The 7 Best Free eCommerce Platforms I’d Use to Launch a Store

When I first wanted to start selling online, I immediately searched for free eCommerce platforms. At the time, I didn’t have much money to invest, so anything with “no upfront cost” felt like the right choice.

But I quickly learned that many of these platforms, aren’t truly free. Instead of charging a monthly fee, they take a percentage of every sale, which adds up fast.

That’s why I started testing different platforms to see which ones actually make sense when you’re on a budget.

I then discovered a better approach: a FREE platform where you only pay a small, predictable fee on essentials like hosting. No matter how many products you sell, this keeps more of your earnings in your pocket.

In this guide, I’ll share the affordable and free eCommerce platforms I’d personally use to launch a store without overspending.

Quick Overview: Best Affordable and Free eCommerce Platforms

In a hurry and don’t have time to read? No problem, here’s a quick overview of my favorite affordable and free eCommerce platforms:

#	Platforms	Best For	Pricing
🥇	WooCommerce	All in one solution – full control and unlimited store growth	Free
🥈	Wix	Building a fully hosted eCommerce store + beginners	$29/month + Free
🥉	BuyNow Plus	Adding “buy now” buttons	Free
4	Hostinger AI Website Builder	Quick AI-powered store creation with built-in marketing	$2.99/month
5	Shopify	Selling physical products + integrated shipping solutions	$25/month + Free trial
6	BigCommerce	Scalable, multi-channel store for growing businesses	$29.95/month + Free trial
7	BigCartel	Simple online store for artists and makers	$15/month + Free

What is a Free eCommerce Platform?

Like I mentioned earlier, when you see something advertised as a free eCommerce platform, it’s usually not what it sounds like.

Some don’t charge anything upfront, but they’ll take a percentage of every sale you make. Others might seem free, but you’ll still need to cover extra costs like a domain name, web hosting, payment processing fees, or addons and extensions.

At first, these fees might seem small, but as your store grows, they can add up fast.

That’s why I think it’s smarter to go with an eCommerce platform that has predictable expenses, like the platforms I’ve included in this list. Paying a small, flat monthly fee means you know exactly what you’re spending each month, whether you sell one product or hundreds.

It also keeps more of your earnings in your pocket and makes it easier to focus on growing your store instead of worrying about hidden costs.

How I Test And Review Free eCommerce Platforms

Now that we’ve covered why “free” usually isn’t really free, let’s talk about how I evaluate the platforms themselves.

When I test eCommerce platforms, I focus on finding the ones that let you get started without breaking the bank, while still giving you everything you need to sell online successfully. Here’s what I look at:

• ✅ Features: Does it give you everything you need to manage products, process payments, and handle shipping? Are there any important tools missing that you might need as your business grows?
• 🎯 Ease of Use: How simple is it to set up your store from scratch? Can you easily manage daily operations, like updating products, fulfilling orders, or checking sales, without getting lost in technical details?
• 🎨 Customization and Design: Can you make your store look like your brand, with flexible templates, themes, and design options? Does it allow you to tweak layouts, colors, and fonts without needing advanced coding skills?
• 📈 Scalability: Will the platform support your growth? For example, can it handle more products, higher traffic, or more complex features as your store expands, or will you need to switch platforms later?
• 🛠️ Integration and Compatibility: How well does it connect with other third-party tools you might use, such as email marketing, CRM, and accounting software?
• 💬 User Feedback: What do real users say about it? Are there common complaints about glitches, limited features, or customer support? This helps give a realistic picture of what using the platform day-to-day will actually be like.

By looking at these factors, I can recommend platforms that are not only affordable but also practical and reliable for building a store that lasts.

Why Trust WPBeginner?

WPBeginner is made up of a team of experts with years of experience in WordPress, eCommerce, SEO, online marketing, hosting, and more.

When it comes to recommending the best affordable and free eCommerce platforms, we prioritize tools that are beginner-friendly, scalable, and optimized for online success.

Our team has thoroughly tested each platform to provide reliable recommendations tailored to small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs.

We have also recommended tools like WooCommerce, which we have tested regularly to build eCommerce stores.

To learn more, see our editorial process.

That being said, let’s look at my picks of the best affordable and free eCommerce platforms.

1. WooCommerce: Best for Full Control and Unlimited Store Growth

WooCommerce is the best all-in-one eCommerce plugin for selling any type of product.

It’s a completely free open-source platform that you can download and run on any web hosting provider.

My Experience with WooCommerce

I’ve tested WooCommerce on numerous demo sites and consistently found it very beginner-friendly. It’s also a favorite among our team at WPBeginner. To learn more about our experience, see our WooCommerce review.

One of the key advantages of WooCommerce is its intuitive interface, which makes it accessible for everyone. Store owners can easily add products, manage inventory, set pricing, and process orders without requiring advanced technical knowledge.

