20 Best Cheap Ecommerce Platforms for SMBs Reviewed for 2025
The 10 Best Cheap Ecommerce Platforms to Get You Started
Before we get into it, here are our top 10 picks for stellar cheap ecommerce platforms for small businesses.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
The great thing about ecommerce these days is that you can start a store without throwing your bank at the initial investment. A good place to start is a cheap ecommerce platform.
Now, that's not to degrade the quality of the platform. Affordable ecommerce platforms aren't poorly crafted tools by any stretch. Often, we're talking about the lowest tier on a well-loved platform, which means there's plenty of room to scale.
Despite the size of your budget, you want something that makes it easy to design, build, launch, and manage an ecommerce store. And, luckily, there are many options out there for you.
Which means decision paralysis. You can't pick them all, so you gotta make up your mind. Let me help you out on this one.
We've got so much ecommerce knowledge tucked away in The Ecomm Manager's corridors, so we decided to use it to make a list of the best affordable ecommerce platforms.
Fun, right?
What are Cheap Ecommerce Platforms?
Cheap ecommerce platforms are the budget superheroes of the online retail world. Think of them as the Robin to your Batman—doing all the heavy lifting of setting up and managing an online store, but without the expensive price tag.
These platforms come packed with the essentials to get you selling online, from customizable store templates to payment processing, all at a fraction of the cost of enterprise-level solutions.
Whether you’re a scrappy startup, a side-hustler, or a small business that’s just dipping its toes into the world of ecommerce, cheap ecommerce platforms let you launch your store without blowing through your entire budget.
They offer a balance between affordability and functionality—so you can still look legit without needing a full-on IT department or a CEO salary to pay for it.
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As ecommerce experts ourselves, we know how critical, and how difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.
We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.
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Comparing the Best Cheap Ecommerce Platforms, Feature by Feature
Making the right decision is all about comparisons. First, let’s do a head-to-head on pricing for these cheap ecommerce platforms. Then, compare other features by hitting the Compare Software button.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Wix The order management features available within the Wix let you efficiently handle customer orders and track order statuses. | Best for mobile-optimized storefronts | 14-day free trial | From $11/month | Website |
| 2 |  Subbly Subbly's intuitive interface allows you to easily view upcoming orders and shipments. | Best for subscription-first businesses with AI features | 14-day free trial | From $29/month | Website |
| 3 |  Shopify Get the most important information about an online store. | Best ecommerce store builder | 3-day free trial | From $29/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 4 |  Squarespace Customize the available templates to match a brand. | Best for growing ecommerce stores | 14-day free trial | From $15/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 5 |  PrestaShop Highlight store statistics and get an in-depth view of items, orders, sales, and customer service, to make the best decisions. | Best cloud-based ecommerce platform | 14-day free trial | From $26/month | Website |
| 6 |  OpenCart Get an overview of the online store’s performance and view details such as the latest orders and recent activity. | Best open-source ecommerce platform | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
| 7 |  BigCommerce View and manage all products and make edits when needed. | Best for large inventories | 15-day free trial | From $29/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 8 |  ShipStation Consolidate all of your orders from various selling platforms in a single place, manage your shipments, and track your inventory. | Best for increasing shipping efficiency | 30-day free trial | From $9.99/month | Website |
| 9 |  Weebly Use the online store editor to add inventory, including the product’s name, price, and image. | Best for ecommerce website templates | Free plan available | From $5/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 10 |  Volusion Add product details and get a preview of how every page will look before publishing. | Best for no-coding ecommerce websites | 14-day free trial | From $35/month | Website |
How to Choose the Right Cheap Ecommerce Platform
Choosing the right affordable ecommerce platform isn’t rocket science—but it does take a little strategic thinking. Here’s how to nail the pick without drowning in options:
- Set a budget with wiggle room. Sure, you’re after a deal, but don’t just look at the headline price. Factor in hidden costs like transaction fees, premium templates, or essential plug-ins. The “cheapest” option isn’t always the best value.
- Pick a platform you’ll actually enjoy using. If a platform feels clunky or confusing during your trial, move on. User-friendly, drag-and-drop builders aren’t just nice to have—they’ll save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.
- Check for flexible payment options. The more payment gateways a platform supports (think PayPal, Stripe, and even buy now, pay later services), the more customers you can accommodate. Just make sure those pesky transaction fees aren’t eating up your profits.
