Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - All-in-one ecommerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with extensive apps and themes.
- 2#2: WooCommerce - Flexible open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online stores.
- 3#3: BigCommerce - Scalable SaaS ecommerce platform with built-in features for multichannel selling and B2B.
- 4#4: Adobe Commerce - Powerful enterprise-grade ecommerce platform offering advanced customization and omnichannel capabilities.
- 5#5: Salesforce Commerce Cloud - Cloud-based commerce solution with AI personalization and integration for large-scale enterprises.
- 6#6: Squarespace - Design-focused website builder with integrated ecommerce tools for small businesses.
- 7#7: Wix - Drag-and-drop ecommerce website builder suitable for beginners and small online stores.
- 8#8: PrestaShop - Free open-source ecommerce platform with modular extensions for mid-sized stores.
- 9#9: Shift4Shop - Feature-rich ecommerce platform with free plan and integrated payment processing.
- 10#10: Ecwid - Embeddable ecommerce solution that adds shopping cart to any website or social platform.
Tools were selected based on a rigorously balanced assessment of feature set, user experience, scalability, and value, prioritizing reliability, adaptability, and ability to address diverse business sizes—from startups to enterprise-level entities.
Comparison Table
Ecommerce business software powers modern online stores, and this comparison table simplifies the search with tools like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, highlighting key features, pricing, and best-fit scenarios for sellers of all sizes.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify All-in-one ecommerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with extensive apps and themes. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | WooCommerce Flexible open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online stores. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | BigCommerce Scalable SaaS ecommerce platform with built-in features for multichannel selling and B2B. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Adobe Commerce Powerful enterprise-grade ecommerce platform offering advanced customization and omnichannel capabilities. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.7/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Salesforce Commerce Cloud Cloud-based commerce solution with AI personalization and integration for large-scale enterprises. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 6 |  Squarespace Design-focused website builder with integrated ecommerce tools for small businesses. | other | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Wix Drag-and-drop ecommerce website builder suitable for beginners and small online stores. | other | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | PrestaShop Free open-source ecommerce platform with modular extensions for mid-sized stores. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | Shift4Shop Feature-rich ecommerce platform with free plan and integrated payment processing. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | Ecwid Embeddable ecommerce solution that adds shopping cart to any website or social platform. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
All-in-one ecommerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with extensive apps and themes.
Flexible open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online stores.
Scalable SaaS ecommerce platform with built-in features for multichannel selling and B2B.
Powerful enterprise-grade ecommerce platform offering advanced customization and omnichannel capabilities.
Cloud-based commerce solution with AI personalization and integration for large-scale enterprises.
Design-focused website builder with integrated ecommerce tools for small businesses.
Drag-and-drop ecommerce website builder suitable for beginners and small online stores.
Free open-source ecommerce platform with modular extensions for mid-sized stores.
Feature-rich ecommerce platform with free plan and integrated payment processing.
Embeddable ecommerce solution that adds shopping cart to any website or social platform.
Shopify
enterpriseAll-in-one ecommerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with extensive apps and themes.
The Shopify App Store with 8,000+ apps, enabling infinite extensibility for any ecommerce need without rebuilding from scratch
Shopify is a leading all-in-one ecommerce platform that empowers businesses to create customizable online stores, manage inventory, process payments, and handle shipping without needing advanced coding skills. It supports multichannel selling across websites, social media, POS systems, and marketplaces, with built-in tools for marketing, analytics, and SEO. The platform scales seamlessly from startups to enterprises, backed by a massive ecosystem of over 8,000 apps and themes for endless customization.
Pros
- Vast app marketplace with 8,000+ integrations for ultimate flexibility
- Intuitive drag-and-drop store builder and mobile app for easy management
- Robust security, 99.99% uptime, and global payment processing via Shopify Payments
Cons
- Transaction fees (0.5-2%) apply if not using Shopify Payments
- Advanced customizations require Liquid coding or paid apps
- Higher-tier plans and add-ons can increase costs significantly
Best For
Entrepreneurs, small to medium businesses, and scaling brands seeking a user-friendly, feature-packed platform to launch and grow online stores across multiple channels.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Basic), $105/month (Shopify), $399/month (Advanced); Enterprise custom pricing; plus app/theme costs and 2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees.
WooCommerce
specializedFlexible open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online stores.
Deep WordPress integration, turning any WP site into a customizable online store with endless extensibility
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that transforms any WordPress site into a fully functional online store. It provides robust tools for product catalog management, inventory tracking, payment processing, shipping, and tax calculations. With over 1,000 extensions and themes available, it offers unparalleled customization for businesses of all sizes.
Pros
- Completely free core plugin with exceptional value
- Massive ecosystem of extensions and themes for customization
- Seamless integration with WordPress content management
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Performance can suffer without proper hosting and optimization
- Requires ongoing maintenance for security and updates
Best For
WordPress users and developers seeking a highly customizable, scalable e-commerce solution without upfront costs.
Pricing
Core plugin is free; premium extensions start at $29/year, themes from $39, plus WordPress hosting costs (~$5-50/month).
BigCommerce
enterpriseScalable SaaS ecommerce platform with built-in features for multichannel selling and B2B.
Native multi-storefront and headless commerce for flexible, high-scale deployments
BigCommerce is a powerful SaaS ecommerce platform that enables businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores with advanced customization options. It supports multi-channel selling across platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media, while offering robust inventory management, SEO tools, and payment processing without transaction fees. Ideal for mid-market to enterprise users, it excels in B2B functionality, headless commerce, and high-volume traffic handling.
Pros
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts on all plans
- Seamless multi-channel selling and 1000+ app integrations
- Enterprise-grade B2B tools like quote management and customer groups
Cons
- Higher starting price for advanced features suitable for small businesses
- Steeper learning curve requiring developer help for customizations
- Some premium apps and themes add to overall costs
Best For
Growing mid-sized to enterprise businesses needing scalable, multi-channel ecommerce with B2B capabilities.
Pricing
Standard ($29/mo), Plus ($299/mo), Pro ($2,999/mo), Enterprise (custom); billed annually.
Adobe Commerce
enterprisePowerful enterprise-grade ecommerce platform offering advanced customization and omnichannel capabilities.
Composable Commerce architecture for headless storefronts and seamless integration with modern front-end frameworks like PWA Studio.
Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, is a powerful open-source e-commerce platform that enables businesses to create highly customizable online stores with support for B2B and B2C models. It offers robust features like multi-store management, advanced inventory control, and seamless integrations with ERP, CRM, and marketing tools. Designed for scalability, it handles high-traffic volumes and complex enterprise needs through its flexible architecture.
Pros
- Highly customizable with thousands of extensions and themes
- Scalable for enterprise-level traffic and global operations
- Advanced B2B features like quote management and customer-specific pricing
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring developer expertise
- High implementation and maintenance costs
- Complex upgrades and performance tuning
Best For
Large enterprises and mid-market businesses needing scalable, highly customized e-commerce platforms with B2B capabilities.
Pricing
Community Edition free; Commerce Edition custom pricing from ~$22,000/year based on GMV tiers, plus hosting and development fees.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
enterpriseCloud-based commerce solution with AI personalization and integration for large-scale enterprises.
Headless commerce with PWA Studio for progressive web apps and ultimate frontend flexibility
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a robust, cloud-based ecommerce platform tailored for enterprise businesses, enabling the creation of scalable B2C and B2B online stores. It offers advanced features like AI-driven personalization, omnichannel commerce, and seamless integration with the Salesforce ecosystem including CRM and Marketing Cloud. The platform supports headless architecture for flexible frontends and handles high-volume traffic with global scalability.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability for high-traffic enterprise sites
- Powerful AI personalization via Einstein
- Deep integration with Salesforce suite for unified customer data
Cons
- High implementation and licensing costs
- Steep learning curve and complex customization
- Overkill for small to mid-sized businesses
Best For
Large enterprises with complex omnichannel needs and existing Salesforce investments seeking scalable, personalized ecommerce.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $50,000+ annually plus implementation fees based on scale and modules.
Squarespace
otherDesign-focused website builder with integrated ecommerce tools for small businesses.
Award-winning templates that produce designer-quality stores effortlessly
Squarespace is a user-friendly website builder with integrated ecommerce capabilities, enabling users to create visually stunning online stores without coding. It offers essential tools like inventory management, secure payment processing via Stripe and PayPal, abandoned cart recovery, and shipping integrations. While excels in design and simplicity, it's best suited for small to medium businesses rather than high-volume operations.
Pros
- Stunning, professional templates with mobile responsiveness
- All-in-one platform with built-in marketing, SEO, and analytics
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick store setup
Cons
- Transaction fees on lower-tier plans (up to 3%)
- Limited scalability and advanced features for large inventories
- Fewer third-party app integrations than dedicated platforms like Shopify
Best For
Small businesses, creatives, and solopreneurs who prioritize beautiful design and ease of use over advanced ecommerce scalability.
Pricing
Ecommerce starts at $27/mo (Commerce Basic, annual billing) up to $65/mo (Commerce Advanced); no transaction fees on higher plans.
