Ecwid Free Plan: Features, Limitations, and Review

Ecwid Free Plan Review: Is It Still the Best Free E-commerce Option?

by

Starting an online store can feel daunting, especially when you’re on a tight budget. Monthly platform fees, transaction costs, and app subscriptions can quickly add up. This is where Ecwid by Lightspeed enters the picture, promising a way to start selling online for free. But is the offer as good as it sounds? This comprehensive ecwid free plan review will break down everything you need to know.

We’ll dive deep into the features, uncover the limitations, and answer the critical question many aspiring entrepreneurs ask: is ecwid free forever? By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what you get with the free ecwid plan and whether it’s the right choice for your business venture.

Table of Contents

What Is Ecwid?

Before we analyze its free offering, it’s important to understand what is ecwid. Unlike all-in-one website builders like Shopify, Ecwid (short for “E-commerce Widget”) is primarily designed to add e-commerce functionality to an existing website. Whether you have a WordPress blog, a Squarespace portfolio, or a custom-coded site, Ecwid allows you to embed a full-featured online store.

So, how does ecwid work? It provides you with a snippet of code that you can paste into your site’s backend. Instantly, a storefront appears on your page, ready for customers. For those without a website, Ecwid also provides a simple, one-page “Instant Site” to get you started. Following its acquisition by Lightspeed, its capabilities have continued to expand, and many ecwid by lightspeed reviews highlight its flexibility.

The Big Question: Is Ecwid Free?

Let’s get straight to the point. Is ecwid free? Yes, it is. Ecwid proudly offers a “Free Forever” plan. This isn’t a 14-day trial or a limited-time offer. You can sign up and use the free plan for as long as you like. So, if you’ve been wondering, “is ecwid free to use?” or “is ecwid not free anymore?”, the answer is a definitive yes, a free plan exists and is actively offered.

Many people ask, “does ecwid have a free plan?” and the answer is not just yes, but that it’s a core part of their business model. The free plan serves as an accessible entry point into e-commerce, with the hope that as your business grows, you’ll upgrade to one of their paid ecwid plans. So, is ecwid still free? Absolutely.

Deep Dive: Ecwid Free Plan Features

Now for the most important part of this ecwid review: what do you actually get? Understanding the ecwid free plan features is key to determining if it meets your needs. Here’s a breakdown of what does ecwid free plan include.

  • Online Store: You can create a full-featured online storefront. You can add this store to any existing website or social media profile (like Facebook and Instagram).
  • Instant Site: If you don’t have a website, you get a professional, one-page e-commerce site to start selling immediately.
  • Product Limit: This is a critical point. The ecwid free plan product limit allows you to list up to 5 different physical products. For those just starting, the ecwid free plan 5 products might be sufficient.
  • No Ecwid Transaction Fees: This is a major advantage. The answer to “does ecwid charge transaction fees?” is no. Ecwid does not take a cut of your sales on any plan, including the free one. You will still have to pay standard processing fees to your chosen payment provider (like Stripe or PayPal), but the platform itself adds no extra cost per sale.
  • Mobile-Responsive Shopping Cart: Your store will look and function great on desktops, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring a smooth customer experience.
  • Social Media Selling: You can add your store to your Facebook or Instagram business profile, allowing you to sell directly to your followers.
  • Unlimited Bandwidth: You don’t have to worry about your site crashing if you get a sudden spike in traffic.
  • POS Functionality: You can use the Ecwid mobile app (for iOS and Android) to accept payments in person at markets, trade shows, or a physical retail location.

These core ecwid features provide a surprisingly robust foundation for anyone new to selling on ecwid.

The Catch: Ecwid Free Plan Limitations

Of course, a free plan has its limits. The ecwid free plan limitations are designed to encourage users to upgrade as their business scales. It’s crucial to be aware of these before you commit.

  • Low Product Count: As mentioned, you’re limited to 5 products. If you plan to sell a wider variety, this will be an immediate roadblock. Answering “ecwid free plan how many products?” with “only five” is a key consideration.
  • No Digital Products: You cannot sell digital goods like e-books, software, music, or digital art on the free plan. It’s for physical products only.
  • No App Market Access: This is arguably the biggest limitation. Paid plans get access to the Ecwid App Market, which is full of integrations for marketing, analytics, and dropshipping. Without this, your ability to extend your store’s functionality is severely restricted.
  • Limited SEO Capabilities: You cannot edit the SEO meta titles and descriptions for your product pages, which can hinder your visibility in search engine results.
  • No Discount Coupons or Gift Cards: You cannot create promotional codes or sell gift cards to boost sales.
  • Ecwid Branding: Your Instant Site and store footer will display “Powered by Ecwid” branding.
  • Limited Support: Support is limited to email. For more immediate help, you might need to rely on community resources like the ecwid.comforums.

These ecwid free plan features limitations are significant, especially for businesses aiming for rapid growth.

Can You Use the Ecwid Free Plan for Dropshipping?

This is a very common question. So, is ecwid good for dropshipping? While Ecwid is a capable platform for dropshipping on its paid plans, the answer is more complicated for the free tier.

The biggest hurdle for ecwid free plan dropshipping is the lack of access to the App Market. Most streamlined dropshipping operations rely on an ecwid dropship app like Printful or Spocket to sync products, inventory, and orders automatically. Without access to these apps, you cannot set up an automated dropshipping store.

