Best Ecommerce Software 2025: Compare 11 Top Platforms

Choosing your ecommerce software is critical when starting an ecommerce business. The right ecommerce software gives your online store the features you need. It maximizes conversions at checkout, provides multiple sales channels, and supports your growth.

This article covers what to look for in ecommerce software and some of the best ecommerce solutions to try in 2026.

Quick summary of ecommerce software options

What is ecommerce software?

Ecommerce software is the system that allows your online store to operate. It often includes features like checkout, inventory management system, fulfillment service, and marketing tools.

Basic ecommerce software solutions let you list products for sale and accept payments online. However, most platforms go further, serving broader online business needs such as website-building and social media integration. 

Simply, the best ecommerce software provides an entire ecosystem of tools and features to help your business grow.

Types of ecommerce software (SaaS vs self-hosted)

Ecommerce platforms are often divided into two categories: software as a service (SaaS) and self-hosted. SaaS platforms, like Shopify, BigCommerce, or Squarespace, operate in the cloud and charge subscribers a recurring fee. 

The provider manages hosting, updates, and security, making these platforms straightforward to set up and scale. Merchants can run their stores from anywhere, and usually they include built-in features like payments and analytics. 

Self-hosted platforms, like WooCommerce, PrestaShop, or Adobe Commerce, are installed on servers the business manages or rents. This model gives merchants more control over design, functionality, and integrations, but places responsibility for hosting, maintenance, and security on the store owner. While self-hosted platforms allow extensive customization, they often require technical knowledge or developer support, and costs for hosting, updates, and add-ons add up over time.

How to choose the best ecommerce software: selection criteria

Below, review the factors and criteria that influence the overall decision-making process as you choose the best ecommerce software for your ecommerce business. Learn how to evaluate your needs and match them with the right platform’s capabilities as you build the ideal ecommerce tech stack. 

Pricing

There are ecommerce software options to launch an online business with little to no money. But, costs grow as you make sales, start marketing, and require more complex features.

It takes time to generate a return on your business investments, so it’s important to choose ecommerce software within budget and has all the tools you need to grow. Be sure to include the monthly fees and payment gateway fees for each transaction. 

While the cheapest ecommerce software may seem tempting, there’s more to consider. Think of where your business is now as well as your future operations and choose ecommerce software that scales with you.

Scalability and usability

First things first: Your ecommerce software must align with your technical skills.

If you’re a programmer, you might be fine with open-source ecommerce software for maximum control of your website. For most people, however, an accessible interface is a must.

Schedule a demo or start a free trial to ensure learning curves are reasonable.

It’s also important to consider how the ecommerce software will integrate with more complex elements of your business, such as inventory and stock management and accounting.

When choosing ecommerce software, look for well-reviewed business management tools alongside store-building features. This will prevent migration issues when your operations grow.

Let’s say you plan to expand into physical retail. You’ll want ecommerce software with add-ons, plug-ins, and integrations to give you in-person selling features—like Shopify POS.

💡 Shopify POS instantly syncs your inventory and sales data, so you always have up-to-date information.

Customizability

Most ecommerce stores share features such as product detail pages and shopping carts. But for more advanced functions, and a unique look and feel, find ecommerce software with customization and personalization options.

Look for a platform that offers a variety of themes and templates as well as deeper customization. To support branding, you’ll want the ability to change colors, fonts, and layouts, or even add custom code for more advanced changes.

Shopify, for instance, has customizable themes for a professionally designed branded storefront. Store owners with developer skills can create their own templates using Liquid, an open-source template language. For total control, you can separate your store’s front end from Shopify’s ecommerce software.

Integration with other tools

It’s best if your ecommerce software easily connects with other services. Otherwise, your business becomes restricted to your software’s native features and channels. It’s okay if your store is new, but as you grow, you’ll likely need to make use of third-party tools.

For example, perhaps you’ll need to connect your store to marketplaces to synchronize sales and inventory on platforms such as Amazon and eBay. Or, you might want to add an AI-powered chatbot to answer shoppers’ questions live as they browse your site.

Most popular ecommerce software maintain app stores to facilitate these interactions, where developers build and sell official integrations. Shopify, for example, integrates with more than 8,000 apps in its App Store, making it easy to connect your store with leading tools.

Multi channel ecommerce

Physical and digital commerce continues to overlap. Even mom-and-pop stores now embrace a multichannel or omnichannel approach. You need multichannel ecommerce software to enable selling across social media, websites, and physical stores, versus restricting you to a specific channel.

