Top Ecommerce Platforms to Choose for Your Online Store in 2024

The global e-commerce market is booming right now, and it is expected to total $6.3 trillion in 2024. This should give you an idea of the potential piece of the pie you can take home running an ecommerce business.

But with so much potential, it becomes even more crucial to set the right foundation—the decision to choose the right ecommerce platform. This decision alone can make or break your business from the start.

From free options like WooCommerce to premium solutions like Shopify, BigCommerce, and more, there are plenty of choices, each offering unique features for different business needs.

To help you make the right decision, we’ll review the top ecommerce platforms in 2024 and share their features, pricing, user reviews, and more.

Let’s get started.

Market Share of Top Ecommerce Platforms (2024)

Let’s check out some of the most popular platforms and see which ones are most used. The graph below shows the top ecommerce platforms’ usage in the top 1 million sites in 2024. The data is collected from BuiltWith.

Source: BuiltWith

If you look at the graph, you’ll note that Shopify and WooCommerce Checkout have the biggest share among the top 1 million sites in 2024, 24% and 14%, respectively.

Shopify Plus holds 6% of the market, and PrestaShop accounts for 3% of the top 1 million sites.

The “Other” category, which includes platforms like BigCommerce, SquareSpace, OpenCart, and Ecwid, makes up 45% of the market.

Platform	Pricing Plans	Rating and Reviews
WooCommerce	Free (paid extensions available)	4.5/5 stars based on 4,349 reviews
BigCommerce	Free trial, plans starting from $29/month	4.2/5 stars based on 522 reviews
Adobe Commerce	Custom pricing (request a quote)	4.0/5 stars based on 506 reviews
Shopify	Plans starting from $19/month, Free trial	4.4/5 stars based on 4,549 reviews
Shift4Shop	Free ($1,000 monthly processing required), Paid plans: $29/month	3.9/5 stars based on 34 reviews
Squarespace	Free trial, plans starting from $16/month	4.4/5 stars based on 1,064 reviews
Wix	Plans starting from $17/month	4.2/5 stars based on 1,672 reviews
Square Online	Free plan, paid plans starting from $79/month	4.2/5 stars based on 458 reviews
OpenCart	Free	4.3/5 stars based on 104 reviews
Yo!Kart	Paid plans starting from $499 (lifetime license)	4.6/5 stars based on 32 reviews
Volusion	Plans starting from $35/month	3.2/5 stars based on 65 reviews
Ecwid	Free plan, paid plans starting from $21/month	4.7/5 stars based on 398 reviews
Salesforce Commerce B2C	Plans starting from 1% of GMV annually	4.3/5 stars based on 415 reviews

Reviewing the Top Ecommerce Platforms

Choosing an e-commerce platform on which your whole business will depend can get overwhelming.

No worries!

Just check out the list below. We’ve covered pros and cons, user reviews, and even prices for each top-rated ecommerce platform to help you out.

1. WooCommerce

WooCommerce consistently ranks among the top-rated ecommerce platforms, with an ever-increasing adoption rate.

One reason why WooCommerce has 7+ million active installations is that it is a simple, free-to-use plugin for WordPress, the most popular CMS in the digital world today. It can convert a simple WordPress website into a full-fledged store capable of displaying products and reviews and offering checkout features.

To add advanced features, you can opt for WooCommerce plugins to customize themes, add custom fields, improve security, and other features.

Plus, the WooCommerce platform allows you to scale your ecommerce store effectively with little to no trouble at all.

Cloudways is a huge fan of WooCommerce. Our managed WooCommerce hosting can help improve your store performance. We also offer a WooCommerce Starter Bundle, which gives you 1-click integration for some of the most popular plugins, including:

• Kadence Email Designer
• Stripe Gateway
• Paypal Checkout
• Checkout Field Editor
• Coupon Shortcodes
• Shipping & Tax
• Google Analytics
• Cart Abandonment Recovery

It’s the ultimate solution for people who want to launch their stores quickly and efficiently using WooCommerce.

Pros:

• Cost-effective option for starting an online store.
• Wide range of extensions and themes.
• Supports many payment gateways.
• Active community support.

Cons:

• Requires managing your own hosting, domain, and SSL.
• Challenging for new users, especially with WordPress.
• You may need to purchase plugins and themes for extended functionality.

