Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - Comprehensive e-commerce platform that provides robust shopping cart functionality, inventory management, and payment processing for online stores.
- 2#2: WooCommerce - Open-source WordPress plugin that adds powerful shopping cart features to any website, supporting thousands of extensions for customization.
- 3#3: BigCommerce - Scalable SaaS platform offering advanced shopping cart tools, multi-channel selling, and B2B features for growing businesses.
- 4#4: Adobe Commerce - Flexible enterprise-grade e-commerce solution with highly customizable shopping carts, ideal for complex online retail needs.
- 5#5: Squarespace Commerce - Integrated e-commerce tools within a user-friendly website builder, featuring secure shopping carts for small businesses.
- 6#6: Wix Stores - Drag-and-drop e-commerce platform with built-in shopping cart, payments, and inventory management for easy store setup.
- 7#7: Ecwid - Embeddable shopping cart widget that integrates seamlessly with any existing website or social platform.
- 8#8: Shift4Shop - All-in-one hosted e-commerce solution with advanced shopping cart features, SEO tools, and no transaction fees.
- 9#9: PrestaShop - Free open-source e-commerce platform with modular shopping cart system for customizable online stores.
- 10#10: Volusion - Hosted shopping cart software providing product management, order processing, and marketing tools for retailers.
We ranked these tools by prioritizing functionality, performance, ease of use, and long-term value, ensuring each entry delivers a balance of robust features and practicality to suit varied business goals and technical skill levels.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores popular website shopping cart software, including Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Squarespace Commerce, and more, to help businesses understand their options. It breaks down features, usability, scalability, and pricing, guiding readers toward the tool that aligns with their specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify Comprehensive e-commerce platform that provides robust shopping cart functionality, inventory management, and payment processing for online stores. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | WooCommerce Open-source WordPress plugin that adds powerful shopping cart features to any website, supporting thousands of extensions for customization. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | BigCommerce Scalable SaaS platform offering advanced shopping cart tools, multi-channel selling, and B2B features for growing businesses. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Adobe Commerce Flexible enterprise-grade e-commerce solution with highly customizable shopping carts, ideal for complex online retail needs. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 |  Squarespace Commerce Integrated e-commerce tools within a user-friendly website builder, featuring secure shopping carts for small businesses. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Wix Stores Drag-and-drop e-commerce platform with built-in shopping cart, payments, and inventory management for easy store setup. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Ecwid Embeddable shopping cart widget that integrates seamlessly with any existing website or social platform. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Shift4Shop All-in-one hosted e-commerce solution with advanced shopping cart features, SEO tools, and no transaction fees. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 9 | PrestaShop Free open-source e-commerce platform with modular shopping cart system for customizable online stores. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 6.9/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | Volusion Hosted shopping cart software providing product management, order processing, and marketing tools for retailers. | enterprise | 7.1/10 | 7.3/10 | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 |
Comprehensive e-commerce platform that provides robust shopping cart functionality, inventory management, and payment processing for online stores.
Open-source WordPress plugin that adds powerful shopping cart features to any website, supporting thousands of extensions for customization.
Scalable SaaS platform offering advanced shopping cart tools, multi-channel selling, and B2B features for growing businesses.
Flexible enterprise-grade e-commerce solution with highly customizable shopping carts, ideal for complex online retail needs.
Integrated e-commerce tools within a user-friendly website builder, featuring secure shopping carts for small businesses.
Drag-and-drop e-commerce platform with built-in shopping cart, payments, and inventory management for easy store setup.
Embeddable shopping cart widget that integrates seamlessly with any existing website or social platform.
All-in-one hosted e-commerce solution with advanced shopping cart features, SEO tools, and no transaction fees.
Free open-source e-commerce platform with modular shopping cart system for customizable online stores.
Hosted shopping cart software providing product management, order processing, and marketing tools for retailers.
Shopify
enterpriseComprehensive e-commerce platform that provides robust shopping cart functionality, inventory management, and payment processing for online stores.
The Shopify App Store, offering over 8,000 third-party apps for limitless extensibility and tailored functionality.
Shopify is a leading all-in-one e-commerce platform that empowers businesses of all sizes to create customizable online stores with ease. It provides robust tools for product management, inventory tracking, secure payment processing, order fulfillment, and marketing automation. With a vast library of themes and apps, Shopify enables seamless scalability from startups to enterprises while handling high traffic volumes reliably.
Pros
- Extensive app ecosystem with over 8,000 integrations for customization
- Highly scalable infrastructure supporting millions of stores worldwide
- Built-in Shopify Payments for fast, secure checkouts with low fees
Cons
- Transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments
- Advanced customizations may require developer help or additional costs
- Higher-tier plans can become pricey for large-scale operations
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs seeking a user-friendly, scalable platform to launch and grow an online store without coding expertise.
Pricing
Plans start at $29/month (Basic), $79/month (Shopify), $299/month (Advanced), with Shopify Plus for enterprises starting at $2,000/month; 3-day free trial available.
WooCommerce
otherOpen-source WordPress plugin that adds powerful shopping cart features to any website, supporting thousands of extensions for customization.
