# Self-sown vs Local Line (2026)

*Full disclosure: we build Self-sown, so yes, we're biased. We're going to tell you who each platform is actually right for — including when it isn't us.*

Local Line calls itself the operating system for farms and food hubs, and on the B2B side it earns the title: wholesale price lists, multi-producer food-hub aggregation, and subscription boxes are genuinely strong. It starts at $79/mo billed annually — about $950/yr — plus 2.9% + 30c processing.

Self-sown is free, with zero platform fees and direct payments. Different tools for different operations — here's which is which.

|  | Self-sown | Local Line |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly cost | Free (Herd $21/mo optional) | From $79/mo billed annually |
| Transaction fees | None from us, ever | 2.9% + 30c card processing |
| Payments | Bitcoin (Lightning/Cashu), cards via Stripe or Square, Venmo/Zelle/cash | Their processor, their rules |
| Who owns the store | You — listings live on Nostr relays you control | Theirs — hosted platform, annual commitment |
| Best for | selling local food and artisan goods with zero platform fees | food hubs and farms selling wholesale/B2B or subscription boxes |

## Where Local Line honestly wins

Wholesale and food hubs. If you sell to restaurants and grocers on separate price lists, or you're a hub aggregating twenty producers into one storefront, Local Line's tooling is the deepest on this list and the monthly fee is a rounding error against a wholesale book. Nothing else here — including us — matches that.

Its subscription-box machinery is also built-in and mature, which matters if recurring boxes are your whole business.

## Where Self-sown wins

Everything about starting. Local Line's entry is ~$950/yr committed annually; Self-sown is $0 with unlimited listings. For a farm selling direct to consumers — eggs, produce, meat, baked goods — there's no Local Line feature that justifies that gap at the start.

And again, ownership: Self-sown stores live on Nostr relays under your keys and payments settle directly to you. Local Line is a rented platform like the others.

## The dividing line

Consumers vs wholesale. Direct-to-consumer farm store: Self-sown, free. Wholesale book or food hub with real B2B complexity: Local Line earns its fee. Some farms end up running both — free consumer storefront here, wholesale there.

## Our pick

Selling direct to eaters: Self-sown, free, and only upgrade to Herd ($21/mo) if the extras pay for themselves.

Selling to restaurants, grocers, or running a multi-farm hub: Local Line is worth the subscription.

## Questions

**What does Local Line cost?**

From $79/mo billed annually (roughly $950/yr) plus 2.9% + 30c card processing, with higher tiers for bigger operations.

**Does Self-sown do subscriptions or CSA boxes?**

Recurring-box management is not Self-sown's strength today — Local Line and Barn2Door are deeper there. Self-sown handles the storefront, orders, and payments; many CSA farms pair it with a simple signup list.

**Can I run wholesale on Self-sown?**

You can list anything and take orders, but per-customer wholesale price lists and hub aggregation are Local Line's home turf. Be honest with yourself about which business you're running.

**Is Self-sown really free for unlimited products?**

Yes. Unlimited listings, no platform fees, no annual commitment. The optional Herd plan ($21/mo) adds custom domains, email flows, and shipping labels.

## Related

- [Best Local Line alternatives](https://self-sown.com/alternatives/local-line)
- [Best online marketplace for farmers](https://self-sown.com/best/online-marketplace-for-farmers)
- [Best platform for selling eggs & produce](https://self-sown.com/best/platform-for-selling-eggs-produce)

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*We checked prices and features for everything on this page in October 2026, against each vendor's own pricing page. This stuff changes constantly, so double-check before you commit.*

[Start selling](https://self-sown.com/onboarding/new-account)