Stan Store vs Linktree looks like a link-in-bio comparison, but it is really a category mismatch. Stan Store is a creator storefront that looks like a link-in-bio. Linktree is a link hub that added some commerce. They overlap on the surface and diverge completely underneath, which is why picking by features misses the point.
The question that actually decides it: do you need to sell (courses, coaching, digital products) or do you need to link? This breaks down the real 2026 pricing, including Stan's $29/month floor with no free plan, and which side of that line you are on.
TL;DR
- Stan Store is an all-in-one creator storefront: digital products, courses, bookings, one-click checkout, 0% platform fee. It costs $29 or $99/month with no free plan.
- Linktree is a link hub that starts free (with a 12% commerce fee) and adds basic commerce. Paid tiers run $8 to $35/month.
- Choose Stan if you consistently sell digital products and want a marketing-focused storefront. Choose Linktree if you mainly need a link page.
- Stan's catch: no free plan, so the $29/month floor only pays off if you are actively selling.
- If you just need a free link hub (not a storefront), Shelfy does that free. It is not a Stan replacement for selling.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Stan Store | Linktree |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Creator storefront | Link hub + light commerce |
| Free plan | No (14-day trial) | Yes (12% fee) |
| Pricing | $29 or $99/mo | Free + $8 to $35/mo |
| Platform fee on sales | 0% | 12% free / 9% / 0% Premium |
| Courses / memberships | Native | Not native (needs apps) |
| One-click checkout | Yes | No (links out) |
| Email / funnels | Yes (Pro) | No |
| Best for | Selling digital products | Linking |
The core difference
Linktree started as a link aggregator and bolted commerce on top. Stan Store started as a commerce platform and made it look like a link-in-bio. That origin shapes everything:
- On Linktree, the page is a list of links, and selling is a feature you can add (tips, payment requests, affiliate links), with checkout usually happening elsewhere.
- On Stan Store, the page is a storefront, and the links are incidental. Followers buy your course or book your call directly on the page with one-click checkout.
So they are not really competing for the same job. Linktree routes attention. Stan converts it into sales on the spot.
Where Stan Store wins: selling
If your business is selling to your audience, Stan is built for exactly that:
- Native digital products, courses, coaching, and bookings. No third-party app needed. Linktree does not natively offer courses, memberships, or communities.
- One-click checkout on the page. Followers buy without leaving. Linktree links out to external checkout.
- 0% platform fee. Stan takes no cut of sales (standard Stripe or PayPal processing still applies).
- Marketing tools. The $99/month Creator Pro tier adds funnels, email marketing, affiliates, and pixel tracking, turning the storefront into a full sales engine.
- Upsells and subscriptions. Built for recurring and increased revenue per buyer.
For a creator who consistently sells digital products, Stan's storefront does what a link hub simply cannot.
Where Linktree wins: linking (and starting free)
Linktree's advantages are about reach and cost of entry:
- It starts free. You can have a working link page at $0. Stan has no free plan, only a 14-day trial, then $29/month minimum.
- Brand recognition. A
linktr.ee/link is universally understood. - Simplicity for non-sellers. If you are not selling, Linktree gives you a clean link hub without paying for storefront features you will not use.
- Lower commitment. No monthly floor to justify if your main need is routing traffic.
If you mainly need to point followers at your socials, your latest content, and the occasional link, Linktree (or a free alternative) is the right tool and Stan is overkill.
The pricing reality: Stan's $29 floor
Here is the Information Gain that decides most cases. Stan Store has no free plan. After a 14-day trial, it is $29/month (Creator) or $99/month (Creator Pro), dropping to $25 and $79 on annual billing.
That floor changes the math:
- If you sell regularly: Stan's 0% platform fee and native commerce easily justify $29/month. You would pay more in fees elsewhere.
- If you sell occasionally or not at all: $29/month for a storefront you barely use is a poor deal. Linktree's free plan or a free link hub makes far more sense.
So the honest decision rule is about sales consistency, not features. Stan is a tool you pay for because it makes you money. If it is not making you money, you are paying for a storefront as a link page.
The third option: a free link hub (not a storefront)
If this comparison led you here and the answer is "I mostly need a link page, not a storefront," then neither Stan's $29/month nor Linktree's paid tiers are necessary.
Shelfy is a free link hub with the features Linktree charges for:
| Feature | Stan Store | Linktree | Shelfy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes (12% fee) | Yes (no fee) |
| Custom domain | Yes | $15/mo (Pro) | Free |
| Advanced analytics | Yes | $15/mo (Pro) | Free |
| Native storefront | Yes | No | No |
| Monthly cost | $29 to $99 | $0 to $35 | $0 |
Be clear on the trade: Shelfy is not a storefront. If you sell courses, memberships, and digital products as your business, Stan Store is the right tool and Shelfy does not replace it. See Shelfy vs Stan Store for that honest head-to-head. But if you need a polished free link page, Shelfy beats paying either platform. See also Shelfy vs Linktree and link in bio for course creators.
Build a free link hub on Shelfy →
Which should you choose?
- You sell digital products, courses, or coaching regularly: Stan Store. The storefront and 0% fee pay for themselves.
- You mainly need a link page and might sell occasionally: Linktree free, or a free link hub.
- You want a storefront but balk at $29/month with no sales yet: start with a free link hub, move to Stan once you are selling consistently.
- You sell and want to compare creator storefronts: look at Stan vs Beacons, not Stan vs a link hub. See Beacons vs Linktree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stan Store better than Linktree?
For selling, yes: Stan Store is a creator storefront with native courses, bookings, one-click checkout, and a 0% platform fee. For just linking, Linktree is better and cheaper because it starts free. They are different categories, so the right pick depends on whether you sell or only link.
Does Stan Store have a free plan?
No. Stan Store has a 14-day free trial, then costs $29/month (Creator) or $99/month (Creator Pro), dropping to $25 and $79 on annual billing. Linktree, by contrast, has a free plan with a 12% commerce fee.
What is the difference between Stan Store and Linktree?
Stan Store is a commerce platform that looks like a link-in-bio: followers buy your products directly on the page. Linktree is a link hub that routes followers to destinations, with checkout usually happening elsewhere. Stan converts; Linktree directs.
Is Stan Store worth $29 a month?
Only if you sell consistently. With a 0% platform fee and native commerce, $29/month easily pays off for active sellers. If you sell rarely or not at all, you are paying for a storefront you do not use, and Linktree's free plan or a free link hub is the better choice.
Can I use a free tool instead of Stan Store or Linktree?
For a link page, yes. A free tool like Shelfy gives you a link hub with a custom domain and analytics at no cost. But it is not a storefront, so if selling digital products is your business, Stan Store is the right tool and a free link hub does not replace it.
Related Reading
- Shelfy vs Stan Store
- Shelfy vs Linktree
- Beacons vs Linktree
- Link in Bio for Course Creators
- The Best Linktree Alternatives (2026)
- How Much Does Linktree Cost?
Last updated: June 2026. Stan Store: no free plan, $29/mo (Creator) or $99/mo (Creator Pro), 0% platform fee. Linktree: free with 12% fee, paid $8 to $35/mo. Both incur standard Stripe or PayPal processing fees on sales.