India · Costs checked 15 Oct 2026
Best e-commerce platform in India for small sellers (2026): what each really costs
Most “best platform” lists compare features. Sellers also need to compare plan fees, platform charges and payment processing. Here are the figures with links to provider sources.
Prices and fees at a glance
Provider prices were checked 15 Oct 2026. Dukaan is not compared yet because current plan figures could not be verified.
| Platform | Plan | Free period | Platform charge | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOD | ₹299/month | 3 months, no card | 0%; gateway fee on prepaid | Pricing |
| Shopify Basic | from ₹1,499/month billed yearly; ₹1,994 billed monthly (varies by visitor) | 3 days, then ₹20/month for 3 months | 2% with external gateways, plus gateway fee | Shopify pricing |
| Instamojo | Starter ₹6,999/year; Growth ₹14,999/year | Lite plan available | 5% + ₹3 (Lite/Starter); 2% + ₹3 (Growth) | Instamojo pricing |
| WooCommerce | Plugin free; hosting varies | n/a | No platform commission; hosting, plugins and gateway separate | Hosting research |
WooCommerce hosting figures used in the calculator are research checked 16 Oct 2026. Plugins are excluded. Estimates; check each provider.
Estimate your yearly store cost
Change the inputs to compare plan fees and platform charges. COD courier costs are excluded because they apply separately.
| Platform | Estimated yearly cost | Cost breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| HOD | ₹19,683 | 9 paid months; gateway on prepaid |
| Shopify Basic | ₹49,398 | ₹1,994/month plan + 2% platform fee + gateway |
| Instamojo Starter | ₹45,699 | ₹6,999/year; 5% + ₹3 on prepaid orders, gateway included |
| Instamojo Growth | ₹32,099 | ₹14,999/year; 2% + ₹3 on prepaid orders, gateway included |
| WooCommerce | ₹19,980 | ₹249/month first-year hosting research (16 Oct 2026); plugins excluded + gateway |
At these inputs, HOD is ₹29,715 lower per year than Shopify Basic.
Assumptions: gateway processing is estimated at 2.36% of prepaid sales (Razorpay 2% + 18% GST, checked 15 Oct 2026). Shopify adds its 2% Basic platform fee on prepaid sales. Instamojo fees are calculated on prepaid sales and include gateway processing; ₹3 is applied per prepaid order. HOD and WooCommerce add gateway processing to prepaid sales. WooCommerce hosting figures are research from 16 Oct 2026; plugins are excluded. Estimates only. Prices checked: 15 Oct 2026. Check each provider.
Choose based on how you sell
- Shopify: consider it if its app ecosystem, POS or global selling fits your needs. See our Shopify cost comparison and alternatives overview.
- Instamojo: suits sellers who value payment links and a simple store. Compare Instamojo fees with HOD.
- WooCommerce: suits sellers who have a developer and want to manage their own hosting, updates and plugins.
- HOD: ₹299/month after 3 free months, with 0% commission, unlimited products, COD, around 20 couriers, GST invoices, WhatsApp order updates and cart nudges, Hindi/Hinglish voice AI and 88 themes. Gateway fees apply to prepaid orders.
Check every cost before choosing
Include COD handling, GST invoices, WhatsApp order updates, courier integration, renewal price after promotions, per-order fees and gateway charges on prepaid orders. HOD has 0% platform commission and no per-order fee. See store migration and HOD pricing.
What HOD does not include yet
A Shopify-size app store, POS, B2B/wholesale price lists and ONDC listing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an online store cost in India?
Plan fee + platform commission + payment-gateway fee. Gateway charges vary by provider and usually apply to prepaid orders. COD also has courier charges. HOD costs ₹299/month after 3 free months, with 0% platform commission.
Is Shopify worth it for a small seller?
Shopify can suit sellers who need its app ecosystem, POS or global selling. Shopify Basic starts at ₹1,499/month (billed yearly; ₹1,994 billed monthly, and prices vary by visitor), and its India Basic plan adds a 2% fee when using an external payment provider. Compare your own sales mix in the calculator above.
Which platform has no commission?
HOD and WooCommerce do not charge a platform commission in these estimates. Payment gateway charges can still apply to prepaid orders. WooCommerce hosting and plugins are separate costs.
Can I move my existing store?
HOD supports store migration from Shopify, Wix and WooCommerce. See the migration guide at /move.