Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - Comprehensive ecommerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with robust shopping cart functionality.
- 2#2: WooCommerce - Free, open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that powers flexible online stores with advanced shopping cart features.
- 3#3: BigCommerce - Scalable SaaS ecommerce platform offering multi-channel selling and powerful shopping cart management.
- 4#4: Adobe Commerce - Highly customizable enterprise-grade ecommerce platform with sophisticated shopping cart and B2B capabilities.
- 5#5: Squarespace - Design-focused website builder with integrated ecommerce tools for simple shopping carts and online sales.
- 6#6: Wix - User-friendly drag-and-drop builder with ecommerce features including customizable shopping carts.
- 7#7: Shift4Shop - Hosted ecommerce solution with free plan, integrated payments, and full-featured shopping cart.
- 8#8: Ecwid - Embeddable ecommerce cart widget that adds shopping functionality to any website or platform.
- 9#9: PrestaShop - Open-source ecommerce CMS for creating customizable online stores with modular shopping carts.
- 10#10: Volusion - Cloud-based ecommerce platform providing SEO tools and reliable shopping cart for SMBs.
We evaluated these tools based on core features (cart functionality, checkout efficiency, integrations), technical quality (stability, security, scalability), user-friendliness (setup, customization, admin performance), and overall value (pricing, free tiers, ROI potential), ensuring a balanced ranking for different business needs.
Comparison Table
Navigating e-commerce shopping cart software requires balancing diverse needs, but this comparison table simplifies the process by analyzing top tools—including Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, and Squarespace. It highlights key differences in features, scalability, and ease of use, empowering readers to match software to their business requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify Comprehensive ecommerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with robust shopping cart functionality. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | WooCommerce Free, open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that powers flexible online stores with advanced shopping cart features. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | BigCommerce Scalable SaaS ecommerce platform offering multi-channel selling and powerful shopping cart management. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Adobe Commerce Highly customizable enterprise-grade ecommerce platform with sophisticated shopping cart and B2B capabilities. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 |  Squarespace Design-focused website builder with integrated ecommerce tools for simple shopping carts and online sales. | creative_suite | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Wix User-friendly drag-and-drop builder with ecommerce features including customizable shopping carts. | creative_suite | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Shift4Shop Hosted ecommerce solution with free plan, integrated payments, and full-featured shopping cart. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 8 | Ecwid Embeddable ecommerce cart widget that adds shopping functionality to any website or platform. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | PrestaShop Open-source ecommerce CMS for creating customizable online stores with modular shopping carts. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | Volusion Cloud-based ecommerce platform providing SEO tools and reliable shopping cart for SMBs. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 |
Comprehensive ecommerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with robust shopping cart functionality.
Free, open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that powers flexible online stores with advanced shopping cart features.
Scalable SaaS ecommerce platform offering multi-channel selling and powerful shopping cart management.
Highly customizable enterprise-grade ecommerce platform with sophisticated shopping cart and B2B capabilities.
Design-focused website builder with integrated ecommerce tools for simple shopping carts and online sales.
User-friendly drag-and-drop builder with ecommerce features including customizable shopping carts.
Hosted ecommerce solution with free plan, integrated payments, and full-featured shopping cart.
Embeddable ecommerce cart widget that adds shopping functionality to any website or platform.
Open-source ecommerce CMS for creating customizable online stores with modular shopping carts.
Cloud-based ecommerce platform providing SEO tools and reliable shopping cart for SMBs.
Shopify
specializedComprehensive ecommerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with robust shopping cart functionality.
Shopify's massive app ecosystem enabling endless customization and third-party integrations
Shopify is a leading all-in-one ecommerce platform that empowers businesses of all sizes to create customizable online stores with integrated shopping cart functionality. It handles everything from product listings and inventory management to secure payments, shipping, and abandoned cart recovery. With a vast library of themes and over 8,000 apps, it scales seamlessly from startups to enterprises.
Pros
- Extensive app marketplace with 8,000+ integrations
- High scalability and 99.99% uptime
- Intuitive drag-and-drop store builder
Cons
- Transaction fees on third-party gateways
- Advanced customizations require coding knowledge
- Higher-tier plans needed for full features
Best For
Entrepreneurs and growing businesses seeking a scalable, hosted ecommerce solution without server management.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Basic), $79/month (Shopify), $299/month (Advanced); Shopify Plus from $2,000/month; 3-day free trial.
WooCommerce
specializedFree, open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that powers flexible online stores with advanced shopping cart features.
Deep WordPress integration allowing e-commerce stores to leverage CMS strengths for blogs, SEO, and dynamic content.
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that converts any WordPress site into a powerful online store with shopping cart, inventory management, and payment processing capabilities. It supports unlimited products, multiple payment gateways, and shipping options out of the box. Thousands of extensions and themes enable extensive customization for businesses of all sizes.
