What are the lowest fees for buying a small business online?

If you’re in the market to buy a small business, one of the first things you’ll notice—besides the sheer variety of listings—is how unclear the cost structure can be. Some platforms charge for access. Some brokers add a buyer's fee. And even the ones that claim to be “free” often hit you with unexpected costs when it’s time to move forward.

So how do you know which platforms offer the lowest fees for buying a small business online? And more importantly, how do you avoid wasting money on friction-filled, outdated buying processes?

Let’s break down the typical fees buyers face, what those costs actually cover, and why Baton is one of the most cost-effective options for serious, qualified buyers.

What Fees Do Small Business Buyers Typically Pay?

Even though sellers are usually the ones paying commissions, buyers aren’t off the hook when it comes to deal-related expenses. 

Here’s what most buyers encounter when exploring small business acquisitions:

• Platform access fees: Some online marketplaces charge buyers a monthly or per-listing fee just to view full listings or contact sellers.

• NDA/admin charges: It’s not uncommon for platforms or brokers to charge “processing” fees when you sign NDAs or request financials—especially if each listing requires a separate agreement.

• Buyer-side commissions: While rare, some brokerages tack on buyer-side fees, particularly in mid-market deals or when special advisory services are requested.

• Advisory and due diligence support: Legal, accounting, and third-party diligence (like Quality of Earnings reports) can easily run into the thousands—even before an offer is accepted.

And that’s just to get a seat at the table.

Many buyers find themselves paying to access listings that don’t offer clear financials, making it harder to evaluate opportunities without investing even more in outside help.

The Real Cost of Buying a Business

If you're evaluating costs, it's not just the listing fee or NDA friction you need to consider—it’s the total cost of acquisition. 

That includes:

• Legal fees: You'll need a lawyer to draft or review the letter of intent (LOI), purchase agreement, and transition terms. These costs typically run $2,000–$10,000, depending on deal complexity.

• Accounting and due diligence: A CPA or diligence team may charge $3,000–$15,000 to validate earnings, check liabilities, and confirm the health of the business.

• Escrow and banking fees: Whether you’re using an SBA loan or private funding, expect closing costs, wire fees, and other administrative charges to add up.

These are necessary parts of the process, but they should go toward closing a solid deal—not just unlocking the right to see one.

When evaluating platforms, look at how many hurdles (and costs) stand between you and real financial data. The more friction upfront, the more time and money you’ll spend just to sort through low-quality leads.

Need funding guidance? Forbes’ breakdown of the best banks for small business is a good place to start.

Online Platforms: What Are You Really Paying For?

Let’s be blunt: some business listing platforms aren’t built for serious buyers. They’re built to monetize buyer access.

Here’s how the typical model works:

• You find a promising business, only to realize you need to pay a monthly fee to unlock the financials.

• Each listing has a different NDA, which means repetitive paperwork for every deal you explore.

• Financials, when available, are often inconsistent or outdated—forcing you to pay for your own valuation just to make sense of the numbers.

• Premium support or buyer coaching comes with extra fees or requires upgrading your membership.

Even platforms modeled after eCommerce sites tend to struggle with transparency. For context, Shopify’s guide to affordable eCommerce tools illustrates how pricing models can look good on paper—but quickly become complex once real needs arise. The same applies here: What starts out cheap can get expensive quickly.

Why Baton Is a Cost-Effective Alternative for Buyers

At Baton, we take a different approach—one that prioritizes transparency, simplicity, and serious buyers.

Here’s how Baton keeps costs down without sacrificing quality:

• Free buyer accounts: You’ll never pay to sign up, browse listings, or access key details.

• One NDA, full access: A single NDA unlocks every active listing on the platform—no duplicate forms or delays.

• Standardized financials: Every listing includes clean, easy-to-understand earnings data, valuation context, and seller notes.

• Hands-on support, no extra fee: You get access to real deal coordinators (not bots) to help facilitate communication and keep your deal on track.

And perhaps most importantly: Baton pre-qualifies every business before it goes live. That means no inflated revenue claims, no mystery expenses, and no smoke-and-mirrors pricing.

If you’re evaluating platforms and brokers, it’s worth understanding what you’re really paying for. Many brokers and online platforms bury the cost of buyer access behind vague service tiers and commission structures. We’ve covered that in more depth in our guide to whether you should use a broker to sell your business—and the same logic applies to buyers.

What “Low Fees” Should Really Mean for Buyers

The phrase “lowest fees buying small business online” doesn’t mean the platform is free—it means that every dollar you spend is clearly defined, worthwhile, and moves you closer to a deal.

Here’s what to look for:

• Transparency: You should know upfront what’s included and what’s extra.

• Frictionless access: Can you evaluate listings without jumping through hoops?

• Value for your time: Is the platform bringing you pre-qualified businesses and verified data?

Baton checks all three. We built our buying experience to make smart acquisitions easier, not harder. You focus on evaluating the opportunity. We handle the messy parts—like data gathering, seller prep, and document standardization.

Buy Smart, Spend Smarter

Buying a small business is already a major financial commitment. The last thing you need is to burn money on platforms that charge you to maybe see a decent deal.

At Baton, we believe serious buyers deserve better. That’s why we offer free access, a single NDA, and high-quality listings that are ready to move.

The lowest fees don’t just mean a cheaper upfront experience—they mean fewer wasted hours, less back-and-forth, and a faster path to ownership.

Want to explore vetted listings without the upsell?

Start your search with Baton—free, transparent, and built for serious buyers.

Get a valuation today.