Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - All-in-one platform for building scalable online stores with customizable themes, payment processing, and a vast app ecosystem.
- 2#2: BigCommerce - Enterprise-grade ecommerce builder offering multi-channel selling, advanced SEO, and built-in sales tools without transaction fees.
- 3#3: WooCommerce - Free open-source plugin that transforms WordPress sites into fully functional ecommerce stores with extensive customization options.
- 4#4: Wix - Drag-and-drop website builder with integrated ecommerce features for creating professional online stores quickly.
- 5#5: Squarespace - Designer templates and user-friendly tools for building visually stunning ecommerce websites with inventory management.
- 6#6: Webflow - Visual no-code web design platform with powerful ecommerce capabilities for custom, high-performance online stores.
- 7#7: Shift4Shop - Hosted ecommerce solution with free plan, SEO tools, and integrated payments for small to medium businesses.
- 8#8: Ecwid - Embeddable ecommerce cart that adds selling capabilities to any existing website or social platform.
- 9#9: Square Online - Free ecommerce builder integrated with Square payments for seamless in-person and online selling.
- 10#10: Volusion - Cloud-based ecommerce platform providing inventory management, order processing, and marketing automation.
We selected and ranked these tools based on core factors: feature depth (such as customization, payment processing, and marketing tools), performance reliability, ease of use for both beginners and pros, and overall value, ensuring each entry delivers exceptional utility for distinct business needs.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right e-commerce website builder involves evaluating tools that align with your business needs, and this comparison table simplifies the process by examining popular options like Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and more. It breaks down features, pricing, and usability, helping readers identify the best fit for their online store goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify All-in-one platform for building scalable online stores with customizable themes, payment processing, and a vast app ecosystem. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | BigCommerce Enterprise-grade ecommerce builder offering multi-channel selling, advanced SEO, and built-in sales tools without transaction fees. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | WooCommerce Free open-source plugin that transforms WordPress sites into fully functional ecommerce stores with extensive customization options. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | Wix Drag-and-drop website builder with integrated ecommerce features for creating professional online stores quickly. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 |  Squarespace Designer templates and user-friendly tools for building visually stunning ecommerce websites with inventory management. | creative_suite | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Webflow Visual no-code web design platform with powerful ecommerce capabilities for custom, high-performance online stores. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Shift4Shop Hosted ecommerce solution with free plan, SEO tools, and integrated payments for small to medium businesses. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 8 | Ecwid Embeddable ecommerce cart that adds selling capabilities to any existing website or social platform. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 9 | Square Online Free ecommerce builder integrated with Square payments for seamless in-person and online selling. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 10 | Volusion Cloud-based ecommerce platform providing inventory management, order processing, and marketing automation. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 6.8/10 | 6.9/10 |
All-in-one platform for building scalable online stores with customizable themes, payment processing, and a vast app ecosystem.
Enterprise-grade ecommerce builder offering multi-channel selling, advanced SEO, and built-in sales tools without transaction fees.
Free open-source plugin that transforms WordPress sites into fully functional ecommerce stores with extensive customization options.
Drag-and-drop website builder with integrated ecommerce features for creating professional online stores quickly.
Designer templates and user-friendly tools for building visually stunning ecommerce websites with inventory management.
Visual no-code web design platform with powerful ecommerce capabilities for custom, high-performance online stores.
Hosted ecommerce solution with free plan, SEO tools, and integrated payments for small to medium businesses.
Embeddable ecommerce cart that adds selling capabilities to any existing website or social platform.
Free ecommerce builder integrated with Square payments for seamless in-person and online selling.
Cloud-based ecommerce platform providing inventory management, order processing, and marketing automation.
Shopify
specializedAll-in-one platform for building scalable online stores with customizable themes, payment processing, and a vast app ecosystem.
Shopify App Store with 8,000+ vetted apps for seamless extensions in marketing, SEO, shipping, and more.
Shopify is a leading all-in-one ecommerce platform that empowers users to build, launch, and scale online stores with intuitive tools for product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment. It provides thousands of customizable themes, a drag-and-drop website builder, secure payment processing via Shopify Payments, and advanced marketing features like abandoned cart recovery. Backed by reliable hosting, PCI-compliant security, and 24/7 support, Shopify caters to businesses of all sizes, from solopreneurs to global enterprises.
Pros
- Massive app ecosystem with 8,000+ integrations for endless customization
- Scalable infrastructure with 99.99% uptime and enterprise-grade security
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder and theme customization without coding
Cons
- Transaction fees (0.5-2%) on non-Shopify Payments gateways
- Costs can escalate with premium apps and add-ons
- Advanced customizations require Liquid coding knowledge
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs wanting a robust, user-friendly platform to quickly launch and grow an online store.
Pricing
Basic ($29/mo), Shopify ($79/mo), Advanced ($299/mo), Plus (from $2,000/mo); 3-day free trial, annual discounts available, plus app/theme fees.
BigCommerce
enterpriseEnterprise-grade ecommerce builder offering multi-channel selling, advanced SEO, and built-in sales tools without transaction fees.
