The 8 Best eCommerce Platforms:  Which One is Right for Your Business?

Starting your own online store is an exciting journey, and there’s so much to think about—picking out your business name, designing a logo, and building a website to showcase your products. 

But to set yourself up for long-term success, there’s one big decision: choosing the best eCommerce platform.

With so many options, finding the best fit can feel overwhelming. Each platform has its strengths, pricing, and unique features, and picking the one that suits your needs can make a big difference in how smoothly your business runs and grows.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the top 8 eCommerce platforms, covering what each one offers, where they shine, and any potential downsides to consider. 

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, this guide will help you find a platform that makes running your online store a breeze.

What Are eCommerce Platforms?
Key Features to Look for in an eCommerce Solution
The 8 Best eCommerce Platforms
Choosing the Right eCommerce Platform: Aligning with Your Business Needs
Wrapping Up: The Best eCommerce Solution for Your Business

What Are eCommerce Platforms?

An eCommerce platform is the backbone of any online store. It’s a software solution that provides the essential tools to set up, manage, and grow your business online. Think of it as the “home base” for your operations, where you can create product listings, process payments, track inventory, and manage customer orders—all in one place.

These platforms are designed to make selling online as smooth as possible, even for people without a tech background. 

Many e-commerce platforms include user-friendly templates for building a professional-looking website, secure gateways for customer transactions, and advanced features like analytics tools to track your sales performance. 

With the right eCommerce platform, you can focus on growing your business while the software handles the technical details.

Before diving into the top eCommerce platforms, let’s look at some key features to keep in mind.

Key Features to Look for in an eCommerce Solution 

Choosing the right eCommerce platform goes beyond finding something that looks good. It’s about finding a solution to support your business goals, both now and as you grow. Here are a few important features to keep in mind:

1. Scalability

As your business grows, you’ll want a platform to keep up. The best eCommerce platforms are built to handle high traffic and extensive inventories, while others are best suited for smaller operations. Consider whether the platform can handle peak times, like holiday seasons, and if it can scale up easily as your business expands.

ℹ️What to look for: Look for platforms known for their uptime and ability to handle traffic spikes. Some even offer features like unlimited products or integrations with advanced tools for expanding your business.

2. Ease of use

Managing your ecommerce website should be straightforward, even if you’re not a tech expert. A platform with an intuitive dashboard makes everyday tasks—like adding products, updating prices, and managing inventory—easy.

ℹ️What to look for: Platforms with drag-and-drop editors, clear navigation, and built-in customer support can make a big difference (More on this below!).

3. Customization and integrations

Your eCommerce platform should work well with other tools you use, like accounting software, marketing tools, and shipping providers. Also, the ability to customize the platform allows you to create unique features or integrate advanced tech as you grow.

ℹ️What to look for: Look for platforms offering robust integrations and customization options, especially if you plan to add specific tools or features.

4. Payment options

Offering various payment options can improve the customer experience and even boost sales. Make sure the platform supports popular payment processing methods like credit cards, digital wallets, and if needed, point-of-sale systems.

ℹ️What to look for: Some platforms charge fees for specific payment gateways, so check if they support your preferred options without additional costs.

5. Security

Security is essential for any online store. It protects your customers’ sensitive data and builds trust. Look for platforms with robust security features to keep your store and customers safe.

ℹ️What to look for: Key security features include PCI compliance, SSL certificates, and built-in fraud detection. Regular security audits are a plus.

6. SEO and marketing tools

Good SEO (search engine optimization) and marketing tools help drive traffic to your store. Features like optimized URLs, mobile-friendly design, and integration with marketing channels (like social media) are essential for reaching customers.

ℹ️What to look for: Most ecommerce platforms provide built-in SEO tools and marketing integrations, making it easier to promote your store and rank higher in search engines.

The 8 Best eCommerce Platforms 

1️⃣Shopify

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Overview

Shopify is a well-known eCommerce platform designed to support businesses of all sizes with a range of tools for online retail. 

