Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - All-in-one ecommerce platform for building scalable online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
- 2#2: WooCommerce - Free open-source ecommerce plugin that turns WordPress sites into powerful online stores.
- 3#3: BigCommerce - Enterprise-grade SaaS platform offering multi-channel selling and advanced SEO features.
- 4#4: Squarespace - Design-centric website builder with seamless ecommerce tools for small businesses.
- 5#5: Wix - Drag-and-drop ecommerce builder for creating professional online stores without coding.
- 6#6: Adobe Commerce - Highly customizable open-source platform for complex enterprise ecommerce needs.
- 7#7: Ecwid - Embeddable ecommerce solution that adds shopping carts to any website or social platform.
- 8#8: PrestaShop - Free open-source ecommerce platform with extensive modules for global selling.
- 9#9: OpenCart - Lightweight, free open-source shopping cart software for quick store setups.
- 10#10: Volusion - Hosted ecommerce platform providing inventory management and order processing tools.
These tools were ranked based on features, reliability, ease of use, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs—from small businesses to enterprises—while delivering exceptional performance.
Comparison Table
Ecommerce software serves as the backbone of online businesses, and choosing the right platform is key to success. This comparison table explores top tools like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, and more, detailing their core features, strengths, and ideal use cases to help you identify the best fit for your business goals, whether focused on ease of setup, scalability, or customization.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shopify All-in-one ecommerce platform for building scalable online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools. | enterprise | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | WooCommerce Free open-source ecommerce plugin that turns WordPress sites into powerful online stores. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | BigCommerce Enterprise-grade SaaS platform offering multi-channel selling and advanced SEO features. | enterprise | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Squarespace Design-centric website builder with seamless ecommerce tools for small businesses. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Wix Drag-and-drop ecommerce builder for creating professional online stores without coding. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | Adobe Commerce Highly customizable open-source platform for complex enterprise ecommerce needs. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.3/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Ecwid Embeddable ecommerce solution that adds shopping carts to any website or social platform. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 8 | PrestaShop Free open-source ecommerce platform with extensive modules for global selling. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 9 | OpenCart Lightweight, free open-source shopping cart software for quick store setups. | other | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Volusion Hosted ecommerce platform providing inventory management and order processing tools. | enterprise | 7.1/10 | 7.3/10 | 6.9/10 | 6.5/10 |
All-in-one ecommerce platform for building scalable online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
Free open-source ecommerce plugin that turns WordPress sites into powerful online stores.
Enterprise-grade SaaS platform offering multi-channel selling and advanced SEO features.
Design-centric website builder with seamless ecommerce tools for small businesses.
Drag-and-drop ecommerce builder for creating professional online stores without coding.
Highly customizable open-source platform for complex enterprise ecommerce needs.
Embeddable ecommerce solution that adds shopping carts to any website or social platform.
Free open-source ecommerce platform with extensive modules for global selling.
Lightweight, free open-source shopping cart software for quick store setups.
Hosted ecommerce platform providing inventory management and order processing tools.
Shopify
enterpriseAll-in-one ecommerce platform for building scalable online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
The Shopify App Store with 8,000+ apps enabling infinite extensibility for any business need
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 coding expertise. It offers thousands of themes and apps for extending functionality, supports multi-channel selling including POS and social commerce, and provides built-in tools for marketing, analytics, and SEO. With robust security, reliable hosting, and scalability from startups to enterprises, Shopify powers over 1.7 million businesses worldwide.
Pros
- Vast app store with 8,000+ integrations for endless customization
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder and mobile-optimized themes
- Seamless multi-channel selling (online, in-person, social media)
- Enterprise-grade security, PCI compliance, and 99.99% uptime
Cons
- Transaction fees (0.5-2%) on lower plans if not using Shopify Payments
- Advanced customizations often require paid apps or developers
- Higher-tier plans needed for complex features like custom reports
Best For
Small to medium businesses and entrepreneurs seeking a scalable, user-friendly platform to launch and grow online stores without technical hurdles.
Pricing
Basic ($29/mo), Shopify ($105/mo), Advanced ($399/mo); Plus starts at $2,000/mo; 3-day free trial, no credit card required.
WooCommerce
otherFree open-source ecommerce plugin that turns WordPress sites into powerful online stores.
Unmatched extensibility through the massive WordPress plugin ecosystem, allowing near-limitless customization without coding from scratch.
WooCommerce is a free, open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress that enables users to build and manage online stores with features like product catalogs, shopping carts, payments, shipping, and inventory management. It powers over 28% of all online stores and supports millions of active installations due to its flexibility and vast ecosystem of themes and extensions. Highly customizable, it scales from small shops to enterprise-level operations with integrations for major payment gateways, marketing tools, and analytics.