Its product management features also include options for product variations, such as sizes and colors, and advanced inventory tracking so you can stay organized and ensure smooth operations.

Other than that, WooCommerce offers a wide range of shipping and payment options. You can offer free shipping, flat-rate shipping, or real-time shipping calculations through integrations with USPS, FedEx, and UPS.

Additionally, you can integrate it with multiple payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and direct bank transfers.

During my testing, I discovered that you can even connect WooCommerce with advanced reporting tools like MonsterInsights to track sales, customer behavior, and inventory trends to make informed decisions about your business.

For details, see our tutorial on how to set up WooCommerce conversion tracking.

However, since WooCommerce doesn’t provide hosting, you’ll need to buy web hosting and a domain name to ensure that your website can be accessed by users worldwide.

I recommend using either Bluehost or SiteGround. They are both among the largest hosting companies in the world and are officially recommended by WooCommerce.

Bluehost is even offering WPBeginner users a free domain name + SSL certificate and a generous 83% discount on hosting. Basically, you can get started for $1.99 per month!

→ Claim This Exclusive Bluehost Deal ←

✅ Pros of WooCommerce:

• Quick setup process, even for beginners
• Complete control and ownership with a self-hosted platform
• An extensive theme library designed for WooCommerce
• Thousands of plugins for added functionality
• Supports all product types (physical, digital, memberships, dropshipping)
• Unlimited products with no transaction fees
• Built-in SEO capabilities and blogging tools

❌ Cons of WooCommerce:

• Requires separate hosting and domain purchase
• Ongoing maintenance responsibilities (hosting upgrades, security, optimization)

Why I recommend WooCommerce: If you are just starting out, then WooCommerce is the best solution for you. It is free, offers amazing features, and doesn’t charge any transaction fees.

To help beginners get started, we have the most detailed WooCommerce tutorial on the web that helps you build an eCommerce website with WooCommerce.

2. Wix: Best for Beginners That Need Fully Hosted eCommerce

Wix is one of the most popular website builders in the world, and it’s an excellent choice if you want a balance of ease-of-use and professional eCommerce features.

Unlike WooCommerce, Wix is a fully managed platform, which means you don’t have to handle things like hosting, security, or software updates yourself. Everything is taken care of for you in the background, so you can focus on running your store instead of managing the technical side.

My Experience with Wix

I discovered that you can start building your site for free using Wix’s drag-and-drop editor and choose from over 900 professionally designed templates.

This makes it easy to create a polished, on-brand store, even if you’ve never built a website before.

I love that Wix also includes an AI website builder that can generate a personalized site for you based on a few simple questions about your business. This can help you launch faster without worrying about design details.

While Wix’s free plan is great for testing things out, you’ll need to upgrade to the Core plan, which costs $29/month, to unlock eCommerce features like secure online payments, product management, and checkout tools.

On the plus side, you’ll also get access to built-in marketing tools and the ability to sell across marketplaces and social media, helping you expand your reach beyond your website.

✅ Pros of Wix:

• Supports both physical and digital product sales
• 900+ professional themes and design templates available
• Built-in checkout, inventory, shipping, and tax management
• Fully managed platform, so hosting, security, and updates are taken care of
• Free plan available to get started
• Mobile-responsive designs included

❌ Cons of Wix:

• eCommerce features only available on paid plans (starting at $29/month)
• You have to pay a standard transaction fee on all sales (e.g. 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)

Why I recommend Wix: This is a great option for beginners who are looking to start their eCommerce business. Wix is user-friendly and has premade templates and marketing tools, making it a great choice.

3. BuyNow Plus: Best for Adding Simple “Buy Now” Buttons

BuyNow Plus is not a full eCommerce platform. Instead, it lets you create “buy now” buttons that you can add on any website, social media pages, or other online platforms.

This makes it a great option if you don’t need all the advanced features of a full-blown online store.

My Experience with BuyNow Plus

Upon research, I realized that, unlike full-fledged eCommerce systems that require setting up entire stores, BuyNow Plus focuses solely on allowing direct sales through customizable buttons.

This makes it an excellent choice for creators, freelancers, and small business owners who need a lightweight tool to start accepting payments online.

Plus, I find the platform is particularly ideal for those who want to sell directly through social media, email campaigns, or landing pages.

For example, if you are promoting a product on Instagram or Facebook, you can generate a “buy now” button link with BuyNow Plus and share it with your audience.

This eliminates the need for setting up complex checkout pages or redirecting customers to a separate storefront, allowing for faster transactions. However, keep in mind that you will need a free Stripe account in order to use BuyNow Plus.

