Ecommerce Platform With No Transaction Fees: What Does Your Online Store Really Cost?

When comparing ecommerce platforms, most people look at the subscription price first. That's a mistake. For a store that sells, the subscription is often the smallest line on the bill. What really costs money are the percentages taken on every sale.

The 4 costs of an online store

1. The subscription. This is the fixed amount you pay each month. Check whether the price shown assumes annual or monthly billing, and whether there's a commitment.

2. The platform commission. This is a percentage taken on every sale. First question: does it exist? Second question: does it go away when you move to a paid plan?

3. Payment processing fees. Stripe, PayPal or your bank charge a percentage plus a few cents per transaction. Some platforms add extra fees if you don't use their own payment solution.

4. Apps and plugins. These are monthly subscriptions on top of your plan. Check what's included from the start (variants, B2B, shipping) and what you'll pay for separately.

Payment processing fees exist everywhere: no platform can remove them, because they pay the payment provider. The platform commission, on the other hand, is a business choice. That's where the gaps widen.

Example: Shopify's fees

Shopify's plans start at $29 per month billed annually for Basic ($39 billed monthly), $79 for Grow and $299 for Advanced. If you take payments through a provider other than Shopify Payments, transaction fees are added: 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow and 0.6% on Advanced, according to the official pricing page checked in September 2026. Paid apps for advanced features often come on top.

This model makes sense for many merchants. You just need to run the numbers with your own revenue.

The Magazengo model: a commission only while you're on Free

Magazengo offers three plans. Free costs €0 per month, with a 2.5% commission on sales. Starter, at €50 per month (excl. VAT), removes the commission entirely for up to €50,000 in sales over 12 months. Business, at €350 per month (excl. VAT), stays at 0% commission with no revenue cap.

The logic is simple: when you start, you pay nothing until you sell. As soon as you subscribe, Magazengo stops taking anything from your sales. Products are unlimited on every plan, with no commitment.

Running the numbers: €3,000 in sales per month

Take a home decor store that sells €3,000 per month, or €36,000 per year. Excluding payment processing fees (which apply everywhere):

• Magazengo Free: 2.5% of €3,000 = €75 per month.
• Magazengo Starter: €50 per month (excl. VAT), €0 commission.
• A platform at €30/month with a 2% transaction fee: €30 + €60 = €90 per month.

At this level of sales, the no-commission subscription is the cheapest option. And the gap grows with revenue: every extra euro you sell costs you nothing more.

How to choose a platform based on your revenue

• You're starting out or testing a product: go for a plan with no subscription. You only pay if you sell.
• You sell more than €2,000 per month: a no-commission subscription becomes the better deal.
• You exceed €50,000 per year or sell to businesses: look for an all-inclusive plan (B2B, API, dedicated support) to avoid stacking paid apps.

FAQ

Is there an online store with no fees at all? No: payment processing fees always apply. However, you can get rid of the platform commission.

Why do payment fees vary? They depend on the provider (Stripe, PayPal), the card type and the buyer's country.

Can I change plans as my revenue grows? Yes. On Magazengo, every plan is commitment-free and you switch from one to another in one click.

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See for yourself: create your store on Magazengo, free to start, no commission from Starter.

Source for Shopify pricing : Shopify pricing page, checked on 27 September 2026.