Pros
- Completely free core plugin with unlimited extensibility via thousands of plugins and themes
- Seamless integration with WordPress for content-rich stores
- Scalable for any store size with robust features like subscriptions, bookings, and multi-vendor support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-WordPress users and requires ongoing maintenance
- Performance can suffer without proper hosting and optimization
- Security risks if not updated regularly due to its open-source nature
Best For
WordPress users or developers seeking a highly customizable, cost-effective eCommerce platform for stores of any size.
Pricing
Core plugin is free; premium extensions start at $29/year; hosting and themes cost extra (typically $5-50/month).
BigCommerce
enterpriseEnterprise-grade SaaS platform offering multi-channel selling and advanced SEO features.
Built-in B2B edition with customer groups, pricing rules, and quote management
BigCommerce is a robust SaaS ecommerce platform designed for mid-market to enterprise businesses, enabling the creation and scaling of online stores with features like multi-channel selling, headless commerce, and B2B capabilities. It supports unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts without transaction fees, making it ideal for high-volume operations. The platform offers over 600 integrations and a vast app marketplace for customization.
Pros
- Scalable for enterprises with unlimited bandwidth and products
- No transaction fees on any plan
- Extensive integrations and multi-channel support
Cons
- Higher pricing can be prohibitive for small businesses
- Steeper learning curve compared to simpler platforms
- Advanced customizations often require developer help
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise businesses needing advanced B2B features, scalability, and multi-storefront management.
Pricing
Starts at $29/mo (Standard), $299/mo (Plus), $2,999/mo (Pro); Enterprise custom.
Squarespace
otherDesign-centric website builder with seamless ecommerce tools for small businesses.
Award-winning templates and Fluid Engine editor for unparalleled design flexibility without code
Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder with robust ecommerce capabilities, enabling users to create visually stunning online stores using drag-and-drop tools and professionally designed templates. It handles everything from product listings and inventory management to secure payments, shipping, and abandoned cart recovery without requiring coding. While excels for small-scale selling, it integrates hosting, domains, and marketing tools seamlessly into one platform.
Pros
- Exceptional design quality with mobile-responsive templates
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick store setup
- All-in-one platform including hosting, SSL, and analytics
Cons
- Limited third-party app ecosystem and integrations
- Transaction fees on lower plans (3% on Business)
- Less scalable for large inventories or high-traffic stores
Best For
Small businesses, artists, and creatives prioritizing beautiful design and simplicity over enterprise-level scalability.
Pricing
Ecommerce starts at $27/mo (Commerce Basic, 3% fees) or $49/mo (Advanced, 0% fees), billed annually; higher tiers unlock advanced features like custom checkout.
Wix
otherDrag-and-drop ecommerce builder for creating professional online stores without coding.
Unmatched drag-and-drop design freedom allowing pixel-perfect customization of store layouts without coding
Wix is a popular drag-and-drop website builder that extends into ecommerce via its Wix Stores app, enabling users to create fully functional online stores. It supports product listings, inventory management, secure payments, shipping integrations, and abandoned cart recovery without requiring coding skills. While versatile for small to medium businesses, it combines design flexibility with built-in marketing tools like email campaigns and SEO optimization.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick store setup
- Hundreds of customizable ecommerce templates
- All-in-one platform with hosting, domains, and apps
Cons
- Transaction fees on lower plans (up to 2.9%)
- Limited scalability for high-volume or complex stores
- Fewer advanced analytics than dedicated platforms like Shopify
Best For
Small business owners and creative entrepreneurs seeking an easy, visually appealing way to launch an online store without technical expertise.
Pricing
Ecommerce plans start at $27/month (Business Basic, billed annually) with no transaction fees on higher tiers up to $159/month (Business VIP).
Adobe Commerce
enterpriseHighly customizable open-source platform for complex enterprise ecommerce needs.
Seamless integration with Adobe Experience Cloud for AI-powered personalization and unified customer experiences across channels
Adobe Commerce, formerly Magento, is a powerful open-source e-commerce platform designed for building and scaling complex online stores, supporting both B2B and B2C models. It offers extensive customization through a vast ecosystem of extensions, multi-store management, and advanced features like headless commerce and Progressive Web Apps (PWA). Integrated with Adobe Experience Cloud, it provides AI-driven personalization, robust analytics, and seamless omnichannel capabilities for enterprise-level operations.
Pros
- Highly scalable for high-traffic enterprise stores
- Vast extension marketplace and customization options
- Advanced B2B features and Adobe ecosystem integration
Cons
- Steep learning curve and requires developer expertise
- High costs for Commerce edition, hosting, and maintenance
- Complex setup and potential performance issues without optimization
Best For
Large enterprises and growing businesses needing highly customizable, scalable e-commerce with advanced B2B/B2C and omnichannel capabilities.