✅ Pros of BuyNow Plus:

• Handles recurring payments without customer accounts required
• Easy integration across social media, websites, and email campaigns
• Unlimited product selling capacity
• Quick setup with simple “buy now” button creation
• No monthly fees – only pay when you sell
• Works well for digital products and services

❌ Cons of BuyNowPlus:

• No additional features like inventory management or store builder
• Stripe charges separate fees on top of the 2% transaction fee of the platform
• Lacks comprehensive eCommerce store functionality

Why I recommend BuyNow Plus: This is the perfect solution if you don’t want to create a full-fledged online store and just want to add a payment button for your products or services.

4. Hostinger AI Website Builder: Best for Quick AI-Powered Store Creation

Hostinger AI Website Builder is an all-in-one eCommerce solution designed for users who want to build and launch a professional online store quickly — with no coding required.

What makes this platform stand out is its powerful use of AI.

My Experience with Hostinger AI Website Builder

During my testing, I found that Hostinger can automatically generate complete storefronts based on a simple business description, including product pages, a checkout process, and even marketing content like product descriptions and email campaigns.

This significantly speeds up the setup process, making it an excellent choice for business owners launching their first store or anyone looking to go live fast without needing technical skills.

The platform includes a smart grid system that keeps your site design clean and responsive across devices.

It also offers built-in support for up to 500 products and over 100 payment methods, which makes it suitable for small to medium-sized stores.

I was also impressed by the built-in marketing tools, such as Hostinger Email Marketing (Reach), which can generate campaign emails using AI. Combined with zero transaction fees, this adds a lot of value for store owners trying to keep costs low.

Plus, it has seamless mobile editing, letting you make changes directly from your phone, which is ideal for busy entrepreneurs on the go.

✅ Pros of Hostinger AI Website Builder:

• AI tools simplify store creation and content generation
• No transaction fees
• Easy drag-and-drop editor with responsive design
• Built-in email marketing features (Hostinger Reach)
• 24/7 multilingual customer support
• Free domain name included

❌ Cons of Hostinger AI Website Builder:

• Limited to Hostinger’s own ecosystem (no third-party app marketplace)
• Free domain and email only last for the first year

Why I recommend Hostinger AI Website Builder: If you’re looking for a quick, beginner-friendly way to launch a professional online store without paying monthly transaction fees, then Hostinger is a great choice. Its AI-powered tools and simple editor make it especially useful for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses starting on a tight budget.

5. Shopify: Best for Selling Physical Products with Integrated Shipping Solutions

Shopify is designed for small to medium-sized businesses that want to launch and scale their online stores with ease.

It’s also fully hosted so that drastically simplifies the setup process.

My Experience with Shopify

I find that this eCommerce plaftorm is best for selling physical products because of its secure payment processing and integrated shipping solutions.

It’s known for its user-friendly interface, extensive range of customizable themes, and powerful tools for managing products.

Additionally, I love its wide range of third-party integrations that allow extensive customization and improve functionality.

Shopify also provides powerful inventory management tools, making it easy to track stock levels and fulfill orders efficiently.

✅ Pros of Shopify:

• Extensive app marketplace for additional features and functionality
• Comprehensive 24/7 support via live chat, phone, email, and Twitter
• Built-in Shopify Payments at competitive rates (2.9% + 30¢)
• Professional templates and mobile-responsive designs
• Integrated shipping solutions and label printing
• Strong SEO and marketing tools included

❌ Cons of Shopify:

• Additional 2% transaction fee when using third-party payment gateways
• Very short 3-day free trial period
• Less flexibility than self-hosted solutions

Why I recommend Shopify: It is an ideal platform for users who want to quickly launch an online store without needing technical knowledge. It is also well-suited for small business owners.

6. BigCommerce: Best for Scalable Multi-Channel Selling

BigCommerce is the ideal eCommerce platform for midsize businesses and fast-growing online stores that need powerful features without the complexity.

It is an all-in-one, fully hosted solution that covers everything from secure web hosting and seamless payment processing to advanced inventory management.

My Experience with BigCommerce

When I was evaluating the platform, I discovered that BigCommerce also offers a plugin that integrates seamlessly with your existing WordPress site, allowing you to use both tools together.

BigCommerce includes essential tools like multi-channel selling, abandoned cart recovery, and reporting to help grow your store.

Plus, I love how you can easily list and sell products across multiple marketplaces, such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Facebook, and Instagram, all from one centralized dashboard.

While BigCommerce doesn’t offer a free plan, it provides a free trial so you can explore its features and set up your online business without paying anything.

✅ Pros of BigCommerce:

• No credit card required for free trial signup
• Free subdomain option (mystore.mybigcommerce.com) available
• Multiple built-in payment integrations (PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net)
• Extensive third-party app marketplace for added functionality
• Professional pre-built templates and themes included
• Built-in SEO and marketing tools.