Wix
otherDrag-and-drop ecommerce website builder suitable for beginners and small online stores.
Intuitive drag-and-drop editor that allows complete visual customization of ecommerce stores without technical skills
Wix is a user-friendly website builder platform that offers comprehensive ecommerce capabilities through its Wix Stores feature, enabling users to set up online shops with product listings, inventory management, payments, and shipping. It supports digital and physical products, abandoned cart recovery, subscriptions, and integrations with major payment gateways and marketplaces. While versatile for small to medium businesses, it excels in visual customization but may lack depth for high-volume enterprise needs.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop builder for quick store setup
- Stunning customizable templates
- Integrated tools for marketing and SEO
Cons
- Limited scalability for large inventories
- Fewer advanced analytics than competitors
- Higher pricing for premium features
Best For
Small businesses and beginners seeking an easy-to-use platform to launch visually appealing online stores without coding.
Pricing
Ecommerce plans start at $29/mo (Core, annual billing) up to $159/mo (Business Elite), with no transaction fees on paid plans.
PrestaShop
specializedFree open-source ecommerce platform with modular extensions for mid-sized stores.
Vast modular marketplace with over 5,000 extensions for endless customization without coding from scratch
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build and manage fully customizable online stores. It supports multi-store, multi-language, and multi-currency setups, with thousands of modules and themes available via its marketplace for added functionality. Ideal for self-hosted deployments, it offers robust inventory management, SEO tools, and payment integrations out of the box.
Pros
- Completely free core software with no licensing fees
- Highly customizable via 5,000+ modules and themes
- Strong multi-store and international selling capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve and requires technical expertise for setup/maintenance
- Self-hosted model demands separate hosting and security management
- Performance can suffer without proper optimization
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with in-house developers seeking a flexible, cost-effective open-source e-commerce solution.
Pricing
Core platform is free; paid add-ons, themes, and modules range from $0-$200+; hosting starts at ~$5-50/month separately.
Shift4Shop
otherFeature-rich ecommerce platform with free plan and integrated payment processing.
Zero transaction fees via native Shift4 Payments integration
Shift4Shop is a fully hosted ecommerce platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores. It offers drag-and-drop store customization, inventory management, order processing, SEO tools, and multi-channel selling integrations like Amazon and eBay. The platform stands out with its tight integration to Shift4 Payments, eliminating transaction fees for users of their gateway, alongside unlimited products and bandwidth on most plans.
Pros
- Zero transaction fees with Shift4 Payments integration
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage on paid plans
- Robust built-in SEO and marketing tools
Cons
- Dated interface and templates compared to modern competitors
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Fewer third-party app integrations than Shopify or BigCommerce
Best For
Small to medium ecommerce businesses seeking an affordable all-in-one platform with seamless payment processing and no transaction fees.
Pricing
Free plan available with Shift4 Payments; paid plans start at $29/month (Starter, 50k products) up to $229/month (VIP, unlimited); 14-day free trial, no transaction fees on Shift4 gateway.
Ecwid
specializedEmbeddable ecommerce solution that adds shopping cart to any website or social platform.
Embeddable store widget that integrates effortlessly into any website, CMS, or social platform
Ecwid is a versatile e-commerce platform that allows users to embed a fully functional online store directly into any existing website, blog, or CMS like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace without needing to migrate to a new site. It supports multi-channel selling across social media (Facebook, Instagram), marketplaces (Amazon, eBay), and even POS systems for in-person sales. Ideal for small businesses, Ecwid offers inventory management, secure payments, and abandoned cart recovery, with a free plan for up to 10 products and scalable paid tiers.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any existing website or platform
- Multi-channel selling including social media and marketplaces
- Free forever plan with no transaction fees
Cons
- Limited customization and design themes compared to dedicated platforms
- Advanced features like detailed reporting locked behind higher plans
- Scalability issues for very large inventories without Unlimited plan
Best For
Small businesses and solopreneurs looking to quickly add e-commerce capabilities to their existing website or social channels without a full site rebuild.
Pricing
Free plan (up to 10 products); paid plans from $15/mo (Venture, 100 products) to $99/mo (Unlimited, unlimited products and advanced features).
Conclusion
The reviewed tools span a range of options, from all-in-one platforms to flexible plugins, but Shopify rises as the top choice, offering seamless building, management, and scaling. WooCommerce and BigCommerce follow closely as standout alternatives—WooCommerce for its customizable WordPress integration, and BigCommerce for robust multichannel and B2B capabilities. Together, they provide tailored solutions for various business needs.
Take the first step toward your ideal online store with Shopify: explore its intuitive tools, browse thousands of themes and apps, and start transforming your business today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison