Starting an ecommerce business doesn’t need to be expensive.
Several affordable ecommerce platforms enable small business owners to establish their online store without significant upfront costs. However, keep in mind that not all platforms offer the same features and pricing.
This guide will show you how the cheapest ecommerce platforms compare in terms of cost and functionality.
What is an ecommerce platform?
An ecommerce platform is a software solution that enables you to set up a website for selling products and services online. These platforms, also called ecommerce website builders, are crafted to simplify the online selling process for a variety of users—from solo entrepreneurs and large corporations to traditional stores going digital.
Why use an ecommerce platform?
Ecommerce platforms are fully featured applications serving both merchants and buyers. Merchants can use them to manage inventory, sales, marketing, and customer service, whereas buyers can explore and purchase products. By catering to both parties, ecommerce platforms streamline the entire online sales process.
Ecommerce platforms make it easy to set up an online store and start making sales. With their user-friendly interfaces and tools, even those without technical skills can access them with ease.
Most ecommerce platforms let you create a store using customizable templates. You also get essentials like hosting and payment processing, which help manage your store’s technical needs. Overall, ecommerce platforms allow you to focus on growing your business and reaching more customers.
10 cheap ecommerce platforms
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- Ecwid
- BigCartel
- Volusion
- PrestaShop
- Spree Commerce
- Wix Stores
- BigCommerce
- Square Online
1. Shopify
Shopify is a comprehensive ecommerce solution perfect for users with minimal technical skills. Its Starter plan allows you to launch an online store quickly and affordably. Shopify users get access to an intuitive website builder, robust themes, and apps to help run their ecommerce business.
Key features
- Online store setup: Includes product pages, a contact page, and secure checkout.
- Integrated payment processing: Shopify provides its own payment gateway, Shopify Payments.
- Shopify POS: Seamlessly integrates online and physical retail sales.
- Abandoned cart recovery: Tools to retrieve lost sales from abandoned shopping carts.
- Extensive app store: Offers a wide range of add-ons and integrations via the Shopify App Store.
- Advanced analytics: Features for tracking sales, customer behavior, and other key metrics.
Pricing
- Shopify Starter plan: $5 per month.
- Basic Shopify plan: $29 per month (billed annually).
- Shopify plan: $79 per month (billed annually).
- Advanced Shopify plan: $299 per month (billed annually).
2. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free plug-in for converting a WordPress site into an online storefront. It offers various ecommerce features, including product management, order tracking, and payment processing. You can set WooCommerce up in a few clicks and customize it using a wide range of available extensions and themes.
Key features
- WordPress integration: Fully integrates with WordPress to leverage its powerful content management system.
- Order management: Built-in tools for tracking orders, automated tax calculations, live shipping rates from leading carriers, and printing labels at home.
- Content and commerce: Modular blocks for displaying new, bestselling, and on-sale products from specific categories
- Abandoned cart recovery: Plug-ins and tools to help recover sales from abandoned shopping carts.
- Extensive plug-in library: Access to hundreds of free and paid extensions for adding features and functionality.
Pricing
WooCommerce doesn’t cost anything. However, the cost of setting up a WordPress site varies depending on design, hosting, and add-ons.
3. Ecwid
Ecwid is another cheap ecommerce platform for small business owners aiming to sell products across various channels. It offers a free plan with basic online store features to help you launch your business. Those who opt for paid plans can benefit from additional features like social commerce and mobile app store management.
Key features
- Omnichannel selling: Manage and sell products across various platforms, including your website, social media, and physical locations.
- Automated cart recovery: Use automated emails to recover lost sales from abandoned shopping carts.
- Multicurrency function: Display prices in local currencies to cater to international customers.
- Advanced reporting: Gain insights into sales, customer behavior, and other metrics with detailed reporting tools.
Pricing
Free; paid plans begin at $25 per month.
4. BigCartel
BigCartel is an ideal budget-friendly ecommerce platform for artists and makers. It enables you to set up a visually appealing online store with customizable themes and start selling your creations. BigCartel also offers merchant-oriented features like inventory tracking and bulk editing to help manage your ecommerce store.
Key features
- Easy website setup: Quickly create your ecommerce site with simple editing tools and customizable themes.
- Mobile-responsive themes: Ensure your store looks good on any device with themes that automatically adjust for mobile and desktop browsing.
- Discount codes: Create and manage discount codes to boost sales and offer promotions.
- Google Analytics integration: Built-in support for tracking your store’s performance using Google Analytics.
Pricing
Free; paid plans begin at $15 per month.
5. Volusion
Volusion provides features like support for unlimited products and bandwidth, SEO tools, email marketing capabilities, and fraud protection. Additionally, it provides access to an in-house ecommerce design team in case you need help with improving your site.
Key features
- Unlimited products and bandwidth: Manage a large inventory without restrictions to support business growth.
- SEO tools: Optimize your site for better visibility in search engine results to drive organic traffic.
- Email marketing capabilities: Engage with customers through targeted email campaigns for better retention and sales.
- Fraud protection: Protect transactions with built-in fraud protection tools for secure online shopping.