Stencil framework for ultra-fast, fully customizable, mobile-optimized themes without coding bloat
BigCommerce is a robust SaaS ecommerce platform that enables businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores with advanced customization and multichannel selling capabilities. It provides drag-and-drop store builders, hundreds of themes, and deep integrations for payments, shipping, and marketing. Designed for growing mid-market to enterprise merchants, it excels in handling high-volume traffic, B2B functionality, and complex inventory needs without transaction fees.
Pros
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts on all plans
- Extensive native B2B tools like customer groups and quote management
- Seamless multi-channel selling across Amazon, eBay, Instagram, and more
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners compared to simpler builders
- Higher pricing tiers for advanced features lock out small startups
- Theme customization often requires developer knowledge
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise businesses needing scalable, feature-rich ecommerce with strong B2B and multichannel support.
Pricing
Starts at $29/mo (Standard), $299/mo (Plus), $2,999/mo (Pro); Enterprise custom; annual billing discounts available, no transaction fees.
WooCommerce
specializedFree open-source plugin that transforms WordPress sites into fully functional ecommerce stores with extensive customization options.
Unlimited customization through the open-source WordPress plugin ecosystem
WooCommerce is a free, open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress that transforms any WordPress site into a fully functional online store. It offers extensive customization through thousands of themes, plugins, and extensions for inventory management, payments, shipping, and more. Ideal for users seeking flexibility, it powers over 28% of all online stores but requires self-hosting and some technical setup.
Pros
- Completely free core plugin with unmatched extensibility via 60,000+ WordPress plugins
- Highly scalable for small shops to enterprise-level stores
- Seamless integration with WordPress ecosystem and vast community support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners without WordPress experience
- Requires separate hosting and ongoing maintenance/security updates
- Performance can suffer on poor hosting without optimization
Best For
WordPress users or developers building highly customized eCommerce sites with full control over design and functionality.
Pricing
Free core plugin; premium extensions/themes $0-$300/year each; WordPress hosting $5-50/month.
Wix
specializedDrag-and-drop website builder with integrated ecommerce features for creating professional online stores quickly.
Unrestricted drag-and-drop freedom allowing elements to be placed anywhere on the page, unlike grid-based builders
Wix is a popular drag-and-drop website builder that enables users to create professional ecommerce stores without coding knowledge. It provides robust tools for product listings, inventory management, secure payments via integrations like Stripe and PayPal, shipping calculations, and abandoned cart recovery. With thousands of customizable templates and built-in marketing features, Wix suits small to medium online businesses seeking an all-in-one platform for quick launches and ongoing management.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for pixel-perfect designs
- Comprehensive ecommerce tools including multichannel selling and subscriptions
- Reliable uptime, mobile optimization, and integrated SEO/marketing
Cons
- Transaction fees (up to 2.9%) on lower plans until upgrading to Business Unlimited
- Scalability limitations for very large inventories or high-traffic stores
- Advanced customizations require Velo coding or apps
Best For
Small businesses, solopreneurs, and beginners who want a visually stunning ecommerce site with minimal setup time.
Pricing
Ecommerce plans start at $27/mo (Business Basic), $32/mo (Business Unlimited, no transaction fees), up to $159/mo (Business Elite), billed annually with discounts.
Squarespace
creative_suiteDesigner templates and user-friendly tools for building visually stunning ecommerce websites with inventory management.
Award-winning template library with Fluid Engine visual editing for pixel-perfect, code-free design customization
Squarespace is a comprehensive website builder platform renowned for its elegant templates and all-in-one tools, enabling users to create professional websites with seamless ecommerce integration. It supports selling physical and digital products, subscriptions, inventory management, secure payments via Stripe and PayPal, and features like abandoned cart recovery on higher plans. While not as scalable as dedicated ecommerce giants, it excels in design-focused stores for small to medium businesses, combining hosting, domains, and marketing tools in one package.
Pros
- Stunning, professionally designed templates that are mobile-responsive
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor with no coding required
- Integrated hosting, analytics, SEO, and email campaigns
Cons
- Limited scalability and customization for large or complex stores
- Fewer third-party app integrations compared to Shopify
- Higher pricing with transaction fees on non-Commerce plans
Best For
Creative small businesses and solopreneurs prioritizing beautiful design and simplicity over advanced ecommerce scalability.
Pricing
Ecommerce starts at $27/mo (Basic Commerce, annual billing) with 0% transaction fees; Advanced at $49/mo includes abandoned cart and subscriptions.
Webflow
specializedVisual no-code web design platform with powerful ecommerce capabilities for custom, high-performance online stores.
Visual design canvas that generates clean, production-ready code for bespoke ecommerce experiences
Webflow is a no-code visual development platform that empowers users to design, build, and launch responsive websites with integrated ecommerce functionality, including product catalogs, carts, checkouts, and payments. It excels in creating pixel-perfect, custom designs without writing code, while offering CMS hosting, animations, and integrations. As an ecommerce builder, it supports up to thousands of products, subscriptions, and inventory management, making it suitable for design-focused online stores.
Pros
- Unmatched design flexibility with visual editing for custom ecommerce sites
- Built-in hosting, CMS, and performance optimizations included
- Robust ecommerce tools like inventory, payments, and abandoned cart recovery
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-designers
- Higher pricing tiers limit scalability for large stores
- Fewer native advanced ecommerce features than dedicated platforms like Shopify
Best For
Designers, agencies, and brands seeking visually stunning, custom ecommerce websites with no-code control.
Pricing
Ecommerce plans start at $29/mo (Standard, 500 items) to $235/mo (Enterprise, unlimited); billed annually, includes site hosting.
Shift4Shop
specializedHosted ecommerce solution with free plan, SEO tools, and integrated payments for small to medium businesses.
Zero transaction fees and PCI-compliant payment processing when using integrated Shift4 Payments gateway
Shift4Shop is an all-in-one ecommerce platform formerly known as 3dcart, offering a drag-and-drop website builder to create fully functional online stores without coding expertise. It provides unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage, along with built-in tools for inventory management, SEO, marketing automation, and order fulfillment. Integrated payment processing via Shift4 Payments eliminates transaction fees, making it ideal for scaling businesses.
Pros
- Free lifetime plan with Shift4 Payments (no transaction fees)
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage on all plans
- Extensive app marketplace and built-in marketing/SEO tools
Cons
- Design templates feel dated and customization is limited without coding
- User interface has a steeper learning curve for beginners
- Customer support can be inconsistent and slow
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking an affordable, feature-packed ecommerce builder with seamless payment integration.
Pricing
Free lifetime plan using Shift4 Payments; paid plans from $29/mo (Core) to $2,299/mo (Enterprise), billed annually with 14-day trials.
Ecwid
specializedEmbeddable ecommerce cart that adds selling capabilities to any existing website or social platform.
Embeddable store widget that integrates effortlessly into any website, CMS, or app without coding or migration
Ecwid is a flexible e-commerce platform that enables users to embed a customizable online store directly into any existing website, CMS like WordPress or Wix, social media, or marketplaces without requiring a full site migration. It offers essential tools for product management, payments, inventory tracking, and multi-channel selling across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon. With a free plan and no transaction fees, Ecwid is particularly suited for small businesses enhancing their current online presence rather than building from scratch.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any existing website or platform
- Multi-channel selling capabilities including social media and marketplaces
- No transaction fees and a generous free plan for up to 10 products
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options for store design
- Standalone site builder is basic compared to dedicated platforms
- Higher-tier features like abandoned cart recovery require paid plans
Best For
Small businesses and solopreneurs wanting to quickly add e-commerce to an existing website or social presence without switching platforms.
Pricing
Free plan (10 products); Starter ($15/mo, 100 products); Professional ($35/mo, 2,500 products); Unlimited ($99/mo, unlimited products).
Square Online
specializedFree ecommerce builder integrated with Square payments for seamless in-person and online selling.
Real-time inventory and sales syncing between online store and Square POS terminals
Square Online is an eCommerce website builder from Square, tailored for small businesses to create professional online stores with minimal effort. It offers drag-and-drop customization, mobile-optimized templates, and seamless integration with Square's POS system for unified inventory, orders, and sales across online and in-store channels. The platform includes built-in payment processing, marketing tools, and order management, making it ideal for quick setup without coding.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square POS for real-time inventory sync
- User-friendly drag-and-drop builder with no coding required
- Free plan with essential features and competitive transaction fees
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and design flexibility
- Fewer third-party app integrations compared to competitors
- Higher transaction fees on the free plan
Best For
Small brick-and-mortar businesses needing a simple online extension of their Square POS system.
Pricing
Free plan (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction); Plus at $29/mo (2.6% + 30¢); Premium custom pricing.
Volusion
enterpriseCloud-based ecommerce platform providing inventory management, order processing, and marketing automation.
Built-in advanced inventory forecasting and multi-warehouse management
Volusion is a fully hosted ecommerce platform that enables users to build, manage, and scale online stores with built-in tools for product cataloging, inventory management, and order fulfillment. It includes drag-and-drop website customization, PCI-compliant payment processing, and SEO optimization features without requiring separate hosting. Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses, it emphasizes security and simplicity but has faced criticism for its aging interface.
Pros
- All-in-one hosted solution with included SSL and PCI compliance
- Strong inventory management and real-time reporting tools
- No transaction fees on any plan
Cons
- Dated user interface that's less intuitive than modern competitors
- Limited third-party app integrations and customization options
- Higher pricing with less flexibility for scaling enterprises
Best For
Small to medium-sized retailers who want a secure, hosted ecommerce platform without managing technical infrastructure.
Pricing
Plans start at $39/month (Starter), $79/month (Business), and $299/month (Partner), billed annually with a 14-day free trial.
Conclusion
Among the ten reviewed tools, Shopify leads as the top choice, offering a scalable all-in-one platform with customizable themes and a robust app ecosystem. BigCommerce stands out as an enterprise-grade option with multi-channel selling and zero transaction fees, while WooCommerce excels for those seeking deep WordPress customization, making it a strong alternative. With such varied strengths, the right builder depends on needs, but Shopify remains the go-to for most.
Begin your ecommerce journey with Shopify—explore its features, start a free trial, and build a store that grows with your vision.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison