Comparative Review of Leading E-commerce Platform Software
By Lucy Chen | Published: Undated | Category: E-Commerce Platform Software
About E-Commerce Platform Software
E-commerce platform software provides businesses with the tools to build, manage, and scale an online store. These platforms typically handle website creation, product catalog management, payment processing, and order fulfillment integration.
Scoring Criteria
- → Features & Customization
- → Ease of Use
- → Scalability
- → Pricing & Value
- → Support & Community
The Best E-Commerce Platform Software
#10
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
By Salesforce, Inc.
An enterprise-level, cloud-based e-commerce platform focused on unified customer experiences, AI-driven personalization, and scalability.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based (Cloud)
Best For: Large Enterprises, Retailers with Physical Stores, Brands focused on Personalization, Global Operations
Key Features
- ✓Unified Commerce: Connects digital commerce with marketing, sales, service, and physical stores. (Core Feature)
- ✓Einstein AI: AI-powered personalization, recommendations, and insights. (Included)
- ✓Scalability & Reliability: Cloud infrastructure designed for high traffic and global reach. (Included)
- ✓Order Management: Advanced OMS capabilities for complex fulfillment scenarios. (Included)
- ✓B2B & B2C: Separate but integrated solutions tailored for B2B and B2C commerce. (Included)
Scorecard (Overall: 7.2 / 10.0)
Pricing
B2C Commerce / B2B Commerce
$1.00 / Varies (GMV-based %)
- AI-Powered Personalization
- Mobile-First Optimized
- Order Management System
- Multi-Site Management
- Full Development Environment
Limitations: Very expensive (typically % of Gross Merchandise Volume), Highly complex, Requires significant implementation effort and resources
Pros
- + Extremely scalable and reliable platform
- + Powerful AI and personalization features
- + Integrates deeply with Salesforce ecosystem (CRM, Marketing Cloud)
- + Strong order management capabilities
- + Excellent for large, complex omnichannel retailers
Cons
- - Very high cost (GMV-based pricing)
- - Complex to implement and manage
- - Requires specialized expertise
- - Overkill for small or mid-sized businesses
Verdict
"A top-tier enterprise solution for large retailers needing advanced personalization, omnichannel capabilities, and deep integration with the Salesforce ecosystem, but comes with significant cost and complexity."
#9
Volusion
By Volusion, LLC
An established all-in-one hosted e-commerce platform with a focus on data and analytics features.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based
Best For: Data-driven Businesses, Small to Medium Businesses, Subscription Boxes
Key Features
- ✓All-in-One Platform: Includes hosting, site builder, marketing tools, and order management. (Included)
- ✓Reporting & Analytics: Strong focus on built-in analytics and reporting tools. (Included)
- ✓Recurring Payments: Built-in support for subscription products. (Included)
- ✓Phone Support: Offers phone support on all plans. (Included)
- ✓No Platform Transaction Fees: Does not charge its own transaction fees. (Included)
Scorecard (Overall: 6.6 / 10.0)
Pricing
Personal
$35.00 / Monthly
- Online Store
- Unlimited Products
- Reporting
- Social Media Integrations
Limitations: Sales limit (~$50k/year), Basic features
Professional
$79.00 / Monthly
- Personal features plus:
- Abandoned Cart Reports
- Phone Orders
- CRM
Limitations: Sales limit (~$100k/year)
Business
$299.00 / Monthly
- Professional features plus:
- Advanced Reporting
- API Access
- Third-Party Gateways
- Priority Support
Limitations: Sales limit (~$400k/year)
Pros
- + Comprehensive built-in features
- + Strong analytics and reporting capabilities
- + No platform transaction fees
- + Includes phone support
- + Good for subscriptions
Cons
- - Annual sales volume limits on plans
- - Limited design flexibility compared to others
- - Smaller app/integration ecosystem
- - Interface feels somewhat dated
Verdict
"A decent all-in-one solution for businesses that value built-in features, data analysis, and don't require extensive customization or a huge app store. The sales limits per plan are a key consideration."
#8
PrestaShop
By PrestaShop S.A.
An open-source e-commerce platform offering a free core product with extensive customization options through modules.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based (Self-hosted or Cloud)
Best For: Budget-conscious Businesses, Developers, European Market Focus, Stores needing multilingual/multicurrency
Key Features
- ✓Open Source Core: Free to download and use the core platform software. (Free)
- ✓Module Marketplace: Large marketplace for themes and modules (add-ons) to extend functionality. (Varies (Free & Paid))
- ✓Internationalization: Strong built-in support for multiple languages and currencies. (Included)
- ✓Customization: Access to code allows for deep customization. (Included)
- ✓Large User Community: Active global community for support and resources. (Included)
Scorecard (Overall: 7.0 / 10.0)
Pricing
Self-Hosted
Contact Vendor
- Core e-commerce platform
- Basic store functionalities
- Multi-language/currency
Limitations: Requires hosting, domain, security, theme, and modules, Technical expertise needed
Modules/Themes
$50.00 / Varies (Average One-time/Annual)
- Advanced SEO
- Payment Gateways
- Marketing tools
- Professional designs
Limitations: Costs can add up significantly, Quality varies
Pros
- + Free core software
- + Highly customizable via modules
- + Strong international selling features
- + Active community support
- + No platform transaction fees
Cons
- - Requires technical skills for setup and maintenance
- - Interface can be complex
- - Cost of essential modules can be high
- - Official support can be expensive
- - Quality of modules varies
Verdict
"A solid open-source choice, particularly strong in Europe, for businesses with technical resources who need flexibility and international capabilities without the high costs of enterprise platforms."