Price:

WooCommerce plugin is free, but you may need paid extensions to enhance your store’s functionality.

Rating & Reviews:

WooCommerce has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 4,349 reviews.

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2. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a popular software-as-a-service ecommerce platform that enables merchants to build, innovate, and grow their businesses online.

Founded in 2009 and now powering over 43,568 stores, they have become a major player in the ecommerce industry and continue to gain traction. Some notable customers include Ben & Jerry’s, Molton Brown, S.C. Johnson, Skullcandy, Sony, Vodafone, and Woolrich.

With integrations like Amazon, Google, Walmart, and more, BigCommerce is a good choice for you to easily create and manage your online store. It also includes features like an e-commerce web host, security, and payment processing. Their platform is designed for scalability, making it a great option for businesses of all sizes.

While Shopify has a more substantial plugin app store, BigCommerce offers more features for free. Like tools for SEO, listing products on marketplaces, and more. That’s something to consider.

Pros:

• Offers drag-and-drop page builder with customizable themes and mobile responsiveness.
• Offers optimized one-page and one-click checkout options.
• Supports Apple Pay, Stripe, PayPal, and Buy with Prime.
• Includes Multi-Storefront, B2B Edition, and BOPIS.
• Comes with over 70 customizable promotion types.
• Offers tools like Channel Manager and Feedonomics to manage selling and advertising feeds.

Cons:

• Complex for small businesses with simple needs.
• Might be expensive for businesses not using its extensive features.
• Limited theme options compared to some competitors.

Price:

BigCommerce offers flexible pricing with a 15-day free trial. Plans range from $29 monthly for small brands to custom pricing for established businesses with over $1M in revenue.

Rating & Reviews:

BigCommerce has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 522 reviews.

3. ADOBE COMMERCE (MAGENTO)

Adobe Commerce is a powerful ecommerce platform used by prominent brands like Jaguar Land Rover, Coca-Cola, and Ford.

One of Adobe Commerce’s standout features is its drag-and-drop page builder. This tool simplifies the design process, so you don’t necessarily need a developer for every change.

It also integrates seamlessly with Adobe products, such as Experience Manager, Analytics, and Real-Time CDP, enabling advanced personalization and a unified digital experience.

However, Adobe Commerce does have some challenges. It lacks built-in tools for a seamless multichannel strategy, making social commerce and marketplace selling more complex. Additionally, managing international transactions can require extra effort.

Regardless, this one is another great eCommerce platform.

Pros:

• Works well with Adobe tools like Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Stock.
• Customizable so you can adjust it to meet your business needs.
• Allows you to manage multiple stores from one platform.
• Offers Access to a network of partners for additional support.
• Includes functions specifically for business-to-business transactions.

Cons:

• You need to handle and install your own security updates.
• A development and IT team are needed to set up and maintain.
• Expensive to set up and maintain, even for basic stores.
• Technical support is not very extensive.

Price:

Custom pricing is available only. You’ll need to request a personalized quote based on your specific requirements.

Rating & Reviews:

Overall, Adobe Commerce has a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 506 reviews.

4. Shopify

Shopify is a top choice for ecommerce, with 4.8 million online stores that have collectively generated approximately $1 trillion in global sales. It’s a comprehensive platform that handles payments, shipping, and email marketing, offering an all-in-one solution for your online business.

It also offers a wide range of dropshipping integrations, making it easy to sell without holding inventory.

It even offers a free trial and lets users choose from over 100 themes, so setting up your store is straightforward, even with no technical experience. Shopify also offers plenty of online resources, making it a strong platform for marketing your products and services.

However, since Shopify is a self-hosted platform, those seeking more flexibility might consider exploring Shopify alternatives.

Pros:

• Offers over 8,000 integrated apps to enhance functionality.
• More than 100 free and premium themes are available.
• Easy to navigate, even for beginners.

Cons:

• Extra charges for using non-Shopify payment solutions.
• Not ideal for targeting business customers.
• No multi-storefront option.
• Fewer options for customizing product and content pages.

Price:

Shopify offers flexible pricing plans: the Basic plan starts at $19/month, the Advanced plan at $299/month, and the Plus plan for complex businesses starts at $2,300/month on a 3-year term. You can start with a free trial and then enjoy the first month for just $1.

Rating & Reviews:

Shopify has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 4,549 reviews, with the majority of users giving it a 5-star rating.

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5. Shift4Shop

Shift4Shop is a solid choice for creating an online store. It’s straightforward to set up and works well on mobile devices, even though it lacks some features found in Shopify and other platforms on this list.

What makes Shift4Shop stand out is its SEO capabilities. It also offers API integration to connect your store with other applications.

Shift4Shop’s pricing is quite flexible: it’s free if you use their credit card processor, with standard processing fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per order. If you prefer using PayPal or your monthly earnings are under $500, plans start at $29 monthly.

Pros:

• Offers a comprehensive free plan with extensive features.
• You can list as many products as you want.
• No restrictions on the number of users or bandwidth usage.
• Supports selling on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
• Provides a wide range of free themes for customization.
• No limits on your revenue for the free plan.
• Includes protection against fraudulent transactions.

Cons:

• Paid plans have a sales cap of $100,000 annually.
• Fewer apps are available compared to some competitors.
• Limited customization options for themes and features.
• Not available for users outside of the United States.

Price:

Shift4Shop can be free if you process at least $1,000 monthly through their system. Otherwise, paid plans start at $29 monthly if you use any other payment processor.

Rating & Reviews:

Shift4Shop has an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 34 reviews. Most users have given it 5 stars.

6. SquareSpace

SquareSpace has become incredibly popular over the years. It offers a range of themes and customizable features, with a drag-and-drop website builder that becomes even more powerful when you upgrade to a higher-priced plan.

Once you upgrade, you can turn your site into a proper online store with payment options like Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Afterpay. It also includes inventory tracking, shipping label printing, and the ability to sell subscription products.

Squarespace also offers many attractive templates, many of which are free, which we like as well.

However, it doesn’t offer a free plan and has some limitations, such as restricted customization options and the challenge of choosing a different host since it’s a hosted platform.

Pros:

• Affordable as it starts at $23 per month while offering great features.
• Beginner-friendly as No web design experience is needed.
• Includes a free domain name and SSL certificate.
• There are no limits on bandwidth or storage.
• Provides high-quality templates at no cost.

Cons:

• No free version is available.
• Lacks options for selling on multiple platforms.
• Lacks inventory management features.
• Abandoned cart recovery is not included by default.

Price:

Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial. Plans start at $16/month for the Personal plan and go up to $52/month for the Commerce Advanced plan. Pricing varies based on features and payment options, with discounts for annual billing.

Rating & Reviews:

Squarespace has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 1,064 reviews.

7. Wix

Wix is another user-friendly drag-and-drop builder that also includes AI tools and a logo-maker. You can create a basic website for free, but to access ecommerce features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

For online stores, Wix supports online payments, order tracking, and management across various channels. It also offers features like abandoned cart recovery, drop shipping, and some basic omnichannel selling tools.

However, Wix falls short in some areas that are important for product-based businesses. It lacks built-in low-stock alerts and other essential inventory management features, so you’ll need to rely on third-party apps to fill those gaps and sell through social media.

Pros:

• The platform takes care of hosting, so you don’t need to manage it separately.
• Basic plan is available at no cost.
• Site editor is easy to use, making it great for people with no web design experience.
• Hosting, domain, and SSL certificate are included in a single price.
• You get access to a range of free templates for designing your site.
• You can sell as many products as you want.

Cons:

• Tracking and analytics features are only available with a paid plan.
• Sites built on this platform can’t be transferred to another provider.
• Lacks advanced inventory management tools.
• The entry-level e-commerce plan includes a storage limit of 50 GB.

Price:

Wix offers plans starting at $17/month for the Light plan, with a free domain included for one year. The highest tier, Business Elite, is $159/month and includes advanced ecommerce features and unlimited storage.

Rating & Reviews:

Wix has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 1,672 reviews.

8. Square Online

Previously known as Weebly before its acquisition by Square, Square Online offers excellent value and design flexibility. You can build a store for free, but to use your own domain name and remove in-app ads, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the paid ecommerce plans.

Its paid plans are designed to meet the needs of budget-oriented online sellers.

While Weebly continues to serve smaller businesses, Square Online is ideal for larger ecommerce stores. It has all the necessary features, including built-in marketing tools and a dashboard that presents all the information you need at a glance.