Shopify acts as a business command center, syncing real-time online and in-person sales data. It’s easy to promote and sell on multiple channels from within Shopify, including third-party online marketplaces like Amazon and wholesale.

Customer support

With all commerce software, there will be times when you need support to fix an issue or build a new feature for your online selling site. That’s why it’s a good idea to choose ecommerce software with strong ecommerce customer service.

Look for providers with support via multiple channels, such as phone, email, and live chat. Also, consider the quality of self-service resources, like knowledge bases and tutorials. An active community forum is also a great information source.

Ecommerce software costs: an overview

Business tools like ecommerce software have associated costs other than just monthly fees. Consider: 

• Monthly fees: SaaS ecommerce software costs range from ~$5 to $35 for basic, entry-level plans. Self-hosted platforms are usually free, but hosting costs add up. 
• Transaction fees: Transaction fees are the cost the merchant pays to process payment for each transaction. For example, a typical credit card fee is a percentage of the total purchase plus a hard cost.
• App add-ons: Specialty add-ons, like customer support tools or loyalty programs, often have a monthly cost. 
• Theme/licensing costs: Unless you choose a free theme for your online store, budget for a website theme. Paid themes range from t $100 to $500 on the Shopify theme store. You also may need to pay licensing fees for brand assets like fonts. 

Breakdown of fees from five ecommerce platforms 

The best ecommerce software for 2026

The best ecommerce software depends on your individual business goals. Let’s look at some of the best ecommerce platforms for 2026:

1. Shopify
2. Wix
3. BigCommerce
4. Adobe Commerce
5. WooCommerce
6. PrestaShop
7. Squarespace
8. GoDaddy
9. Volusion
10. Amazon
11. Shift4Shop

1. Shopify

Shopify is the world’s leading ecommerce platform. With affordable plans, beautiful designs, and powerful selling features, Shopify is the easiest, most reliable way to start an online store.

Each Shopify store comes with unlimited product listings, the world’s best-converting checkout, shipping and fulfillment tools, robust analytics, access to over 8,000 apps, and 24/7 customer support. 

Harness custom storefronts, abandoned cart recovery, and product subscriptions for a better shopping experience. Get started with one of many ready-built themes, or use the AI store builder to create a free store design in minutes. 

Who it’s for

From solopreneurs to large enterprises, Shopify is built for businesses of all sizes. Whether selling through a website, on social media, via marketplaces, in person, or all of the above, Shopify users effectively manage their business through a single platform with advanced features.

Features

• AI tools: Use Shopify Magic to streamline your store design process and create landing pages and product listings, then tap Sidekick as your AI, always-on business consultant.
• Integrated payment processing: Shopify Payments is an integrated payment gateway that accepts all major payment methods. Plus, there are more than 100 compatible third-party payment providers.
• Extensive app store: Access the Shopify App Store for over 8,000 integrations.
• Customizable checkout: Offer customers a variety of payment options, including express checkout, in-store pickup, discount codes, and Shop Pay—the internet’s highest-converting checkout option.
• Shopify POS: Integrate with physical retail through Shopify POS, blending online and offline sales channels.
• Shipping and fulfillment: Built-in order, inventory, and shipping tools generate labels, collect import taxes, provide tracking information, manage returns, and more.
• Abandoned cart recovery: Boost sales with automated tools for recovering abandoned shopping carts.
• Advanced analytics: Track sales, customer behavior, and other essential ecommerce metrics with analytics and reporting features.
• Advanced customization and API access: While coding isn’t required, tailor storefront and back-end systems to meet your unique needs with extensive customization options and API support.
• Omnichannel and multichannel commerce capabilities: Ensure a consistent customer experience and manage inventory seamlessly across desktop, mobile, social media, marketplace, and in-person retail.
• 24/7 customer support: Enjoy round-the-clock support via email, live chat, and phone.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.4 

Plans and pricing

Shopify offers a wide range of plans to support businesses of all sizes:

• Starter: $5/month
• Basic: $29/month
• Grow: $79/month
• Advanced: $299/month 

2. Wix

Wix is a website builder with drag-and-drop functionality. The platform has ecommerce features to add to your website if you want to sell products online. However, Wix lacks some of the more detailed ecommerce features available on Shopify, such as low-stock alerts to help you avoid stockouts. If you have a moderate-to-large inventory, Wix software may be too simple for your needs.

