Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - Comprehensive e-commerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
- 2#2: WooCommerce - Flexible open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online shops with thousands of extensions.
- 3#3: BigCommerce - Scalable SaaS e-commerce platform offering robust B2B and B2C features, multi-channel selling, and no transaction fees.
- 4#4: Adobe Commerce - Enterprise-grade e-commerce solution with advanced customization, headless commerce, and integration with Adobe Experience Cloud.
- 5#5: Squarespace Commerce - User-friendly website builder with built-in e-commerce tools for creating stylish online stores with inventory management.
- 6#6: Wix Stores - Drag-and-drop e-commerce platform integrated into Wix websites, supporting payments, bookings, and product management.
- 7#7: Shift4Shop - Feature-rich e-commerce platform with free hosting for qualifying merchants, including SEO tools and dropshipping support.
- 8#8: PrestaShop - Open-source e-commerce software with modular architecture for creating customizable online shops and marketplaces.
- 9#9: Ecwid - Embeddable e-commerce widget that adds shopping carts to websites, social media, and marketplaces seamlessly.
- 10#10: OpenCart - Free open-source shopping cart solution with multi-store support, unlimited products, and extensive extension marketplace.
We ranked these tools based on a blend of features (integration capabilities, customization options, and multi-channel support), quality (security, performance, and reliability), ease of use (intuitive design and onboarding), and value (pricing structure and included tools), ensuring a list that caters to diverse business needs, from startups to enterprises.
Comparison Table
Explore the diverse world of shop software with our comprehensive comparison table, showcasing tools like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Squarespace Commerce, and more. This guide breaks down critical features, ease of use, and scalability, equipping you to choose the ideal platform for your business goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify Comprehensive e-commerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | WooCommerce Flexible open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online shops with thousands of extensions. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | BigCommerce Scalable SaaS e-commerce platform offering robust B2B and B2C features, multi-channel selling, and no transaction fees. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 4 | Adobe Commerce Enterprise-grade e-commerce solution with advanced customization, headless commerce, and integration with Adobe Experience Cloud. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 5.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 |  Squarespace Commerce User-friendly website builder with built-in e-commerce tools for creating stylish online stores with inventory management. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Wix Stores Drag-and-drop e-commerce platform integrated into Wix websites, supporting payments, bookings, and product management. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | Shift4Shop Feature-rich e-commerce platform with free hosting for qualifying merchants, including SEO tools and dropshipping support. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 8 | PrestaShop Open-source e-commerce software with modular architecture for creating customizable online shops and marketplaces. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 9 | Ecwid Embeddable e-commerce widget that adds shopping carts to websites, social media, and marketplaces seamlessly. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | OpenCart Free open-source shopping cart solution with multi-store support, unlimited products, and extensive extension marketplace. | other | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
Comprehensive e-commerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
Flexible open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online shops with thousands of extensions.
Scalable SaaS e-commerce platform offering robust B2B and B2C features, multi-channel selling, and no transaction fees.
Enterprise-grade e-commerce solution with advanced customization, headless commerce, and integration with Adobe Experience Cloud.
User-friendly website builder with built-in e-commerce tools for creating stylish online stores with inventory management.
Drag-and-drop e-commerce platform integrated into Wix websites, supporting payments, bookings, and product management.
Feature-rich e-commerce platform with free hosting for qualifying merchants, including SEO tools and dropshipping support.
Open-source e-commerce software with modular architecture for creating customizable online shops and marketplaces.
Embeddable e-commerce widget that adds shopping carts to websites, social media, and marketplaces seamlessly.
Free open-source shopping cart solution with multi-store support, unlimited products, and extensive extension marketplace.
Shopify
enterpriseComprehensive e-commerce platform for building, managing, and scaling online stores with integrated payments and marketing tools.
Shopify App Store with 8,000+ vetted apps for effortless extension of core e-commerce functionality
Shopify is a leading all-in-one e-commerce platform that empowers businesses to create customizable online stores, manage inventory, process payments, and handle shipping without needing coding expertise. It supports everything from product listings and abandoned cart recovery to multichannel selling across social media, marketplaces, and in-person POS. With robust analytics, SEO tools, and a vast ecosystem of themes and apps, Shopify scales seamlessly from startups to enterprises.
Pros
- Expansive app store with 8,000+ integrations for unlimited customization
- Exceptional uptime (99.99%) and global scalability for high-traffic stores
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder and 24/7 expert support
Cons
- Transaction fees (0.5-2%) apply if not using Shopify Payments
- Premium apps and themes can increase costs significantly
- Advanced customizations often require hiring developers or Liquid coding
Best For
Small to medium businesses and entrepreneurs wanting a reliable, feature-packed platform to launch and scale online stores quickly without technical hurdles.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Basic), $79/month (Shopify), $299/month (Advanced), $2,000+/month (Plus); 2.4-2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees with Shopify Payments.