Pros:

• Offers a basic plan at no cost.
• Plans start at $10 per month when billed annually.
• Sell as many physical and digital goods as you like.
• Easily accept recurring payments from customers.
• Includes automatic tax and shipping calculators.

Cons:

• Custom domains cannot be used with the free plan.
• Some of the available themes may look less polished.

Price:

Square Online starts at $0/month for basic features, with a 2.9% + 30¢ fee per transaction, while the Premium plan at $79/month offers even more tools and lower transaction fees.

Rating & Reviews:

Square Online (formerly Weebly) has a solid 4.2 out of 5 stars from 458 reviews, with the majority of users giving it 5 stars.

9. OpenCart

OpenCart is a free, open-source ecommerce platform that is easy to set up. It allows users to create and manage multiple online stores from a single dashboard, providing an overview of sales and customer metrics.

The platform offers over 13,000 modules and free themes, giving users ample options for customization and integration with other tools.

There is no monthly subscription fee, making OpenCart a cost-effective choice for managing multiple custom stores.

Pros:

• No cost for using the platform, and you can modify the code to fit your needs.
• You can choose from a wide range of add-ons to improve store functionality.
• Offers a lot of customization options.

Cons:

• Doesn’t have a lot of tools you need for advanced marketing and sales.
• You’ll need to manage your own hosting and server maintenance.

Price:

OpenCart is free. You can access the platform without any upfront costs.

Rating & Reviews:

OpenCart has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 104 reviews. Most reviews rate it highly, with 64 giving it 5 stars and 32 rating it 4 stars.

10. Yo!Kart

Yo!Kart is a self-hosted and scalable multi-vendor ecommerce platform for building future-proof online marketplaces similar to Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.

The platform has diverse in-built features such as catalog management, multi-lingual, multiple payment gateways, BOPIS, ready mobile apps, & several pre-integrated APIs.

Unlike other ecommerce platforms like Shopify or Bigcommerce, it enables startups, SMBs & enterprises to launch their digital marketplaces without any external plugin or app.

Also, Yo!Kart has a lifetime license and a one-time pricing model, making it a cost-efficient online marketplace software.

Pros:

• Responsive customer support team.
• Offers a lot of custom features.
• Offers complete multivendor system.

Cons:

• Issues with hosting have been reported by some users.

Price:

GoQuick Lite is available for $499, offering a self-hosted, lifetime license with basic features and support. GoQuick is priced at $1,249. GoCustom is offered at $6,249, including custom design and marketing services.

Rating & Reviews:

Yo!Kart has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 32 reviews, with 23 users giving it 5 stars.

11. Volusion

Volusion, which has been around for over 25 years, is one of the oldest ecommerce platforms. It provides a simple way for small businesses to set up their online presence, offering integration with over 30 payment gateways.

Volusion does not offer a free plan and doesn’t support digital products like ebooks or music. Starting at $35/month, it’s competitively priced and aligns with platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce.

The platform has no transaction fees and includes an easy-to-use website builder, which is a big plus for budget-oriented sellers.

Pros:

• Offers 24/7 customer service.
• Easy-to-use website builder.

Cons:

• The basic plan is costly and comes with restricted features.
• SSL security isn’t provided for free.

Price:

Personal plans start at $35/month, Professional at $79/month, and Business at $299/month. For Prime pricing, you’d have to contact the sales team.

Rating & Reviews:

Volusion has a rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars based on 65 reviews.

12. Ecwid

Ecwid is similar to Shopify but with no transaction fees. It only charges credit card processing fees, which I think is fair enough.

One of Ecwid’s best features is how easy it is to integrate custom code. You don’t have to write the code yourself. You can add a plugin to your CMS or copy the code Ecwid provides and paste it into the page where you want the store to appear. This makes it very simple for people without much coding experience.

Overall, it is definitely a Shopify alternative.

Pros:

• Charges no additional charges on transactions.
• Handles custom orders efficiently.
• Inventory Management is available on all plans except the free plan.
• Supports multichannel selling on paid plans.

Cons:

• The free plan is limited to five products.
• You cannot edit or place custom orders with the Free plan.
• Offers limited design options.
• Offers limited SEO tools.

Price:

Ecwid offers a Free plan with essential features, while paid plans start at $21/month for the Venture plan and go up to $89/month for the Unlimited plan.

Rating & Reviews:

Ecwid has 398 reviews with a 4.7 out of 5 rating, which is pretty impressive.