- Look for just-right customization. While you probably don’t need a custom-coded store, you do need enough creative freedom to match your brand vibe. Avoid platforms that force you into cookie-cutter templates unless that’s your aesthetic (and hey, no judgment).
- Future-proof your choice. Your store might start small, but if you’ve got big dreams, your platform should keep up. Look for features like scaling plans, multichannel integrations, and options to grow your product catalog without hitting a wall.
- Read between the lines on customer support. Budget platforms often lean on community forums or email support. That’s fine—just make sure it aligns with your comfort level when tech gremlins strike.
Choosing a cheap ecommerce platform is about finding that sweet spot between affordability and functionality. With these steps, you’ll find a platform that works for your budget, your brand, and your business goals.
The 10 Best Cheap Ecommerce Platforms to Start Growing Your Brand
Now, let’s get to the reviews of it all. For each of these affordable ecommerce platforms, we describe what they do, why we picked them, top features and integrations, plus pros and cons for each.
Wix is a cloud-based platform that lets you create and manage your own website, including online stores. With its drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates, you can design a site that fits your brand without needing technical skills.
Why I picked Wix: Wix allows you to showcase up to 50,000 products in your online store, giving you the flexibility to expand your offerings as your business grows. This feature is particularly beneficial if you plan to scale your inventory over time. Additionally, Wix provides a mobile-optimized storefront, ensuring that your online store looks great on any device—desktop, tablet, or mobile.
Wix Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a customizable online store that reflects your brand identity, multichannel sales options to expand your reach by selling on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and secure hosting with fast loading times to provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.
Integrations include Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Catalog, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Omnisend, Meta Pixel, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Stripe, PayPal, and QuickBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Straightforward payment gateway setup
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor
- Wide selection of apps and widgets
Cons:
- Not ideal for very large online stores
- Cannot switch templates once set
Subbly is an all-in-one platform designed for subscription-first businesses, offering AI features and tools to help manage and grow subscription-based services. Its unique selling points include its subscription-focused features, data ownership policies, and native AI capabilities for revenue maximization and customer retention.
Why I picked Subbly: I chose to add Subbly to this list for subscription-first businesses looking for an all-in-one solution. When comparing various platforms, Subbly stands out due to its focus on subscription models and the inclusion of native AI capabilities, which are not commonly found in other low-cost ecommerce solutions. What makes Subbly different is its emphasis on data ownership and control, eliminating the need for multiple plugins or complex systems. This platform also includes features like AI prediction models that allow you to glean insights into your transaction data and make informed business decisions.
Subbly Standout Features and Integrations
Features include Subbly’s subscription management capabilities and customizable storefronts, which support businesses in growing their subscription-based revenue. The platform also offers native AI capabilities to enhance customer retention, drag-and-drop builders, APIs, SDKs, and open-source code for extensive customization. Additionally, Subbly provides multiple checkout templates optimized for different use cases and ensures businesses have full ownership and control over their data.
Integrations include Twilio, Zapier, Intercom, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Zendesk, Hotjar, Drip, Klaviyo, Facebook, ChartMogul, Flodesk, and TaxJar.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- No data lock-in
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- All-in-one website builder, subscription management, and ecommerce functionalities
Cons:
- Fewer third-party integrations than some other ecommerce platforms
- Slight learning curve
Shopify is a famous ecommerce website builder with a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to create great-looking online stores. It offers an onboarding wizard that helps users add products, customize their store’s look, connect a domain, and set up payment gateways.
Why I picked Shopify: I wanted to add Shopify to this article for those who need an extensive ecommerce store builder for a new startup or need to switch to a more capable solution for their current operation. Shopify is a cheap ecommerce platform that allows you to create high-quality web designs that can perform to win more customers. The platform also offers many store templates that put your business in the spotlight and enable you to present essential information about your store to customers and highlight your products.
Shopify Standout Features and Integrations
Features include tools that help you effectively scale your business, such as multiple staff accounts, inventory locations, bulk editing, and multiple currencies. Shopify offers online resources to help you with questions, such as a deep knowledge base and 24/7 support.
Integrations include connections with apps that help you grow your brand, business, and sales, such as AdRoll, GetResponse, Gorgias, Growave, Klaviyo, Loox, Omnisend, PushOwl, Retention Rocket, VideoWise, and other software options. You can also use Shopify’s API and a paid Zapier account to create custom integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Simple store activity management tools
- Contains many ready-to-use features
- Easily creates new ecommerce sites
Cons:
- Reaching customer support can be difficult
- Not many customization options
Squarespace is a powerful ecommerce platform that offers a solution for growing ecommerce sites.