Pros
- Highly customizable with 60,000+ extensions and themes
- Free core plugin with scalable performance
- Seamless WordPress integration for content-driven stores
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-WordPress users
- Performance optimization often required for high traffic
- Many advanced features need paid extensions
Best For
WordPress users or developers seeking a flexible, customizable e-commerce platform without vendor lock-in.
Pricing
Core plugin free; extensions $0-$300/year each; requires separate WordPress hosting (~$5-50/month).
BigCommerce
specializedScalable SaaS ecommerce platform offering multi-channel selling and powerful shopping cart management.
Built-in B2B tools like customer groups, quote management, and bulk pricing
BigCommerce is a fully hosted SaaS ecommerce platform that enables businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores with robust tools for product management, payments, and marketing. It supports multichannel selling across platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media, while offering advanced features such as headless commerce, B2B functionality, and unlimited bandwidth/products. Designed for growth-oriented merchants, it emphasizes enterprise scalability without transaction fees or server management.
Pros
- Enterprise-level scalability and performance
- No transaction fees on any plan
- Extensive app marketplace and integrations
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Higher costs for Pro/Enterprise plans
- Fewer free themes than some competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise businesses needing scalable B2B/B2C ecommerce with multichannel support.
Pricing
Standard ($29.95/mo), Plus ($299.95/mo), Pro ($2,999.95/mo), Enterprise (custom); annual billing discounts available, no transaction fees.
Adobe Commerce
enterpriseHighly customizable enterprise-grade ecommerce platform with sophisticated shopping cart and B2B capabilities.
Headless commerce architecture with PWA Studio for lightning-fast, decoupled frontends
Adobe Commerce, formerly Magento, is a powerful open-source e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build highly customizable online stores with advanced shopping cart functionalities. It supports complex B2B and B2C operations, multi-store management, and scales seamlessly for high-traffic enterprises. With a vast marketplace of extensions and integrations, it offers robust SEO, inventory management, and payment processing tools out of the box.
Pros
- Unmatched scalability for enterprise-level traffic and sales volumes
- Extensive customization via open-source architecture and 4,000+ extensions
- Advanced B2B features like quote management and customer-specific pricing
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring developer expertise
- High ongoing costs for hosting, maintenance, and custom development
- Complex setup and configuration process
Best For
Large enterprises and mid-sized businesses needing highly tailored, scalable e-commerce platforms with B2B capabilities.
Pricing
Community Edition free; Commerce plans start at ~$22,000/year (All-in-One) scaling to custom enterprise pricing based on GMV.
Squarespace
creative_suiteDesign-focused website builder with integrated ecommerce tools for simple shopping carts and online sales.
Award-winning, mobile-responsive templates that deliver professional design quality out-of-the-box
Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder with integrated ecommerce tools, enabling users to create visually stunning online stores complete with shopping carts, inventory management, and secure payment processing. It supports selling physical and digital products, subscriptions, and services through customizable templates and a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. While not a dedicated ecommerce platform, it provides essential shopping cart functionality bundled with hosting, domains, and marketing features for a seamless experience.
Pros
- Stunning, professionally designed templates
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder with no coding required
- All-in-one platform including hosting and SEO tools
Cons
- Limited scalability and advanced inventory features for high-volume sellers
- Transaction fees on basic plans unless using Squarespace Payments
- Fewer third-party integrations than dedicated ecommerce platforms
Best For
Small businesses and creatives who want a beautiful, easy-to-set-up online store without needing extensive technical expertise.
Pricing
Commerce plans start at $26/mo (Basic, annual billing) up to $65/mo (Advanced); includes 3% transaction fees on non-Squarespace payments.
Wix
creative_suiteUser-friendly drag-and-drop builder with ecommerce features including customizable shopping carts.
Drag-and-drop store builder that perfectly matches any Wix site design without coding
Wix is a user-friendly website builder platform that integrates comprehensive ecommerce capabilities via Wix Stores, enabling users to create online shops with customizable shopping carts, product catalogs, inventory management, and secure payment processing. It supports features like abandoned cart recovery, discount codes, subscriptions, and multi-channel selling through social media and marketplaces. While versatile for small to medium businesses, it's built on a drag-and-drop editor that prioritizes design flexibility over deep ecommerce specialization.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick store setup
- Seamless integration with beautiful templates and marketing tools
- No transaction fees on Wix Payments with eligible plans
Cons
- Limited scalability for large catalogs or high-traffic stores
- Less advanced analytics and automation compared to dedicated platforms
- Vendor lock-in makes migration challenging
Best For
Small businesses and solopreneurs who want an easy-to-design online store without coding expertise.
Pricing
Ecommerce plans start at $27/month (billed annually) for Business Basic, up to $159/month for Enterprise, with no Wix transaction fees on higher tiers.