Who it’s for

Those who need to perform basic ecommerce tasks. You can track orders, process online payments, sell through multiple channels (on higher-tier plans), and automate customer emails.

Features

• Drag-and-drop store builder. Wix offers a visual editor to design a store layout without coding.
• Pre-made templates. Choose from template designs to set up a storefront.
• Basic ecommerce tools. Includes inventory management, payments, and shipping options.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.2

Plans and pricing

Free plan available, but you’ll need a paid subscription to remove Wix branding and take advantage of the ecommerce tools. Its Light plan starts at $17 per month, with plans up to Business Elite at $159 per month. 

3. BigCommerce

BigCommerce makes enterprise-level ecommerce software. BigCommerce supports a wide range of ecommerce features, including cross-border sales, SEO, social selling, and third-party marketplaces—but it may be overkill for smaller stores. It’s also more rigid in terms of customization. 

For example, when ecommerce brand Grace & Lace wanted to implement upselling and cross-selling, it replatformed from BigCommerce to Shopify to access more flexible selling features.

Who it’s for

BigCommerce is specifically designed for large companies. The platform can also handle retail businesses with high turnover and large inventories.

Features

• Website builder tools. Includes drag-and-drop page editing and mobile-responsive templates.
• SEO features. Provides clean URLs and automatic redirects.
• Supports listing products on marketplaces and social platforms (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Amazon), and can connect to shopping comparison sites via product feeds or apps. 
• Enterprise scalability. Infrastructure supports high traffic and transaction volumes.

• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.2

Plans and pricing

BigCommerce plan pricing starts at $348 per year with Standard, up to Pro at $3,588 per year, billed annually with a 15-day free trial. Contact sales for Enterprise pricing. 

TIP💡 The world’s biggest brands choose Shopify for their enterprise needs.

4. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)

Adobe Commerce is an ecommerce platform for large businesses. It requires a third-party hosting provider and a basic level of technical expertise. Adobe Commerce isn’t the best platform for ecommerce outlets that want to sell across multiple channels. Integrating selling channels and international payments is more complicated than with other software on this list.

Previously, ecommerce site Character.com had a complex Magento (now Adobe Commerce) site that promoted thousands of products. To achieve the right functionality, the store required multiple integrations, making site management difficult. After migrating to Shopify, Character.com experienced a 40% increase in conversions.

Who it’s for

Adobe Commerce is for established companies with the resources to build and maintain an online store. 

Features

• B2B storefronts. Enables self-service portals for business-to-business transactions.
• Inventory tools. Supports B2C and B2B catalogs with options like in-store pickup.
• Content integration. Product data and links can be embedded into site content such as blogs.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.0

Plans and pricing

Adobe Commerce offers paid plans such as Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services. Contact Adobe for pricing information.

5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free plug-in for WordPress. It turns WordPress blogs into ecommerce stores with their own branding, products, and checkout. Using WooCommerce, merchants promote products, accept orders, and track sales. For more complex features, users install additional add-ons. While this adds to the platform’s flexibility, it also complicates the back end.

Because features like domain name registration and hosting are not included with WooCommerce, you’ll need to pay for them separately, which can make it hard to keep track of total fees.

Who it’s for

WooCommerce was originally designed for content creators who started a blog on WordPress and later decided to add an online store. 

Features

• WordPress interface. Runs inside WordPress, using the same dashboard for ecommerce management.
• Extensions and themes. Thousands of plugins and customizable themes expand functionality.
• Technical requirements. Some customization may require HTML or CSS knowledge.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.4 

Plans and pricing

WooCommerce and WordPress are free to use. Costs still apply for hosting, domain registration, themes, payment gateways, and extensions.

TIP💡Monetize WordPress websites with the Shopify Plug-in. Turn any WordPress site into an online store powered by the world’s best converting checkout.

6. PrestaShop

PrestaShop is basic but flexible, allowing merchants to tailor their stores as needed.

For simple ecommerce features such as a shopping cart and checkout, a free version of the PrestaShop is available but you’ll need a hosting provider. The paid version of the platform comes with hosting, store installation, and developer support.

Who it’s for

PrestaShop is a platform for newer online businesses.

Features

• Open-source platform. Download core software for free and customize with modules.
• Product catalog management. Supports unlimited products, categories, and product variations.
• Business tools. Includes options for payments, shipping, and marketing through add-ons and integrations.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.3

Plans and pricing

Free self-hosted version, or choose a hosted plan, from €24 excluding VAT per month, billed annually, with a 14-day free trial. Contact sales for enterprise pricing. 