This eCommerce site is self-hosted and provides features for everything from creating a storefront to managing orders and shipping. Shopify allows businesses to sell across multiple channels, including social media and in-person sales through Shopify POS.

Key features

• Customizable templates: Over 100 free themes to help create a unique look for your store.
• Integrated payment processing: Accepts payments through Shopify Payments or other third-party providers.
• App marketplace: Thousands of apps to extend functionality, covering everything from marketing to logistics.
• Mobile optimization: Ensures your store looks and functions well on mobile devices.
• Inventory management: Tracks stock levels in real-time and organizes products.
• AI-Powered tools: Offers tools like automated product descriptions and customer support via AI chat.
• Global sales tools: Helps with international sales by managing multiple currencies, taxes, and shipping.
• Abandoned cart recovery: Sends follow-up emails to bring back customers who left items in their carts.
• Mobile app: allows you to manage orders, inventory, and customer interactions from a mobile device.
• Sales channels: For multi-channel sales, connect with Facebook, Instagram, Google, Walmart Marketplace, eBay, and Amazon.

Pricing 

2️⃣Wix

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Overview

Wix is a well-known ecommerce website builder with great flexibility, making it a solid choice for small—to medium-sized businesses that want a simple way to set up an online store. 

While Wix started as a general website platform, it now offers eCommerce features to help entrepreneurs, startups, and creatives with an online business begin selling online without a big learning curve.

Key features

• Drag-and-drop editor: Easily build custom online stores by dragging and dropping elements—no coding needed.
• Hundreds of templates: With over 500 designer templates, you can find a look just right for your brand.
• App market: The Wix App Market offers 300+ apps to add features, like product galleries, wishlists, and more.
• Mobile optimization: Your store will look and work great on any device, helping you reach shoppers on the go.
• Omnichannel selling: sell on multiple channels so your products reach customers wherever they shop.
• Abandoned cart recovery: Send friendly reminders to shoppers who left items in their carts.
• Dropshipping: Wix supports dropshipping, allowing you to offer a wide range of products without managing inventory directly.

Pros and cons 

Pricing

Wix has a few pricing options for eCommerce plans:

3️⃣BigCommerce

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Overview

BigCommerce is an eCommerce platform designed for businesses looking to grow, offering advanced tools that cater to both B2C (business-to-consumer) and B2B (business-to-business) needs. 

Known for its scalability, BigCommerce is especially popular among mid-market and enterprise brands that require powerful built-in features, flexible customization options, and the ability to integrate with best-in-class technology.

Key features

• Multi-channel selling: Reach customers on major channels like Google Shopping, Facebook, Amazon, eBay, Instagram, and more.
• SEO tools: Built-in SEO tools to help boost your store’s visibility in search engine results.
• Customizable checkout: Streamline the customer checkout process with options to customize the experience.
• No transaction fees: Keep more of your earnings, as BigCommerce doesn’t charge additional fees.
• Drag-and-drop page builder: Easily design pages with a customizable, mobile-responsive layout.
• Promotions manager: Pre-loaded with over 70 customizable promotions to attract customers.
• Global sales support: Tools for handling international currencies, taxes, and shipping.
• High-security standards: All stores are Level 1 PCI compliant, and BigCommerce undergoes regular security audits.
• Channel manager: Manage advertising and selling feeds across multiple platforms, making it easier to run omnichannel campaigns.

Pricing

BigCommerce offers four main pricing tiers:

4️⃣Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)

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Overview

Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, is a highly customizable eCommerce platform with robust features geared toward businesses that require extensive flexibility and control. 

This open-source eCommerce platform gives you access to the code so you can shape your website to match your exact vision. It is perfect for brands with specific needs that standard eCommerce platforms might not cover.

Key features

• Customizable architecture: Adobe Commerce’s open-source code lets you tailor the platform to your business needs.
• Advanced SEO Tools: SEO features are built-in, making it easier for your store to appear in search results.
• Community and marketplace: Adobe Commerce has a huge community of developers and a marketplace filled with third-party tools.
• Scalability for large catalogs: Great for businesses with large inventories and multiple stores.
• Multi-store functionality: You can run multiple stores from a single account, especially for brands with different product lines or markets.
• Integrations with Adobe products: Works smoothly with other Adobe tools, like Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Stock, to help with content management.

Pros and cons

Pricing 

Adobe Commerce offers two main pricing options:

Open source: Free to use, but you must handle your hosting and setup.

Adobe Commerce Cloud: Custom pricing, usually starting around $40,000 per year for larger businesses.

5️⃣WooCommerce

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Overview

WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin that turns any WordPress site into a fully functional eCommerce store. Designed for WordPress users who want to sell products online, It offers all the basics to set up a store—from product listings to a shopping cart and checkout process. 

Its flexibility and extensive plugin ecosystem make it a popular choice for those who want control over their store’s features without the cost of a standalone eCommerce platform.

Key features

• WordPress integration: Built to work smoothly with WordPress, so you can manage content and eCommerce all in one place.
• Extensive plugin ecosystem: Choose from thousands of plugins to add features like shipping, security, SEO, and more.
• Flexible and customizable: Control the look and feel of your store with customizable themes and plugins.
• Supports physical and digital products: Sell anything from physical items to digital downloads and subscriptions.
• Multichannel options: Connect with sales channels like Google Shopping, Facebook, and Amazon for more reach.

Pros and cons

Pricing

WooCommerce is an entirely free plan to use and set up. However, web hosting fees can be as little as $3.95 per month and as high as $5,000.

6️⃣Squarespace

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Overview

Squarespace is a popular eCommerce website builder known for its stunning design templates and ease of use. It is a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those in creative fields. 

While it’s known for showcasing beautiful visuals, This eCommerce software also offers solid features that let you sell online directly from your site. All of its business plans (except the Personal plan) include online selling options, so it’s easy to set up a stylish store without much fuss.

Key features

• Templates: Choose from a range of eye-catching, professional templates that make your products stand out.
• Easy-to-use editor: Customize your site with a simple drag-and-drop editor—no coding required.
• Built-in eCommerce: All business plans come with eCommerce features, so you can sell directly from your site.
• Mobile-friendly: Every template is optimized for mobile, ensuring your store looks great on any device.
• Multi-channel selling: Integrated with Instagram and Facebook to reach your customers where they are.
• Integrated payments and shipping: Supports popular payment options like PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay, along with USPS and FedEx for shipping.
• Analytics dashboard: Built-in analytics help you track site traffic, sales, and customer activity.

Pros and cons

Pricing 

Squarespace offers several pricing options with different levels of eCommerce functionality:

7️⃣Shift4Shop

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Overview

Shift4Shop is a versatile eCommerce platform with features to help businesses set up and grow quickly.

Initially launched in 1997 (as 3DCart), it’s one of the oldest eCommerce solutions around. The platform is best suited for businesses with some coding or development knowledge, as it offers extensive customization but isn’t as beginner-friendly as other platforms.

Key features

• Built-in search engine optimization tools: Shift4Shop offers a range of SEO tools to help your store rank in search results and attract organic traffic.
• No transaction fees: Unlike many platforms, Shift4Shop doesn’t charge transaction fees, so you keep more of what you earn.
• Over 100 free templates: Choose from various free themes to give your store a professional look.
• API integrations: Connect your store with other applications using Shift4Shop’s API.
• 24/7 tech support: Get around-the-clock support to assist with any questions or technical issues.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Shift4Shop’s pricing is slightly different from that of other popular eCommerce platforms. 

The platform is free if using Shift4 payment processing with monthly sales of at least $1000.

Paid plans start at $29/month if using external payment options or for businesses with lower sales volumes.

8️⃣Subbly

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Overview

Subbly is an eCommerce platform built specifically for subscription-based businesses. Whether you're running a monthly box service or offering recurring digital memberships, Subbly provides a range of tools tailored to these businesses. Its straightforward setup and automation features make starting easy, especially for companies that rely on recurring billing.

