Stan Store is the better choice for creators who are already earning from their audience and need a full-featured store — digital products, courses, and 1:1 booking — at a flat $29/mo with zero commission on sales. Beacons is the better choice for creators who are early-stage and budget-conscious: its free plan provides a polished link-in-bio page, digital product store, email list, and media kit with a 9% fee and no monthly cost.
The practical split is commitment versus capability. Beacons lets you start for free, test what sells, and only pay fees when you earn. Stan Store requires $29/mo upfront but gives you more built-in tools — particularly a native course builder and booking calendar — with no percentage taken from your revenue. At around $322/mo in digital product sales, Stan Store's flat fee becomes cheaper than Beacons' 9% fee on the free plan.
This guide breaks down both platforms' pricing tiers, feature sets, and the exact revenue thresholds where switching from Beacons to Stan Store makes financial sense — so you can choose the right platform for where you are right now.
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Stan Store launched in 2021 specifically for social media creators — primarily on TikTok and Instagram — who need a single bio link that converts followers into buyers. For $29/mo (or $23/mo billed annually), it combines a visual link-in-bio page, digital product storefront, course builder with structured lessons, 1:1 booking calendar, and email list in one platform. Stan Store charges zero platform commission, meaning the only fee on each transaction is the Stripe or PayPal processing rate (typically 2.9% + $0.30). The platform is notable for its polished mobile checkout and its all-in-one design that replaces Linktree, Gumroad, Calendly, and a basic course platform.
Beacons launched in 2020 and has grown rapidly by offering a generous free tier alongside a creator-first design philosophy. Its free plan supports a link-in-bio page, digital product store, email list, media kit for brand deals, and AI-powered brand outreach tools — all with a 9% fee on sales and no monthly charge. The Pro plan at $10/mo removes the platform fee entirely (you keep 100% minus payment processing) and adds custom domains, advanced analytics, and priority support. Beacons is particularly strong for creators who monetize through brand partnerships alongside digital product sales, as its media kit and outreach tools are purpose-built for influencer deals.
Choose Stan Store when you are earning more than $322/mo from digital product sales, courses, or 1:1 services, and want a single platform that replaces Linktree, a course tool, and a booking calendar. The $29/mo flat fee with zero commission makes the math simple: above $322/mo in sales, you keep more money on Stan Store than on Beacons' free plan, and the integrated course builder and booking calendar replace tools you are likely already paying for separately.
Choose Beacons when you are early in your creator journey and want to validate your monetization model before committing to a monthly subscription. The free plan gives you a professional-looking link-in-bio page, a working digital product store, and an email list capture tool at zero cost — you only pay fees when you make sales. Beacons is also the better choice if brand deals and sponsorships are a major revenue stream, as its media kit builder and AI outreach tools are genuinely more developed than Stan Store's.
Stan Store gives creators a way to evaluate link-in-bio tools fit, workflow tradeoffs, and day-to-day creative usability.
Flat monthly fee pricing · Cloud · Web, iOS · Free trial available.
Stan Store works best when you need cloud access, flat monthly fee pricing, and Web / iOS support.
Beacons gives creators a way to evaluate link-in-bio tools fit, workflow tradeoffs, and day-to-day creative usability.
Free plan + paid tiers pricing · Cloud · Web, iOS · Free trial available.
Beacons works best when you need cloud access, free plan + paid tiers pricing, and Web / iOS support.
The cost comparison between Stan Store and Beacons depends entirely on your monthly sales volume. On Beacons' free plan, a creator earning $322/mo in digital product sales pays $29 in platform fees (9% of $322) — the exact same cost as Stan Store's monthly subscription. Above $322/mo in sales, Stan Store is cheaper. Below that threshold, Beacons free is cheaper or equal. At $1,000/mo, Beacons free costs $90 versus Stan Store's $29 — a $61/mo difference, or $732/yr. Upgrading to Beacons Pro at $10/mo eliminates the 9% fee, making it a more nuanced comparison at higher revenue levels.