So, can i use ecwid for dropshipping on the free plan at all? Technically, yes, but only through a manual process. You would have to list a product, receive an order, and then manually go to your supplier’s website to purchase and ship the item to your customer. This is highly inefficient and not scalable. For serious dropshipping, you would need to upgrade to a paid plan to access the necessary integrations for ecwid fulfillment and find the top fulfillment for ecwid.

Ecwid Pricing: A Glimpse Beyond the Free Plan

To fully understand the free plan’s value, it helps to see the overall ecwid pricing structure. The ecwid pricing free plan is the entry point, but there are paid tiers for when you’re ready to grow.

  • Venture Plan: Increases the product limit, adds more sales channels (like Instagram Shopping), and unlocks features like discount coupons and automated tax calculations.
  • Business Plan: Further increases the product limit, adds marketplace selling (Amazon, eBay), and provides phone support.
  • Unlimited Plan: Offers unlimited products, a branded mobile app for your store, and priority support.

The ecwid cost for these plans is competitive, and they clearly show the path for scaling your business on the platform.

Ecwid Pros and Cons (Free Plan Summary)

Let’s summarize the ecwid pros and cons of the free plan for a clear, at-a-glance overview.

Pros:

  • Truly Free Forever: It’s not a trial; you can use it indefinitely.
  • No Transaction Fees from Ecwid: The answer to “does ecwid take a percentage?” is a firm no.
  • Extremely Easy to Set Up: You can add a store to any existing site in minutes.
  • Versatile: The ability to add it to WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or any other platform is a huge plus.
  • Includes POS: Basic in-person selling is included right out of the box.

Cons:

  • Very Limited Product Count: 5 products is a major restriction for most businesses.
  • No App Market Access: This severely limits your ability to add marketing, dropshipping, or other crucial features.
  • No Digital Products: You can only sell physical goods.
  • Limited Customization and SEO: You have less control over the look and search engine performance of your product pages.
  • Mandatory Ecwid Branding: You cannot remove the “Powered by Ecwid” link.

How Does Ecwid Compare to Shopify?

The “Ecwid vs. Shopify” debate is common. The question of which is better ecwid or shopify depends entirely on your needs.

Here’s how does ecwid compare to shopify:

  • Core Concept: Shopify is an all-in-one platform for building an entire e-commerce website from scratch. Ecwid is a tool for adding e-commerce to an existing website or social media page.
  • Free Plan: Ecwid’s biggest advantage is its permanent free plan. Shopify only offers a short free trial, after which you must pay a monthly fee.
  • Features & Scalability: Shopify is generally more powerful and scalable out of the box, with a much larger app ecosystem and more advanced theme customization.
  • Ease of Use: For someone who already has a website and just wants to add a “Store” page, Ecwid is arguably easier and faster to implement.

If you need a free way to sell a few items from your blog, Ecwid is the clear winner. If you are building a dedicated, high-volume online store from the ground up, Shopify is the more robust solution.

Who is the Ecwid Free Plan Best For?

Considering all the features and limitations, the Ecwid free plan is an excellent choice for specific types of users. After conducting this ecwid free plan review, we believe it’s a great fit for:

  • Hobbyists and Side-Hustlers: If you’re selling a few handmade crafts, art prints, or other items as a hobby, the 5-product limit may be all you need.
  • Small Businesses Testing E-commerce: A local bakery, a small boutique, or a service provider wanting to sell a handful of physical products can use the free plan to test the waters of online selling with zero financial risk.
  • Bloggers and Content Creators: If you have an established blog or social media following and want to sell a few branded t-shirts or mugs, Ecwid is perfect for adding a simple merch store.
  • Absolute Beginners: If you want to learn the ropes of e-commerce without a financial commitment, this is a fantastic, risk-free sandbox.

Ultimately, the answer to “is ecwid good?” is yes—for the right person. And the answer to “is ecwid legit?” is absolutely. It’s a reputable company providing a valuable service.

If you need more than 5 products, digital downloads, or advanced marketing tools, you will quickly outgrow the free plan. But as a starting point, it’s one of the best available. Many ecwid reviews from small-scale sellers praise its accessibility. When looking for an ecwid alternative free option, you might consider Square Online or Big Cartel (for creators), but Ecwid’s ability to integrate with any site makes it a unique ecwid free alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ecwid really free forever?
Yes, the ecwid free plan is not a trial. You can use it for as long as you like without ever needing to enter a credit card.

Does Ecwid take a percentage of sales?
No, Ecwid does not charge its own transaction fees on any of its plans. You will only pay the standard processing fees charged by your chosen ecwid payment gateways, such as Stripe or PayPal.

What is the product limit on the Ecwid free plan?
Currently, the free plan allows you to list up to 5 unique physical products.

Can I do dropshipping on the Ecwid free plan?
It is not recommended. The free plan does not have access to the App Market, which contains the necessary app integrations for automated dropshipping. You would have to process all orders manually, which is not efficient for a growing business.

Among ecwid competitors, what is a good ecwid alternative?
If you’re looking for another platform with a generous free plan, Square Online is a strong competitor, especially if you also need in-person POS. For artists and makers, Big Cartel offers a free plan with a 5-product limit as well.

Will the Ecwid free plan still be available?
While no company can guarantee future plans, the “Free Forever” model has been a core part of Ecwid’s strategy for many years. Based on their history, it is highly likely the answer to “is ecwid free?” will still be yes, but it is always best to check their official website for the most current information.