Short answer
Zid and Salla are both Saudi-built platforms with free or low-cost entry plans and paid plans starting at around SAR 99 a month. Both support local payments such as mada and Apple Pay and integrate with local shipping. Choose by comparing the exact features on the plan you would buy, the payment and shipping providers you need, and whether you plan to sell outside Saudi Arabia.
Zid and Salla are the two Saudi-built e-commerce platforms most local merchants compare first. Both are designed for the Saudi market, both support local payment methods and both let you start small. The right choice depends on how you sell, how you plan to grow and who runs the store day to day.
The quick answer
- Choose Salla if a very simple dashboard and its app marketplace cover what you need, and you want to start on a free plan.
- Choose Zid if the marketing and growth features included in its plans fit your plans better, and you expect to move up as you scale.
- Either way, compare the exact features included on the plan you would actually buy, since both platforms change their plans often.
- Consider Shopify if you plan to sell seriously outside Saudi Arabia. See our Shopify vs Salla comparison.
Pricing
Both platforms offer a free or low-cost entry plan and paid plans that start at around SAR 99 a month, with higher tiers for larger stores. On its pricing page, Zid lists a free Starter plan and paid plans from SAR 99 a month. Salla's plans start with a free Basic plan, according to it.com.sa's guide to Salla plans.
Plan names, prices and promotions change often, so confirm current prices on each platform's own website before deciding. Remember to add payment processing fees, apps and themes to the monthly cost.
Payments and shipping
Both platforms are built around Saudi payment habits, with support for mada, Apple Pay and buy-now-pay-later providers, and both integrate with local shipping companies. In practice, the differences come down to the specific providers, fees and contracts available to your business, so compare them for your order volume.
Design and flexibility
- Both offer ready-made themes that work well in Arabic and on mobile.
- Both can be customised further, but neither is as open as Shopify or WooCommerce for completely custom features.
- Good product photos, clear Arabic copy and a fast mobile checkout matter more than the theme itself.
Marketing tools
Look at the tools you will actually use every week: abandoned-cart messages, discount codes, loyalty points, WhatsApp integration and connections to Snapchat, TikTok and Meta pixels. Check which features are built in on your plan and which need a paid app.
How to choose in five questions
- Will you sell only in Saudi Arabia, or across the GCC and beyond?
- Which payment and shipping providers do you need on day one?
- Which marketing features must be built in, rather than added as apps?
- Who will manage the store, and how comfortable are they with technology?
- What is your total monthly budget, including payment fees and apps?
How Razinio can help
We help Saudi merchants choose the right platform and design stores that convert, with Arabic and English content, payments and tracking set up properly. If you are still deciding, book a free 30-minute call and we will compare Zid, Salla and Shopify for your products. Before you launch, run through our free Saudi e-commerce checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zid or Salla cheaper?
Both start with a free or low-cost plan and paid plans from around SAR 99 a month. Prices and promotions change often, so check each platform's pricing page and add payment fees and apps to the total.
Can I move from Salla to Zid later?
Yes. Products and customers can be exported and imported, though design and apps need rebuilding. Plan redirects to protect your search rankings.
Should I use Shopify instead?
Shopify suits stores that plan to sell seriously outside Saudi Arabia or need advanced features. For Saudi-only stores, Zid or Salla is often simpler.