WooCommerce
specializedFlexible open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that powers customizable online shops with thousands of extensions.
Seamless WordPress integration with open-source flexibility for infinite customization
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that transforms any WordPress site into a fully functional online store. It supports product management, inventory tracking, payments, shipping, and customer accounts with extensive customization via thousands of themes and extensions. Ideal for businesses seeking flexibility, it powers over 28% of all online stores worldwide.
Pros
- Free core plugin with no transaction fees
- Vast ecosystem of 60,000+ extensions and themes
- Unlimited customization and scalability
Cons
- Requires WordPress knowledge and self-hosting
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Performance optimization needed for high traffic
Best For
WordPress users and developers wanting a highly customizable, cost-effective e-commerce platform without vendor lock-in.
Pricing
Free core; premium extensions and themes from $49/year; hosting extra (~$5-50/month).
BigCommerce
enterpriseScalable SaaS e-commerce platform offering robust B2B and B2C features, multi-channel selling, and no transaction fees.
Built-in multi-storefront management for handling multiple brands from a single dashboard
BigCommerce is a powerful SaaS e-commerce platform designed for businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores with enterprise-grade features. It offers tools for multi-channel selling, inventory management, SEO optimization, and B2B functionality without transaction fees. The platform supports headless commerce, custom checkouts, and extensive integrations via its app marketplace, making it ideal for complex online retail operations.
Pros
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts for scalability
- Robust B2B tools and multi-channel selling integrations
- Extensive app ecosystem and no transaction fees
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers for advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for customizations
- Limited free themes with deep customization requiring code
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise businesses needing scalable e-commerce with B2B and multi-storefront capabilities.
Pricing
Standard ($29/mo), Plus ($79/mo), Pro ($299/mo), Enterprise (custom); annual billing discounts available.
Adobe Commerce
enterpriseEnterprise-grade e-commerce solution with advanced customization, headless commerce, and integration with Adobe Experience Cloud.
Headless commerce with GraphQL APIs and PWA Studio for decoupled, high-performance frontends
Adobe Commerce, formerly Magento Commerce, is an enterprise-grade e-commerce platform built for scaling online stores with high traffic and complex needs. It offers robust features like multi-store management, B2B/B2C support, advanced inventory tools, and seamless integration with Adobe's Experience Cloud for personalized marketing and analytics. Ideal for businesses requiring deep customization, it supports headless architecture and PWAs for modern, flexible storefronts.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability for high-volume stores handling millions of SKUs
- Deep customization via open architecture and thousands of extensions
- Powerful Adobe integrations for AI-driven personalization and analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring developers for setup and maintenance
- High costs including subscriptions and implementation fees
- Performance optimization needed out-of-the-box for peak loads
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with technical teams needing a highly customizable, scalable e-commerce platform for complex B2B/B2C operations.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starts at ~$22,000/year for cloud editions (scaling with annual revenue up to $150,000+), plus implementation costs; on-premise licensing available.
Squarespace Commerce
specializedUser-friendly website builder with built-in e-commerce tools for creating stylish online stores with inventory management.
Award-winning drag-and-drop design tools that create pixel-perfect e-commerce sites without coding
Squarespace Commerce is an integrated e-commerce solution within the Squarespace website builder, enabling users to create visually stunning online stores alongside their websites. It provides essential tools for product listings, inventory management, secure payments, shipping, and marketing features like abandoned cart emails. While not as robust as dedicated platforms, it excels in design-focused setups for small businesses.
Pros
- Exceptional design templates and customization
- All-in-one platform with hosting and domains
- No transaction fees on commerce plans
Cons
- Limited advanced e-commerce features like multi-channel selling
- Fewer third-party app integrations
- Scalability challenges for large stores
Best For
Small businesses and creatives who prioritize beautiful, easy-to-build online stores over complex functionality.
Pricing
Commerce Basic at $27/mo (annual), Commerce Advanced at $49/mo (annual); no transaction fees.
Wix Stores
specializedDrag-and-drop e-commerce platform integrated into Wix websites, supporting payments, bookings, and product management.
Seamless drag-and-drop integration of e-commerce directly into customizable website designs
Wix Stores is an e-commerce platform integrated into the Wix website builder, allowing users to create customizable online stores with product listings, shopping carts, inventory management, and secure payment processing. It supports features like abandoned cart recovery, shipping integrations, and marketing tools such as email campaigns and SEO optimization. Designed for ease of use, it enables non-technical users to launch a professional-looking store alongside a full website without coding.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop builder for quick store setup
- Beautiful, mobile-responsive templates
- All-in-one platform with built-in marketing and SEO tools
Cons
- Transaction fees (up to 2.9%) on lower plans unless using Wix Payments
- Limited scalability for very large inventories or high-volume sales
- Less flexibility for advanced custom coding compared to dedicated platforms
Best For
Small businesses, solopreneurs, and creative professionals seeking an easy-to-use, visually stunning online store integrated with a website.