Unlimited customization through WordPress plugins and themes, enabling tailored e-commerce solutions without platform lock-in
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that transforms any WordPress site into a fully functional online store with features like product management, shopping carts, payments, and shipping. It supports unlimited products, customizable storefronts, and scales from small shops to enterprise-level operations through thousands of extensions. Highly flexible, it integrates with numerous payment gateways, inventory tools, and marketing plugins, making it ideal for users already in the WordPress ecosystem.
Pros
- Completely free core plugin with exceptional value
- Vast ecosystem of 50,000+ extensions and themes for customization
- Scalable for businesses of all sizes with strong WordPress integration
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-WordPress users
- Requires separate hosting and ongoing maintenance
- Performance can suffer without proper optimization and caching
Best For
WordPress users or developers seeking a highly customizable, cost-effective shopping cart that grows with their online business.
Pricing
Free core plugin; premium extensions and themes range from $0-$300/year each; hosting starts at $5-50/month.
BigCommerce
enterpriseScalable SaaS platform offering advanced shopping cart tools, multi-channel selling, and B2B features for growing businesses.
Native B2B edition with customer groups, volume pricing, quotes, and dedicated buyer portals
BigCommerce is a robust, fully-hosted SaaS e-commerce platform tailored for mid-market to enterprise businesses building scalable online stores. It offers comprehensive tools for inventory management, order fulfillment, payment processing, and multi-channel selling across websites, marketplaces, social media, and POS systems. With strong SEO, marketing automation, and no transaction fees, it supports high-volume operations and B2B commerce without performance limits.
Pros
- Unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts on all plans
- Seamless multi-channel selling and 1000+ app integrations
- No transaction fees and built-in B2B tools
Cons
- Higher pricing unsuitable for very small businesses
- Steeper learning curve requiring some technical knowledge
- Fewer free themes than competitors like Shopify
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise businesses seeking scalable e-commerce with advanced B2B and multi-channel capabilities.
Pricing
Standard ($29/mo annual), Plus ($105/mo), Pro ($399/mo), Enterprise (custom); all billed annually with 15-day free trial.
Adobe Commerce
enterpriseFlexible enterprise-grade e-commerce solution with highly customizable shopping carts, ideal for complex online retail needs.
Native integration with Adobe Experience Cloud for AI-driven personalization and cross-channel customer experiences
Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Commerce) is an enterprise-grade e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build highly customizable, scalable online stores with advanced shopping cart functionality. It supports B2B and B2C models, multi-store management, and complex inventory systems, making it suitable for high-volume retailers. The platform integrates deeply with Adobe's Experience Cloud tools for personalized marketing, analytics, and customer experiences.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability for high-traffic stores and global operations
- Deep customization via open-source architecture and thousands of extensions
- Robust B2B features like customer-specific pricing and account management
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring developer expertise for setup and maintenance
- High upfront and ongoing costs including subscriptions and hosting
- Complex interface not ideal for non-technical users
Best For
Large enterprises and mid-market retailers needing highly customized, scalable e-commerce solutions with B2B capabilities.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starts at ~$25,000/year for base plans (Commerce Starter/Pro), plus hosting (~$2,000+/year), extensions, and implementation fees.
Squarespace Commerce
enterpriseIntegrated e-commerce tools within a user-friendly website builder, featuring secure shopping carts for small businesses.
Award-winning, professionally designed templates that seamlessly integrate e-commerce without compromising aesthetics
Squarespace Commerce is an all-in-one e-commerce platform integrated into Squarespace's website builder, allowing users to create visually stunning online stores with drag-and-drop simplicity. It supports selling physical and digital products, inventory management, shipping integrations, payments via Stripe and PayPal, and marketing tools like abandoned cart emails and customer segmentation. While powerful for small-scale operations, it excels in blending professional design aesthetics with essential shopping cart features without requiring coding expertise.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder with beautiful, mobile-responsive templates
- Built-in tools for SEO, analytics, email marketing, and abandoned cart recovery
- Strong inventory, order management, and subscription support out of the box
Cons
- Limited third-party app ecosystem compared to Shopify or WooCommerce
- Transaction fees on the entry-level Business plan (3%)
- Less scalable for very large or complex e-commerce operations
Best For
Creative small businesses, artists, and solopreneurs prioritizing design quality and simplicity over advanced scalability.
Pricing
Starts at $26/mo (Business plan with 3% transaction fee), Commerce Basic at $27/mo (no fees, core features), Commerce Advanced at $49/mo (advanced tools like subscriptions; annual billing).
Wix Stores
enterpriseDrag-and-drop e-commerce platform with built-in shopping cart, payments, and inventory management for easy store setup.
Drag-and-drop store editor with hundreds of customizable templates for pixel-perfect designs without coding
Wix Stores is an e-commerce add-on integrated into the Wix website builder, allowing users to create fully functional online shops with shopping carts, product catalogs, inventory management, and secure payment processing. It supports features like customizable product pages, shipping calculations, tax handling, abandoned cart recovery, and marketing tools such as discounts and email campaigns. Ideal for users already on Wix or seeking an all-in-one platform, it emphasizes ease of design over deep enterprise-level customization.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for store design
- Seamless integration with Wix websites and apps
- No transaction fees on Business plans with unlimited products
Cons
- Limited advanced features like multi-channel selling or B2B tools
- Scalability challenges for very large inventories or high traffic
- Less flexibility for custom code compared to dedicated platforms
Best For
Beginners and small to medium businesses wanting an easy-to-set-up online store within a user-friendly website builder.
Pricing
Business plans start at $27/month (Basic) for unlimited products and 0% transaction fees, up to $159/month (Business VIP) for advanced tools; requires Wix subscription.
Ecwid
otherEmbeddable shopping cart widget that integrates seamlessly with any existing website or social platform.
Embeddable store code that works on any website or CMS without disrupting the existing design
Ecwid is an embeddable e-commerce platform that allows users to add a fully functional online store to any existing website, CMS like WordPress or Wix, social media, or marketplaces without replacing their current site. It supports multi-channel selling across websites, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and more, with features like inventory management, payments, and shipping. Designed for simplicity, it caters to small businesses needing quick e-commerce integration rather than a standalone store.
Pros
- Seamless integration with any website or platform
- Free plan available for small stores
- Multi-channel selling capabilities
Cons
- Limited design customization options
- Advanced features locked behind higher tiers
- Reporting and analytics less robust than competitors
Best For
Small businesses and solopreneurs wanting to quickly add e-commerce to an existing website or social channels without building a new site.
Pricing
Free (up to 10 products); Venture $15/mo (100 products); Business $35/mo (2,500 products); Unlimited $99/mo (unlimited products).
Shift4Shop
enterpriseAll-in-one hosted e-commerce solution with advanced shopping cart features, SEO tools, and no transaction fees.
Seamless integration with Shift4 Payments that eliminates transaction fees on all sales
Shift4Shop is a fully hosted e-commerce platform that provides businesses with an all-in-one solution for building and managing online stores, including inventory management, order processing, and marketing tools. It offers robust features like SEO optimization, multi-channel selling, and integrated payment processing through Shift4 Payments. Ideal for small to medium-sized retailers seeking a cost-effective alternative to more premium platforms.
Pros
- Extensive built-in features without needing many add-ons
- No transaction fees when using Shift4 Payments
- Includes hosting, SSL, and domain for free
Cons
- Dated and clunky user interface
- Limited advanced customization without coding
- Customer support can be slow or inconsistent
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses wanting a feature-packed, affordable all-in-one e-commerce platform without transaction fees.
Pricing
Free plan available (with Shift4 Payments); paid plans start at $29/mo (Basic, 50 products), $79/mo (Pro, 500 products), $229/mo (Premium, unlimited products).
PrestaShop
otherFree open-source e-commerce platform with modular shopping cart system for customizable online stores.
Vast marketplace with over 3,500 free and paid modules/themes for unparalleled extensibility
PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform designed for building and managing fully customizable online stores with advanced shopping cart features. It offers comprehensive tools for product management, inventory control, order processing, payment integrations, and SEO optimization. Highly extensible through a vast marketplace of modules and themes, it supports multi-store, multi-language, and multi-currency setups for global operations.
Pros
- Free open-source core with no licensing fees
- Extensive module and theme marketplace for customization
- Strong multi-language, multi-currency, and multi-store support
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical expertise for setup and maintenance
- Self-hosting demands handling security, updates, and performance optimization
- Can become bloated and slow with excessive modules
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with technical teams seeking a highly customizable, cost-effective open-source e-commerce solution.
Pricing
Core software is free; costs for premium modules/themes ($50+), hosting ($5-50/month), and paid support/plans.
Volusion
enterpriseHosted shopping cart software providing product management, order processing, and marketing tools for retailers.
Advanced multi-channel inventory synchronization across warehouses
Volusion is a fully hosted e-commerce platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses to build and manage online stores. It provides essential shopping cart functionality, including inventory management, order processing, customizable templates, and integrated payment gateways. The platform emphasizes PCI compliance, SEO tools, and marketing features to help drive sales without requiring separate hosting or development expertise.
Pros
- All-in-one hosted solution with built-in hosting and security
- Strong inventory and order management tools
- Robust SEO and email marketing integrations
Cons
- Limited third-party app ecosystem compared to competitors
- Outdated interface and slower customization options
- Higher pricing with fewer features in entry-level plans
Best For
Small to medium businesses wanting a straightforward, hosted e-commerce setup without needing extensive coding or integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Personal plan) up to $299/month (Business plan); custom enterprise pricing available, with annual billing discounts.
Conclusion
Evaluating website shopping cart software reveals a landscape of exceptional tools, each tailored to distinct needs. Leading the pack, Shopify excels as a comprehensive, all-in-one solution, offering robust features for diverse online stores. Standout alternatives WooCommerce and BigCommerce deliver unique strengths—WooCommerce through open-source flexibility and WordPress integration, BigCommerce for its scalable, multi-channel capabilities—making the right choice contingent on specific business priorities.
Take the first step toward a seamless online store: explore Shopify to experience its intuitive shopping cart, streamlined inventory, and reliable payment processing, built to grow with your success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison