Best Ecommerce Platforms
Build and run an online store — hosted platforms and open-source carts.
Read our ranked guide: Best Ecommerce Platforms →We compare 5 ecommerce platforms. Shopify is our top pick at 4.6/5 (from $39/mo). Entry pricing runs $16–$39/mo, averaging $31/mo. 2 offer a free tier. 4 have a public API.
WooCommerce is the leading open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress — free to start, endlessly extensible, and fully self-owned, but you manage hosting and updates.
Squarespace is loved for award-winning templates and a polished editor, with capable ecommerce built in. A favorite of creatives, portfolios, and lifestyle brands.
BigCommerce is a powerful hosted platform with strong built-in features and zero transaction fees, popular with larger and B2B merchants who want flexibility.
All ecommerce platforms compared
| # | Tool | Starts at | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shopify The leading hosted ecommerce platform | $39/mo | 4.6/5 | DTC brands & growing stores |
| 2 | Wix Drag-and-drop site & store builder | Free | 4.4/5 | Small businesses & creatives |
| 3 | WooCommerce Open-source ecommerce for WordPress | Free | 4.4/5 | WordPress users & developers |
| 4 | Squarespace Designer templates with built-in commerce | $16/mo | 4.4/5 | Creatives & lifestyle brands |
| 5 | BigCommerce Scalable ecommerce with no transaction fees | $39/mo | 4.3/5 | Mid-market & B2B stores |
How to choose ecommerce platforms
Best rated → Shopify
4.6/5 across 21,400 reviews. Easy to launch.
Best free option → Wix
Has a genuine free tier, so you can test before spending.
Need an API → Shopify
4 of 5 here expose a public API for integrations and automation.
- Check whether pricing is per seat — it multiplies with team size.
- Headline prices usually assume annual billing; monthly costs more.
- Start on a free tier or trial before committing to a year.
- Confirm the integrations you already rely on are supported.
Popular comparisons in this category
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ecommerce platform option?+
Shopify is our top-rated pick, scoring 4.6/5 and starting at $39/mo. Easy to launch The best choice still depends on budget and team size — see the ranked list above.
How many ecommerce platforms are compared here?+
We currently compare 5 ecommerce platforms on pricing, features, and ratings, averaging 4.4/5.
Are there free ecommerce platforms?+
Yes — 2 of the 5 here have a free tier: Wix, WooCommerce.
How much do ecommerce platforms cost?+
Entry pricing here runs from $16/mo to $39/mo, averaging $31/mo. The cheapest paid option is Squarespace at $16/mo.