Best free online store platform in 2027

Not every free plan is equal. This is a comparison of what you actually get — and what you pay later.

The word \u201cfree\u201d means different things across store platforms: free forever, free for a trial period, or free with a fee on every sale. So the right comparison does not look at the monthly price alone, but at what limits your store after launch: commission, product limits, payment fees, and the apps you will need later.

How we compare platforms

Is free permanent or a trial? Some plans expire after a period; others stay free.
Is there a commission? A percentage on every sale changes your profit more than a monthly subscription.
Are there limits? On products, orders, or users.
What is the cost after launch? Domain, apps, payment gateway fees, and support.

Quick comparison (2027)

Platform	Free plan	Commission	Key point
The Zum	0 SAR forever	0%	Core features complete, no card or documents, and no paid plans
Salla	Basic: 0 SAR	0% on Basic	Unlimited products and sales as Salla describes it, and a broad app ecosystem; Plus 99 and Pro 299 SAR/month
Zid	Starter: free	No platform commission	Multiple payment and shipping options; Zid Pay transaction fees vary by network and plan
WooCommerce	Software is free	0%	You need hosting, a domain, maintenance, and updates on your own

Prices were taken from official pages in October 2026 and may change with seasonal offers. Check the sources below before subscribing.

When is The Zum the right choice?

When this is your first store and you do not want to pay a subscription before your first sale.
When you want zero commission on sales, with money going straight to your account through the payment gateway.
When the essentials are enough: products, orders, shipping, and a simple dashboard.
When you want to launch today without technical complexity or a monthly commitment.

When should you choose Salla?

Salla fits when your growth depends on ready-made tools more than simplicity: a broad app and theme ecosystem, point of sale (Salla Point), discounted shipping labels, and advanced marketing and analytics tools. The free Basic plan is enough to start, and you can upgrade to Plus or Pro when needed.

When should you choose Zid?

Zid is a good option when your priority is multiple payment and shipping options and local integrations. The Starter plan is free, and as sales grow you can move to Rise or Growth. Note that Zid Pay fees apply to transactions and vary by network and plan.

What about WooCommerce?

WooCommerce gives you full control over code and ownership, but free software does not mean a zero-cost store: hosting, domain, updates, backups, and security maintenance are your responsibility. It suits someone with time or a technical team, not someone who wants the fastest launch.

What the word \u201cfree\u201d usually hides

A trial period that ends after two weeks or a month, after which the subscription becomes mandatory.
Payment gateway fees on every transaction — they are the provider's fees, but they count in your cost.
A custom domain paid annually, while the subdomain is free.
Apps and themes with monthly subscriptions that add up gradually.
Limited support on the free plan, or paid priority support.
Limits on products, orders, or the number of users.

How to test a platform in 30 minutes

Create a store and add three real products with images and descriptions.
Complete a test order from the product page to the thank-you page.
Try connecting the payment gateway, or read the connection steps and requirements.
Add shipping regions and check the cost the customer will see.
Open the store on mobile and measure load speed and checkout ease.

The practical verdict

There is no \u201cbest\u201d platform for everyone. The rule is simple: start at the lowest possible cost, test actual selling, then pay for the tools you truly need.

First store on the smallest budget: The Zum.
You need apps and point of sale: Salla Basic, then upgrade when needed.
You need multiple payment and shipping options: Zid Starter.
You have a technical team and want full control: WooCommerce.

FAQ

What is the best free online store platform in 2027?

It depends on your needs: The Zum if you want a permanent free plan with no commission and no subscription, Salla Basic if you need an app ecosystem and point of sale, and Zid Starter if you need multiple payment and shipping options.

Are free plans really free?

Usually yes, but free can mean a permanent plan or a trial period. Check the commission, product and order limits, and payment gateway fees before subscribing.

Is there a commission on sales?

The Zum takes no commission, and Salla describes its Basic plan as commission-free. Payment gateway fees remain in all cases, and they are the payment provider's fees, not the platform's.

Do I need separate hosting?

No on hosted platforms such as The Zum, Salla, and Zid; hosting is part of the service. WooCommerce needs hosting, a domain, and maintenance at your own cost.

Can I move between platforms later?

Yes, but the quality of export and import tools varies between platforms. Test exporting products and orders before your data grows.

Sources

Last checked: October 2026. Prices and features change, and official pages are the reference.