Pricing
E-commerce plans start at $27/month (Business Basic, annual billing) up to $159/month (Business Elite), with 0-2.9% transaction fees depending on payment processor.
Shift4Shop
specializedFeature-rich e-commerce platform with free hosting for qualifying merchants, including SEO tools and dropshipping support.
Zero transaction fees via seamless Shift4 Payments integration
Shift4Shop is a fully hosted e-commerce platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering tools for building, managing, and scaling online stores with unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage. It includes built-in features like inventory management, SEO optimization, multi-channel selling (e.g., Amazon, eBay, Facebook), and a CMS for blogging and marketing. The platform stands out with its tight integration to Shift4 Payments, allowing merchants to avoid transaction fees when using their gateway.
Pros
- No transaction fees with Shift4 Payments integration
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage on all plans
- Strong built-in SEO, marketing, and multi-channel tools
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited third-party app ecosystem
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking an affordable, all-in-one e-commerce solution with integrated payments and no transaction fees.
Pricing
Plans start at $29/month (Starter) up to $229/month (Pro), billed annually; free gateway with no transaction fees when using Shift4 Payments.
PrestaShop
specializedOpen-source e-commerce software with modular architecture for creating customizable online shops and marketplaces.
Massive Addons Marketplace with 5,000+ modules for endless extensibility without coding from scratch
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform that allows users to create fully customizable online stores with support for multiple languages, currencies, and storefronts. It features a vast marketplace with over 5,000 modules and themes to extend functionality for inventory management, SEO, payments, and more. Ideal for self-hosted setups, it powers scalable stores for small to medium businesses worldwide.
Pros
- Completely free core software with no transaction fees
- Extensive module marketplace for advanced customization
- Strong multilingual and multi-store capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve and requires technical setup
- Self-hosting demands separate server management
- Performance can lag without optimization
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking a highly customizable, cost-free e-commerce solution with technical resources for self-hosting.
Pricing
Core platform is free and open-source; paid modules/themes range from $50-$300; requires separate hosting ($5-50/month).
Ecwid
specializedEmbeddable e-commerce widget that adds shopping carts to websites, social media, and marketplaces seamlessly.
Embeddable store code that works on virtually any website, CMS, or social platform
Ecwid is a versatile e-commerce platform that allows users to embed a fully functional online store into any existing website, CMS like WordPress or Wix, or even social media channels. It supports multi-channel selling across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and eBay, enabling businesses to manage inventory and orders from a single dashboard. With no transaction fees beyond standard payment processors, it's designed for quick setup and scalability for small to medium-sized stores.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any website or platform without coding
- Multi-channel selling across social media and marketplaces
- Free plan with core features for up to 10 products
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and design templates
- Some features like abandoned cart recovery locked behind higher tiers
- Reporting and analytics less robust than enterprise competitors
Best For
Small businesses and solopreneurs looking to add e-commerce to an existing website or social presence without building a standalone store.
Pricing
Free (10 products); Venture $15/mo (100 products); Business $35/mo (2,500 products); Unlimited $99/mo (unlimited products).
OpenCart
otherFree open-source shopping cart solution with multi-store support, unlimited products, and extensive extension marketplace.
Multi-store functionality that allows managing unlimited independent stores from a single admin panel
OpenCart is a free, open-source e-commerce platform built on PHP and MySQL, enabling users to create fully functional online stores with support for unlimited products, categories, and customers. It offers multi-language, multi-currency capabilities and a robust extension marketplace for added functionality like SEO tools, payment gateways, and shipping integrations. Designed for self-hosted environments, it's highly customizable but requires technical setup on a web server.
Pros
- Completely free core software with no licensing fees
- Extensive marketplace of thousands of extensions and themes
- Built-in multi-store management for handling multiple shops from one admin
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users requiring server setup and PHP knowledge
- Ongoing security updates and maintenance are user responsibilities
- Inconsistent extension quality and potential compatibility issues
Best For
Small to medium businesses with technical expertise willing to self-host and customize their e-commerce solution.
Pricing
Free open-source core; paid extensions ($10-$200+), premium themes ($50-$150), and separate hosting ($5-$50/month).
Conclusion
The reviewed shop software spans diverse needs, from simplified setups to enterprise solutions. At the top is Shopify, a versatile platform that excels in end-to-end store management. WooCommerce and BigCommerce follow closely—WooCommerce for its flexible WordPress integration and customization, BigCommerce for scalable B2B capabilities—offering strong alternatives for specific requirements.
Begin building your online shop with Shopify, leveraging its all-in-one tools to turn ideas into thriving, manageable businesses.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison