What Does It Really Cost to Start an Online Store in Canada? (2026)

E-COMMERCE PRICING

The real cost of an online store in Canada

Almost every platform leads with "start for free", and almost none spell out what you'll actually pay: a domain, a cut of every payment, hosting, and often a price jump beyond the minimum.

The five real cost categories, explained

A .ca domain typically costs C$15-20 a year. Payment processing takes 2.5-3% of every sale. GST/HST setup varies by province, and hosting is sometimes bundled, sometimes billed separately.

A realistic first-year budget in Canada

C$0

for a basic store on a free plan

C$15-20

a year for a .ca domain

~2.5-3%

typical payment processing fee per sale

C$20-65

a month for a paid plan with real growth features

How to avoid overpaying

Check the free plan's real product limit

Some cap at 5-10 products.

Check that legal pages are included

Should be auto-generated.

Confirm hosting is genuinely included

Avoids hidden extra costs.

Price the plan you'll need in three months

Compare the tier with a real payment account.

Common questions

Can I really start an online store for C$0?

Yes, with a working free plan.

Do I have to pay extra for legal pages?

Not if auto-generated.

Is a .ca domain worth the yearly cost?

Yes for a long-term business.

What's the most commonly missed hidden cost?

Legal pages and payment methods locked behind a pricier tier.

Start a real online store free — see the real pricing before you commit.

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