It’s exhilarating to start an online shop, but take the wrong symphony and you will soon run out of your budget.

High monthly fees, costly plugins and transaction fees can cut into your profits. This is why choosing an

e-commerce platform with low fees and excellent value is so important, especially if you are a small business or a startup just starting out.

The following are the most popular low-cost e-commerce platforms in 2025, based on what they offered at an affordable price, how user-friendly they were to beginners and how well they scaled as a business grew.

1.  WooCommerce – Lowest Fees & Maximum Flexibility

WooCommerce remains, above all, the cheapest online store platform that you can get. It is a free WordPress plugin that offers you the most control of your online store without any monthly fees.

Why It’s Low-Fee:

• No platform fee
• No transaction fee
• Affordable hosting options
• Free themes & plugins available

Best For:

Small business, drop shipper and SEO targeted websites.

WooCommerce is best budget-friendly if you already have a WordPress website.

2.  Shopify Starter — Low Cost, Big Features

Whereas complete Shopify plans may be expensive, the Shopify Starter plan is best suited to low-cost selling via social media and messaging applications.

Why It’s Low-Fee:

• Extremely low monthly cost
• Sell through Instagram, WhatsApp and
• Simple setup

Best For:

New sellers who do not wish to deal with the full site.

Shopify starter is a wise choice if you are selling via reels, stories, or influencers.

3.  Big Cartel — Best for Creators & Artists

Big Cartel works best for small stores with few products. It has a free plan, and it is ideal for beginners.

Why It’s Low-Fee:

• Free plan for up to 5 products
• No hidden charges

Reduced costs on paid subscriptions compared to the majority of the platforms.

Best For:

Inventors, designers, and sellers of handmade products.

4.  Squarespace Commerce Basic — Low-Cost With Stunning Designs

Compared to most high-end services, Squarespace is significantly more affordable and has beautiful templates.

Why It’s Low-Fee:

• Affordable monthly fees
• No extra fees for the
• Hosting included

Best For:

Brands that are more visual and aesthetic-oriented.

5.  Ecwid — Affordable & Easy to Integrate

Ecwid allows you to convert any site into an online store within a few minutes.

Why It’s Low-Fee:

• Free plan available
• No transaction fees
• Can be installed in WordPress, Wix or standalone

Best For:

Companies that desire e-commerce without reconstructing their website.

Final Verdict

When low cost is of primary concern, then WooCommerce and Big Cartel cannot be defeated. Shopify starter and Squarespace are worth considering in terms of features and basic installation.

At MK Digital Solution, we help companies decide, install, and optimize the best e-commerce platform based on the budget and objectives.