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You’re looking for the best low-cost eCommerce website platforms to start or run an online store without breaking the bank. Here’s a rundown of some of the top budget-friendly options, balancing cost, features, and ease of use:
Best Lowest Cost eCommerce Website Platforms (2025)
PlatformStarting Cost*Key FeaturesWho It’s Best For | |||
Shopify Starter | ~$5/month | Easy setup, supports social selling, mobile-friendly | Beginners, small stores, social sellers |
Wix eCommerce | ~$17/month | Drag & drop builder, customizable templates, integrated payment | Creative entrepreneurs, small-medium stores |
Squarespace Commerce | ~$27/month | Beautiful templates, built-in marketing tools, good for brand-centric stores | Designers, artists, small stores |
BigCommerce Standard | ~$39/month | No transaction fees, multi-channel selling, good SEO tools | Growing businesses needing scalability |
Weebly (by Square) | Free plan available, paid eCommerce starts ~$12/month | Simple interface, integrated payments, good for basic stores | Small stores, local businesses |
Ecwid | Free plan for up to 10 products; paid plans start ~$15/month | Can embed store into any website, multi-channel selling | Sellers who want to add store to existing sites |
WooCommerce (self-hosted) | Cost varies (Hosting ~$3-10/month + domain) | Open-source WordPress plugin, highly customizable | Users familiar with WordPress, developers |
Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) | Free for US merchants with Shift4 payment | Full-featured platform, no transaction fees | Small to medium merchants looking for feature-rich store |
Summary of Costs & Features:
- Free or very low entry cost: Ecwid (free for small catalogs), Weebly (free plan but limited features), WooCommerce (plugin free but hosting/domain needed).
- Monthly plans under $20: Shopify Starter ($5), Wix eCommerce ($17), Ecwid paid plans ($15).
- More robust platforms $20-$40/month: Squarespace Commerce, BigCommerce Standard.
- Self-hosted option (WooCommerce): Very low monthly cost if you manage hosting/domain, highly flexible but more hands-on.
Quick Recommendations:
- Absolute Cheapest, Easiest: Shopify Starter ($5/month) — great for simple stores, especially if you want social media sales.
- Most Flexible Low Cost: WooCommerce on affordable hosting — super customizable but requires some technical know-how.
- Best Free Option: Ecwid free plan for tiny stores or Weebly free plan to test basics.
- Best Design + Commerce Combo: Wix or Squarespace if you want beautiful sites and commerce together.