A free online store can mean a hosted free plan or free open-source software you operate yourself. Hosting, processing, support and extensions can still cost money. This guide separates verified ongoing free options from trials and paid commerce products.
| Tool | Free plan or open source | Main free-plan limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | Core plugin without a license charge. | Hosting, extensions, processing and maintenance cost separately. | WordPress owners able to maintain a store. |
| Square Online | Square Free includes a website and online ordering. | Processing fees apply; paid features and regional conditions vary. | Businesses wanting a hosted free entry point. |
| Big Cartel | Gold provides five product listings. | A small catalog and limited customization; paid upgrades add features. | Creators selling a few products. |
| PrestaShop | Classic is available to download free. | You provide hosting, updates, security and optional modules. | Store owners with technical support. |
| Magento Open Source | Free download and extensible storefront software. | Hosting and specialist development are not free. | Technical teams, not a beginner hosted launch. |
Truly free options
1. WooCommerce
An open-source WordPress commerce plugin.
Strengths: Control over checkout and extensions.
Limitations: Hosting, extensions, processing and maintenance cost separately.
Pricing model: Core plugin without a license charge. Hosting, extensions, processing and maintenance cost separately.
Best for: WordPress owners able to maintain a store.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Core plugin without a license charge. Hosting, extensions, processing and maintenance cost separately.
2. Square Online
A hosted store connected to Square.
Strengths: Selling without assembling a separate server.
Limitations: Processing fees apply; paid features and regional conditions vary.
Pricing model: Square Free includes a website and online ordering. Processing fees apply; paid features and regional conditions vary.
Best for: Businesses wanting a hosted free entry point.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Square Free includes a website and online ordering. Processing fees apply; paid features and regional conditions vary.
3. Big Cartel
A storefront for independent sellers.
Strengths: A clearly defined free product allowance.
Limitations: A small catalog and limited customization; paid upgrades add features.
Pricing model: Gold provides five product listings. A small catalog and limited customization; paid upgrades add features.
Best for: Creators selling a few products.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Gold provides five product listings. A small catalog and limited customization; paid upgrades add features.
4. PrestaShop
Downloadable open-source commerce software.
Strengths: Control over a self-hosted catalog.
Limitations: You provide hosting, updates, security and optional modules.
Pricing model: Classic is available to download free. You provide hosting, updates, security and optional modules.
Best for: Store owners with technical support.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Classic is available to download free. You provide hosting, updates, security and optional modules.
5. Magento Open Source
A developer-oriented open-source commerce platform.
Strengths: Customization of a developer-managed store.
Limitations: Hosting and specialist development are not free.
Pricing model: Free download and extensible storefront software. Hosting and specialist development are not free.
Paid tools with a free trial
Shopify and BigCommerce use paid selling plans rather than a permanent free store. Wix can publish free sites, but selling needs eligible paid access. Adobe Commerce is commercial and separate from Magento Open Source. Confirm current trial or demo terms rather than treating evaluation access as an ongoing free budget.
Limits of free ecommerce tools
Free software does not pay for hosting or processing. Hosted tiers can restrict products, branding or domains. Self-hosted tools need backups, security and maintenance. Check export and upgrade costs before accepting live orders.
Choosing free online store
Check the plan that remains after any trial. Match required access, exports and support to how you work before importing live data.
Related reading
ecommerce platform for small business
Methodology and disclosure
This comparison uses official product documentation and pricing pages. Recommendations describe editorial fit, not hands-on testing, benchmarks or aggregated user ratings. StackReporter may receive compensation through approved affiliate links; editorial references are separate from offer CTAs. We disclose applicable relationships in line with FTC guidance. Confirm current plans, limits and terms before buying.
Official plan and product checks
business.adobe.com — official source
prestashop.com — official source
squareup.com — official source
woocommerce.com — official source
www.bigcartel.com — official source
www.bigcartel.com — official source
Best for: Technical teams, not a beginner hosted launch.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Free download and extensible storefront software. Hosting and specialist development are not free.
Paid tools with a free trial
Shopify and BigCommerce use paid selling plans rather than a permanent free store. Wix can publish free sites, but selling needs eligible paid access. Adobe Commerce is commercial and separate from Magento Open Source. Confirm current trial or demo terms rather than treating evaluation access as an ongoing free budget.
Limits of free ecommerce tools
Free software does not pay for hosting or processing. Hosted tiers can restrict products, branding or domains. Self-hosted tools need backups, security and maintenance. Check export and upgrade costs before accepting live orders.
Choosing free online store
Check the plan that remains after any trial. Match required access, exports and support to how you work before importing live data.
Related reading
ecommerce platform for small business
Methodology and disclosure
This comparison uses official product documentation and pricing pages. Recommendations describe editorial fit, not hands-on testing, benchmarks or aggregated user ratings. StackReporter may receive compensation through approved affiliate links; editorial references are separate from offer CTAs. We disclose applicable relationships in line with FTC guidance. Confirm current plans, limits and terms before buying.
Official plan and product checks
business.adobe.com — official source
prestashop.com — official source
squareup.com — official source
woocommerce.com — official source