Choosing tools
Bakery Selling App: Compare Costs, Fees, and a Real Example
A fair comparison of bakery selling apps, their costs, and what to check before you commit.
On this page
What to remember
- Most apps charge a monthly fee plus a cut of every sale.
- You need a shop you can customize with your own photos and rules.
- Check if it works with your own payment processor to save on fees.
- Look for tools that help you cost recipes and plan your week.
Choosing the right bakery selling app is a key business decision. The wrong one can eat your profits with hidden fees. The right one makes your day easier and helps you grow. This guide compares the main options home bakers use.
What a bakery selling app should do for you
Your primary goal is to sell your baked goods from home. A good app makes that simple and professional. It should handle the tasks you do not have time for. This lets you focus on baking and your customers.
Show your products
It should display your items with your photos, descriptions, and prices. Customers need to see what you offer.
Take orders
Customers must be able to order and pay directly through your shop. This happens on their phone or computer.
Get you paid
The app should collect payment securely and deposit money into your account. It should work with common payment methods.
Manage your work
Look for features that help you plan, like order lists, recipe costing, and a weekly calendar.
How bakery selling apps charge you
Understanding the fees is the most important part of your choice. Costs come from two main places: a software fee and a payment processing fee. These add up fast on a small order.
First, there is often a monthly subscription. This can range from $0 for a basic plan to over $50 per month. Second, most apps take a percentage of every sale. This is called a commission or platform fee. It is on top of credit card processing fees.
Common fee structures for bakery selling apps. Always read the fine print.
| Fee Type | Typical Cost | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | $10 to $50+ | You pay this even if you have no sales that month. |
| Sales Commission | 3% to 8% of order total | A $100 order costs you $3 to $8 just for using the app. |
| Payment Processing | 2.9% + $0.30 per card sale | This is paid to Stripe or Square. Some apps add a markup. |
| Transaction Fee | $0 to $0.50 per order | A fixed fee charged on every order, regardless of size. |
For example, a $50 cake order might incur a 5% commission ($2.50) plus card processing ($1.75). That is $4.25 in fees before you cover ingredients, your time, or overhead. This is why the fee structure matters so much. You can learn more about managing these costs in our guide on bakery pricing apps.
A real example: costing a batch of cupcakes
Let’s see how app fees affect your final profit. You sell cupcakes for $30 a dozen. Your ingredient cost is $8 per batch. Your labor and overhead add $12. Your total cost to make and sell them is $20.
If your app charges a 5% commission ($1.50) and you pay card fees ($1.20), your fees are $2.70. Your profit is now $30 - $20 - $2.70 = $7.30. The fees took over a quarter of your profit. This is why you must cost your recipes with all fees included.
Key features to look for before you commit
Beyond fees, certain features make daily life easier. They can save you hours of work each week. Do not commit to an app without checking these points.
Customization
Can you use your own colors, logo, and photos? Your shop should look like your brand, not a template.
Your own payment processor
The best option lets you connect your own Stripe or Square account. You avoid extra markups on card fees and get paid directly.
Phone and computer access
You need full control from both your phone and a computer. A phone-only app is too limiting for managing products and orders.
Recipe costing
An app that helps you cost recipes with current ingredient prices ensures you price for profit. See how this works in our baking pricing app guide.
Inventory tracking
Knowing how much flour you have left prevents last-minute store runs. It is a simple feature that reduces stress.
Brevl: The alternative home bakers choose
Many home bakers start with a generic marketplace or simple form app. They often switch when they need more control and lower fees. Brevl is built specifically for home bakers selling under cottage food laws.
Brevl charges one flat $20 a month with a 14 day free trial. It takes 0% commission on your sales. You keep all your money. You take card payments through your own Stripe or Square account, plus Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and cash.
You get a shop that is yours to customize with your photos and colors. It includes recipes with real costing, ingredient inventory, and a weekly planner. We set it up with you and can move your old shop over. A real person answers questions, usually within minutes. It works on a computer and on a phone. For a detailed comparison, read Brevl vs Bakesy. If you are ready to move, our Switch guide makes it simple.
Common mistakes that cost you money
It is easy to miss a fee or overlook a limitation until you are locked in. Here are the most costly mistakes home bakers make when choosing an app.
Not reading the fee schedule
The monthly fee is obvious. The per-order commission and transaction fees are often buried. Add them all up for a typical order to see the real cost.
Assuming it works with cottage food
Some apps are for commercial kitchens. They may require features you cannot provide, like commercial license numbers. Check that it fits your state’s home bakery rules.
Ignoring the setup time
A ‘free’ app might take you 10 hours to configure. Your time has value. An app that is easier to set up lets you start selling faster.
For more tools to help your home bakery, visit our tools hub.
Try the free bake pricing calculator
Free, no signup.
Common questions
Can I use a free bakery selling app?
You can, but free apps usually make money by taking a large commission on each sale or limiting key features. Read the terms to see what 'free' really costs. Some free plans are good for testing, but you will likely outgrow them.
Do I need a separate app for delivery?
It depends. Some bakery selling apps include delivery scheduling or zone setup. Others do not. If you deliver, look for an app that lets you set delivery days, zones, and fees. Otherwise, you will need a separate system.
What happens to my customer data if I switch apps?
It varies. Some apps let you export customer emails and order history. Others lock your data inside their system. Before you sign up, ask if you can download your customer list and past orders in a standard format.
How do I handle sales tax with an app?
A good app will calculate sales tax automatically based on your location and product types. You are still responsible for filing and paying the tax. The app should provide sales reports to make this easier.
Sources
Information on fees and features is based on public data as of 2026. Always verify current pricing with the provider.