Why I picked Squarespace: Growth is a significant goal for any business, so I wanted to include Squarespace for ecommerce stores that are experiencing this stage of their business. When going through the growth stage of your business, Squarespace offers you solutions to build an online presence with more style and substance than other cheap ecommerce platforms. You can create an online store that’s as simple or complex as you want and add specific functionality as you grow.
Squarespace Standout Features and Integrations
Features include customization options that allow you to change site templates without starting your store from scratch. Squarespace also has no storage database limits, relieving worries about how many product assets you can upload.
Integrations include connections and extensions with tools to help enhance your online store’s power across the internet, such as Avalara, Disqus, Dropbox, FreshBooks, Google Workspace, PayPal, QuickBooks Online, ShipBob, ShipStation, Stripe, and other software options. You can also use a paid Zapier account to connect Squarespace to over 1,000 third-party applications.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Intuitive functionality
- Easy to understand and use
- Allows users to create custom websites
Cons:
- Inputting custom design coding can be difficult
- Undoing significant changes is complex
PrestaShop offers merchants a cloud-based, open-source ecommerce platform allowing users to choose their desired features.
Why I picked PrestaShop: I wanted to add PrestaShop because it’s a cloud-based option, meaning you and your team can access your store’s backend from anywhere in the world. PrestaShop is a simple ecommerce platform that doesn’t require expertise in web design. It works for selling digital products or operating a marketplace along with regular selling of physical products online.
PrestaShop Standout Features and Integrations
Features include customization tools that allow you to tailor your online store to align with your type of business and meet customers’ expectations. PrestaShop’s catalog and product management tools enable you to create and manage thousands of product listings in hundreds of categories.
Integrations include PrestaShop’s partnerships with applications to offer native connections with tools to give you everything you need to create a successful store. These integrations include systems such as Amazon Pay, Klarna, Klaviyo, Mailchimp, PayPal, Sendinblue, ShipStation, Skrill, Stripe, Zendesk, and other software options.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good for small businesses
- Allows customization via modules
- Very user-friendly
Cons:
- Many extensions require payment
- Less community support compared to other options
OpenCart is an open-source ecommerce platform that allows users to create a free online store. The software offers extensive customization capabilities, allowing businesses to create a store that completely fits their brand.
Why I picked OpenCart: I couldn’t create a cheap ecommerce platforms list without adding an option that allows you to create an online store for free, so I added OpenCart for your consideration. OpenCart is an open-source online store management tool that uses programming languages like MySQL and HTML to create a free website. With OpenCart, you can use standard ecommerce store creation and management tools, such as secure payment providers, inventory management, and professional web store templates.
OpenCart Standout Features and Integrations
Features include user management tools that enable you to efficiently work with other team members, allowing them to perform various responsibilities, thanks to advanced user privileges to help you separate access for individual users and groups. You can also use OpenCart to implement recurring payments for customers if you plan to sell products with a subscription, promote a discount or member’s club, or break up costs into smaller segments.
Integrations include connections with over 1,300 tools and systems, such as Google Analytics, LiveAgent, LiveChat, Mailchimp, Omnisend, QuickBooks, ShipMonk, WordPress, Xero, Zendesk, and other software options. You can also use the platform’s API or a paid Zapier account to create custom integrations with your toolset.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive add-on list
- Simple configuration
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Navigation has a learning curve
- Interface needs work
BigCommerce is a robust ecommerce platform option for online stores with more extensive inventories. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools from marketing to analytics to help manage significant sales volumes.
Why I picked BigCommerce: For those with significant sales volumes, I wanted to add BigCommerce to this list because it’s a simple tool that can quickly create an ecommerce store for your product line. BigCommerce can simplify inventory management regardless of how many SKUs, warehouses, variants, and sales channels you’re using. On the front end of your store, your customers won’t experience any difficulties finding what they need, thanks to BigCommerce’s strong product search engine.
BigCommerce Standout Features and Integrations
Features include complex inventory management capabilities that empower your teams to manage up to 600 variants tied to a single SKU. BigCommerce also enables teams to quickly track customers and revenue across multiple sales channels, such as Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, and Amazon, and make adjustments to the channels you’re using.
Integrations include connections with over 1,300 powerful ecommerce tools and applications to enhance processes and increase productivity, such as ActiveCampaign, Google Analytics, Gorgias, HubSpot, Keap, LeadDyno, Lucky Orange, Mailchimp, QuickBooks Online, Zendesk, and other software options. You can also use BigCommerce’s API to make custom integrations with your current systems.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Simple multichannel integration
- Extensive list of user-friendly features
- No platform or commission fees
Cons:
- Limited checkout customization
- Steep learning curve
ShipStation is a web-based shipping solution that helps online retailers quickly and efficiently import, organize, process, package, and ship their orders.
Why I picked ShipStation: I picked ShipStation because I was looking for a solution that was affordable, easy to use, and could handle multiple shipping needs in one place. Plus, their pricing is very competitive, which is a big plus for a small business.
There are several standout features that make ShipStation a great choice for cheap ecommerce platforms. First off, it's user-friendly. The interface is clean and intuitive, and it's easy to navigate even if you're not particularly tech-savvy. Secondly, it offers plenty of flexibility. You can customize your shipping labels, packing slips, and emails to match your brand, and you can set up automation rules to speed up your workflow. Lastly, it offers real-time shipping rates, which means you can always find the best deal for your shipments.
ShipStation Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include the inventory management capabilities that come with this software. You can track your stock levels in real-time and forecast your inventory needs in the same place you manage your orders. I found this to be a convenient time-saver to keep your ecommerce operations in the same place.
Integrations include WooCommerce, BigCommerce, BigCartel, Shopify, Squarespace, Etsy, Wix, Magento, NetSuite, SAP, DHL, USPS, Canada Post, Purolator, Lumis, and dozens more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Available to use in several countries
- Inventory management included
- Flexible to various user needs
Cons:
- Somewhat complex, has a learning curve
- Rate calculator isn’t always accurate
Weebly is a robust ecommerce platform that provides many website templates that offer a simple and affordable way of building an online store.
Why I picked Weebly: I added Weebly to this article because it provides over 100 different website templates to choose from, empowering you to find something just right for your brand. Using one of the templates is quick, choose a design, add products, set up shipping and taxes, then select your preferred payment method. Afterward, Weebly automatically creates your storefront, allowing you to customize it as you see fit.
Weebly Standout Features and Integrations
Features include inventory tracking capabilities that allow you to manage anywhere from a handful of products to a product line with hundreds of choices. Weebly also provides a completely integrated shopping cart with secure checkout to help you provide your customers with peace of mind when shopping in your store.
Integrations include over 370 native connections with popular business management tools. These connections include systems such as AWeber, G Suite, Jotform, LiveChat, PayPal Marketing, Printful, Privy, RabbitSEO, ShipRobot, Tidio Chat, and other software options.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Competitive pricing
- Robust features
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Sometimes site load slowly
- Customer service needs work
Volusion offers a visual builder tool that empowers online merchants to create ecommerce websites without any coding expertise.
Why I picked Volusion: I decided to add Volusion to this list because of its visual builder that will help you fully customize your ecommerce store without having coding knowledge. For those with some coding knowledge or who are working with a developer, Volusion provides CSS and HTML customization areas. For everyone else, there’s a Style Editor feature that enables you to adjust colors, fonts, and styles to fit your brand.
Volusion Standout Features and Integrations
Features include marketing tools that offer everything you need in one area, such as deals of the day promotions, reward customizations, and newsletter functions. The platform also provides a visual analytics dashboard that helps you see data for orders, categories, and top products.
Integrations include 80 native connections with tools such as Authorize.net, Avalara, Cartmojo, Constant Contact, Fomo, GeoTrust, LiveChat, PayPal Checkout, ShipStation, Shipwire, and other software options. If you have a paid Zapier account, you can create custom integrations if you can’t find any native connections with Volusion and your tech stack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Quick setup
- Offers various powerful ecommerce features
Cons:
- Customer support needs work
- Not many integrations
Other Options
The list above offers some of the top ecommerce platforms available for your business because they meet the requirement of being the cheapest available in such a competitive space to win you over. But, of course, there are a plethora of other options out there that are more suitable for your needs, including:
- WooCommerce
For WordPress users
- Drupal Commerce
For customization
- Big Cartel
For independent artists
- Magento Open Source
For experienced developers
- SITE123
For ready-made styles and layouts.
- nopCommerce
For any sized ecommerce business.
- Swell
API-first ecommerce platform.
- Lightspeed eCom
For SEO-optimized sites.
- Shift4Shop
For turnkey ecommerce stores.
- Smartstore Community Edition
Online community.
Our Selection Criteria for Cheap Ecommerce Platforms
Choosing the right cheap ecommerce platform is like picking the best phone plan—you want something reliable, easy to use, and won’t leave you wondering where all your money went.
To help you make the right choice, we’ve built a weighted scoring system based on what actually matters for your business. Here’s how we break it down:
Core functionality (25% of total weighting score)
These are the non-negotiables—the features you absolutely need to run a functional online store. Without these, it’s like having a car without an engine.
- Product management. Easily add, edit, and organize your products without a tech degree.
- Shopping cart and checkout. Customers should breeze through checkout without hiccups or surprise glitches.
- Payment processing. Secure and straightforward integration with popular payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.).
- Shipping options. Integrates with shipping providers to calculate costs and provide tracking for your customers.
- Ecommerce integrations. Syncs with your existing tools—like your CRM, email marketing platform, or accounting software.
Additional standout features (25% of total weighting score)
These are the bells and whistles that take a good platform and make it great. They’re the extras that can help you stand out from the competition.
- Mobile optimization. Your store needs to look flawless on mobile devices since that’s where most shoppers are.
- SEO tools. Built-in SEO features to help you rank on Google without needing extra plugins.
- Social media integration. Share products directly from your store to social media channels with ease.
- Custom branding. Flexibility to personalize your store with logos, color schemes, and fonts to match your brand.
- Marketing tools. Includes email marketing, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery to boost your sales.
Usability (10% of total weighting score)
A platform can have all the features in the world, but if it’s clunky and hard to use, what’s the point? Usability is all about making sure it’s simple enough for anyone to manage.
- User-friendly interface. Easy to navigate without requiring a manual—or a PhD in web design.
- Smooth navigation. Find everything you need without endless clicks or hunting through menus.
- Efficient workflows. Adding products, setting up shipping, and managing orders should all be fast and straightforward.
Onboarding (10% of total weighting score)
You don’t want to spend weeks getting everything set up. Onboarding should help you hit the ground running, not keep you stuck in setup limbo.
- Tutorials and guides. Access to step-by-step instructions or videos to guide you through setup.
- Interactive product tours. Hands-on tours that walk you through the platform’s main features right from the start.
- Personalized support. Live support or setup help to make sure your store is ready to go.
Customer support (10% of total weighting score)
When something goes wrong (because, let’s be real, it will), you want a responsive and knowledgeable support team to have your back.
- Quick response times. Real people to help troubleshoot your issues in real-time—not endless hold music.
- Multiple support channels. Whether it’s email, live chat, or phone, you should have options for getting the help you need.
- Self-help resources. Well-organized FAQs and a solid knowledge base so you can solve problems yourself if needed.
Value for money (10% of total weighting score)
Affordability doesn’t mean you have to settle for less. It’s about making sure you’re getting the best value for your buck.
- Competitive pricing. Offers a solid set of features for a price that doesn’t make you wince.
- Transparent costs. No hidden fees or surprise costs—you should know exactly what you’re paying for.
- Flexible plans. Scales with your business, so you can upgrade to higher tiers as you grow.
Customer reviews (10% of total weighting score)
Why not learn from others? Customer reviews give you real-world feedback on how the platform actually works when the rubber hits the road.
- High satisfaction rates. Positive reviews from users who’ve been there, done that.
- Praise for ease of use. Look for feedback from people who highlight how easy it was to set up and manage.
- Good support feedback. Users should rave about the platform’s customer support, especially when things go wrong.
By weighing these criteria, you’ll find the perfect ecommerce platform that doesn’t just fit your budget but also helps your business thrive.
Trends in Affordable Ecommerce Platforms for 2025
Affordable ecommerce platforms are proving that you don’t need a fat wallet to get cutting-edge tools.
These underdog platforms are punching above their weight, adopting features that once seemed out of reach for budget-conscious businesses. Here’s how they’re leveling up:
- AI-driven personalization is now standard. Forget cookie-cutter storefronts—these platforms are leveraging AI to give every customer that “this was made for me” experience with tailored product suggestions and marketing nudges.
- Mobile-first is a must. Cheap platforms are laser-focused on mobile-friendly designs, because if your store isn’t slick on a smartphone, you’re leaving cash on the table.
