If you’re planning to build a multi-vendor marketplace with WordPress, you’ve probably asked this question already: Should I use Dokan Free or Dokan Pro?
Both versions are built by the same team, but they’re designed for very different goals.
In this guide, we’ll break down Dokan Free vs Pro in simple terms—so you can choose the right option based on your business needs, not marketing hype.
Plugin discussed: Dokan
What Is Dokan?
Dokan is a WooCommerce-based multi-vendor plugin that allows multiple sellers to register, manage products, and sell from a single marketplace.
The Free version helps you get started, while the Pro version is built for growth, control, and monetization.
Dokan Free – What You Get
Dokan Free is best for learning and basic testing.
✅ Key Features
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Frontend vendor dashboard
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Basic vendor store pages
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Vendors can add & manage products
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Order management (basic)
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Vendor registration system
❌ Limitations
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No advanced commission rules
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No vendor subscriptions
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Limited withdrawal options
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No advanced reports
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Very limited control over vendors
👉 Best For
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Beginners exploring marketplaces
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Testing ideas or demos
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Very small marketplaces with few vendors
Dokan Pro – What You Get Extra
Dokan Pro unlocks the features you actually need to run and scale a business.
✅ Advanced Features
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Flexible commission (global, vendor, product level)
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Vendor subscription plans
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Multiple withdrawal methods
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Vendor analytics & reports
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Advanced shipping & tax controls
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Vendor reviews & store SEO options
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Booking, subscription & auction integrations
👉 Best For
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Serious marketplace owners
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Revenue-focused businesses
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Service or product marketplaces
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Scaling to many vendors
Dokan Free vs Pro – Feature Comparison
| Feature | Dokan Free | Dokan Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Dashboard | ✅ Yes | ✅ Advanced |
| Commission Control | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full |
| Vendor Subscription | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Withdrawal Methods | ❌ Limited | ✅ Multiple |
| Reports & Analytics | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Shipping Management | ❌ Basic | ✅ Advanced |
| SEO & Store Control | ❌ Limited | ✅ Improved |
Which One Should YOU Use?
✔ Use Dokan Free If:
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You are just learning
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You want to test marketplace flow
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You don’t need monetization yet
✔ Use Dokan Pro If:
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You want to earn money
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You need vendor control
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You plan to scale
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You want a professional marketplace
Truth: Most serious marketplaces outgrow Dokan Free very quickly.
Important Reality Check (Most People Ignore This)
Even Dokan Pro is not enough by default for many real-world use cases.
You may still need:
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Custom vendor fields
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Custom workflows
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Performance optimization
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SEO improvements
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Third-party integrations
This is where custom Dokan development becomes important.
🚀 Need Help Choosing or Customizing Dokan?
If you’re confused about:
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Which version to choose
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How to customize Dokan
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How to scale your marketplace
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Fixing Dokan issues
I can help you make the right technical and business decision.
💬 Helping businesses worldwide build and scale Dokan marketplaces.
Hire Me on Upwork – Dokan & WooCommerce Expert
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