Hosted vs self-hosted ecommerce: which fits you?
Hosted platforms run the software for you; self-hosted means you run it. Compare cost, control, upkeep and security to pick the right model for your shop.
The morebasket team ·
Hosted ecommerce means a vendor runs the software and the servers for a plan fee. Self-hosted means you install the software and run it on your own server or cloud account. Hosted trades some control for less work. Self-hosted trades work for control.
Most small shops do better on a hosted platform, unless they have technical help and a clear reason to run their own.
What does hosted mean?
On a hosted platform you sign up, build the store and sell. The vendor handles servers, updates, backups and uptime. You pay a plan fee, and some features may cost extra.
You work inside what the platform allows. That is a constraint, but it also means fewer decisions and fewer things to break.
What does self-hosted mean?
With self-hosted software you download or deploy the code, set up a server and database, and keep it running. Open-source projects such as WooCommerce (a WordPress plugin) or Medusa fall into this group. The software may be free to use, but you pay for hosting, and you pay in time or developer fees for setup, updates and fixes.
You can change almost anything. You are also the one who is called when something stops working.
How do they compare?
| Question | Hosted | Self-hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs the servers? | The vendor | You or your developer |
| Setup time | Hours to days | Days to weeks |
| Cost shape | Predictable plan fee | Hosting plus time or developer fees |
| Updates and security patches | Handled for you | Your job |
| Customization | Within the platform | Almost unlimited |
| Data access | Via export or the platform’s API | Direct access to your database |
| Leaving | Export, then rebuild | You already hold the code and data |
Which one costs less?
It depends on whose time you count. Self-hosted software can look cheap because the license is free. Add hosting, a developer for setup and upgrades, backups and monitoring. If you do all of that yourself and your time is free, it may cost less. If not, a hosted plan often costs less overall.
Use the cost worksheet and put a line in it for maintenance time under either model.
Who is responsible for security and payments?
On hosted platforms, the vendor secures the platform. You still choose strong passwords and control who has staff access. Payments go through a provider, so card details are handled by the provider, not by you.
When you self-host, patching, backups and access control are yours. If you cannot name the person doing that, treat it as a risk.
When is self-hosted the right choice?
Choose self-hosted if most of these are true:
- You have a developer on the team or on call.
- You need behavior that no hosted platform offers.
- You must keep data in a specific place or system.
- You are prepared to maintain it for years.
When is hosted the right choice?
Choose hosted if most of these are true:
- You want to be selling within days.
- Nobody on your team wants to manage servers.
- You prefer a predictable bill.
- Your needs are common ones: products, variants, shipping, payments, a few channels.
Is there a middle path?
Yes. Some hosted platforms are built on open-source software, and they expose an API, events and webhooks so a developer can extend them without running servers.
morebasket works this way. It is built on open-source commerce technology (Medusa) and is hosted for you. Developers get a REST API, API keys, workflows, events and webhooks, as described on the Developers page. Owners get a store they can run without touching a server. Each store’s data is kept apart from every other store, as explained in Security. We do not make certification claims on this site.
What about moving later?
Either model can be left, but plan for it. On a hosted platform, check that you can export products, orders and customers. morebasket supports CSV import and export for products, covered in Products. On self-hosted software, you already have the data, but you will need to rebuild the front end on the new platform.
What about extra features and apps?
Hosted platforms often sell extra features as paid apps or higher plans, so list the features you need before you compare prices. Self-hosted software usually relies on plugins or custom code, and each one is something you update and test. Either way, fewer moving parts means fewer surprises. Prefer a platform where the basics, such as orders, stock, customers and shipping, are built in.
How do I decide in ten minutes?
Answer these four questions:
- Do I have technical help I can rely on for years?
- Do I need something no hosted platform offers?
- Would a server outage on a weekend ruin my week?
- Do I want to spend my time selling or maintaining?
Two or more “no” answers on the first two, or a strong “selling” on the last, point to hosted. If you are comparing specific hosted options, read how to choose an ecommerce platform and Shopify alternatives.
Next step
Decide how much of the upkeep you want to own. If the answer is “as little as possible”, look at the morebasket plans and try the AI store builder.