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13. Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Salesforce is a big name in the industry. You can create various cloud-based ecommerce stores using Salesforce Commerce Cloud, with customizable features for sales, marketing, order fulfillment, feedback, and more.

The platform simplifies everything. Its AI capabilities are pretty neat, and it lets you do everything from setting up your digital storefront to managing sales across customer touchpoints.

However, Salesforce Commerce Cloud can be expensive and has high licensing fees.

Pros:

• Supports B2B, B2C, and DTC  businesses.
• Offers automatic upgrades without affecting business processes.
• Provides in-depth data through AI.

Cons:

• Implementation can cost around $250k.
• Customers are discouraged from using features outside the Salesforce ecosystem.
• Can be challenging and time-consuming for beginners to use due to its complexity.

Price:

Commerce Cloud Growth costs 1% of GMV annually and includes 6 storefronts. Commerce Cloud Advanced is 2% of GMV annually and offers 10 storefronts. Pricing for Commerce Cloud B2C Premium is available on request.

Rating & Reviews:

Salesforce Commerce for B2C has a 4.3 out of 5 rating from 415 reviews.

What Is the Estimated Cost of an E-commerce Platform?

The cost of an e-commerce platform can vary widely depending on your needs. Basic platforms may start at around $10 per month, while more advanced ones can exceed $500 monthly. For large enterprises, costs can run into the thousands $$$.

Here are some factors affecting the price:

• Number of Products: Platforms that handle large inventories, like Shopify Plus, might cost more than those designed for smaller catalogs.
• Size of Store: A large, complex store might need a platform with robust features, such as Magento Commerce, which can be more expensive.
• Payment Methods: Platforms supporting multiple payment options, like WooCommerce, may have higher fees than those with fewer options.
• Payment Processing: Using a platform’s built-in payment service, such as Square Online, usually involves transaction fees, like 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
• SEO Features: Platforms with integrated SEO tools, like BigCommerce, may include these features in higher-tier plans or charge extra for them.
• Web Design: Custom design services, such as those offered by Wix’s premium plans, can add significant costs, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
• Migration: Transitioning to a new platform, like from Magento to Shopify, might involve fees based on the complexity of the move.

There are, of course, other costs as well, such as hosting. We suggest using our free pricing calculator tool to accurately determine the web hosting costs you may incur compared to competitors.

How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Platform?

Choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial, as different platforms offer various features that may or may not align with your needs. Here’s what to focus on:

• Pricing: Don’t just focus on monthly fees. Instead, check processing fees and how they relate to your sales volume. For instance, a platform might have low monthly fees but high processing costs.
• Ease of Use: A good platform should simplify web design and store management. Look for user-friendly interfaces and easy integrations.
• Features: Decide what features you need, like a free domain, SSL certification, or drop shipping tools. Cloudways offers free SSL integration, so consider that if you want to save costs.
• Capabilities: Make sure the platform supports your specific needs, whether that’s selling digital products, managing subscriptions, or online courses.
• Design and Customization: Check if the platform provides prebuilt themes and offers customization options.
• Customer Support: Good support is important. Find a platform that offers reliable support on time.

Types of E-commerce Platforms

Hosted (Cloud)

Hosted platforms, like Shopify, include website hosting in their plans. You don’t need to handle server management or worry about updates and maintenance; everything is handled for you. Cloudways is a great example of this (shameful plug 😁). This allows you to focus more on your business rather than technical issues.

Self-Hosted

Self-hosted platforms require you to arrange your own server or pay for hosting from a provider. Also, you’d be responsible for updates, maintenance, and fixing bugs.

You’d be the captain in charge.

These platforms are often open source and involve additional costs for third-party hosting services, which can vary in support quality.

Which Ecommerce Platform Should You Choose?

It’s obviously difficult to make a selection with so many options available. If you have a WordPress website, go with WooCommerce. If you want a hosted platform, Shopify might be your best bet, especially if you’re considering Shopify Plus Development for a more advanced and scalable solution.

Regardless of the platform you choose, it’s important to do your research carefully. Most importantly, define your ecommerce website goals (size, revenue, growth plans), know what exactly you’re looking for (easy-to-use interface, high functionality, etc.), and read up on the features of each ecommerce platform in detail before you make the final choice.