Free forever plan · 2,283 shops live · No credit card to start
Built by a cottage bakerCottage CMS Free is a real storefront, not a trial. Pro is the Most Popular plan for custom domain, checkout, marketing, and growth tools. Scale is previewed at $370/year so sellers can see where the full feature set is headed.
Choose your plan
Annual Pro stays the best paid value, monthly Pro keeps flexibility, and Free is enough to launch while you are proving demand. During the Scale preview window, Pro signups keep the current full-feature access grandfathered while their membership stays active.
Full feature set
Expanded tools for businesses ready for the full feature set.
$30.83/mo billed annually
Monthly option
$37/month billed monthly
Best value
For active sellers who want the full website, marketing, custom domain, and repeat-customer toolkit.
Equivalent to $16.67/mo. Saves $40 versus monthly.
Monthly option
$20/month billed monthly
First paid Pro membership
No trial clock
A real starter storefront for validating demand before paying for more growth tools.
Stay on Free as long as it fits.
Full feature comparison
The cards above show the decision highlights. This table shows the complete Free, Pro, and Scale feature shape for sellers who want the fine print before they choose.
| Feature | Free | ProMost Popular | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce | |||
| Physical product catalog | Free includes Physical product catalog | Pro includes Physical product catalog | Scale includes Physical product catalog |
| Product options and order forms | Free includes Product options and order forms | Pro includes Product options and order forms | Scale includes Product options and order forms |
| Cart and order records | Free includes Cart and order records | Pro includes Cart and order records | Scale includes Cart and order records |
| Square-powered checkout | Free includes Square-powered checkout | Pro includes Square-powered checkout | Scale includes Square-powered checkout |
| External Payment Options | Free does not include External Payment Options | Pro includes External Payment Options | Scale includes External Payment Options |
| Processing Fees | Free does not include Processing Fees | Pro includes Processing Fees | Scale includes Processing Fees |
| Tipping | Free does not include Tipping | Pro includes Tipping | Scale includes Tipping |
| Market Checkout | Free does not include Market Checkout | Pro includes Market Checkout | Scale includes Market Checkout |
| Orders and fulfillment | |||
| Pickup fulfillment | Free includes Pickup fulfillment | Pro includes Pickup fulfillment | Scale includes Pickup fulfillment |
| Order Deposits | Free does not include Order Deposits | Pro includes Order Deposits | Scale includes Order Deposits |
| Order Quotes | Free does not include Order Quotes | Pro includes Order Quotes | Scale includes Order Quotes |
| Delivery Options | Free does not include Delivery Options | Pro includes Delivery Options | Scale includes Delivery Options |
| Shipping Options | Free does not include Shipping Options | Pro includes Shipping Options | Scale includes Shipping Options |
| Nationwide Shipping | Free does not include Nationwide Shipping | Pro does not include Nationwide Shipping | Scale includes Nationwide Shipping |
| Pickup Reminders | Free does not include Pickup Reminders | Pro includes Pickup Reminders | Scale includes Pickup Reminders |
| Payment Reminders | Free does not include Payment Reminders | Pro includes Payment Reminders | Scale includes Payment Reminders |
| Operations | |||
| Realtime inventory and order holds | Free includes Realtime inventory and order holds | Pro includes Realtime inventory and order holds | Scale includes Realtime inventory and order holds |
| 1 pickup/location profile | Free includes 1 pickup/location profile | Pro includes 1 pickup/location profile | Scale includes 1 pickup/location profile |
| Second Location | Free does not include Second Location | Pro includes Second Location | Scale includes Second Location |
| Unlimited Locations | Free does not include Unlimited Locations | Pro does not include Unlimited Locations | Scale includes Unlimited Locations |
| Pre-orders (Drops) & Weekly Schedules | Free includes Pre-orders (Drops) & Weekly Schedules | Pro includes Pre-orders (Drops) & Weekly Schedules | Scale includes Pre-orders (Drops) & Weekly Schedules |
| Calendar dashboard | Free includes Calendar dashboard | Pro includes Calendar dashboard | Scale includes Calendar dashboard |
| Pantry and recipe costing | Free includes Pantry and recipe costing | Pro includes Pantry and recipe costing | Scale includes Pantry and recipe costing |
| Website | |||
| Public storefront with standard pages | Free includes Public storefront with standard pages | Pro includes Public storefront with standard pages | Scale includes Public storefront with standard pages |
| Cottage CMS address and secure hosting | Free includes Cottage CMS address and secure hosting | Pro includes Cottage CMS address and secure hosting | Scale includes Cottage CMS address and secure hosting |
| Mobile-optimized storefront | Free includes Mobile-optimized storefront | Pro includes Mobile-optimized storefront | Scale includes Mobile-optimized storefront |