- Analytics and reporting: Track sales and customer behavior with detailed analytics to make informed business decisions.
Pricing
Plans begin at $29 per month.
6. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a free, open-source ecommerce platform that lets you pick the features you want for your online store. Options include unlimited product listings, order tracking, social media integration, and Google Analytics. Prestashop users also get access to a marketplace with more than 4,000 modules and 2,500 themes to help personalize your store.
Key features
- Unlimited product listings: List as many products as your business requires.
- Full customization: Access and modify theme code for a unique online store layout and user experience.
- Built-in marketing rools: Utilize features like discounts, coupon codes, and email marketing to engage customers and drive sales.
- Multiple payment gateways: Integrate major payment options like PayPal, Amazon Pay, and more than 200 others.
- Extensive Module Marketplace: Choose from more than 4,000 free and premium modules to add specific features to your store.
Pricing
Free (with paid add-ons).
7. Spree Commerce
Spree Commerce is a headless ecommerce platform enabling you or your developer to connect any front-end interface to Spree’s back-end software. It’s a free platform that supports multiple brands, offers various languages and currencies, allows for single- or multi-vendor setups, and provides storefront customization.
Key features
- Customizable design: Tailor your online store’s appearance and functionality to meet your specific needs.
- Multiple brands and vendors: Easily manage various brands and vendors within a single platform.
- Multi-language and currency support: Cater to international customers by offering multiple languages and currencies.
- Active community support: Access help and resources from a large, active community of developers and users.
Pricing
Free.
8. Wix Stores
Wix Stores is a free ecommerce platform for companies already using Wix for their existing website. Using artificial intelligence, Wix Stores assists in designing your store, optimizing product placement, and personalizing customer experiences across various channels.
Key features
- Versatile product selling: Sell products, downloads, gift cards, and subscriptions online or in-person.
- Customizable storefront: Use widgets to create cool product pages, category pages, and reviews.
- Easy Management: Handle everything—inventory, orders, shipping, and payments—from one spot.
- Multichannel sales: List your stuff on eBay, Amazon, and Google Shopping while keeping track of inventory.
- SEO and global sales: Boost your online business ranking with SEO tools, convert prices to any currency, and set up global shipping and taxes.
Pricing
Ecommece plans begin at $29 per month.
9. BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers built-in ecommerce features suitable for developing both B2B and B2C ecommerce websites. The platform offers a variety of plans to suit different business needs, along with personalized coaching and technical assistance to help merchants get started.
Key features
- Unlimited product listings: Add as many products as you need without restrictions.
- Flexible payment options: Accept payments through major gateways like PayPal, Apple Pay, and more.
- Multichannel integration: Sell on multiple platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media.
- Built-in marketing tools: Utilize features like abandoned cart recovery and email marketing.
- Detailed analytics: Access comprehensive reports to track sales and customer behavior.
Pricing
Plans begin at $39 per month
10. Square Online
Square Online is an ecommerce platform that helps merchants sell products with an integrated POS system. It supports unlimited product listings and has a robust inventory management system. Businesses with physical shops or those selling on location occasionally can use Square to create their online stores.
Key features
- User-friendly interface: Easily set up and manage your online store with Square Online’s intuitive design.
- Robust ecommerce features: Utilize inventory management, order processing, and more to run your online store efficiently.
- Seamless integration with square ecosystem: Manage online and in-person sales with integrated POS and other Square tools.
- Mobile responsiveness: Ensure a smooth shopping experience on smartphones and tablets with mobile-optimized design.
Pricing
Free; paid plans start at $29 per month.
What to look for in a cheap ecommerce platform
With a range of cheap ecommerce options, you might be curious about the best fit for your business. Here’s a criteria you can use to choose:
- Customization. Make sure you can design your site. You’ll want to use your logo, brand colors, and adjust basic things like contact forms.
- Payment options. Check if the platform supports multiple payment methods. You don’t want to miss out on sales because you can’t accept certain payments.
- Customer support. Look for platforms that offer good support. When something breaks, you’ll want help fast.
- Product limits. Some platforms cap the number of products you can list. Make sure you can grow your inventory without extra costs.
- Marketing tools. You’ll need tools to market your online store. Look for features like email marketing, SEO, and social media integration.
Remember, finding the right platform is about balance. Make sure it fits your budget and meets your needs.
The best ecommerce platforms can be cheap
Contrary to popular belief, the best ecommerce platforms can be affordable. From Shopify to Square Online, many platforms offer budget-friendly plans that still pack a punch. Explore the options from our list and take advantage of these platforms to get your online store up and running.
Cheap ecommerce platforms FAQ
Do you need an ecommerce platform to sell online?
No, but an ecommerce platform simplifies the process. Plus, it’s often more cost-effective and user-friendly than setting up a store manually on your website.
Is it free to sell on Shopify?
Selling on Shopify isn’t free, but the platform offers a variety of plans starting at $1 for the first month. Each plan includes a free trial so you can test the service before committing.
What is the cheapest Shopify plan?
The Shopify Starter plan is the cheapest Shopify plan. You can take advantage of a free trial to test it out before making a purchase.