Shift4Shop
specializedHosted ecommerce solution with free plan, integrated payments, and full-featured shopping cart.
Zero transaction fees and seamless Shift4 Payments integration for maximum profitability
Shift4Shop is a robust all-in-one e-commerce platform designed for building and managing online stores, offering features like customizable shopping carts, inventory management, SEO tools, and multi-channel selling capabilities. Formerly known as 3dcart, it provides unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage on higher plans, along with built-in marketing automation and dropshipping support. Its seamless integration with Shift4 Payments eliminates transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for merchants focused on profitability.
Pros
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage on Pro and Premium plans
- Zero transaction fees with integrated Shift4 Payments
- Comprehensive built-in tools for SEO, marketing, and dropshipping
Cons
- Dated user interface with a moderate learning curve
- Limited advanced theme customization compared to competitors
- Customer support varies by plan and isn't 24/7 on basic tiers
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking an affordable, feature-rich e-commerce solution with cost-saving payment integrations.
Pricing
Plans start at $29/month (Basic, 50k monthly bandwidth) up to $229/month (Premium, unlimited everything); 0% transaction fees with Shift4 Payments.
Ecwid
specializedEmbeddable ecommerce cart widget that adds shopping functionality to any website or platform.
Universal embed code that adds a complete shopping cart to any existing site or platform in minutes
Ecwid is a versatile ecommerce shopping cart platform that enables users to embed a fully functional online store directly into any existing website, CMS like WordPress or Wix, social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram, or even marketplaces like Amazon. It offers inventory management, secure payment processing, SEO tools, and multi-channel selling without transaction fees from Ecwid itself. Ideal for small businesses, it's scalable with mobile apps and POS integration for omnichannel retail.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any website, CMS, or social platform without site migration
- Free plan for up to 10 products with no transaction fees
- Strong multi-channel selling across web, social, and marketplaces
Cons
- Limited theme and design customization compared to dedicated platforms
- Advanced reporting and automation features require higher-tier plans
- Scalability challenges for very large inventories without Unlimited plan
Best For
Small to medium businesses and site owners wanting quick ecommerce integration into existing websites or social channels.
Pricing
Free (up to 10 products); Venture $15/mo (100 products); Business $35/mo (2,500 products); Unlimited $99/mo (unlimited products, advanced features).
PrestaShop
specializedOpen-source ecommerce CMS for creating customizable online stores with modular shopping carts.
Vast Addons Marketplace with 3,000+ modules enabling unlimited customization without coding from scratch
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform designed for creating fully customizable online stores with support for multiple languages, currencies, and storefronts. It powers over 300,000 shops worldwide, offering a robust back-office for inventory management, order processing, and customer relations. Users can extend functionality through a vast marketplace of modules and themes, making it ideal for businesses needing tailored solutions.
Pros
- Free open-source core software with no licensing fees
- Extensive marketplace with over 3,000 modules and themes
- Excellent multi-store, multi-language, and multi-currency support
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical knowledge for setup and customization
- Self-hosted model demands separate hosting and ongoing maintenance
- Performance can lag with very large catalogs without optimization
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with in-house technical expertise looking for a highly customizable, self-hosted e-commerce platform without subscription costs.
Pricing
Core platform is free and open-source; costs for premium modules, themes ($50-$300+), hosting ($5-$50/month), and optional paid support.
Volusion
specializedCloud-based ecommerce platform providing SEO tools and reliable shopping cart for SMBs.
Comprehensive built-in SEO toolkit optimized for search engines from store setup
Volusion is a fully hosted e-commerce platform designed to help businesses build, manage, and scale online stores with built-in shopping cart functionality, inventory management, and payment processing. It provides customizable templates, SEO tools, marketing automation, and order fulfillment features in an all-in-one solution. While reliable for small to medium businesses, it has faced criticism for limited flexibility compared to modern competitors.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop store builder
- Strong built-in SEO and marketing tools
- Reliable uptime and PCI-compliant hosting
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations
- Expensive scaling for larger stores
- Less customization without developer help
Best For
Small to medium retailers wanting a straightforward, hosted e-commerce solution without coding expertise.
Pricing
Tiered plans from $35/month (100 products) to $459/month (unlimited products and advanced features), billed annually.
Conclusion
The reviewed ecommerce shopping cart tools offer diverse solutions to meet varied business needs, with Shopify emerging as the top choice, celebrated for its comprehensive features that support building, managing, and scaling online stores seamlessly. WooCommerce shines as a flexible alternative, ideal for those using WordPress, while BigCommerce stands out for its scalability and multi-channel capabilities, making it a strong pick for growing businesses. Whether prioritizing simplicity, customization, or enterprise-level performance, there is a tool here to suit every requirement.
Ready to launch or enhance your online store? Start with Shopify to leverage its robust shopping cart functionality and unlock your business's full potential.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison