7 Best Affordable and Free eCommerce Platforms for 2025 (Compared)

Starting an online store shouldn’t break the bank, but many business owners think they need expensive enterprise solutions from day one.

We’ve seen too many entrepreneurs spend their entire budget on a fancy platform, leaving nothing for marketing or inventory.

Over the years, we’ve tested more than 20 eCommerce platforms, from high-end enterprise solutions to completely free options. What we found is that some of the best platforms for small businesses are also the most budget-friendly, and many offer solid free plans.

Here are the top affordable and free eCommerce platforms that can help you launch your online store without draining your budget.

These platforms have all the features you need to start selling, plus room to grow as your business takes off.

Quick Overview: Best Affordable and Free eCommerce Platforms

If you are in a hurry, then here’s a quick overview of the best free eCommerce platforms.

#	Platforms	Best For	Pricing
🥇	WooCommerce	All-in-one solution	Free
🥈	Hostinger AI Website Builder	Affordable and fast website launch with AI	$2.99/month
🥉	BuyNow Plus	Adding “buy now” buttons	Free
4	BigCommerce	Creating a medium-sized store	$29.95/month + Free trial
5	Shopify	Building a fully hosted eCommerce store + integrated shipping solutions	$25/month + Free trial
6	Weebly	Starting your eCommerce business fast + beginners	$10/month + Free
7	BigCartel	Selling handmade products	$15/month + Free

How We Test And Review Free eCommerce Platforms

Let’s be honest: there is no such thing as a 100% free eCommerce platform.

Even when the eCommerce platform itself is free, you will have to pay for a domain, web hosting, payment processing fees, and other extension costs.

We have a detailed guide on the real cost of building eCommerce websites.

With that said, your goal should be to find an eCommerce platform that helps you get started at the lowest cost without putting severe limitations on how you run or grow your business.

To give our readers reliable recommendations, we tested the most popular eCommerce platforms in real time. When we were doing that, we particularly focused on the following factors:

• Features: We assessed the core features each platform offers, such as product management, payment processing, and shipping options.
• Ease of Use: We evaluated the user-friendliness of the platform, including the initial setup process and the day-to-day management tasks.
• Customization and Design: We checked the flexibility offered in terms of design templates and customization options, ensuring users can tailor the appearance of their online store to match their brand identity.
• Scalability: We considered the platform’s ability to scale with your business as it grows, looking at potential upgrade paths and the ability to handle increased traffic and larger product catalogs.
• Integration and Compatibility: We evaluated how well the platform integrates with third-party tools, such as marketing, CRM, and accounting software, to support business operations.
• User Feedback: We checked feedback from current users to gather insights into real-world experiences, focusing on any challenges they reported.

1. WooCommerce

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.

In the past, we have used WooCommerce on plenty of demo sites and have found it to be super beginner-friendly. 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 our testing, we 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.

We 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 we 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. Hostinger AI Website Builder

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.

During our testing, we found that it 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.

We were 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 — 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 we 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.

3. BuyNow Plus

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.

Upon research, we 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, we 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 we 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. BigCommerce

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.

When we were evaluating the tool, we 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, we 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 we 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.

5. Shopify

Shopify is designed for small to medium-sized businesses that want to launch and scale their online stores with ease. It’s fully hosted so that drastically simplifies the setup process.

We find the platform ideal 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, we 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 we 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.

Related: For more details, see our comparison of Shopify vs WooCommerce.

6. Weebly

Weebly is a great eCommerce platform if you are looking to launch a side hustle, thanks to its intuitive tools and affordable pricing. It’s easy to use and super accessible, making it an excellent choice for beginners who want to get started quickly.

One of its key advantages is the free trial, which allows you to explore the platform, design your store, and get a feel for its features without any financial commitment.

We particularly appreciate the platform’s drag and drop website builder, which makes creating an online store super easy, even for those with no technical expertise. With a wide variety of templates tailored to different industries, you can quickly build a site that matches your brand’s niche.

Plus, Weebly includes built-in marketing tools, such as email campaigns, SEO optimization, and social media integration, enabling you to reach a wider audience. It even has some basic analytics features that let you track your store’s performance and make data-driven decisions.

Pros of Weebly:

• Supports both physical and digital product sales
• 100+ professional themes and design templates available
• Built-in checkout, inventory, shipping, and tax management
• Comprehensive support including live chat, email, and phone
• Affordable pricing with Professional plan at $12/month
• Free plan available to get started
• Mobile-responsive designs included

Cons of Weebly:

• You’ll pay a standard transaction fee on all sales (e.g., 2.9% + 30¢ on the free plan)
• Weebly ads displayed on free and Personal plans

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

7. Big Cartel

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.

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 we 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 use AI to easily set up your store within minutes, then take a look at the Hostinger AI website builder. It’s easy to use and quite affordable when compared to Shopify or BigCommerce. However, its limited to its own ecosystem and does not integrate with many third-party apps.

If you want to try out an online store for free but you’re happy to pay for something that’s a good fit for your business, then BigCommerce and Shopify are great full-featured options.

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 our 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, Shopify also provides an excellent selection of customizable themes. It’s user-friendly with its drag and drop editor, 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 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.

We hope this article helped you learn about the best free eCommerce platforms to get started with.

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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