Here's a bunch of comparisons of online store platforms.
I will list pros, cons, and whether they allow 18+ content.
| Site | Pros | Cons | Custom Domain | Inventory Limit | Adult content |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | * Square makes those terminals that brick and mortar stores use nowadays. * Integrated inventory between physical/digital stores. * Free plan has a lot of features. | I don't like the templates. | $29/mo | Unlimited | ⛔ No "lewd, pornographic" content |
| Ecwid | A LOT of features. | Gets more expensive every year. | $25/mo | * free = 5 * $25 = 100 * $45 = 1000 | ✅Does not explicitly forbid under ecwid or lightspeed TOS |
| Limited Run | * A lot of control over HTML/CSS. * No monthly fee. | * Admin UI is probably confusing to less computer-savvy users * Missing a lot of features like shopping cart thumbnails, text input field for custom orders, importing CSVs | Free | ? | ❓ Terms : “We may, but have no obligation to, remove Content that we determine in our sole discretion are pornographic.” |
| Itch.io | Good for digital media (PDFs, games) | Weird shipping/inventory system for physical sales | ? | ? | ✅ Known for hosting pornographic content ⛔ No underage sexuality |
| shift4shop.com | Haven't tried | No free plan. | $39/mo | Unlimited | ✅ Openly allows high-risk industries like sex toys and adult content. |
| DLsite | Haven't tried. Connects to non-JPN bank accounts with paypal. | Takes a big chunk of money | ✅ They sell adult doujin on there. It is very explicit with questionable kinks on the front page. You'll probably have to abide by JPN censorship laws. | ||
| BOOTH | Haven't tried, it's part of pixIV. Connects to non-JPN bank accounts with paypal. | Need to have a JPN address to ship physical stuff. | ✅ They sell adult doujin on there. It is very explicit with questionable kinks on the front page. You'll probably have to abide by JPN censorship laws. | ||
| snipcart | Haven't tried, add-on rather than its own site | ||||
| thirty bees | Haven't tried, add-on rather than its own site | You need to find hosting for it | |||
| WooCommerce | You can integrate it into your existing site, barebones free. | Requires using Wordpress. Needed extensions can amount to $100's of dollars spent. |
| Site | Pros | Cons | Adult content? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patreon | Known brand | Takes a noticeable percentage | ⚠️ Some vanilla NSFW. Can and will ban anything dubious (hypno, furry, anime…) |
| Ko-fi | * Integrated store & commissions * Allows recurring and single payments | Store purchases hard to manage cuz they're in the same area as regular donations with no item preview. | ⛔ NO. Will look at your other soc med and audit you. |
| SubscribeStar | * Openly allows adult content | * You will be in the same space as conspiracy theorists. * Might need to get verified? | ✅ Yes. They have an adult specific brand. They allow many kinks that are legal in their host country. I'm pretty sure baraag is on there if you're wondering how far they go. |
| Site | Pros | Cons | Adult content? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artconomy | Free | Some fees and differing buyer/seller protections depending on payment plan. | ✅ Allows anything legal within their state's law. |
| Picarto | * Free * Integrated streaming, shop, and tipping | Not sure where the fees structure is at first glance. | ✅ Allows most things. ⛔ No underage sexuality. |
| VGen | * Large marketplace, people go on there to find artists * Integrated digital shop | * Need invite * 5% service fee | ⛔ Absolutely no nudity or sex. Possibly extends to "tortious" violence. |