❌ Cons of BigCommerce:

• Short 15-day free trial period
• Restricted to BigCommerce’s ecosystem of apps and themes

Why I recommend BigCommerce: If you are looking for a powerful option that fully hosts your website, offers attractive templates, and integrates well with third-party tools, then you can opt for BigCommerce.

7. Big Cartel: Best for Simple Stores for Artists and Makers

Big Cartel is a hosted eCommerce platform designed especially for artists and creatives.

It could be a great option for you if you want to have a store selling handmade goods or similar products.

My Experience with Big Cartel

Unlike some more complex platforms, Big Cartel offers a simple and straightforward setup process.

It also has a free plan for those just getting started, which allows users to list up to five products.

That said, paid plans provide more features, such as the ability to list more products (up to 500 on the highest plan), access to advanced customization options, and tools for managing inventory, promotions, and sales.

✅ Pros of Big Cartel:

• No transaction fees on free plan (only payment processor fees apply)
• Customizable free shop URL
• Quick and easy store setup with step-by-step guidance
• Real-time analytics and basic marketing tools included on free plan
• Perfect for artists and makers selling handmade products
• Limited payment options (Stripe/PayPal) keep things simple

❌ Cons of Big Cartel:

• Theme customization requires HTML editing skills
• Free plan has limited features (no inventory tracking or discount codes)
• Limited scalability for growing businesses

Why I recommend Big Cartel: It is a great choice for artists, crafters, and makers who are just starting to sell their handmade creations online. Big Cartel’s simple, gallery-style layout puts your products front and center without distracting bells and whistles. 

Choosing the Best Free eCommerce Platform

So, which is the best free eCommerce platform for you? That depends on what you’re looking for.

If you want to start cheap and have full freedom to grow your business, then WooCommerce is the best option. The plugin is made for selling, and includes all the features you need to build a responsive store fast.

With over 100 payment gateways, plenty of SEO tools, and powerful analytics, it’s arguably the most robust eCommerce platform out there.

Using our exclusive Bluehost deal, you can get started for $1.99 per month. That’s less than a cup of coffee.

If you want to set up your store quickly, take a look at Wix. I discovered that it’s easy to use, you can start for free, and its eCommerce plan is affordable.

Unlike WooCommerce, Wix is a fully managed platform, so hosting, security, and updates are all handled for you, letting you focus entirely on running and growing your store.

FAQs: Best Affordable and Free eCommerce Platforms

Here are some questions that are frequently asked by our readers about affordable and free eCommerce platforms:

Which free eCommerce platform offers the best design options?

In my expert opinion, WooCommerce offers the most flexibility in design, especially when paired with WordPress themes. With thousands of free and premium themes available, you have complete control over the look and feel of your store.

Plus, you can customize the design further with plugins if needed, making it ideal for those who want full creative control.

On the other hand, Wix and Shopify also provide an excellent selection of customizable themes. Both are user-friendly with drag and drop editors, allowing for easy adjustments without needing coding skills.

What’s the difference between hosted and self-hosted eCommerce platforms?

Hosted eCommerce platforms are all-in-one solutions where the platform takes care of hosting, updates, security, and maintenance for you. Its popular examples include Wix, Shopify, and BigCommerce.

These platforms are easy to use, require little technical knowledge, and typically charge a monthly fee along with transaction costs.

Self-hosted eCommerce platforms like WooCommerce require you to manage hosting, domain, security, and updates yourself. While this offers more flexibility and customization, it also demands more work. You can choose your hosting provider and have complete control over your store, but you’ll need to handle more of the setup and maintenance.

Can I use these platforms for international selling?

Yes, you can use many free eCommerce platforms for international selling. They support multi-currency, international shipping, and various payment gateways, making it easy to sell globally.

However, some limitations may exist on certain free plans, so it’s important to review each platform’s features to ensure they meet your international selling needs.

How do free eCommerce platforms make money?

Free eCommerce platforms make money primarily through transaction fees, paid add-ons, and premium plans. They often charge a percentage of each sale or a fixed fee for payment processing. Additionally, they generate revenue by selling extra features like advanced themes, plugins, marketing tools, or hosting services. Some platforms also offer paid upgrades for more customization and support options.

I hope this article helped you learn about the best free eCommerce platforms to get started with. Now, you may want to check out these other helpful eCommerce guides:

Related Guides to eCommerce Platforms

• WordPress eCommerce Setup Guide for Beginners (7 Product Types)
• How To Properly Set Up eCommerce Tracking In WordPress
• Is WordPress Good for eCommerce? (Pros and Cons)
• eCommerce Website Maintenance Tips – How to Maintain Your Store
• How to Speed Up Your eCommerce Website (Proven Tips)
• Profitable Ecommerce Business Ideas for WordPress (Expert Pick)
• The Ultimate eCommerce Launch Checklist for WordPress

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