On features, Stan Store's course builder and booking calendar are meaningfully more capable than Beacons' equivalents. Stan Store is purpose-built for creators who teach and offer services alongside digital downloads. Beacons is more feature-balanced across monetization types — its media kit and AI brand outreach tools give it a clear advantage for creators whose primary income comes from sponsorships and brand deals rather than direct product sales. If you earn 50%+ of your creator income from brand partnerships, Beacons' dedicated influencer tools are a functional advantage Stan Store does not replicate.
| Criteria | ProductStan Store | ProductBeacons |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat monthly fee | Free plan + paid tiers |
| Deployment model | Cloud | Cloud |
| Supported OS | Web, iOS | Web, iOS |
| Free trial | Available | Available |
Stan Store offers two tiers. The Creator plan costs $29/mo (or $23/mo billed annually) and includes all features: link-in-bio, unlimited digital products, course builder, booking calendar, email list, and 0% platform commission. The Creator Pro plan at $99/mo (or $65/mo annually) adds affiliate programs, advanced funnels, and white-label capabilities for creators building larger businesses. There is no free plan — you pay from day one. Stan Store's value proposition is that the flat fee replaces multiple separate tool subscriptions.
Beacons has a free plan that charges 9% of each sale with access to all core features including the link-in-bio builder, digital store, email list, and media kit. The Pro plan at $10/mo (or $8/mo annually) removes the platform fee entirely — you keep 100% of sales minus standard payment processing. The Business plan at $40/mo adds team members, advanced integrations, and a custom checkout experience. For creators who want zero platform commission without Stan Store's higher monthly cost, Beacons Pro at $10/mo is an option worth evaluating.
Stan Store setup takes 20-30 minutes for a complete link-in-bio page. You build a page using a block editor — adding product tiles, booking availability, course cards, and social media links — and the result is a mobile-optimized landing page designed for social bio traffic. Courses are uploaded inside the native content builder with sections and lessons. Booking availability is configured inside the calendar module. The overall design is polished and professional without needing design skills.
Beacons setup is slightly faster for a basic link-in-bio page — typically 10-15 minutes to have a working page live. The block editor is similar to Stan Store's, with options to add store tiles, social links, email capture forms, and sponsor deals. Adding a media kit (for brand deal outreach) takes an additional 15 minutes to populate your audience stats and rates. The platform is intuitive for creators who have used any block-based website builder. Both platforms are mobile-friendly to set up and manage from a phone.
Stan Store is the better choice for creators who are already earning from their audience and need a full-featured store — digital products, courses, and 1:1 booking — at a flat $29/mo with zero commission on sales. Beacons is the better choice for creators who are early-stage and budget-conscious: its free plan provides a polished link-in-bio page, digital product store, email list, and media kit with a 9% fee and no monthly cost.
The practical split is commitment versus capability. Beacons lets you start for free, test what sells, and only pay fees when you earn. Stan Store requires $29/mo upfront but gives you more built-in tools — particularly a native course builder and booking calendar — with no percentage taken from your revenue. At around $322/mo in digital product sales, Stan Store's flat fee becomes cheaper than Beacons' 9% fee on the free plan.
This guide breaks down both platforms' pricing tiers, feature sets, and the exact revenue thresholds where switching from Beacons to Stan Store makes financial sense — so you can choose the right platform for where you are right now.
Stan Store launched in 2021 specifically for social media creators — primarily on TikTok and Instagram — who need a single bio link that converts followers into buyers. For $29/mo (or $23/mo billed annually), it combines a visual link-in-bio page, digital product storefront, course builder with structured lessons, 1:1 booking calendar, and email list in one platform. Stan Store charges zero platform commission, meaning the only fee on each transaction is the Stripe or PayPal processing rate (typically 2.9% + $0.30). The platform is notable for its polished mobile checkout and its all-in-one design that replaces Linktree, Gumroad, Calendly, and a basic course platform.
Beacons launched in 2020 and has grown rapidly by offering a generous free tier alongside a creator-first design philosophy. Its free plan supports a link-in-bio page, digital product store, email list, media kit for brand deals, and AI-powered brand outreach tools — all with a 9% fee on sales and no monthly charge. The Pro plan at $10/mo removes the platform fee entirely (you keep 100% minus payment processing) and adds custom domains, advanced analytics, and priority support. Beacons is particularly strong for creators who monetize through brand partnerships alongside digital product sales, as its media kit and outreach tools are purpose-built for influencer deals.
The cost comparison between Stan Store and Beacons depends entirely on your monthly sales volume. On Beacons' free plan, a creator earning $322/mo in digital product sales pays $29 in platform fees (9% of $322) — the exact same cost as Stan Store's monthly subscription. Above $322/mo in sales, Stan Store is cheaper. Below that threshold, Beacons free is cheaper or equal. At $1,000/mo, Beacons free costs $90 versus Stan Store's $29 — a $61/mo difference, or $732/yr. Upgrading to Beacons Pro at $10/mo eliminates the 9% fee, making it a more nuanced comparison at higher revenue levels.
