CompareHead to head
BEATSTORE VS. BeatStars
BeatStars is a hosted marketplace and storefront you rent. BeatStore is WordPress software you install once and keep. Same goal—selling beats—different ownership model.
01 · The short answer
Choose BeatStore if you want a store on your domain with 0% commission and no buyer-side fees. Choose BeatStars if you want marketplace discovery and accept monthly rent plus a 12% service fee on marketplace sales.
02 · Side by side
The fine print, two columns.
Terms as published, July 2026. Competitor pricing changes—verify on their site.
| What matters | BeatStore | BeatStars |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | WordPress software · lifetime, annual, or monthly | Hosted storefront + marketplace access · monthly plans |
| Starting price | From $9.99/mo (Player Plugin) | ~$10–$50/mo depending on tier |
| Commission on your sales | 0% always | 0% on paid plans |
| Fees on your buyer's total | None. Your price is the price | 12% “service fee” on marketplace sales |
| Catalog limits | Unlimited · hosting is the only ceiling | Upload limits by plan tier |
| Runs on your domain | Yes · your WordPress, your SEO equity | Custom domain only on top plans |
| Catalog API | Public REST on your domain (beatstore/v1) | No catalog API on a domain you own |
| Customer data | In your database, exportable forever | Lives on BeatStars' platform |
| If you stop paying | Store stays live and keeps selling | Storefront goes dark |
Scroll sideways for both columns →
03 · Who should pick what
Not a dunk. A fork in the road.
Honest split, not a dunk reel. Here's when each side wins.
Choose BeatStore if…
- You want SEO and brand equity on a domain you control
- You want a REST catalog on your site, not a locked marketplace
- You refuse buyer-side checkout fees that inflate your prices
- You're fine running WordPress (or hiring someone who is)
- You want a cancel-proof storefront after a one-time or term license
Choose BeatStars if…
- Marketplace browsing and BeatStars discovery matter more than ownership
- You want zero hosting or WordPress responsibility
- A monthly subscription feels simpler than self-hosting
- You're okay with plan caps and platform terms changing under you
04 · FAQ
Questions people actually ask
- Is BeatStore a BeatStars alternative?
- Yes, for producers who want to sell beats on their own site instead of renting a BeatStars storefront. BeatStore is a WordPress plugin stack—not a marketplace—so you keep domain ownership, customer data, and every dollar after payment-gateway fees.
- Does BeatStars take a commission?
- Paid BeatStars plans advertise 0% commission on your sales, but marketplace sales can add a 12% service fee to your buyer's total. BeatStore never adds a buyer-side fee and never takes a cut of your beat sales.
- What happens if I leave BeatStars for BeatStore?
- You migrate your catalog to WordPress with the BeatStore Player Plugin and Easy Digital Downloads. Customer history on BeatStars stays on their platform; new buyers and emails live in your database going forward.
- Can I use BeatStore and BeatStars together?
- Some producers keep a marketplace presence for discovery while selling from an owned WordPress store. BeatStore doesn't require you to leave BeatStars—it just stops the owned store from depending on marketplace rent.
05 · Next move
Own the store. Skip the rent.
BeatStore Player Plugin: $99 lifetime, $29/year, or $7.99/month. Your WordPress, your catalog, 0% commission.
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