Fee math
Hotplate fees explained, and a flat-fee option.
Hotplate is not “free.” It is $0/month with a published 5% + $0.55 platform fee per order, plus card processing. Who pays the platform fee is a toggle (baker or customer), but the fee still exists. Here is the math for bakers comparing options.
What Hotplate publishes
No monthly subscription. A 5% + $0.55 platform fee applies per order on the subtotal. You can absorb it or pass it to customers. Card processing (commonly 2.9% + $0.30) is separate.
Platform fee vs BakeryFlow
BakeryFlow does not charge 5% + $0.55. After a 2-month trial it is $6.99/month or $60/year. A sold-out weekend does not raise your BakeryFlow bill. *Table is platform fee only at 5% + $0.55 × order count, assuming $25 average tickets.
| Monthly sales | Hotplate platform fee* | BakeryFlow |
|---|---|---|
| $500 (~20 × $25) | $36.00 | $6.99 |
| $1,000 (~40 × $25) | $72.00 | $6.99 |
| $2,000 (~80 × $25) | $144.00 | $6.99 |
| $5,000 (~200 × $25) | $360.00 | $6.99 |
Why bakers switch to flat pricing
Bakers switch when they want their own storefront link, a baker app, and a flat plan that does not grow with every ticket.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Hotplate fees?⌄
Publicly, 5% plus $0.55 per order on the subtotal, plus card processing. There is no monthly subscription.
Does the customer or the baker pay?⌄
Hotplate lets you pass the platform fee to the customer or absorb it. Either way it shows up in the economics.
What does BakeryFlow charge instead?⌄
$6.99/month or $60/year after two free months. No BakeryFlow percent on Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or cash.