On features, Stan Store's course builder and booking calendar are meaningfully more capable than Beacons' equivalents. Stan Store is purpose-built for creators who teach and offer services alongside digital downloads. Beacons is more feature-balanced across monetization types — its media kit and AI brand outreach tools give it a clear advantage for creators whose primary income comes from sponsorships and brand deals rather than direct product sales. If you earn 50%+ of your creator income from brand partnerships, Beacons' dedicated influencer tools are a functional advantage Stan Store does not replicate.
Choose Stan Store when you are earning more than $322/mo from digital product sales, courses, or 1:1 services, and want a single platform that replaces Linktree, a course tool, and a booking calendar. The $29/mo flat fee with zero commission makes the math simple: above $322/mo in sales, you keep more money on Stan Store than on Beacons' free plan, and the integrated course builder and booking calendar replace tools you are likely already paying for separately.
Choose Beacons when you are early in your creator journey and want to validate your monetization model before committing to a monthly subscription. The free plan gives you a professional-looking link-in-bio page, a working digital product store, and an email list capture tool at zero cost — you only pay fees when you make sales. Beacons is also the better choice if brand deals and sponsorships are a major revenue stream, as its media kit builder and AI outreach tools are genuinely more developed than Stan Store's.
Stan Store offers two tiers. The Creator plan costs $29/mo (or $23/mo billed annually) and includes all features: link-in-bio, unlimited digital products, course builder, booking calendar, email list, and 0% platform commission. The Creator Pro plan at $99/mo (or $65/mo annually) adds affiliate programs, advanced funnels, and white-label capabilities for creators building larger businesses. There is no free plan — you pay from day one. Stan Store's value proposition is that the flat fee replaces multiple separate tool subscriptions.
Beacons has a free plan that charges 9% of each sale with access to all core features including the link-in-bio builder, digital store, email list, and media kit. The Pro plan at $10/mo (or $8/mo annually) removes the platform fee entirely — you keep 100% of sales minus standard payment processing. The Business plan at $40/mo adds team members, advanced integrations, and a custom checkout experience. For creators who want zero platform commission without Stan Store's higher monthly cost, Beacons Pro at $10/mo is an option worth evaluating.
Stan Store setup takes 20-30 minutes for a complete link-in-bio page. You build a page using a block editor — adding product tiles, booking availability, course cards, and social media links — and the result is a mobile-optimized landing page designed for social bio traffic. Courses are uploaded inside the native content builder with sections and lessons. Booking availability is configured inside the calendar module. The overall design is polished and professional without needing design skills.
Beacons setup is slightly faster for a basic link-in-bio page — typically 10-15 minutes to have a working page live. The block editor is similar to Stan Store's, with options to add store tiles, social links, email capture forms, and sponsor deals. Adding a media kit (for brand deal outreach) takes an additional 15 minutes to populate your audience stats and rates. The platform is intuitive for creators who have used any block-based website builder. Both platforms are mobile-friendly to set up and manage from a phone.
For creators who are actively earning from digital products and selling more than $322/mo, Stan Store is the better long-term platform. The flat $29/mo fee beats Beacons' 9% at that revenue level, the course builder and booking calendar are more capable for multi-format creator businesses, and consolidating tools into one subscription simplifies operations. If you are already paying for Linktree, Calendly, and a separate course platform, Stan Store likely costs less in total.
For creators who are just starting out or whose primary monetization comes from brand deals rather than direct product sales, Beacons is the smarter first choice. The free plan gives you everything you need to test your audience's buying behavior before committing monthly fees. And if brand partnerships are a meaningful revenue stream, Beacons' media kit and AI outreach tools are a genuine functional advantage that Stan Store does not offer at any price tier.
For creators who are actively earning from digital products and selling more than $322/mo, Stan Store is the better long-term platform. The flat $29/mo fee beats Beacons' 9% at that revenue level, the course builder and booking calendar are more capable for multi-format creator businesses, and consolidating tools into one subscription simplifies operations. If you are already paying for Linktree, Calendly, and a separate course platform, Stan Store likely costs less in total.
For creators who are just starting out or whose primary monetization comes from brand deals rather than direct product sales, Beacons is the smarter first choice. The free plan gives you everything you need to test your audience's buying behavior before committing monthly fees. And if brand partnerships are a meaningful revenue stream, Beacons' media kit and AI outreach tools are a genuine functional advantage that Stan Store does not offer at any price tier.
Use these questions to identify which platform matches your current revenue stage and creator business model.
What is your current monthly revenue from digital product sales — and does it exceed the $322/mo threshold where Stan Store's flat fee beats Beacons' 9%?
Do you offer courses, structured content, or 1:1 booking alongside digital downloads, where Stan Store's course builder and calendar add real value?
Is brand partnership revenue a significant part of your income, making Beacons' media kit and AI outreach tools worth prioritizing?
Are you willing to pay $29/mo before you know whether your audience will buy, or do you need a free plan to validate first?
Are you currently paying for separate link-in-bio, course, and booking tools — and does consolidating them into one subscription make financial sense?
Stan Store is a paid all-in-one platform ($29/mo, 0% commission) with a full course builder and booking calendar built in — best for creators actively selling courses and services. Beacons has a free plan (9% fee) with a lighter feature set that also includes media kit tools for brand deals — best for early-stage creators or those monetizing through sponsorships.
Beacons' free plan is genuinely free to start — no monthly fee, no credit card required. You pay a 9% platform fee on each sale you make. All core features including the link-in-bio builder, digital product store, email list, and media kit are available on the free plan. The Pro plan at $10/mo removes the 9% fee entirely, which pays off above roughly $111/mo in sales.
Stan Store becomes cheaper than Beacons' free plan (9% fee) at $322/mo in digital product sales — at that point, 9% equals $29, the same as Stan Store's monthly fee. Above $322/mo, Stan Store costs less per dollar earned. If you compare Stan Store to Beacons Pro ($10/mo, 0% fee), Stan Store is always $19/mo more expensive unless you value the course builder and booking calendar.
Yes. Stan Store has a native course builder that supports structured lessons, multiple content sections, video and PDF uploads, and student progress tracking. It is more capable than Beacons' course module, which offers basic digital content delivery but less structured lesson organization. For creators who want to offer a polished course experience without a separate platform like Teachable, Stan Store's builder is a genuine solution.
Yes. Beacons' link-in-bio builder is a direct Linktree replacement with more features — you can add product tiles, email capture forms, social links, a media kit, and a digital store on the same page, all for free. The design options are more flexible than Linktree's free plan, and Beacons includes monetization tools that Linktree does not have natively.
No. Stan Store does not have a built-in media kit builder or brand partnership outreach tools. These are areas where Beacons has a clear advantage — its media kit feature lets creators display audience demographics, engagement stats, and pricing tiers for brand deals, and its AI outreach tools help automate sponsor prospecting. If brand partnerships are a major income stream, Beacons is functionally superior.
Stan Store supports custom domains on all paid plans. Beacons supports custom domains on the Pro plan ($10/mo) and above, but not on the free plan. If a branded URL like yourname.com is important for your professional presence, Stan Store includes it in its base plan, while Beacons requires upgrading from free to access it.
Beacons supports selling digital products including video content and downloadable files that can be structured as a course. However, it does not have a dedicated course builder with lesson sequencing, progress tracking, or a student dashboard the way Stan Store does. For basic course-style digital products, Beacons works. For a structured, lesson-based course experience, Stan Store's native builder is more capable.
Both platforms are designed with TikTok creators in mind and work well as a bio link destination. Stan Store has a slight edge in mobile checkout conversion for direct product sales, and its $29/mo fee is justified for TikTok creators already earning from digital products. Beacons is the better starting point for TikTok creators who are building their monetization strategy and want to validate before paying monthly fees.
Yes, and many creators follow this path. You can export your email list from Beacons and import it into Stan Store, re-upload your digital products, and redirect your bio link to the new Stan Store URL. The main transition effort is recreating your product listings and page design. Most creators can complete the migration in a few hours, and Stan Store's onboarding is straightforward enough to do without technical help.
Answers to common questions about Stan Store and Beacons.
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Stan Store gives creators a way to evaluate link-in-bio tools fit, workflow tradeoffs, and day-to-day creative usability.
Beacons gives creators a way to evaluate link-in-bio tools fit, workflow tradeoffs, and day-to-day creative usability.
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