billed annually. This basic plan allows you to sell up to 50,000 products and includes free hosting and a domain for the first year, providing substantial value for small businesses and entrepreneurs launching their online presence.
However, it’s important to know Wix may not be the best fit for large enterprises or businesses with complex needs. The platform works well for smaller stores and those new to ecommerce. With the growth of your business, you might find the need for more advanced functionalities that require additional investments or even a platform migration.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | Limited customization options |
| Affordable pricing | Transaction fees on some plans |
| Built-in marketing tools | Can’t change templates after site launch |
6. Square Online
Price: Starts at $29/month + processing fees
Square Online offers a free plan to start selling products online quickly. You can build a professional website or online store without paying anything upfront. The free plan includes basic features to get your ecommerce business off the ground.
The platform offers a user-friendly website builder, enabling you to design your store with either a single ordering page or a multi-page layout, complete with customization options to align with your brand’s identity.
One of the great features is the unlimited bandwidth, meaning your site can handle varying levels of traffic without additional charges. The inclusion of a free SSL certificate improves security, and while you can use a free subdomain, there’s also the option to connect your custom domain for a more personalized touch.
However, it’s important to note that while the free plan is generous, it does come with certain limitations. For instance, your website will display Square ads, and your domain will include “square.site,” which might not convey the most professional image to customers. Also, essential features like abandoned cart recovery are absent in the free plan, and the design customization options are somewhat limited compared to other platforms.
I’d rate Square Online’s free plan as an excellent starting point for small businesses looking to have an online presence without financial risk. Bus as you grow, upgrades for advanced features might be needed.
| Pros | Cons |
| No upfront costs | Limited features compared to paid plans |
| Includes website builder | Higher transaction fees |
| Unlimited bandwidth | Square branding on your site |
7. Ecwid
Price: Starts at $21/month
Ecwid offers a free plan for small businesses to start. You can sell up to 10 products without paying anything. This plan includes basic features like a mobile-responsive online store and a payment-accepting option.
The free version lets you add your store to an existing website or social media page. You can also use it as a standalone site. Ecwid’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up your shop, even if you’re new to ecommerce.
One big plus is that Ecwid doesn’t charge transaction fees on the free plan. This means you keep more of your profits. The platform also provides security features to protect your store and customers’ data. On the downside, the free plan has limits. You can’t access advanced marketing tools or detailed analytics. Customer support is also restricted to email only. Ecwid’s free option is best for very small businesses or those just testing the waters of online selling. As your business grows, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan for more features.
| Pros | Cons |
| No transaction fees | Limited to 10 products |
| Easy to use | Basic features only |
| Can add to existing sites | Limited support options |
8. Shift4Shop
Price: $0 in case of at least $1,000 monthly process, otherwise $29/month
Shift4Shop promises an inclusive, cost-effective solution for launching an online store. The platform boasts over 100 free, mobile-optimized themes. The absence of transaction fees across all plans is a significant advantage, potentially leading to substantial savings as your business scales.
However, as I delved deeper, I encountered some challenges. The website builder, while offering a variety of themes, lacks user-friendly customization options, making it difficult to customize the site to my specific brand aesthetics. The overall workflow felt inefficient, particularly in areas like theme customization and inventory management, which could delay daily operations. Also, the dashboard’s dated interface doesn’t provide the modern, intuitive experience found in some competing platforms.
On the pricing front, Shift4Shop offers a unique model: if you process at least $1,000 monthly through their Shift4 Payments system, the platform is free. For those who don’t meet this threshold or prefer alternative payment processors, the cost is $29 per month, which remains competitive. Shift4Shop is only available to U.S. merchants, which could be a limitation for international sellers.
So, Shift4Shop is a good choice for merchants, who meet the $1,000 monthly processing requirement to use it for free. Its no-transaction-fee model and built-in features make it budget-friendly, but its interface and limited customization may be frustrating. For U.S.-based sellers with steady sales, it’s worth considering—otherwise, a more user-friendly platform might be a better fit.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free plan available | Complex for beginners |
| No transaction fees | Customer service could be better |
| Many built-in features | Learning curve for some tools |
9. OpenCart
Price: Starts at $59/month
OpenCart is known as an open-source platform, offering a free way to build and manage an online store. The promise of extensive features without an upfront cost appealed to me, especially for someone comfortable navigating the technical aspects of website management.
I found that OpenCart provides a user-friendly interface, allowing for the creation of a basic store without the need for coding skills. The platform supports numerous payment methods and shipping options, offering flexibility in how you operate your business. There are also plugins and extensions allowing you to add to the functionality of your website.
It’s important to note that while OpenCart is free to download, there are associated costs to consider. Expenses such as hosting, domain registration, SSL certificates, and potentially paid extensions can add up, making the total cost of ownership something to carefully evaluate. Also, performance can be a concern; reports indicate that OpenCart’s average load time is around 831 milliseconds, which exceeds Google’s recommended response time of under 200 milliseconds.
In my experience, OpenCart is a viable option for those on a tight budget and with a certain level of technical proficiency. Its flexibility and the support of the community make it a compelling choice for small to medium-sized businesses willing to invest time in setup and optimization. However, if you’re looking for a platform with faster performance and are less inclined to handle technical configurations, you might want to choose from other options.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to use | May need technical skills for advanced features |
| Many free extensions | Less beginner-friendly than some paid options |
| Customizable design | Can be slow without optimization |
10. Weebly
Price: Starts at $10/month
Weebly is known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder, which simplifies setting up an online shop. The platform offers essential ecommerce tools, including inventory management, payment processing, and shipping options, allowing you to accept major credit cards directly on your site. A great advantage is the ability to import existing stores from platforms like Etsy or Shopify, simplifying the transition if you’re migrating your online presence.
Weebly provides customizable store designs, enabling you to tailor the layout and style to align with your brand’s identity. However, Weebly’s design flexibility is somewhat limited compared to other platforms, which may restrict your ability to fully customize your site’s appearance. On the downside, Weebly offers fewer advanced features compared to specialized ecommerce platforms, which may not be ideal for large businesses with complex needs.
So, Weebly’s simplicity and affordability make it a solid choice for beginners looking to establish an online presence without a significant financial investment. However, as your business grows, you may find the platform’s limitations prompt you to explore alternatives.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | Limited advanced features |
| Affordable pricing | Not ideal for large businesses |
| Import existing stores | Less customization options |
11. Squarespace
Price: Starts at $16/month
Squarespace’s Business plan allows you to sell unlimited products, accept donations, and even offers a professional email from Google, enhancing your brand’s credibility. The ability to add promotional pop-ups and banners is a useful feature for engaging visitors and capturing leads.
However, this plan imposes a 3% transaction fee on sales, in addition to standard payment processor fees. For businesses anticipating high sales volumes, these fees can accumulate, potentially impacting profitability. While the Business plan provides a solid foundation for online selling, it lacks some advanced ecommerce features found in Squarespace’s higher-tier plans, such as abandoned cart recovery and advanced shipping options.
In my experience, the Business plan is well-suited for small businesses or freelancers seeking a professional website with basic online store capabilities. It strikes a balance between design aesthetics and essential ecommerce tools, making it an attractive option for those starting to sell online. However, as your business grows, you might find value in exploring Squarespace’s Commerce plans, which offer wider selling features without transaction fees.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sell unlimited products | 3% transaction fee |
| Professional email included | Limited ecommerce features |
| Custom code options | Can be pricey for small businesses |
12. Volusion
Price: Starts at $35/month
Volusion Personal is an ecommerce plan for small businesses just starting out. The platform offers a website builder that enables you to add products, manage inventory, and process payments, with hosting included—a convenient all-in-one package.
However, the Personal plan has an annual sales cap of $50,000. If your business scales quickly, you might outgrow this limitation sooner than anticipated. Also, some advanced features available in higher-tier plans are absent here, which could hinder growth as your operational needs become more complex.
In my experience, Volusion’s Personal plan is a solid starting point for hobbyists or side businesses seeking an affordable entry into online selling. It provides essential tools without a hefty investment, but it’s crucial to assess how quickly your business might surpass the plan’s constraints and require more advanced capabilities.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable for beginners | Sales limit of $50,000/year |
| Essential selling tools included | Lacks some advanced features |
| User-friendly platform | May outgrow plan quickly |
Create your online store in minutes!
Looking to sell online? Develop and launch your store with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder.
13. PrestaShop
Price: Starts at $10/month
PrestaShop is known for its open-source nature, offering a free platform to build and manage an online store. The flexibility to customize every aspect of the shop is appealing, especially with themes and modules to improve functionality.
However, PrestaShop requires a certain level of technical proficiency. Setting up the platform involves securing your own hosting and managing updates, which can be challenging if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. While the software itself is free, expenses for hosting, domain registration, and premium add-ons can accumulate, depending on your specific needs.
So, PrestaShop is appropriate for small to medium-sized businesses that possess technical know-how or have the resources to hire developers. It offers a powerful ecommerce solution without upfront costs, granting full control over your store’s customization. However, be prepared for a steeper learning curve and potential additional expenses as you customize the platform to your requirements.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free and open-source | Steeper learning curve |
| Highly customizable | Requires technical skills |
| Large community support | Hosting not included |
14. Magento Open Source
Price: Free to start.
Magento Open Source is a popular choice for businesses looking for a cheapest ecommerce platform. It’s a free, self-hosted version of Magento with basic online store features. You get essential tools to create and manage your digital storefront. The platform is great for small to medium-sized businesses that want to keep costs low while having flexibility.
The initial setup, ongoing maintenance, and security measures are responsibilities that fall squarely on the user. This means you’ll need to secure your own hosting, manage updates, and ensure the platform’s security, which can be challenging without a technical background or dedicated developer support.
In my experience, Magento Open Source is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses that possess technical know-how or have the resources to hire developers. It offers a powerful ecommerce solution without upfront costs, granting full control over your store’s customization. However, be prepared for a steeper learning curve and potential additional expenses as you customize the platform to your requirements.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to use | Requires technical skills |
| Highly customizable | Self-hosted (you manage hosting) |
| Scalable for growth | Can be resource-intensive |
Conclusion
When you are looking for the cheapest ecommerce platform, don’t focus only on price; but also on value. Some platforms may have low upfront costs but come with hidden fees, while others offer free plans that limit your ability to grow. Thus, you end up jumping from platform to platform all the time.
If you want full control and customization, open-source platforms like PrestaShop, OpenCart, or Magento Open Source might be the way to go—but be prepared for technical challenges. If ease of use and all-in-one solutions are more your style, then Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace can help you launch quickly with minimal effort.
But if you want the best of both, a powerful store without the hassle of managing hosting, security, and technical setup, 10Web’s AI Website Builder can provide that combination for you.
With AI-powered design, automated hosting, and built-in speed optimization, 10Web lets you set up a professional store in minutes without technical headaches. It’s an affordable, beginner-friendly, and high-performance solution.
FAQ
What is the cheapest ecommerce platform?
Is there any free ecommerce platform?
Is WooCommerce a budget-friendly choice?
What features do low-cost options typically offer?
Create your online store in minutes!
Looking to sell online? Develop and launch your store with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder.
Create your online store in minutes!
Create your online store in minutes!
Develop and launch your store with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder.