Key features

• Subscription billing management: Automate recurring billing with flexible cycle durations (weekly, monthly, quarterly, or custom). You can also set specific shipping dates and pre-order options.
• Customer management: A customer portal allows subscribers to update payment methods and shipping addresses and manage their subscription preferences.
• Website builder: Build your store with a no-code, drag-and-drop website builder that includes customizable templates optimized for mobile.
• Customizable checkout: Embed and customize the checkout flow on your website with multiple payment options, such as Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
• Marketing and retention tools: Tools for upselling, cross-selling, and referral programs help increase average order value and promote customer retention.
• Analytics and reporting: Access subscription-specific analytics to monitor metrics like monthly recurring revenue (MRR), churn, and customer lifetime value (LTV) to inform growth strategies.

Pros and cons 

Pricing

Subbly offers a few pricing plans based on your needs:

Choosing the Right eCommerce Platform: Aligning with Your Business Needs

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Choosing the right eCommerce platform isn’t just about comparing features; it’s about finding one that matches where your business is now and where you want it to go. Here are some things to think about as you decide:

✅Understand the full cost

While looking at just the setup or monthly fees is easy, don’t forget to think about the full cost of using each platform. Some, like Shift4Shop, offer a free plan if you use their payment processing, while platforms like Adobe Commerce are a bigger investment but offer almost limitless customization. 

Make sure to account for transaction fees, costs for add-ons or plugins, and hosting fees if needed. Finding a platform that fits your budget while offering the tools you need can give you a more solid start as you grow

✅Find a platform that suits your business model

Different platforms are better suited to different types of businesses. A platform like Subbly might be perfect if you focus on subscriptions. If you’re doing dropshipping, Shopify or Wix might have the integrations to make your life easier. 

WooCommerce, on the other hand, offers WordPress users flexibility to build a store that fits a range of business models. Consider your specific needs and choose a platform to make your business as smooth as possible.

✅Think about your growth plans

A good eCommerce platform should grow with you. If you’re just starting, you may not need enterprise-level features. Still, if you aim to expand, platforms like BigCommerce and Adobe Commerce are built to handle big catalogs and advanced functionality. 

For businesses adding in-person sales, platforms like Shopify and Squarespace let you easily integrate POS (point of sale) tools to track both online and offline sales in one place.

✅Consider customer support and resources

Let’s face it—running an online store comes with its fair share of challenges. When issues come up, it’s helpful to have support options. Some platforms, like Squarespace, offer 24/7 support, while WooCommerce relies more on community resources. 

Consider how much support you’ll need and whether each platform can provide it, especially if you don’t have an in-house tech team.

✅Factor in additional services and tools

Some platforms offer additional tools that can be a real asset as you grow. Shopify Capital, for example, provides funding for Shopify merchants, and Subbly has add-ons that let you customize your subscription setup. 

These extra tools can make a difference as your business evolves, giving you access to the resources and support you might need to take things to the next level.

The best eCommerce platform meets your needs today and has the flexibility to grow with you. By keeping your budget, business model, growth goals, and support needs in mind, you can choose a platform that helps your business thrive from day one.

Wrapping Up: The Best eCommerce Solution for Your Business

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is one of the most important steps in setting up a successful online store. 

Each platform we’ve covered has unique strengths and tools to support your business at various stages—whether you’re just starting out, managing a subscription service, or scaling for growth. By aligning your choice with your specific needs and future goals, you’ll set your business up for a smoother journey from day one.

Once you’ve chosen a platform, it's essential to integrate it with the tools and services that streamline operations—like supplier connections, inventory updates, and order processing. 

This is where Spark Shipping’s eCommerce platform integrations come in. Spark Shipping simplifies multi-channel integration, helping automate the key processes that keep your business running efficiently.

With the right platform and powerful integrations, you’ll be ready to focus on what matters most—growing a thriving business that serves your customers well.