7. Squarespace

Drag-and-drop site builder Squarespace features a user-friendly interface and ecommerce features. As a website creation platform, some ecommerce tools are lacking. There are only two payment integrations, for example.

Who it’s for

Squarespace is for anyone with simple website or ecommerce needs. 

Features

• Design templates. Offers pre-built templates for industries like restaurants, creators, and photography.
• Membership content. Provides tools to restrict certain content to paying members.
• SEO support. Integrates with Google Search Console and includes auto-generated sitemaps and clean URLs.
• Inventory-tracking features. Upgrade your plan to sell subscription products.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.4

Plans and pricing

Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial. Pricing ranges from $16 – $99 per month for commerce plans, depending on features.

TIP💡Add the Shopify Buy Button to your existing website for only $5 a month.

8. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a well-known domain seller that also offers an ecommerce website builder. It uses artificial design intelligence to speed up site design, using the information you provide to build a customized website. 

Although you can get up and running fast with GoDaddy, there are limits to the number of products you can sell via the platform. So, if you want to scale your store, GoDaddy isn’t the best ecommerce software.

Who it’s for

Beginners who need to get a store up and running quickly for a low cost. 

Features

• Store builder. Provides a drag-and-drop editor and template-based setup for online stores.
• Channel integrations. Sell on eBay, as well as Amazon, Etsy, Facebook, and Instagram with synced inventory.
• Built-in marketing. Features include email campaigns, SEO tools, and social media posting.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.1

Plans and pricing

GoDaddy offers a 7-day free trial, with pricing ranging from $9.99 to $20.99 per month when billed annually. 

9. Volusion

Volusion is another ecommerce software that began as a basic website builder and expanded its functionality to accommodate online selling. While you need to register and pay for a domain name through a third party, Volusion includes web hosting in its plans.

Volusion has basic ecommerce features such as order processing, recurring billing, inventory tracking, and related product promotion. You can also create and manage customer accounts and add taxes.

However, customization options are limited, especially when changing site templates. Once merchants hit a certain stage of growth, they may want to upgrade to an ecommerce platform with a wider range of tools.

Who it’s for

Volusion is for people looking for a simple solution that provides basic ecommerce features.

Features

• Store themes. Offers responsive, ecommerce-focused templates.
• Inventory and order management. Tracks stock, processes returns, and manages order history.
• Payment processing. Includes built-in checkout and secure payment options.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 3.2

Plans and pricing

14-day free trial. Then, pricing ranges from $35 to $299 per month, with the highest tier based on GMV (gross merchandise value); contact sales for more information. 

10. Amazon (Seller Central)

While Amazon is best-known as a third-party marketplace for promoting and selling products, it also allows merchants to create branded Amazon storefronts. This gives ecommerce companies a global audience of millions—although Amazon remains in control of your content and charges fees on every sale. Creating an Amazon storefront can supplement your existing sales channels, and you can easily integrate Amazon with your Shopify store

Who it’s for

Sellers who want a dedicated storefront on an additional sales channel. 

Features

• Seller dashboard. Centralized tools for managing listings, pricing, and inventory.
• Advertising options. Includes sponsored products, brand ads, and coupons.
• Fulfillment services. Offers Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or the option to fulfill orders directly.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.5 

Plans and pricing

Individual plans charge 99¢ per item sold, while the Professional plan costs $39.99 per month. 

11. Shift4Shop

Formerly 3dcart, Shift4Shop offers free ecommerce software for businesses that process a minimum of $1,000 per month through Shift4Shop’s checkout tool. Merchants who make less or prefer to use PayPal payment processing pay $39 per month. 

Shift4Shop doesn’t have extensive ecommerce functionality, but you can set up online shopping for your business quickly, with numerous website templates. Use its API to integrate your store with third-party apps.

Who it’s for

Shift4Shop is for anyone looking for a free ecommerce solution who processes more than $1,000 in payments per month. 

Features

• Hosted ecommerce software. Provides a PCI-compliant, all-in-one platform for store management.
• Marketing features. Includes promotions, daily deals, group deals, and SEO tools.
• Advanced product options. Supports product variations, custom pricing, in-store pickup, and quotes.
• G2 ⭐️ rating: 3.9 

Plans and pricing

Free for businesses that process a minimum of $1,000 per month through Shift4 payment processing, or $39 per month using PayPal payment processing.

Features to look for in an ecommerce solution

Streamlined checkout

A friction-free checkout will make a measurable difference to your conversion rate. As an ecommerce entrepreneur, one of your priorities should be an easy and secure checkout experience for shoppers to complete their purchase.

Desirable checkout features include familiar payment options like Google Wallet and PayPal, as well as the ability to collect customer information for future use.

If you use Shopify, Shop Pay increases checkout speed by four times. You can also leverage Shopify integrations, with more than 100 payment gateways to accommodate multiple payment methods and currencies.

Shopping cart software

As shoppers travel down the ecommerce funnel, they’ll ideally reach the conversion stage, and add products to their shopping cart. 

The best shopping cart software supports a variety of the best payment gateways, including digital wallets and buy now, pay later options, while also providing saved payment details for returning customers. Look for built-in security features like PCI compliance and SSL certificates.

Cart design directly impacts conversion. With the average abandonment rate hovering above 70%, cart recovery tools like automated emails or reminders are essential. 

Saved carts, one-page checkout, and transparent cost calculations reduce friction and give shoppers fewer reasons to leave before completing their order.

Customization and flexibility matter too. Look for shopping cart software that supports different shipping methods, extensible integrations, and branded checkout options. Together, these features create a faster, safer, and more convenient path to purchase. 

Search engine optimization features

Search engine optimization helps drive organic traffic to your website. When your online store is optimized for search, you’ll appear more frequently on search engine result pages, which increases visibility and traffic.

Beyond keywords and metadata, search engines also consider a topic’s relevance to your website’s area of expertise. The Google algorithm will determine how authoritative your content is by checking who is linking to your webpages.

To help optimize your content, choose ecommerce software with SEO features, such as the ability to manipulate metadata, increase page load speed, and compress your images.

For example, with Shopify’s ecommerce software, Google’s WebP image formatting is built-in to make images load faster.

Web hosting

Web hosting is a fundamental element of website development. Hosts store the information and content from your website in a publicly accessible server database. Every website is hosted on a server from a web hosting provider. Some ecommerce software offers built-in web hosting, while others require an external solution.

If you use ecommerce software on a hosted platform, your solution is simple. You won’t need to search for a third-party solution or pay additional fees. If you use Shopify, web hosting comes free with every plan.

Why an online store needs ecommerce software

Ecommerce software is the backbone of any online store. It’s the engine that powers your business, allowing you to manage products, accept payments, and track orders.

Here are seven reasons why your online store needs ecommerce software:

1. Easy store setup

Most store owners are not interested in using code to program an ecommerce website. Ecommerce platforms provide a no-code way to create and maintain an online store. Thanks to intuitive interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality, you can design your store, add products, and set up payment options with basic computer skills.

This means you can get your ecommerce store up and running quickly by yourself—no need to hire extra help.

2. Payment processing

Ecommerce software developers invest millions of dollars to create high-converting payment experiences. Using these payment processors makes it more likely your customers will successfully check out and not abandon their cart. 

Ecommerce software payment processors also allow customers to pay using a variety of options, and help keep customer information secure—a benefit that inspires trust in your brand when you sell online.

3. Order management

Managing orders effectively is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction.

Ecommerce software helps you track orders from the moment they are placed through to delivery, providing updates to customers along the way. With automated order management, it also becomes easier to check stock levels and process returns.

4. Customer experience optimization

Using ecommerce software to build your online store also makes it easier to create a satisfying browsing experience.

A combination of professionally designed themes and a well-engineered back end creates stores with easy navigation, quick loading times, and a seamless checkout process—whether you’re shopping on desktop or mobile.

Beyond enhancing the shopping experience, a website with a premium feel contributes to a sense of professionalism and quality for your brand.

5. Analytics and reporting

Understanding your customers and their behavior helps your store grow more effectively.

Most ecommerce software comes with built-in analytics and reporting tools with insights into your customers’ shopping habits, popular products, sales trends, and more.

6. Security and compliance

In the ecommerce world, security is paramount. Customers need to feel that their personal information is safe when shopping on your website.

Using popular ecommerce software is a simple way to keep your online store compliant with the latest security standards and regulations, such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).

7. Reach a global customer base

With a brick-and-mortar store, your location mostly determines your reach. Move online with ecommerce software and you can sell products internationally, 24 hours a day.

Most ecommerce software comes with features to enhance international sales, such as multi-language support, currency conversion, and international shipping support.