Pricing
Community Edition is free; Commerce Edition (cloud/self-hosted) starts at ~$22,000/year with revenue-based tiers up to $200,000+, plus hosting, extensions, and development costs.
Ecwid
specializedEmbeddable ecommerce solution that adds shopping carts to any website or social platform.
Universal embed code that integrates a complete store into any website, CMS, or app in minutes
Ecwid is a versatile e-commerce platform that allows users to embed a fully functional online store directly into any existing website, CMS like WordPress or Wix, social media channels, or marketplaces. It supports multi-channel selling across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and Google Shopping without transaction fees beyond standard payment processors. Designed for scalability, it offers inventory management, SEO tools, and secure payments, making it suitable for small to medium businesses expanding their sales presence.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any website or platform without coding
- Free plan with unlimited products and bandwidth
- Multi-channel selling capabilities across social media and marketplaces
Cons
- Limited theme customization compared to dedicated platforms like Shopify
- Advanced reporting and automation features require higher-tier plans
- Mobile app builder is basic and lacks depth
Best For
Small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to quickly add e-commerce functionality to an existing website or social media presence without starting from scratch.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $15/month (Venture), $35/month (Business), $99/month (Unlimited), with custom enterprise options.
PrestaShop
otherFree open-source ecommerce platform with extensive modules for global selling.
Fully open-source codebase enabling unlimited customization and no vendor lock-in
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform that allows businesses to create fully customizable online stores with support for multiple languages, currencies, and storefronts. It provides core features like product management, order processing, inventory tracking, and built-in SEO tools, enhanced by a vast marketplace of over 3,000 modules and themes. Ideal for self-hosted deployments, it empowers users with complete code access for tailored solutions without vendor lock-in.
Pros
- Free open-source core with no licensing fees
- Extensive module marketplace for advanced functionality
- High customizability and multi-store support
Cons
- Requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance
- Self-hosting demands separate server costs and management
- Occasional performance issues on low-end hosting
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with in-house developers seeking a highly customizable, cost-effective e-commerce solution without subscription fees.
Pricing
Free core software; paid modules/themes ($0-$500+), hosting ($5-$100+/month), optional paid support.
OpenCart
otherLightweight, free open-source shopping cart software for quick store setups.
Vast marketplace with 13,000+ free and premium extensions for limitless customization
OpenCart is a free, open-source e-commerce platform built on PHP that enables users to create and manage online stores with features like product catalogs, inventory management, order processing, and payment gateway integrations. It supports multi-store setups, multiple languages, currencies, and SEO-friendly URLs out of the box. With a vast marketplace of over 13,000 extensions and themes, it allows extensive customization for various business needs.
Pros
- Completely free core software with no licensing fees
- Massive extension marketplace for easy customization
- Lightweight and performant, suitable for high-traffic sites
Cons
- Requires self-hosting and technical setup knowledge
- Admin interface feels dated compared to modern platforms
- Security relies on manual updates and community vigilance
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a highly customizable, cost-free e-commerce solution that they can self-host.
Pricing
Free open-source core; paid extensions/themes from $20-$200+; requires separate hosting (~$5-50/month).
Volusion
enterpriseHosted ecommerce platform providing inventory management and order processing tools.
End-to-end PCI DSS Level 1 compliance and built-in fraud prevention for seamless secure transactions
Volusion is a fully hosted ecommerce platform that allows businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores with tools for product cataloging, inventory management, order fulfillment, and secure payment processing. It includes built-in marketing features like SEO optimization, email campaigns, and abandoned cart recovery to drive sales. As a long-standing solution since 1999, Volusion emphasizes reliability, PCI DSS Level 1 compliance, and 24/7 support for small to mid-sized retailers.
Pros
- Reliable 99.99% uptime and fully managed hosting
- Strong security with PCI Level 1 compliance and fraud tools
- 24/7 US-based customer support
Cons
- High pricing with no free tier or low-cost entry
- Limited theme customization without developer help
- Lacks native support for advanced multi-channel or headless commerce
Best For
Small to medium-sized retailers prioritizing secure, hosted ecommerce without server management.
Pricing
Starts at $135/month (Professional, up to 500 products), $459/month (Business, unlimited), billed annually with no transaction fees.
Conclusion
With a diverse range of tools, the top 10 ecommerce platforms cater to varied needs, but Shopify stands out as the leading choice, offering a balanced blend of scalability and integrated tools. WooCommerce and BigCommerce follow closely, with WooCommerce ideal for open-source flexibility on WordPress and BigCommerce excelling in enterprise-grade multi-channel capabilities.
Take the first step toward building your dream store by exploring Shopify's all-in-one solutions—whether you're starting small or scaling big, it provides the foundation to succeed.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
