Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - All-in-one e-commerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
- 2#2: WooCommerce - Open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that enables customizable online stores on any site.
- 3#3: BigCommerce - Scalable SaaS platform offering robust features for multi-channel selling and enterprise-grade e-commerce.
- 4#4: Adobe Commerce - Highly customizable open-source platform for complex, high-volume enterprise e-commerce experiences.
- 5#5: Salesforce Commerce Cloud - Cloud-based solution delivering personalized, omnichannel commerce at global enterprise scale.
- 6#6: Wix - Drag-and-drop website builder with seamless e-commerce tools for small businesses and creators.
- 7#7: Squarespace - Design-centric platform with integrated commerce features for visually stunning online stores.
- 8#8: Shift4Shop - Full-featured e-commerce platform with no transaction fees and built-in marketing automation.
- 9#9: PrestaShop - Free open-source e-commerce solution with extensive modules for international store management.
- 10#10: Ecwid - Embeddable e-commerce cart that adds selling capabilities to any website or social platform.
Tools were ranked based on key factors including feature richness, ease of use, reliability, and value, ensuring alignment with diverse needs from small businesses to enterprise operations
Comparison Table
Choosing the right e-commerce software is critical for business success, with options varying from beginner-friendly tools to robust enterprise platforms. This comparison table features top solutions like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and more, examining key aspects such as usability, scalability, and pricing. Readers will learn to identify the best fit for their business goals, whether prioritizing ease of setup, advanced features, or integration capabilities.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify All-in-one e-commerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | WooCommerce Open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that enables customizable online stores on any site. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | BigCommerce Scalable SaaS platform offering robust features for multi-channel selling and enterprise-grade e-commerce. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Adobe Commerce Highly customizable open-source platform for complex, high-volume enterprise e-commerce experiences. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Salesforce Commerce Cloud Cloud-based solution delivering personalized, omnichannel commerce at global enterprise scale. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Wix Drag-and-drop website builder with seamless e-commerce tools for small businesses and creators. | creative_suite | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 |  Squarespace Design-centric platform with integrated commerce features for visually stunning online stores. | creative_suite | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Shift4Shop Full-featured e-commerce platform with no transaction fees and built-in marketing automation. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 9 | PrestaShop Free open-source e-commerce solution with extensive modules for international store management. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | Ecwid Embeddable e-commerce cart that adds selling capabilities to any website or social platform. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
All-in-one e-commerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
Open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that enables customizable online stores on any site.
Scalable SaaS platform offering robust features for multi-channel selling and enterprise-grade e-commerce.
Highly customizable open-source platform for complex, high-volume enterprise e-commerce experiences.
Cloud-based solution delivering personalized, omnichannel commerce at global enterprise scale.
Drag-and-drop website builder with seamless e-commerce tools for small businesses and creators.
Design-centric platform with integrated commerce features for visually stunning online stores.
Full-featured e-commerce platform with no transaction fees and built-in marketing automation.
Free open-source e-commerce solution with extensive modules for international store management.
Embeddable e-commerce cart that adds selling capabilities to any website or social platform.
Shopify
enterpriseAll-in-one e-commerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
The expansive App Store offering over 8,000 third-party apps for limitless customization and functionality.
Shopify is a leading all-in-one e-commerce platform that empowers businesses to create customizable online stores, manage inventory, process payments, and handle shipping without needing advanced coding skills. It offers thousands of themes, a vast app marketplace for extensions, and built-in tools for marketing, analytics, and SEO. Designed for scalability, Shopify supports everything from solo entrepreneurs to enterprise-level operations with seamless omnichannel capabilities including POS integration.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for quick store setup
- Massive app ecosystem with 8,000+ integrations
- Robust scalability and 99.99% uptime for high-traffic stores
Cons
- Transaction fees on third-party gateways (0.5-2%)
- Advanced customizations require coding or paid apps
- Higher-tier plans and add-ons can increase costs significantly
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs seeking a user-friendly, scalable platform to launch and grow online stores.
Pricing
Basic plan at $29/month, Shopify at $105/month, Advanced at $399/month; Plus starts at $2,000/month; 2.4-2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees with Shopify Payments.
WooCommerce
otherOpen-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that enables customizable online stores on any site.
Open-source flexibility with unlimited customization via the massive WordPress plugin ecosystem
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that transforms any WordPress site into a fully functional online store. It supports product catalogs, inventory management, secure payments via gateways like Stripe and PayPal, shipping integrations, and customer management. With over 60,000 active installations and thousands of extensions, it offers extensive customization for businesses ranging from small shops to large enterprises.
