Home > Articles > Which Selling Platform Has The Lowest Fees?

Which Selling Platform Has The Lowest Fees?

December 14, 2023
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

This article will delve into and compare various platforms to determine which offers the most cost-effective fees for business owners. 

Which Selling Platform Has The Lowest Fees?

Shopify’s advantageous fee structure, encompassing aspects like subscription costs, app expenses, theme pricing, shipping & discount benefits, and payment processing fees, particularly caters to the unique needs and budget constraints of small businesses.

Shopify E-commerce Platform – The Lowest Fees For Selling 

Shopify offers a transparent and flexible pricing structure that caters to businesses of all sizes, from aspiring solopreneurs to established enterprises.

Here is a table comparison among five Shopify pricing plans. 

StarterBasicShopifyAdvancedPlus
Paid Monthly$5$39$105$399Start at $2000
Paid ManuallyNone$29$79$299Start at $2000
Domain Names$0 – $37
Themes & Designs$170 to $360
Apps$0 – $300
Credit Cards
Online2.9% + 30¢2.9% + 30¢2.6% + 30¢2.4% + 30¢
Contact support team
In Person2.7% + 0¢2.7% + 0¢2.5% + 0¢2.4% + 0¢
Transaction Fees
Using Shopify Payments

5%

None

None

None
Contact the support team
Using External Payment Gateways5%2.0%1.0%0.5%0.15–0.30%

A Comparison Table Among E-commerce Platforms

This comparison table offers a detailed comparison of various e-commerce platforms, highlighting their distinct features and fee structures to emphasize Shopify is the best choice with the lowest fees. 

FeatureShopifyWooCommerceBigCommerceMagentoWix
Subscription Fee $5-$2,000/monthFree (additional costs for hosting, themes)$39 – $399/monthContact to get a quote (costs for hosting, themes, extensions)$16 – $159/month
Transaction Fees2.4% + $0.30 – 2.9% + $0.302.9% + $0.302.05% + $0.49 – 2.59% + $0.491.9% – 2.9% + $0.302.9% + $0.30
Domain Name$11/year (first year often free)Varies (depends on the hosting provider)$12 – $25/yearVaries (depends on the hosting provider)$14.95 – $24.85/year
Themes$180 – $360Free – $100 (varies widely)$145 – $300Free – $100s (varies widely)Free – $100s (varies widely)
Apps8,000+ apps (free and paid)70,000+ plugins (free and paid)1,200+ apps (paid)4,000+ extensions (free and paid)250+ apps (free and paid)
Shipping & DiscountsUp to 88% savings, seamless label printing, diverse discountsVariable requires additional setupDiscounted rates with minimum volume, limited discountsRequires third-party integration from $9.99 per monthVariable, fixed rates

As someone who has reviewed numerous e-commerce platforms, however, I believe Shopify stands out for its exceptional price competitiveness for small businesses.

From subscription plans and transaction fees to add-ons like domain names, themes, and apps, Shopify consistently offers the most affordable options, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendliness setups.  

In Conclusion 

Shopify is a clear winner in my book. It’s affordable, powerful, and flexible, catering to everyone from solopreneurs to large enterprises. With its user-friendly themes, integrated payments, competitive fees, and extensive app store, Shopify delivers unbeatable value for any e-commerce business seeking affordability and low fees.

FAQs

Yes, Shopify’s themes are competitively priced, offering a range of options to suit various budgets and aesthetic preferences compared to similar products. This pricing strategy allows Shopify to appeal to a broad spectrum of customers, from small business owners to larger enterprises, ensuring a theme is available for every budget.
Absolutely, Shopify Plus is tailored for high-volume businesses, offering extensive features and dedicated support to cater to the needs of large-scale operations. It provides extensive customization options, advanced analytics, and automation tools, facilitating efficient management of extensive inventories and high-traffic volumes.  With dedicated support, including a Merchant Success Manager and a Launch Engineer, Shopify Plus ensures smooth setup and ongoing operation.
Shopify provides up to 88% shipping discounts and offers a variety of flexible discount options, making shipping and promotions more cost-effective.
Yes, Shopify caters to businesses of all sizes, including those with small inventories, through its scalable plans and extensive app store.
The answer is yes. Yes, Shopify allows seamless integration with social media platforms, enhancing your reach and sales channels.

Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.