- Social commerce baked right in. Selling on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook is no longer a hassle. Affordable platforms make these integrations seamless, letting you connect with customers where they scroll.
- Sustainability sells. Eco-friendly options like carbon-neutral shipping and recyclable packaging features are being built into even the cheapest platforms. Saving the planet? There’s an app for that.
- Augmented reality goes mainstream. Budget platforms are now dabbling in AR tools, like letting shoppers “try on” sunglasses or see how that couch looks in their living room.
- Buy now, pay later becomes a norm. BNPL options are making even the leanest ecommerce solutions more appealing to shoppers on a budget.
- Omnichannel experiences for all. Affordable platforms are bridging the gap between online and offline, offering tools to unify the shopping journey across every touchpoint.
These trends are making it clear: affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing innovation.
Key Features of Affordable Ecommerce Platforms
Just because you’re looking for a budget-friendly ecommerce platform doesn’t mean you have to skimp on features. The right platform should still have all the essentials you need to run a professional online store.
Here are the key features to look for:
- Mobile-friendly design. Your platform needs to offer mobile-optimized themes or templates that ensure your store looks great and functions seamlessly on all devices.
- Payment gateway integration. Make sure your platform plays nice with popular payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, or Square, so customers have multiple options to choose from at checkout.
- Inventory management. Look for built-in tools that help you keep track of what’s in stock and manage products without needing separate inventory software.
- SEO tools. Your platform should have built-in SEO features like meta tags, alt text, and friendly URLs to help boost your store’s search rankings without needing extra tools.
- Shipping options. A good platform will integrate with major shipping providers, offering real-time shipping rates and tracking information to streamline your operations.
- Customizable themes. Even budget platforms should provide themes that allow you to personalize your store’s look with custom colors, fonts, and layouts to match your brand.
- Marketing tools. Look for features like discount codes, email marketing, and abandoned cart recovery that help you increase sales with minimal extra effort.
- Analytics and reporting. Make sure the platform offers basic analytics so you can track store performance, including visitor data and sales conversions.
- App marketplace or integrations. A good platform will let you expand its functionality with apps or integrations for email marketing, accounting, and social media.
- Security features. Ensure the platform provides secure checkout processes, SSL certificates, and PCI compliance to protect both your customers and your business.
Benefits of Cheap Ecommerce Platforms
Affordable ecommerce platforms are the scrappy underdogs of the digital storefront world. They’re lean, nimble, and packed with features that make sense for businesses that want to save money while still competing like pros.
Here’s what makes these budget-friendly platforms worth the hype:
- Keeps your wallet happy. With plans starting at pocket-change prices, these platforms let you launch your store without draining your savings. That means more cash for inventory, ads, or that overpriced oat milk latte.
- Simple setup for the non-techies. You don’t need a degree in computer science to get started. Affordable platforms are often designed for the DIY crowd, with drag-and-drop editors and user-friendly interfaces that won’t leave you Googling “what is an API?”
- Low stakes for high returns. With minimal upfront costs, you can test your ecommerce idea without betting the farm. If your first store doesn’t take off, you can pivot without feeling like you’ve lost your life savings.
- Lightweight but laser-focused features. No bloated toolkits here. These platforms cut the fluff, offering only what you really need: product listings, payment options, and a sleek storefront. Think of them as the “just right” porridge in the ecommerce Goldilocks story.
- Room to grow. Many budget platforms now offer scalable plans, so you’re not stuck in starter mode forever. They grow with you, adding features and capacity as your business takes off.
- Community-driven support. Since many affordable platforms cater to small businesses, you’ll often find robust user communities and active forums, perfect for sharing tips, tricks, and a little commiseration when things get tricky.
- Accessible innovation. Thanks to trends like AI and AR filtering into budget platforms, you can access cool tech without the enterprise price tag.
Affordable ecommerce platforms make big business dreams possible on small budgets. They’re proof that you don’t need deep pockets to create a storefront that’s functional, flexible, and full of potential.
Cost & Pricing of Ecommerce Platforms
Ecommerce platforms come at a variety of price points, designed to suit businesses of different sizes, needs, and budgets.
Factors that influence pricing include the number of products you plan to sell, the level of customization, built-in marketing tools, hosting, security features, and more.
Whether you're a small business or an enterprise, these platforms usually offer pricing tiers to match your current stage of growth, with the flexibility to upgrade as your needs evolve.
Let’s break down the typical pricing tiers you’ll encounter and what they offer:
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic templates, limited product listings, basic SEO tools, transaction fees on sales. | Hobbyists, solopreneurs |
| Basic | $17 - $39/month | Website hosting, product listings, basic SEO tools, simple analytics, mobile optimization. | Small businesses, startups |
| Professional | $50 - $105/month | All Basic features, plus additional templates, marketing tools, abandoned cart recovery, improved SEO, advanced reporting. | Growing businesses, SMEs |
| Advanced | $150 - $299/month | Includes all Professional features, customer segmentation, premium support, advanced analytics, and abandoned cart recovery workflows. | Medium to large businesses |
| Enterprise | $500+/month (custom pricing) | Custom integrations, full site customization, priority support, enterprise-grade security, and advanced marketing features. | Large enterprises |
Additional costs to consider
- Transaction fees: Some platforms charge transaction fees if you're not using their in-house payment processor.
- Add-ons and apps: Advanced features or third-party apps can add to the monthly cost.
- Hosting (for self-hosted platforms): If you're using a self-hosted platform like WooCommerce, you'll need to factor in hosting costs separately.
When selecting an ecommerce platform, make sure to match the features and price to your business size and growth plans.
Most platforms offer a scalable solution, allowing you to upgrade as your business needs change.
FAQs on Cheap Ecommerce Platforms
As more and more online merchants look for budget-friendly ecommerce platform solutions, some common questions can arise during their search. Here, I’ll answer some of the most pressing questions people ask about cheap ecommerce platforms to help you narrow down your options.
What is the easiest ecommerce platform to use?
During my evaluation, I found that platforms such as Shopify and BigCommerce are quick and easy to set up. This makes them some of the best ecommerce platforms for many businesses.
Both platforms offer extensive features, and Shopify provides an onboarding wizard to guide you through adding new products, customizing your store, connecting a domain, and setting up payment processing.
Are there any free ecommerce platforms?
A free ecommerce platform can offer reasonable functionality at zero or minimal cost, making it significantly appealing to many businesses. You can start an ecommerce store for free, either through a free trial or a free plan.
However, after your trial, you must pay for a plan or transaction fees when using a free plan.
How much do ecommerce platforms cost?
The cost of an ecommerce platform varies based on the features and scale needed:
- Startups and small businesses: Basic plans range from $9/month to $31.50/month, offering essential features like product listings and payment processing.
- Mid-tier plans: Typically $30/month to $100/month, these plans include advanced analytics, customizable templates, and better support.
- Enterprise-level merchants: Advanced plans start at around $300/month and can go up to several thousand dollars per month, offering custom design, enhanced security, and dedicated support.
Costs depend on factors like features, customization, support, scalability, and integrations. Choose a plan that fits your business needs and budget.
Other Ecommerce Platforms Reviews
Researching the best cheap ecommerce platforms is an excellent place to start when dipping your toe into the online retail space.
But, if you need more specialized options for your business, you should consider the following platform reviews to find something that best fits your company.
You can start with the overall best Best Ecommerce Platforms, which contain a little bit of everything ranked in an ultimate list.
Ecommerce Platforms by Business Type
- Subscription Ecommerce Platforms
- Ecommerce Platforms For Small Businesses
- SaaS Ecommerce Platforms
- B2B Ecommerce Platforms
- International Ecommerce Platforms
Ecommerce Platforms by Need
- Open Source Ecommerce Platforms
- Headless Ecommerce Platforms
- Easiest Ecommerce Platforms
- Omnichannel Commerce Platforms
- Enterprise Ecommerce Platforms
- Ecommerce Marketplace Platforms
- Social Commerce Platforms
- Hosted Ecommerce Platforms
- Ecommerce Platforms In Canada
Find Something You Can Afford, Then Scale
After seeing all the features and prices I explored in this article, you can see that you don’t need a significant budget to launch an online store.
A strong web development budget might simplify the process; startups or small businesses can get everything running with a few dollars.
While many platforms I discussed in this article offer similar features, digging deeper into the ones that pique your interest the most is beneficial to see if they provide everything you need.
If you need help with other aspects of your ecommerce business or you’re looking for some advice, sign up for The Ecomm Manager newsletter to receive the latest tips, software reviews, and tricks of the trade right in your inbox.