Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - Comprehensive e-commerce platform providing customizable shopping carts, payment processing, and multi-channel selling tools.
- 2#2: WooCommerce - Flexible open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that enables robust shopping cart functionality on any site.
- 3#3: BigCommerce - Scalable SaaS platform with advanced shopping cart features, B2B tools, and unlimited sales channels.
- 4#4: Adobe Commerce - Enterprise-grade e-commerce solution (formerly Magento) offering highly customizable shopping carts for large-scale operations.
- 5#5: Squarespace Commerce - Integrated e-commerce tools within a website builder, featuring stylish shopping carts and inventory management.
- 6#6: Wix eCommerce - Drag-and-drop builder with built-in shopping cart, supporting secure payments and product management.
- 7#7: Shift4Shop - Hosted e-commerce platform with powerful shopping cart, SEO tools, and no transaction fees.
- 8#8: Ecwid - Embeddable shopping cart that integrates seamlessly into any website, social media, or marketplace.
- 9#9: PrestaShop - Free open-source e-commerce platform with modular shopping cart and extensive module ecosystem.
- 10#10: OpenCart - Lightweight open-source shopping cart software ideal for small to medium online stores.
Tools were evaluated based on core functionality (payment processing, inventory management), user-friendliness, scalability, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs—from small stores to large-scale operations—without compromising quality.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right shopping cart software is vital for effective online selling, with options ranging from user-friendly platforms to robust enterprise solutions. This comparison table examines key features, pricing models, and integrations across tools like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, and Squarespace Commerce, equipping readers to make informed decisions tailored to their business goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify Comprehensive e-commerce platform providing customizable shopping carts, payment processing, and multi-channel selling tools. | other | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | WooCommerce Flexible open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that enables robust shopping cart functionality on any site. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | BigCommerce Scalable SaaS platform with advanced shopping cart features, B2B tools, and unlimited sales channels. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 4 | Adobe Commerce Enterprise-grade e-commerce solution (formerly Magento) offering highly customizable shopping carts for large-scale operations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 |  Squarespace Commerce Integrated e-commerce tools within a website builder, featuring stylish shopping carts and inventory management. | other | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Wix eCommerce Drag-and-drop builder with built-in shopping cart, supporting secure payments and product management. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Shift4Shop Hosted e-commerce platform with powerful shopping cart, SEO tools, and no transaction fees. | other | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 8 | Ecwid Embeddable shopping cart that integrates seamlessly into any website, social media, or marketplace. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 9 | PrestaShop Free open-source e-commerce platform with modular shopping cart and extensive module ecosystem. | other | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 10 | OpenCart Lightweight open-source shopping cart software ideal for small to medium online stores. | other | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
Comprehensive e-commerce platform providing customizable shopping carts, payment processing, and multi-channel selling tools.
Flexible open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that enables robust shopping cart functionality on any site.
Scalable SaaS platform with advanced shopping cart features, B2B tools, and unlimited sales channels.
Enterprise-grade e-commerce solution (formerly Magento) offering highly customizable shopping carts for large-scale operations.
Integrated e-commerce tools within a website builder, featuring stylish shopping carts and inventory management.
Drag-and-drop builder with built-in shopping cart, supporting secure payments and product management.
Hosted e-commerce platform with powerful shopping cart, SEO tools, and no transaction fees.
Embeddable shopping cart that integrates seamlessly into any website, social media, or marketplace.
Free open-source e-commerce platform with modular shopping cart and extensive module ecosystem.
Lightweight open-source shopping cart software ideal for small to medium online stores.
Shopify
otherComprehensive e-commerce platform providing customizable shopping carts, payment processing, and multi-channel selling tools.
The Shopify App Store with 10,000+ apps, enabling unparalleled extensibility for payments, marketing, SEO, and operations.
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that empowers businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores with integrated shopping cart functionality. It offers secure payment processing, inventory management, order fulfillment, and marketing tools in one cohesive system. With customizable themes and a massive app ecosystem, Shopify supports everything from simple product sales to complex multichannel operations.
Pros
- Vast app store with over 10,000 integrations for endless customization
- Intuitive drag-and-drop store builder suitable for non-technical users
- Excellent scalability and 99.99% uptime for high-traffic stores
Cons
- Transaction fees apply (0.5-2%) if not using Shopify Payments
- Advanced customizations often require paid apps or developer help
- Pricing escalates quickly for larger stores needing premium features
Best For
Entrepreneurs, small to medium businesses, and scaling enterprises seeking a reliable, all-in-one platform to launch and grow online stores without deep coding knowledge.
Pricing
Basic plan at $29/month, Shopify at $105/month, Advanced at $399/month; Plus starts at $2,000/month; 2.4-2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees with Shopify Payments.
WooCommerce
otherFlexible open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that enables robust shopping cart functionality on any site.
Deep WordPress integration that turns any site into a full-featured e-commerce platform with endless extensibility
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that converts any WordPress site into a powerful online store with shopping cart, checkout, inventory, and order management features. It supports a wide range of payment gateways, shipping methods, and product types, from physical goods to digital downloads and subscriptions. Backed by a massive ecosystem of extensions and themes, it enables highly customized storefronts scalable from small shops to enterprise-level operations.
Pros
- Unmatched customization via thousands of free and premium extensions
- Seamless integration with WordPress ecosystem
- Free core plugin with scalable pricing model
Cons
- Requires WordPress hosting and technical setup knowledge
- Performance depends on hosting quality and optimization
- Premium extensions can add up in cost for advanced features
Best For
WordPress users and developers seeking a highly flexible, customizable shopping cart solution for online stores of any size.
Pricing
Core plugin is free; premium extensions, themes, and hosting range from $0 to $300+/year per feature; official plans start at $29/month for managed hosting.
BigCommerce
enterpriseScalable SaaS platform with advanced shopping cart features, B2B tools, and unlimited sales channels.
Unlimited sales channels and no transaction fees across all plans
BigCommerce is a fully hosted e-commerce platform designed for building scalable online stores, offering tools for product management, payments, inventory, and customer experience optimization. It excels in multi-channel selling, integrating seamlessly with marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, social commerce, and POS systems. With enterprise-grade features like B2B quoting, headless storefronts, and API-first architecture, it supports businesses from startups to large enterprises without transaction fees.
Pros
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts on all plans
- No transaction fees, saving costs on high-volume sales
- Robust multi-channel and B2B capabilities with 1000+ app integrations
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners compared to simpler platforms
- Higher entry pricing than basic competitors
- Advanced customizations often require developer expertise
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise businesses seeking scalable, feature-rich e-commerce with multi-channel and B2B support.
Pricing
Standard ($29/mo), Plus ($105/mo), Pro ($399/mo), Enterprise (custom); billed annually with discounts.
Adobe Commerce
enterpriseEnterprise-grade e-commerce solution (formerly Magento) offering highly customizable shopping carts for large-scale operations.
PWA Studio for building fast, native-like progressive web apps that rival mobile apps in performance
Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, is a powerful open-source e-commerce platform tailored for building highly scalable online stores with advanced customization. It supports complex B2B and B2C operations, multi-store management, and seamless integrations with Adobe's ecosystem including Analytics and Experience Manager. Key capabilities include robust catalog management, promotional tools, SEO optimization, and headless commerce via GraphQL APIs.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability for high-traffic enterprise stores
- Deep customization and extensibility via open-source architecture
- Seamless Adobe ecosystem integrations for marketing and analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring developer expertise
- High implementation and maintenance costs
- Complex setup and ongoing management
Best For
Large enterprises and mid-sized businesses needing advanced customization, B2B functionality, and scalability for high-volume e-commerce.
Pricing
Free open-source Community Edition; Commerce Edition starts at around $22,000/year plus hosting, implementation, and add-ons.
Squarespace Commerce
otherIntegrated e-commerce tools within a website builder, featuring stylish shopping carts and inventory management.
Seamless drag-and-drop website builder with e-commerce optimized designer templates
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 supports selling physical and digital products, subscriptions, inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, and secure payment processing through providers like Stripe and PayPal. Designed for simplicity, it combines drag-and-drop design tools with essential shopping cart functionalities, making it suitable for small businesses focused on aesthetics and ease.
Pros
- Exceptional design templates and drag-and-drop builder for professional-looking stores
- All-in-one platform with built-in marketing, SEO, and analytics tools
- Intuitive inventory, order management, and mobile-optimized checkout
Cons
- Limited third-party app ecosystem compared to Shopify
- Transaction fees (up to 3%) on lower-tier plans
- Less scalable for high-volume or complex enterprise needs
Best For
Small to medium creative businesses and solopreneurs prioritizing beautiful, easy-to-build online stores over advanced customization.
Pricing
Commerce plans start at $27/mo (Basic, 3% fee) and $49/mo (Advanced, 0% fee), billed annually; requires a Squarespace site subscription.
Wix eCommerce
otherDrag-and-drop builder with built-in shopping cart, supporting secure payments and product management.
Seamless drag-and-drop integration of eCommerce stores into fully customizable websites without coding
Wix eCommerce is a user-friendly online store builder integrated into the Wix website platform, allowing users to create professional-looking shops with drag-and-drop tools. It handles inventory management, secure payments via multiple gateways, order tracking, and abandoned cart recovery. The platform combines eCommerce with blogging, bookings, and marketing features for a complete business website.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick store setup
- Extensive template library with mobile optimization
- Integrated marketing tools like email campaigns and SEO
Cons
- Limited scalability for very large inventories or high traffic
- Transaction fees on lower plans (up to 2%)
- Fewer advanced eCommerce apps than dedicated platforms like Shopify
Best For
Small businesses and beginners seeking an all-in-one website builder with simple eCommerce functionality.
Pricing
Starts at $27/month (Business Basic, billed annually) with 2% transaction fees; higher plans from $32/month eliminate fees and add features.
Shift4Shop
otherHosted e-commerce platform with powerful shopping cart, SEO tools, and no transaction fees.
Free forever plan including unlimited products, bandwidth, and 0% transaction fees via integrated Shift4 payments
Shift4Shop is a fully hosted e-commerce platform designed for creating and managing online stores, offering tools for product listings, inventory management, order processing, and customer engagement. It includes built-in SEO, marketing automation, multi-channel selling integrations (like Amazon and eBay), and mobile-responsive themes. Particularly notable for its seamless integration with Shift4 payment processing, it supports unlimited products and bandwidth even on its free tier.
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited products and bandwidth when using Shift4 payments
- Comprehensive built-in tools for SEO, marketing, and multi-channel sales
- Strong PCI-compliant payment integration with no transaction fees on free plan
Cons
- Limited design customization without developer help
- Customer support primarily ticket-based and can be slow
- Some advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking a cost-effective, all-in-one shopping cart with integrated payments and no ongoing fees.
Pricing
Free plan with Shift4 payments; paid plans start at $29/month (billed annually) for Basic, up to $299/month for VIP.
Ecwid
otherEmbeddable shopping cart that integrates seamlessly into any website, social media, or marketplace.
Universal embed code that instantly adds a customizable shopping cart to any website, CMS, or app without coding or migration
Ecwid is an embeddable e-commerce platform that allows businesses to add a fully functional online store to any existing website, CMS like WordPress or Wix, social media channels, or marketplaces without requiring a site migration. It supports multi-channel selling across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and more, with features including inventory management, secure payments via 50+ gateways, and mobile-optimized storefronts. Ideal for small to medium businesses seeking quick e-commerce integration, Ecwid offers scalability from a free plan up to enterprise-level unlimited products.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any website or platform via simple embed code
- Multi-channel selling support including social media and marketplaces
- Free plan available with no transaction fees from Ecwid itself
Cons
- Product limits on lower-tier plans (e.g., 10 on free, 100 on starter)
- Customization options less flexible than dedicated platforms like Shopify
- Advanced reporting and SEO tools require higher plans
Best For
Small businesses and creators looking to quickly add e-commerce to an existing website or social presence without building a new site.
Pricing
Free plan (up to 10 products); Venture ($15/mo, 100 products); Business ($35/mo, 2,500 products); Unlimited ($99/mo, unlimited products, advanced features).
PrestaShop
otherFree open-source e-commerce platform with modular shopping cart and extensive module ecosystem.
Expansive Addons Marketplace with over 5,000 modules for endless extensibility
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform designed for creating customizable online stores with robust shopping cart functionality. It supports multi-store management, multiple languages and currencies, and integrates seamlessly with various payment gateways and shipping providers. The platform's extensive module marketplace allows users to add features like advanced SEO tools, inventory management, and marketing automation without coding from scratch.
Pros
- Completely free core software with no licensing fees
- Thousands of modules and themes for high customizability
- Strong multi-language, multi-currency, and multi-store support
Cons
- Requires technical expertise for installation and maintenance
- Performance can suffer on shared hosting without optimization
- Limited official support; relies heavily on community forums
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with in-house developers seeking a highly customizable, cost-effective e-commerce solution.
Pricing
Free open-source download; optional paid modules/themes ($20-$300+), hosting starts at $5/month separately.
OpenCart
otherLightweight open-source shopping cart software ideal for small to medium online stores.
Extensive free and paid marketplace with over 13,000 extensions for unparalleled customization.
OpenCart is a free, open-source e-commerce platform designed for building and managing online stores with robust shopping cart functionality, product management, and order processing. It supports multi-store setups, multiple languages, currencies, and payment gateways, making it scalable for growing businesses. With a vast marketplace of extensions and themes, users can customize their stores extensively without licensing costs.
Pros
- Completely free open-source core software
- Thousands of extensions and themes for high customizability
- Strong support for multi-store, multi-language, and SEO features
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical setup and maintenance
- Vulnerable to security issues without regular updates
- Limited advanced marketing and analytics tools out-of-the-box
Best For
Small to medium businesses with developers or technical users seeking a flexible, cost-free e-commerce platform.
Pricing
Free core download; optional costs for premium extensions ($10-$200+), themes ($50-$150), and hosting ($5-$50/month).
Conclusion
After examining the landscape of shopping cart solutions, Shopify stands out as the top choice, providing a comprehensive mix of customization, payment processing, and multi-channel tools. WooCommerce and BigCommerce follow, with WooCommerce excelling in open-source flexibility for WordPress and BigCommerce impressing with scalable B2B capabilities—each a strong fit for distinct user needs. Whether prioritizing ease, growth, or specific features, the top three deliver exceptional performance.
Take the next step in your online business: explore Shopify to access intuitive tools, secure transactions, and support for expanding your reach—perfect for turning visitors into customers.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison