Finding the ideal eCommerce platform is essential for the long-term success of your online business.
However, it’s important to remember that the best eCommerce platforms aren’t just about features or ease of use—they should empower your business to thrive, scale, and meet customer needs more effectively.
Your platform is not the final destination; it’s a tool that enables your business to grow, operate efficiently, and deliver superior customer experiences.
Whether you’re just starting or running a large enterprise, selecting the right platform provides the foundation for long-term growth and operational success.
This guide walks you through the top 12 eCommerce platforms, helping you understand how each tool can support your business’s broader vision and objectives.
Key Takeaways
- Explore the 12 eCommerce platforms that serve as tools designed to help your business thrive.
- Compare essential features and pricing for each platform to find the best fit for your goals.
- Learn how to align platform selection with your broader business strategy for better long-term success.
12 Best eCommerce Platforms
Here’s a list of the top 12 best eCommerce platforms, carefully curated to help your business scale efficiently, offer seamless customer experiences, and grow sustainably.
These platforms are stepping stones that will help you achieve your ultimate goals—business growth, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Shopify
Shopify’s ease of use and scalability make it a go-to platform for businesses of all sizes.
Whether you’re launching your very first online shop or looking to add new products to your existing lineup, Shopify’s comprehensive managed solution equips you with everything you need to ensure your store runs seamlessly.
With Shopify, your focus remains on business growth, which would be more challenging without the right platform.
Pricing:
- Basic: $39/month
- Shopify: $105/month
- Advanced: $399/month
Best For: Businesses that need a fully managed solution, from beginners to large enterprises looking to scale easily.
“According to Analyzify.com, Shopify statistics users and audiences host over 50,000 stores in 175 countries global reach.“
WooCommerce
As an open-source plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce allows you to maintain control over your store while leveraging WordPress’s powerful flexibility.
WooCommerce offers endless customization, giving you a platform that adapts to your unique needs.
It’s not just the tool—it’s the flexibility that helps your business thrive.
Pricing:
- Free (Plugin)
- Paid Themes & Extensions: Varies
Best For: WordPress users seeking deep customization and businesses that value control over their platform.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a cloud-based platform designed for businesses that plan to scale.
It supports large product catalogs, multiple sales channels, and detailed analytics—features that help your business grow, not just the platform itself.
Your eCommerce strategy should center around business needs, with BigCommerce providing the foundation for reaching your goals.
Pricing:
- Standard: $39/month
- Plus: $105/month
- Pro: $399/month
Best For: Medium to large businesses that need a scalable, all-in-one eCommerce solution.
WIX
Wix combines ease of use with powerful eCommerce features.
It’s perfect for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to establish a beautiful, functional store without requiring technical expertise.
While Wix offers a user-friendly interface, the platform’s role is ultimately to support your creative vision and business goals.
Pricing:
- Business Basic: $24/month – $21/month/year
- Business Elite: $36/month – $31/month/year
- 2 year billing option available
Best For: Small businesses, creative entrepreneurs, and those prioritizing ease of use.
Squarespace
Squarespace is ideal for businesses focused on aesthetics, such as artists or boutique brands.
The platform seamlessly blends design with eCommerce, ensuring that your store looks great and serves as a reliable tool for achieving long-term business success.
It reminds you that the platform is only a means of presenting your brand to the world.
Pricing:
- Basic Plan: $16/month
- Core Plan: $23/month
- Plus Plan: $39/month
- Advanced Commerce: $99/month
Best For: Businesses that emphasize design and aesthetics, from creatives to boutique stores.
Magento
Magento is an open-source platform that excels at offering customization options for businesses with complex eCommerce needs.
It provides a highly flexible framework for developers and large enterprises, but it’s not the platform that guarantees success—what you build upon matters.
It’s a means to an end, offering businesses the power to create unique solutions tailored to their goals.
Pricing:
- Open Source: Free
- Magento Commerce: Custom Pricing
- Magento Commerce Cloud: Custom Pricing
Best For: Large enterprises with the technical resources to build customized, complex eCommerce stores.
PrestaShop
PrestaShop is an open-source platform that allows for complete customization.
It is ideal for businesses with development teams that need a platform adaptable to their changing needs.
The platform is a tool that helps you refine your operations to meet your evolving goals, not the ultimate goal itself.
Pricing:
- Free (Software)
- Paid Modules/Extensions: Varies
Best For: Businesses looking for flexibility and scalability, with technical resources to support development.
Volusion
Volusion simplifies the eCommerce experience with a hosted platform that provides everything you need to build an online store.
It’s an excellent choice for businesses seeking ease of use without technical hassles.
The platform supports business growth by handling the operational side, leaving you to focus on strategic goals.
Pricing:
- Personal: $35/month
- Professional: $79/month
- Business: $299/month
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses that need a simple, easy-to-use eCommerce platform.
Shift4Shop
Shift4Shop provides a comprehensive solution with integrated payment processing and customer management tools.
For U.S.-based businesses, the platform offers a no-transaction-fee structure—making it an efficient tool for companies aiming to maximize profits.
Shift4Shop is a means to streamline business operations and drive long-term growth.
Pricing:
- Free for U.S.-based merchants
- Paid plans start at $29/month
- Plus Store $79/month
- Pro Store $229/month
Best For: US businesses looking for an affordable, feature-rich eCommerce platform.
Bigcartel
Bigcartel is a platform for smaller, independent stores—mainly artists and creators.
It is a user-friendly tool that helps small businesses begin selling online.
It’s a means for creators to monetize their passion and connect with customers, but the ultimate success lies in the creativity behind the store.
Pricing:
- Gold Plan Free for up to 5 products
- Platinum Plan $12/month
- Diamond Plan $24/month
Best For: Artists, creators, and small-scale entrepreneurs.
Ecwid
Ecwid lets you integrate eCommerce into existing websites, social media, and marketplaces.
For businesses aiming to sell across multiple channels, Ecwid is the tool that connects everything, allowing you to reach your audience better.
It’s a means to manage a multi-channel strategy efficiently.
Pricing:
- Free plan
- Venture Plan $21/month
- Business Plan $39/month
- Unlimited Plan $89/month
Best For: Businesses looking to sell on multiple platforms, including their website, social media, and marketplaces.
Sellfy
Sellfy is a user-friendly platform for creators selling digital products like eBooks, music, and online courses. Although it serves as a powerful tool for digital product sellers, the platform streamlines content delivery and payment processing, allowing creators to concentrate on what truly matters—their work.
Pricing:
- Starter: $22/month
- Business: $59/month
- Premium: $119/month
Best For: Creators and digital product sellers.
Pricing Comparison Table
Here’s a quick pricing comparison for the top 12 best eCommerce platforms:
| Platform | Free Plan | Starting Paid Plan | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | No | $39/month | Businesses of all sizes, especially huge ones |
| WooCommerce | Yes | Free (Plugin) | WordPress users, highly customizable |
| BigCommerce | No – 15-day Free Trial | $39/month | Medium to large businesses with growth needs |
| Wix | No | $21/month | Small businesses, easy setup |
| Squarespace | No | $16/month | Design-focused small businesses |
| Magento | Yes | Free Open Source Paid: Custom Price | Large businesses, developers |
| PrestaShop | Yes | Free | Businesses needing flexibility |
| Volusion | No – Free 14-day Trial | $35/month | Simple solutions for small to medium stores |
| Shift4Shop | Yes (US only) | $29/month | US businesses looking for all-in-one tools |
| Bigcartel | Yes (up to 5 products) | $12/month | Small stores, artists, creators |
| Ecwid | Yes | $21/month | Multi-channel sellers |
| Sellfy | Yes | $22/month | Digital product sellers |
How to Choose the Right eCommerce Platform
When choosing an eCommerce platform, consider how it aligns with your business objectives.
Here are some essential factors to consider when making your decision:
- Business Size: Larger businesses benefit from platforms that can scale with them, like Shopify or BigCommerce.
- Budget: WooCommerce or Bigcartel can offer flexibility without the high price tag if you’re on a tight budget.
- Technical Expertise: Platforms like Magento and PrestaShop offer deep customization for developers. Others, like Wix and Shopify, focus on simplicity for business owners with little technical expertise.
- Payment Processing: Some platforms, such as Shift4Shop, include payment processing at no additional cost for US businesses, which can improve your bottom line.
- Design Needs: Squarespace and Wix offer beautiful templates for businesses prioritizing design that helps your brand shine.
Conclusion: The Platform Is a Stepping Stone to Business Success
The eCommerce platform you select will serve as a tool to help you achieve your larger business goals.
It’s not just about picking a platform—it’s about choosing the means to achieve your desired outcomes: scaling your business, improving customer satisfaction, and optimizing operations.
By selecting the right platform, you’re setting the stage for achieving long-term business success.
Choose wisely, and let the platform be a tool that accelerates your journey, not the end in itself.
Ready to get started? Sign up for a free trial with Shopify or explore WooCommerce today!
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