Shopify — Best Overall
$39/mo · ★★★★★ · The most complete e-commerce ecosystem on the market
| Rank | Platform | Best For | Price | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shopify | Overall | $39/mo | ★★★★★ | Visit |
| 2 | WooCommerce | WordPress Users | Free + hosting | ★★★★★ | Visit |
| 3 | BigCommerce | Built-in Features | $39/mo | ★★★★½ | Visit |
| 4 | Wix eCommerce | Beginners | $36/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 5 | Squarespace Commerce | Design-First Stores | $27/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 6 | Square Online | In-Person + Online | Free | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 7 | Ecwid | Adding to Existing Site | Free (5 products) | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 8 | PrestaShop | Self-Hosted Control | Free (self-hosted) | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
| 9 | Sellfy | Digital Products | $29/mo | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
| 10 | Volusion | Small Catalogs | $35/mo | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as an online seller. Your platform determines everything — how your store looks, how payments are processed, how you manage inventory, and how easily you can scale. We tested all 10 platforms from the perspective of a new merchant launching a store in 2026, evaluating ease of setup, total cost of ownership, feature depth, and scalability.
Shopify is the undisputed leader in hosted e-commerce, powering over 4.8 million stores worldwide. From day one, you get a beautiful storefront, secure checkout (Shop Pay boosts conversion by up to 50%), and a massive ecosystem of 8,000+ apps covering everything from dropshipping to subscriptions. Multi-channel selling is built in — sell on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, and in person with Shopify POS. The platform scales seamlessly from a one-product side hustle to a million-dollar enterprise on Shopify Plus.
Pros
- Most complete e-commerce ecosystem available
- Shop Pay boosts checkout conversion significantly
- 8,000+ apps for every possible feature
- Multi-channel selling (social, marketplaces, POS)
- Scales from startup to enterprise with Shopify Plus
- 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email
Cons
- App costs add up quickly for advanced features
- Premium themes are expensive ($180–$350)
- 2% transaction fee without Shopify Payments
- Basic blogging capabilities compared to WordPress
- Deep customization requires Liquid templating language
WooCommerce is the open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress, and it powers roughly 36% of all online stores. The plugin itself is free, and you pair it with any WordPress hosting provider. The result is complete ownership of your store, your data, and your code. With 59,000+ plugins in the WordPress ecosystem, WooCommerce is the most extensible e-commerce platform in existence. Its content and SEO capabilities are best-in-class, making it the top choice for brands where organic traffic is the primary growth channel.
Pros
- Complete ownership of your store and data
- No platform fees or revenue-based pricing
- 59,000+ plugins for limitless extensibility
- Best content marketing and SEO capabilities
- No transaction fees beyond payment gateway
- Massive community and developer ecosystem
Cons
- More technical to set up and manage
- You handle security, backups, and updates
- Plugin compatibility issues can arise
- No dedicated official support team
- Performance requires hosting optimization
BigCommerce packs more native features into its base plans than any competitor. Where Shopify requires paid apps for things like product filtering, real-time shipping quotes, and multi-currency, BigCommerce includes them out of the box. Zero transaction fees on all plans is a major cost advantage. The platform also leads in headless commerce, letting you use any frontend (WordPress, Next.js, etc.) while BigCommerce handles the backend. Its native SEO is best in class among hosted platforms.
Pros
- Most built-in features of any hosted platform
- Zero transaction fees on every plan
- Best native SEO among hosted platforms
- Unlimited staff accounts on all plans
- Leading headless commerce capabilities
- No forced plan upgrades based on revenue
Cons
- Fewer free and paid themes than Shopify
- Smaller app marketplace than competitors
- Annual sales limits trigger plan upgrades
- Admin interface less intuitive than Shopify
- Smaller merchant community for peer support
Quick Reviews: #4 – #10
#4 Wix eCommerce ($36/mo) — The most beginner-friendly e-commerce option available. Wix's drag-and-drop editor makes building a stunning storefront effortless, and its AI site builder can generate a complete store in minutes. Includes 500+ templates, built-in abandoned cart recovery, and multi-channel selling. Best for small stores and first-time sellers who prioritize ease of use over advanced commerce features.
#5 Squarespace Commerce ($27/mo) — The design-first e-commerce platform. Squarespace's award-winning templates make your products look stunning with minimal effort. Features include inventory management, digital product sales, and member areas. The checkout experience is elegant and on-brand. Best for creative professionals, artists, and small brands that prioritize visual presentation.
#6 Square Online (Free) — The best option for businesses that sell both in person and online. Square Online syncs seamlessly with Square POS, unifying your inventory, orders, and customer data across channels. The free plan includes unlimited products, though with Square branding. Paid plans start at $29/mo. Best for restaurants, retailers, and service businesses already using Square for in-person payments.
#7 Ecwid (Free for 5 products) — The best solution for adding e-commerce to an existing website. Ecwid embeds as a widget on any site — WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or even a custom HTML page. The free plan supports up to 5 products, and paid plans start at $15/mo for up to 100 products. Multi-channel selling to Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon is included. Best for businesses that want to add a shop to an existing site without rebuilding.
#8 PrestaShop (Free, self-hosted) — A powerful open-source e-commerce platform popular in Europe. PrestaShop is free to download but requires your own hosting, SSL, and technical management. The module marketplace offers thousands of add-ons, though many are paid. The admin panel is feature-rich but dated. Best for technically proficient merchants who want open-source flexibility with a European focus.
#9 Sellfy ($29/mo) — Purpose-built for digital products and creator commerce. Sellfy lets you sell digital downloads, subscriptions, print-on-demand merchandise, and physical products from a single storefront. Setup takes under 10 minutes, and the platform handles delivery, licensing, and tax compliance. Best for creators, musicians, designers, and anyone selling digital products or merchandise.
#10 Volusion ($35/mo) — A veteran e-commerce platform that has been around since 1999. Volusion offers a straightforward store builder with built-in SEO tools, inventory management, and a drag-and-drop editor. The platform is reliable but has fallen behind competitors in features and design flexibility. Best for small merchants with simple catalogs who want a no-frills, proven platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best e-commerce platform for beginners?
Shopify is the best e-commerce platform for beginners. Its guided setup, intuitive admin panel, and extensive documentation make it possible to launch a professional store in a single afternoon with no technical skills. Wix eCommerce is a close second if you prioritize drag-and-drop design freedom over commerce-specific features.
Shopify vs WooCommerce — which should I choose?
Choose Shopify if you want an all-in-one hosted solution that handles everything from security to payments with zero technical maintenance. Choose WooCommerce if you already use WordPress, want complete ownership and control, or plan to drive growth primarily through content marketing and SEO. For a detailed breakdown, see our Shopify vs WooCommerce comparison.
How much does it cost to start an online store?
It depends on your platform. Shopify costs $39–$79/mo for the first year plus theme and app costs (total around $700–$1,700/year). WooCommerce costs $50–$500/year depending on hosting, plugins, and theme choices. Square Online and Ecwid both offer free plans if you are on a tight budget, though with feature limitations. Budget $500–$1,500 for a well-equipped first-year store on most platforms.
Can I switch e-commerce platforms later?
Yes, but it requires effort. Most platforms support product and customer data export via CSV. Migration tools from services like Cart2Cart can automate much of the process. However, you will need to reconfigure your design, apps, and integrations on the new platform. Choosing the right platform from the start saves significant time and money.