Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - Comprehensive platform for building, managing, and scaling online retail stores with powerful apps and themes.
- 2#2: WooCommerce - Flexible open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online retail shops.
- 3#3: BigCommerce - Robust SaaS eCommerce platform offering multi-channel selling and enterprise-level features for retailers.
- 4#4: Adobe Commerce - Scalable enterprise-grade commerce solution formerly Magento for complex retail eCommerce needs.
- 5#5: Wix - User-friendly website builder with integrated eCommerce tools for small retail businesses.
- 6#6: Squarespace - Design-focused platform with built-in commerce features for stylish retail online stores.
- 7#7: Shift4Shop - Hosted eCommerce platform with integrated payments ideal for small to mid-sized retailers.
- 8#8: Ecwid - Embeddable shopping cart that adds eCommerce to any website or social platform for retailers.
- 9#9: PrestaShop - Free open-source eCommerce platform with modules for international retail sales.
- 10#10: Volusion - Cloud-based eCommerce solution providing inventory management and SEO for retail stores.
We evaluated these platforms based on scalability, functionality, user experience, and value, ensuring they deliver reliable performance and flexibility for retailers of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines key retail e-commerce software tools—such as Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, and Wix—highlighting their distinct strengths in scalability, customization, and operational efficiency. It breaks down essential details like pricing structures, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness, offering a clear guide to help readers identify the best platform for their online retail needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify Comprehensive platform for building, managing, and scaling online retail stores with powerful apps and themes. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | WooCommerce Flexible open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online retail shops. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | BigCommerce Robust SaaS eCommerce platform offering multi-channel selling and enterprise-level features for retailers. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | Adobe Commerce Scalable enterprise-grade commerce solution formerly Magento for complex retail eCommerce needs. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Wix User-friendly website builder with integrated eCommerce tools for small retail businesses. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 |  Squarespace Design-focused platform with built-in commerce features for stylish retail online stores. | creative_suite | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Shift4Shop Hosted eCommerce platform with integrated payments ideal for small to mid-sized retailers. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 8 | Ecwid Embeddable shopping cart that adds eCommerce to any website or social platform for retailers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 9 | PrestaShop Free open-source eCommerce platform with modules for international retail sales. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 10 | Volusion Cloud-based eCommerce solution providing inventory management and SEO for retail stores. | other | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 5.8/10 |
Comprehensive platform for building, managing, and scaling online retail stores with powerful apps and themes.
Flexible open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online retail shops.
Robust SaaS eCommerce platform offering multi-channel selling and enterprise-level features for retailers.
Scalable enterprise-grade commerce solution formerly Magento for complex retail eCommerce needs.
User-friendly website builder with integrated eCommerce tools for small retail businesses.
Design-focused platform with built-in commerce features for stylish retail online stores.
Hosted eCommerce platform with integrated payments ideal for small to mid-sized retailers.
Embeddable shopping cart that adds eCommerce to any website or social platform for retailers.
Free open-source eCommerce platform with modules for international retail sales.
Cloud-based eCommerce solution providing inventory management and SEO for retail stores.
Shopify
enterpriseComprehensive platform for building, managing, and scaling online retail stores with powerful apps and themes.
Shopify App Store with 8,000+ vetted apps for hyper-customized retail workflows
Shopify is a leading all-in-one e-commerce platform that empowers retailers to build customizable online stores, manage inventory, process payments, and handle shipping without needing advanced technical skills. It supports multichannel selling, including POS for physical stores, social media integrations, and wholesale channels. With robust analytics, SEO tools, and a massive app marketplace exceeding 8,000 apps, Shopify scales seamlessly from startups to enterprises.
Pros
- Vast app store with 8,000+ integrations for endless customization
- Excellent uptime (99.99%) and global scalability
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder and mobile-first design tools
Cons
- Transaction fees (0.5-2%) on third-party gateways
- Advanced customizations require coding or paid experts
- POS hardware and premium apps add to costs
Best For
Retail businesses of all sizes seeking a scalable, user-friendly platform for online, in-store, and omnichannel sales.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Basic), $105/month (Shopify), $399/month (Advanced); Plus plans from $2,000/month; 3-day free trial.
WooCommerce
specializedFlexible open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online retail shops.
Unlimited customization through its vast open-source ecosystem of extensions and themes
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that transforms any WordPress site into a fully functional online store. It offers robust tools for product management, payments, shipping, and inventory, with thousands of extensions available for added functionality. Ideal for retailers seeking high customization without vendor lock-in, it powers over 28% of all online stores globally.
Pros
- Completely free core plugin with unmatched extensibility via 60,000+ plugins and themes
- Seamless WordPress integration for superior SEO and content marketing
- Scalable from small shops to enterprise-level stores with global payment and shipping support
Cons
- Requires WordPress hosting and technical setup, not ideal for complete beginners
- Performance depends on hosting quality and plugin management
- Ongoing maintenance for security updates and compatibility
Best For
Retailers and businesses with WordPress experience who need maximum customization and control over their e-commerce platform.
Pricing
Core plugin is free; paid extensions, themes, and hosting start from $0-$500+/year depending on needs.
BigCommerce
enterpriseRobust SaaS eCommerce platform offering multi-channel selling and enterprise-level features for retailers.
Headless commerce with multi-storefront support, enabling fully customized, high-performance storefronts across channels without backend constraints
BigCommerce is a robust SaaS e-commerce platform designed for building scalable online stores, supporting both B2C and B2B models with features like inventory management, multi-channel selling, and advanced SEO tools. It excels in handling high-volume sales through unlimited bandwidth and staff accounts, integrating seamlessly with ERPs, CRMs, and marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. The platform's API-first, headless architecture enables custom frontends while providing a reliable backend for payments, shipping, and analytics.
Pros
- No transaction fees on any plan, maximizing profit margins
- Enterprise-grade scalability with unlimited products, bandwidth, and API calls
- Extensive integrations (1000+ apps) and strong B2B/multi-channel support
Cons
- Higher pricing can be steep for very small businesses
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users compared to drag-and-drop alternatives
- Fewer out-of-the-box themes, often requiring developer customization
Best For
Growing mid-market retailers and enterprises needing scalable B2B/B2C e-commerce with advanced integrations and no growth limits.
Pricing
Starts at $29/mo (Standard, up to 500 orders), $299/mo (Plus), $2,999/mo (Pro), with custom Enterprise plans.
Adobe Commerce
enterpriseScalable enterprise-grade commerce solution formerly Magento for complex retail eCommerce needs.
Native Adobe Sensei AI integration for hyper-personalized shopping experiences across channels
Adobe Commerce, formerly Magento, is a robust open-source e-commerce platform tailored for mid-to-large retailers building scalable online stores. It supports complex catalog management, multi-channel selling, B2B/B2C operations, and headless commerce architectures. Integrated with Adobe Experience Cloud, it delivers AI-driven personalization, omnichannel experiences, and advanced analytics to enhance customer engagement and conversion rates.
Pros
- Highly scalable for enterprise-level traffic and global operations
- Advanced B2B features like quote management and customer segmentation
- Seamless integrations with Adobe tools for AI personalization and marketing
Cons
- Steep learning curve and requires developer expertise for customization
- High implementation and maintenance costs
- Community edition lacks some enterprise-grade support and features
Best For
Large enterprises and retailers needing highly customizable, scalable e-commerce with omnichannel capabilities and technical resources.
Pricing
Community Edition is free; Enterprise Edition starts at ~$22,000/year based on annual revenue, plus significant implementation and hosting fees.
Wix
specializedUser-friendly website builder with integrated eCommerce tools for small retail businesses.
Drag-and-drop builder offering complete design freedom without coding
Wix is a popular drag-and-drop website builder that enables users to create professional online stores through its Wix Stores app, handling everything from product listings and inventory management to secure payments and shipping. It offers customizable templates, built-in marketing tools, and an app marketplace to extend e-commerce functionality. While versatile for small to medium retailers, it prioritizes ease of design over advanced enterprise-level features.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick store setup
- Hundreds of customizable e-commerce templates
- Integrated payments, SEO, and marketing tools
Cons
- Limited scalability for high-volume retail operations
- Advanced inventory and multichannel selling require apps
- SEO capabilities lag behind dedicated platforms
Best For
Small to medium retail businesses and solopreneurs seeking an all-in-one, beginner-friendly platform to build and manage an online store.
Pricing
E-commerce plans start at $27/month (Business Basic, billed annually) with 0% transaction fees, scaling to $159/month (Business Elite) for advanced features.
Squarespace
creative_suiteDesign-focused platform with built-in commerce features for stylish retail online stores.
Award-winning templates and Fluid Engine editor for effortless creation of professional, design-forward online stores
Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder with integrated e-commerce tools, enabling users to create visually stunning online stores for retail businesses without needing coding expertise. It offers features like inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, payment processing, and built-in marketing tools such as email campaigns and SEO optimization. While excels in design and ease of setup, it suits smaller retail operations better than high-volume enterprises due to scalability limitations.
Pros
- Stunning, mobile-responsive templates tailored for retail aesthetics
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor with no coding required
- All-in-one platform including hosting, domains, and analytics
Cons
- Limited scalability for large inventories or high-traffic stores
- Fewer third-party app integrations compared to competitors like Shopify
- Transaction fees (up to 3%) on non-Advanced plans unless using their payments
Best For
Small to medium retail businesses and creatives prioritizing beautiful design and simplicity over advanced e-commerce scalability.
Pricing
E-commerce plans: Commerce Basic at $27/mo (2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees), Commerce Advanced at $49/mo (no transaction fees); billed annually.
Shift4Shop
specializedHosted eCommerce platform with integrated payments ideal for small to mid-sized retailers.
Deep integration with Shift4 Payments for zero additional gateway fees and one-click checkout setup
Shift4Shop is a fully hosted e-commerce platform tailored for retail businesses, providing tools for building online stores, managing inventory, processing payments, and driving sales through SEO and marketing features. It supports unlimited products, bandwidth, and orders on all plans, with mobile-responsive themes and built-in blogging. Formerly known as 3dcart, it emphasizes an all-in-one solution with strong integration to Shift4 Payments for seamless transactions.
Pros
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage on all plans
- Robust built-in SEO, marketing automation, and blogging tools
- Seamless integration with Shift4 Payments for low-cost processing
Cons
- User interface feels dated and less intuitive than modern competitors
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Shopify or BigCommerce
- Advanced customizations often require coding knowledge
Best For
Small to medium retail businesses seeking a cost-effective, all-in-one e-commerce platform without product limits.
Pricing
Free plan with transaction fees; paid plans from $29/month (Standard) to $229/month (Elite), with no setup fees and lower costs using Shift4 Payments.
Ecwid
specializedEmbeddable shopping cart that adds eCommerce to any website or social platform for retailers.
Code-free embeddable store that integrates effortlessly into any existing website, CMS, or social platform
Ecwid is a versatile e-commerce platform that allows businesses to embed a customizable online store directly into any existing website, CMS like WordPress or Wix, social media channels, or marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay. It provides essential retail tools including inventory management, secure payment processing with over 50 gateways, automated shipping, and multi-channel sales from a unified dashboard. Ideal for small retailers, Ecwid scales from a free plan for basic stores to advanced features for growing businesses without requiring a site migration.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any website or platform without coding
- Multi-channel selling across social media, marketplaces, and websites
- Generous free plan with no transaction fees
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and themes compared to dedicated platforms
- Some reporting and automation features locked behind higher tiers
- Scalability challenges for very large inventories without Unlimited plan
Best For
Small to medium retailers wanting to quickly add e-commerce to an existing website or sell across multiple channels without rebuilding their online presence.
Pricing
Free (up to 10 products); Venture ($15/mo, 100 products); Business ($35/mo, 2,500 products); Unlimited ($99/mo, unlimited products).
PrestaShop
specializedFree open-source eCommerce platform with modules for international retail sales.
Vast open marketplace with over 3,000 free and paid modules/themes for unparalleled customization flexibility
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform designed for creating and managing online retail stores with robust features like product catalog management, inventory control, and order processing. It supports multi-store setups, multiple languages, currencies, and payment gateways, making it suitable for international retail operations. Thousands of modules and themes from its marketplace enable extensive customization without vendor lock-in.
Pros
- Free open-source core with no licensing fees
- Extensive marketplace of modules and themes for customization
- Strong multi-language, multi-currency, and multi-store support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users requiring setup and maintenance skills
- Security and performance issues if not regularly updated or optimized
- Community support rather than dedicated enterprise-level assistance
Best For
Small to medium-sized retailers seeking a highly customizable, cost-effective e-commerce solution with technical resources for maintenance.
Pricing
Free core download; costs for hosting (~$5-50/month), premium themes/modules ($0-200+ each), and optional paid support.
Volusion
otherCloud-based eCommerce solution providing inventory management and SEO for retail stores.
Built-in advanced SEO tools and site search optimization
Volusion is a fully hosted e-commerce platform tailored for retailers, offering tools to build customizable online stores, manage inventory, process orders, and handle payments. It includes features like product merchandising, SEO optimization, email marketing, and analytics to support retail sales growth. However, Volusion ceased operations in early 2023, requiring users to migrate to alternatives.
Pros
- User-friendly interface for beginners
- Reliable hosted infrastructure with SSL
- Integrated payment processing and PCI compliance
Cons
- Service discontinued in 2023, no longer available
- High pricing for limited scalability
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors
Best For
Small retailers seeking a simple, all-in-one hosted store before its shutdown.
Pricing
Pre-shutdown plans started at $35/month (Business, 100 products) up to $399/month (Enterprise), including hosting.
Conclusion
This review underscores the top three standouts, with Shopify leading as the premier choice for its comprehensive tools to build and scale retail stores. WooCommerce, a flexible open-source option, shines for customization, while BigCommerce impresses with robust multi-channel and enterprise features, suiting diverse retail needs. Together, these platforms cater to varied business sizes and goals, ensuring a strong fit for every retailer.
Begin your retail success with Shopify, or explore WooCommerce or BigCommerce to find the solution that aligns with your unique needs—each offers the tools to elevate your online store.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison