Can I really run an online store for free?
You can get started for free, but with restrictions. Wix offers limited free store features that let you design a store layout, though accepting payments requires a paid plan. Squarespace gives you full commerce access during its 14-day trial. For a serious store with a custom domain and no branding, you will eventually need a paid plan.
What payment methods can I accept on a free plan?
Wix's free plan has very limited ecommerce but supports Wix Payments and PayPal on paid plans. Squarespace supports Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay but requires a paid commerce plan. Most platforms take a transaction fee on free plans ranging from 2.9% to 3.5% plus a per-transaction fee.
How many products can I list on a free plan?
Most free plans limit you to a handful of products or none at all. Tilda supports up to 5,000 products on Personal and 50,000 on Business, but its store is only available on paid plans, so selling with Tilda means upgrading from the start. Wix's paid ecommerce plans (from Core at $29/mo) support selling with large catalogs, and Hostinger charges 0% transaction fees on its paid plans.
Do free ecommerce builders include shipping and tax calculation?
Basic shipping options (flat rate, free shipping) are available on most free plans. Automatic tax calculation is generally a paid feature across all platforms. For a simple store with flat-rate or free shipping, a free plan can work well.
Which builder has the lowest transaction fees?
Hostinger stands out with 0% transaction fees on its paid ecommerce plans: you only pay the payment processor's fee. If transaction costs are your primary concern, Hostinger offers the best value.
Can I sell digital products or memberships with a free builder?
Yes, some builders support digital products and memberships. Dorik offers membership and paywall features for gated content. Wix supports digital product downloads, subscriptions, and membership areas on paid plans. Squarespace allows digital downloads and member areas on its commerce plans. For free plans, options are more limited, so you may need to upgrade to access digital product support.