Which Subscription Box Platform Should You Choose?

Learn how to choose the best platform for your subscription box business! Discover key factors, pros, and cons to make the right decision.

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What’s one of the first things you need to do when starting a subscription box business? 

Here’s a hint. It’s not designing a custom box or planning the party you’ll throw when you reach 1000 subscribers. 

Y’all, those things are fun to think about. And you’ll get to them. But when you’re just getting started, one of the most important decisions you need to make is which platform you’ll use to house your subscription boxes. 

When you choose a platform, you need to think about what you need right now and what you’ll need long term. Starting on one platform and then switching to another is complicated. And messy. And sometimes expensive. It’s better to take the time to choose a platform that can grow with you. 

When evaluating platforms, consider: 

• Your subscription’s complexity (e.g., do you offer size or color options?)
• The ability to set draft dates and manage local pickups
• Pricing, fees, and long-term scalability
• The customer experience—both for you and your subscribers

Let’s break down four of the most popular platforms subscription box owners use and why they might—or might not—be the best fit for you.

1 - Wordpress with WooCommerce Subscription       

This is what I use to manage my subscriptions. It works well for all I need it to do and honestly, it meets all my business’s needs. 

WooCommerce Subscriptions offers incredible flexibility and control, which is key if–like me–you offer customizations like sizes, monograms, or multiple subscription levels.

Pros of Using WordPress WooCommerce

• $200-$300 annual fee instead of monthly charges or percentage of sales taken
• Full control over your subscription setup and customer management
• You own your customer data 
• Easy for you or your team to adjust payment dates, upgrades, and add-ons
• Smooth subscriber experience (they don’t have to deal with the backend)

Cons of Using WordPress WooCommerce

• Requires a WordPress website, plus WooCommerce and WooCommerce Subscriptions
• More of a DIY setup (but doable, especially with expert guidance!)
• Necessary maintenance and updates 

We have a WordPress WooCommerce Subscriptions guru inside Launch Your Box who answers member questions and is a frequent guest during our regular Tech Talks.

2 - Shopify

A Shopify subscription app is a great option, especially if you already have a Shopify store. You simply need to add one of the subscription apps to your existing setup. 

Shopify makes it very easy to integrate their subscription apps into existing Shopify stores.  

The top three Shopify subscription apps are: 

• Bold
• Recharge
• Paywhirl

Make sure you do your research when choosing an app. Each has a different cost structure and different features. I talk about which Shopify App is right for your subscription box business in this blog post.  

Pros of Using Shopify

• The easiest platform to build a website on
• User-friendly yet robust enough to grow with your business
• Multiple subscription apps are available 
• Seamless integration for those already using Shopify

Cons of Using Shopify

• Monthly fees and transaction fees vary depending on the app you choose
• Some Shopify subscription apps don’t handle local pickups well
• You don’t own your site  

If you’re just getting started and don’t yet have a website, Shopify is a great option to consider. It is the easiest platform to build a website on. 

And, inside Launch Your Box, we have a resident expert to help with all things Shopify!

3 - Subbly

Subbly is a stand-alone platform specifically designed for subscription box businesses. It allows you to build your shop right on the Subbly platform.

Pros of Using Subbly

• No need for a separate website—everything is built into Subbly
• Constantly updating features based on subscription box owner feedback
• Simple and user-friendly

Cons of Using Subbly

• Monthly fees + transaction fees (make sure to calculate these into your profit margins)
• Limited design customization and integrations

4 - Cratejoy

I refer to Cratejoy as “Etsy for subscription boxes.” Much like Etsy, Cratejoy is a marketplace. Your subscription box will be offered on Cratejoy along with thousands of others. To me, that is the biggest drawback. 

Pros of Using Cratejoy

• Low startup costs—pay nothing until you sell
• Made specifically for subscription businesses
• Great for testing an idea before committing to building a website

Cons of Using Cratejoy

• Your box is listed among thousands of others, meaning potential subscribers might get distracted and buy from a competitor instead
• Less brand identity (subscribers might think of Cratejoy first, not your business)
• You may outgrow the platform and need to switch later

A few years ago, I set up a Cratejoy shop with one of my subscriptions to get a feel for how it works. Find out my results in this blog post.

What about…?  

These four platforms are not the only choices you have. When I asked a group of my Launch Your Box members what platform they’re using for their subscription box businesses, other options appeared, including: 

• Squarespace
• Wix 
• Squareup/Weebly 

Why don’t I recommend these platforms? Simply put, they weren’t built for subscription box businesses. While you can make them work with plugins and add-ons, they often fall short as your business grows. Many subscription box owners who start on these platforms end up switching later—so why not start with a system that will support your growth from the beginning?

When it comes to choosing the right platform for you and your subscription box business, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best platform for you depends on your budget, technical comfort level, and long-term business goals.

Whichever platform you choose, take time to explore its features, costs, and limitations upfront. A little extra research now can save you a ton of time and money down the road!