| Templates and preset theme palettes | Free includes Templates and preset theme palettes | Pro includes Templates and preset theme palettes | Scale includes Templates and preset theme palettes |
| Visual site editor | Free includes Visual site editor | Pro includes Visual site editor | Scale includes Visual site editor |
| Premium Plugins | Free does not include Premium Plugins | Pro includes Premium Plugins | Scale includes Premium Plugins |
| Brand and design | |||
| Custom Domain | Free does not include Custom Domain | Pro includes Custom Domain | Scale includes Custom Domain |
| Domain Purchase | Free does not include Domain Purchase | Pro includes Domain Purchase | Scale includes Domain Purchase |
| Theme Customization | Free includes Theme Customization | Pro includes Theme Customization | Scale includes Theme Customization |
| Hero Layout Options | Free does not include Hero Layout Options | Pro includes Hero Layout Options | Scale includes Hero Layout Options |
| Custom CSS | Free does not include Custom CSS | Pro does not include Custom CSS | Scale includes Custom CSS |
| Content and pages | |||
| Advanced Template Page Editing | Free does not include Advanced Template Page Editing | Pro includes Advanced Template Page Editing | Scale includes Advanced Template Page Editing |
| Create Blank Pages | Free does not include Create Blank Pages | Pro includes Create Blank Pages | Scale includes Create Blank Pages |
| Blog Posts | Free does not include Blog Posts | Pro includes Blog Posts | Scale includes Blog Posts |
| Digital Products | Free does not include Digital Products | Pro includes Digital Products | Scale includes Digital Products |
| Media Library | Free does not include Media Library | Pro includes Media Library | Scale includes Media Library |
| Customers and marketing | |||
| Customer records connected to orders | Free includes Customer records connected to orders | Pro includes Customer records connected to orders | Scale includes Customer records connected to orders |
| Customer accounts and order history | Free includes Customer accounts and order history | Pro includes Customer accounts and order history | Scale includes Customer accounts and order history |
| Automated email notifications | Free includes Automated email notifications | Pro includes Automated email notifications | Scale includes Automated email notifications |
| Installable storefront app | Free includes Installable storefront app | Pro includes Installable storefront app | Scale includes Installable storefront app |
| Customer Import | Free does not include Customer Import | Pro includes Customer Import | Scale includes Customer Import |
| Business Email | Free does not include Business Email | Pro includes Business Email | Scale includes Business Email |
| Domain-Branded Email | Free does not include Domain-Branded Email | Pro does not include Domain-Branded Email | Scale includes Domain-Branded Email |
| Customer Chat | Free does not include Customer Chat | Pro includes Customer Chat | Scale includes Customer Chat |
| Coupons & Discounts | Free does not include Coupons & Discounts | Pro includes Coupons & Discounts | Scale includes Coupons & Discounts |
| Loyalty Program | Free does not include Loyalty Program | Pro includes Loyalty Program | Scale includes Loyalty Program |
| Customer Subscriptions | Free does not include Customer Subscriptions | Pro does not include Customer Subscriptions | Scale includes Customer Subscriptions |
| Customer Push Notifications | Free does not include Customer Push Notifications | Pro includes Customer Push Notifications | Scale includes Customer Push Notifications |
| Newsletters | Free does not include Newsletters | Pro includes Newsletters | Scale includes Newsletters |
| Text Messaging | Free does not include Text Messaging | Pro includes Text Messaging | Scale includes Text Messaging |
| $10 monthly Text messaging credits | Free does not include $10 monthly Text messaging credits | Pro does not include $10 monthly Text messaging credits | Scale includes $10 monthly Text messaging credits |
| Gift Cards & Store Credit | Free does not include Gift Cards & Store Credit | Pro includes Gift Cards & Store Credit | Scale includes Gift Cards & Store Credit |
| Growth tools | |||
| Advanced Analytics | Free does not include Advanced Analytics | Pro includes Advanced Analytics | Scale includes Advanced Analytics |
| Review Import | Free does not include Review Import | Pro includes Review Import | Scale includes Review Import |
| QR Codes | Free does not include QR Codes | Pro includes QR Codes | Scale includes QR Codes |
| Trackable Links | Free does not include Trackable Links | Pro includes Trackable Links | Scale includes Trackable Links |
| Google Search & Business | Free does not include Google Search & Business | Pro includes Google Search & Business | Scale includes Google Search & Business |
| Support | |||
| Priority Support | Free does not include Priority Support | Pro includes Priority Support | Scale includes Priority Support |
Fees and plan details
Square processing fees still apply because Square processes the card payment. The main Cottage CMS pricing difference is that Pro uses fixed subscription pricing and removes the Cottage CMS service fee on Square checkout.
Free
$0/month.
Pro
$200/yr first, or $20/mo when monthly flexibility matters.
Scale
$370/yr first, or $37/mo when monthly flexibility matters.
Free
Square checkout is included. Square processing applies, and Free checkout may include a small Cottage CMS service fee.
Pro
Square checkout stays connected. Pro removes the Cottage CMS service fee on Square checkout; Square processing still applies.
Scale
Includes Pro checkout benefits plus the highest-tier commerce controls as the Scale plan opens.
Free
One pickup/location profile is included for a single-location starter shop.
Pro
Supports two availability locations and the core operating tools most growing shops need.
Scale
Designed for three or more locations, broader operations, and shops that need room to expand.
Free
Pickup-first storefront with standard availability windows.
Pro
Adds in-state or in-province shipping when shipping is enabled.
Scale
Adds nationwide shipping controls for sellers ready to ship beyond their home state or province.
Free
Use a Cottage CMS storefront address.
Pro
Connect a true custom domain and use a hosted mybiz@mail.cottagecms.com mailbox.
Scale
Adds domain-branded email for custom-domain sending and receiving.
Free
Automated email notifications, order records, and customer history stay connected to the storefront.
Pro
Text messaging tools are available with prepaid text credits.
Scale
$10 of monthly included SMS credits are planned for Scale, with no rollover.
Price anchor against the stack
Cottage food sellers often compare one monthly price against a pile of hidden add-ons: ecommerce plan upgrades, form tools, domain limitations, loyalty apps, text messaging models, and per-order fees. These comparison notes were last researched May 14, 2026.
View all alternativesSquare Online
Square Plus-style website, custom-domain, loyalty, and multi-location needs can cost more than Cottage CMS Pro while still using Square processing.
Read comparisonShopify
A powerful retail platform, but even Basic starts above Cottage CMS Pro annual pricing before apps or POS add-ons.
Read comparisonHotplate
No monthly subscription, but a percentage-fee model. Cottage CMS Pro is fixed subscription pricing, with event texts handled through prepaid credits.
Read comparisonBakesy
Bakesy Premium is close monthly, but Cottage CMS Pro adds the website-first layer: true custom domain, browser admin, SEO, and growth tools.
Read comparisonOptional help
The platform plans above are enough to launch and run your shop. These one-time services are available when you want expert help with copy, SEO, compliance review, training, or launch details.
About page copy, product descriptions, and local search polish for sellers who want help telling the story.
Optional hands-on DNS help. Pro already includes custom-domain support and guided setup.
A cottage food setup review and checklist. This is guidance, not legal advice.
Local keyword cleanup, profile guidance, and page recommendations for getting found nearby.
A focused screen-share session for owners who want a faster path through setup or launch.
No. You can bring your own domain to the platform, or purchase one during setup. Domain prices range from $2.99+ with a typical .com starting at $16.88/year. Managed domain purchases are non-refundable, and ICANN/registrar transfer restrictions apply for 60 days after registration.
Yes. Free is a real storefront with products, Square checkout, availability windows, and order records. It is not a time-limited trial.
Choose Pro when you need the polished launch stack: custom domain, checkout controls, blog posts, shipping, reminders, coupons, loyalty, quotes, newsletters, reports, and other growth tools.
Scale is being previewed before its public release. During the preview window, starting Pro preserves today's full-feature access while your paid membership stays active.
Automated email notifications are available on Free. Pro adds the broader marketing channels and prepaid text messaging tools. Scale is planned to include $10 of monthly SMS credits with no rollover.
Monthly paid plans are the flexible option. You can switch back to Free at the end of a billing period and keep your saved content if a paid plan no longer fits your season.
Square processing fees still apply. Pro removes the Cottage CMS service fee on Square checkout; Free checkout may include a small Cottage CMS service fee.
Yes. Your first paid Pro membership includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, subject to the linked terms.
Start with the right amount of software
You do not need to buy a stack before you know what customers want. Start with the storefront, then upgrade when custom domain, marketing, delivery, loyalty, and reporting start paying for themselves.