Pros
- Free core plugin with no transaction fees
- Vast ecosystem of 1,000+ extensions and themes for customization
- Seamless WordPress integration and scalability
Cons
- Requires self-hosting and technical maintenance
- Steep learning curve for beginners without WordPress experience
- Performance optimization needed for high-traffic sites
Best For
WordPress users, developers, and businesses seeking highly customizable e-commerce without platform lock-in or subscription fees.
Pricing
Free core plugin; premium extensions/themes $0-$500+ one-time; WordPress hosting $5-50/month.
BigCommerce
enterpriseScalable SaaS platform offering robust features for multi-channel selling and enterprise-grade e-commerce.
Unlimited products, staff accounts, and API calls on every plan, ideal for high-volume scaling
BigCommerce is a powerful SaaS e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores with enterprise-grade features. It supports unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts on all plans, with built-in tools for multi-channel selling, SEO, inventory management, and B2B functionality. The platform excels in headless commerce and offers deep integrations with ERPs, CRMs, and marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
Pros
- Highly scalable with no limits on products, sales, or bandwidth
- Robust built-in features reducing need for apps
- Strong B2B and multi-channel selling capabilities
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers for advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Fewer free themes than some competitors
Best For
Growing mid-market and enterprise businesses needing scalable, feature-rich e-commerce with B2B support.
Pricing
Starts at $29/mo (Standard), $299/mo (Plus), $1,299/mo (Pro), with custom Enterprise pricing.
Adobe Commerce
enterpriseHighly customizable open-source platform for complex, high-volume enterprise e-commerce experiences.
Headless PWA Studio for fast, app-like storefronts with decoupled frontend and backend
Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, is a powerful open-source e-commerce platform designed for creating scalable online stores with advanced customization capabilities. It supports B2B and B2C models, multi-store management, headless architecture via PWA Studio, and extensive integrations, particularly with the Adobe Experience Cloud. The platform excels in handling high traffic volumes and complex business requirements, making it suitable for enterprise-level deployments.
Pros
- Highly scalable for enterprise traffic and global operations
- Extensive customization and modular architecture
- Deep integrations with Adobe tools for marketing and analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring developer expertise
- High ongoing costs for hosting, extensions, and maintenance
- Complex setup and performance optimization needed
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing highly customizable, scalable e-commerce with advanced B2B features and technical resources.
Pricing
Community Edition is free and open-source; Commerce Edition starts at ~$26,000/year (based on annual revenue) plus hosting, extensions, and services.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
enterpriseCloud-based solution delivering personalized, omnichannel commerce at global enterprise scale.
Einstein AI for hyper-personalized shopping experiences and predictive recommendations
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is an enterprise-grade e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build scalable, omnichannel online stores for both B2C and B2B. It offers advanced features like AI-driven personalization via Einstein, headless commerce capabilities, and deep integration with the Salesforce ecosystem including CRM and Marketing Cloud. Designed for high-volume traffic, it supports complex business logic, global operations, and seamless order management.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability for high-traffic enterprise sites
- Powerful AI personalization and recommendations with Einstein
- Seamless integration with Salesforce suite for unified customer data
Cons
- High cost prohibitive for SMBs
- Steep learning curve and requires developer expertise
- Complex customization and implementation process
Best For
Large enterprises with complex omnichannel needs and existing Salesforce infrastructure.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on revenue and features, typically starting at $50,000+ annually with additional fees for implementation.
Wix
creative_suiteDrag-and-drop website builder with seamless e-commerce tools for small businesses and creators.
Drag-and-drop editor with complete design freedom for custom store layouts
Wix is a popular drag-and-drop website builder that enables users to create fully functional e-commerce stores without coding expertise. It offers customizable templates, secure payment gateways, inventory management, shipping integrations, and tools like abandoned cart recovery. With apps for marketing, SEO, and analytics, Wix provides an all-in-one platform for small to medium online businesses to sell products, services, and digital goods.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick store setup
- Beautiful, mobile-responsive templates
- Integrated marketing tools and app marketplace
Cons
- Transaction fees on lower plans (up to 2.9%)
- Limited scalability for high-volume stores
- Less advanced inventory and multichannel selling options
Best For
Small business owners and creative entrepreneurs who want an easy-to-use platform to launch visually stunning online stores quickly.
Pricing
E-commerce plans start at $27/month (Business Basic) up to $159/month (Business VIP), billed annually; free plan available but lacks payments.
Squarespace
creative_suiteDesign-centric platform with integrated commerce features for visually stunning online stores.
Fluid Engine visual editor for pixel-perfect, designer-quality store customization without coding
Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder platform with integrated e-commerce tools, enabling users to design visually stunning online stores using drag-and-drop editors and premium templates. It handles inventory management, order fulfillment, secure payments via Stripe and PayPal, abandoned cart recovery, and basic SEO/marketing features. While not as scalable as dedicated platforms, it's excellent for small-scale selling with a focus on aesthetics and simplicity.
Pros
- Stunning, mobile-responsive templates optimized for e-commerce
- Intuitive no-code builder with integrated hosting and analytics
- Seamless payment processing and inventory tools for small stores
Cons
- Limited scalability for high-volume sales or complex catalogs
- Fewer third-party integrations and apps than Shopify
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced e-commerce features
Best For
Creative small businesses, artists, and solopreneurs who want a beautiful, easy-to-manage online store without deep technical expertise.
Pricing
E-commerce starts at $27/mo (Commerce Basic, annual) for 0% transaction fees; Advanced at $49/mo adds subscriptions and abandoned cart recovery; no free plan.
Shift4Shop
specializedFull-featured e-commerce platform with no transaction fees and built-in marketing automation.
Zero transaction fees and seamless integration with Shift4 payment processing on all plans
Shift4Shop is a fully hosted e-commerce platform (formerly 3dcart) that provides an all-in-one solution for building and managing online stores, including a drag-and-drop website builder, inventory management, order processing, and built-in SEO and marketing tools. It integrates seamlessly with Shift4 payment processing to eliminate transaction fees when using their gateway. The platform supports multi-channel selling across websites, social media, and marketplaces, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
Pros
- Comprehensive built-in features including SEO, marketing automation, and inventory management
- No transaction fees when using Shift4 payments
- Free plan available for stores processing with Shift4 gateway
- Strong multi-channel selling capabilities
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels less modern than competitors
- Limited third-party app ecosystem compared to Shopify
- Customer support can be inconsistent and slow
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a cost-effective, feature-packed e-commerce platform with integrated payments and no transaction fees.
Pricing
Free plan with Shift4 payments; paid plans start at $29/month (Core), $79/month (Pro), $229/month (Premium), and $499/month (Enterprise).
PrestaShop
otherFree open-source e-commerce solution with extensive modules for international store management.
Fully open-source architecture enabling unlimited customization without vendor lock-in or recurring fees
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform designed for building and managing online stores with high customization potential. It supports multi-store setups, multiple languages, currencies, and payment gateways, making it ideal for international sellers. The platform features a vast marketplace of over 3,000 modules and themes to extend functionality beyond the core offering.
Pros
- Completely free core software with no transaction fees
- Highly customizable via extensive module and theme marketplace
- Strong multi-language, multi-currency, and multi-store support
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical expertise for setup and maintenance
- Performance issues with large catalogs without optimization
- Separate hosting and potential security updates needed
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a cost-effective, self-hosted e-commerce solution with deep customization options.
Pricing
Free open-source core; paid add-ons (modules/themes from $0-$200+), hosting ($5-$50/month), optional premium support.
Ecwid
specializedEmbeddable e-commerce cart that adds selling capabilities to any website or social platform.
Universal embed code that integrates a full-featured store into any website or app without coding or hosting changes
Ecwid is a flexible e-commerce platform that allows users to embed a customizable online store directly into any existing website, CMS like WordPress or Wix, social media, or marketplaces without requiring a site rebuild. It supports multi-channel selling across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and eBay, handling inventory, payments, and orders seamlessly. Ideal for small businesses, it offers essential tools for product management, SEO, and customer engagement in a lightweight format.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any website or platform via simple embed code
- Multi-channel selling support including social media and marketplaces
- Free plan with core features for startups and low-volume sellers
Cons
- Limited advanced customization compared to dedicated platforms like Shopify
- Transaction fees on free and lower-tier plans
- Analytics and reporting lack depth for enterprise-scale operations
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking to quickly add e-commerce functionality to an existing website or social presence without complex migrations.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 10 products; paid plans start at $21/month (Venture, 100 orders), $39/month (Business, 2,500 orders), up to $129/month (Unlimited).
Conclusion
The 10 e-commerce tools reviewed cater to varied needs, with Shopify emerging as the top choice for its all-in-one functionality, integrated marketing and payment tools, and ease of scaling. WooCommerce stands out for its open-source flexibility and seamless integration with WordPress, ideal for customization, while BigCommerce excels in multi-channel selling and enterprise-grade features, making it a strong pick for growing businesses. Each tool offers unique strengths, but aligning with specific goals—from simplicity to complexity—ensures the best fit.
Start building your dream online store with Shopify today—its intuitive platform and robust tools provide the foundation to succeed, whether you're just starting or scaling your business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison