Shopify is powerful — but it costs $39/month before you make a single sale. E2C starts at $0, with every tool you need built right in. No plugins. No monthly bill. No risk.
Shopify is built for scaling businesses with complex needs. E2C is built for everyone getting started — with no cost until you earn.
Shopify charges $39–$399/month regardless of your sales volume. E2C charges nothing monthly — only 1.99% after a sale. If you're just starting, that's up to $468 saved in your first year alone.
Shopify's core product requires apps for reviews, email marketing, and more — each with its own cost. E2C includes all of it: store builder, analytics, marketing tools, customer reviews, and a message inbox.
Shopify requires a monthly commitment — slow months still cost you. With E2C, there's no monthly minimum. You never pay for a store that isn't earning.
A side-by-side look at what each platform includes out of the box.
| Feature |
E2C Store
$0/month
|
Shopify Basic
$39/month
|
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $39/month |
| Platform transaction fee | 1.99% | 0%* / 2%** |
| Listing fee | None | None |
| Credit card required to start | Not required | Required after trial |
| Your own branded store | ||
| Store customization (no code) | ||
| Free storefront themes | Limited | Free + paid ($100–$500) |
| Unlimited products | ||
| Product variants (size, color, etc.) | ||
| Built-in analytics | Basic reports only | |
| Marketing tools (built-in, free) | Via apps (extra cost) | |
| Customer reviews (built-in, free) | Via apps (extra cost) | |
| Customer message inbox (built-in) | Via apps (extra cost) | |
| Multi-currency support (15+ currencies) | ||
| POS / in-person retail | — | |
| App marketplace | — | 10,000+ apps |
| Start Free | shopify.com |
* 0% platform transaction fee only when using Shopify Payments (available in ~20 countries). ** 2% fee applies when using any other payment processor on Shopify Basic. Pricing as of 2025.
Yes. E2C Store has no monthly fees, no setup costs, and no credit card required. You only pay a 1.99% transaction fee after each sale, plus your payment processor's standard rate (Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30, or PayPal: 2.49% + $0.49). There are no hidden charges.
E2C charges 1.99% per sale. Shopify Basic charges 0% if you use Shopify Payments (available in ~20 countries), or 2% extra if you use any other payment processor. Outside Shopify Payments-supported countries, E2C's total cost is significantly lower since you avoid the 2% Shopify surcharge on every sale.
No, E2C does not currently support custom domains at the moment. However, we are working on this feature and expect to release it in the near future. In the meantime, you can redirect your custom domain to your E2C store URL.
Yes. You can export your product catalog from Shopify and re-add your listings on E2C. Our support team is available to help you through the transition. Most store setups can be completed in a day.
E2C takes a different approach: everything is built in. Store builder, analytics, email marketing tools, QR codes, customer reviews, and a message inbox are all included at no extra charge. You don't need an app store because nothing is missing from the core product.
E2C is best for individual sellers, small businesses, artists, and side hustlers. If you're a larger team needing POS hardware, advanced inventory management, or deeply customized workflows, Shopify's broader ecosystem may serve you better. E2C is focused on making online selling accessible and affordable — not competing with enterprise software.