#7
Ecwid by Lightspeed
By Lightspeed Commerce
An e-commerce widget that can be added to any existing website, social media page, or used to create a simple standalone store.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based Widget, Standalone Store, Mobile App (Management)
Best For: Adding e-commerce to existing sites (WordPress, Wix, etc.), Selling on Social Media, Small Businesses, Free Start
Key Features
- ✓Embeddable Widget: Easily add a store to any website or platform. (Core Feature)
- ✓Multi-Platform Selling: Sell simultaneously on websites, social media (Facebook, Instagram), and marketplaces (Amazon, eBay). (Included (Plan Dependent))
- ✓Free Plan Available: Offers a perpetually free plan for basic selling needs. (Included)
- ✓Mobile Management: Manage store and sales on the go via mobile app. (Included)
- ✓Instant Site: Create a simple one-page e-commerce site if you don't have one. (Included)
Scorecard (Overall: 6.8 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Online Store (Instant Site)
- Embed on any website
- Sell up to 5 products
Limitations: Limited products, No digital goods, No advanced features
Venture
$14.08 / Monthly (Billed Annually)
- Free features plus:
- Sell up to 100 products
- Sell on Facebook/Instagram
- Mobile POS
- Gift Cards
Limitations: No abandoned cart recovery, Limited app access
Business
$29.08 / Monthly (Billed Annually)
- Venture features plus:
- Sell up to 2500 products
- Sell on Amazon/eBay
- Abandoned Cart Emails
- Product Variations
Limitations: Some advanced features require Unlimited
Pros
- + Excellent for adding e-commerce to an existing site
- + Generous free plan available
- + Easy setup and management
- + Strong social media selling integrations
- + Affordable paid plans
Cons
- - Limited design customization for Instant Site
- - SEO capabilities are basic
- - Not ideal for large, complex stores
- - Fewer built-in features compared to full platforms
Verdict
"Perfect for small businesses wanting to add selling capabilities to an existing website or social media presence quickly and affordably, or for those just starting out with the free plan."
#6
Wix eCommerce
By Wix.com Ltd.
A popular drag-and-drop website builder offering integrated e-commerce plans suitable for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based, Mobile App (Management)
Best For: Small Businesses, Restaurants (Online Ordering), Artists & Freelancers, Service Bookings with Payments
Key Features
- ✓Drag-and-Drop Editor: Highly flexible visual website builder (ADI option for beginners). (Included)
- ✓App Market: Adds functionality for marketing, bookings, events, etc. (Varies (Free & Paid Apps))
- ✓Industry Specific Tools: Features tailored for restaurants, hotels, bookings, events. (Included (Plan Dependent))
- ✓Wix Payments: Integrated payment processing solution. (Included)
- ✓Abandoned Cart Recovery: Automated emails to recover potentially lost sales. (Included (Most eComm Plans))
Scorecard (Overall: 7.2 / 10.0)
Pricing
Business Basic
$27.00 / Monthly
- Accept Online Payments
- Customer Accounts
- Unlimited Products
- Abandoned Cart Recovery
Limitations: Limited storage (20GB), No Subscriptions or Multi-currency
Business Unlimited
$32.00 / Monthly
- Basic features plus:
- More Storage (35GB)
- Subscriptions
- Multiple Currencies
- Automated Sales Tax
Limitations: Limited marketplace selling
Business VIP
$59.00 / Monthly
- Unlimited features plus:
- More Storage (50GB)
- Customized Reports
- Priority Support
Limitations: Higher cost
Pros
- + Very intuitive drag-and-drop builder
- + Hundreds of templates
- + Good range of built-in features
- + App market for extending functionality
- + Suitable for service-based businesses needing booking/payments
Cons
- - Cannot switch templates once a site is live
- - E-commerce features are less advanced than dedicated platforms
- - Scalability limitations for very large stores
- - SEO capabilities historically weaker, though improving
Verdict
"Best for small businesses and entrepreneurs who prioritize ease of use and visual design flexibility, especially those combining product sales with services like bookings or appointments."
#5
Squarespace Commerce
By Squarespace, Inc.
An all-in-one website builder known for its stunning templates and ease of use, with integrated e-commerce capabilities.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based, Mobile App (Management)
Best For: Artists & Creatives, Small Businesses, Portfolio Sites with Stores, Subscription Boxes
Key Features
- ✓Beautiful Templates: Industry-leading design templates that are mobile-responsive. (Included)
- ✓Ease of Use: Intuitive drag-and-drop website builder. (Included)
- ✓Integrated Platform: Website, blog, marketing tools, and e-commerce in one place. (Included)
- ✓Subscription Selling: Built-in tools for selling recurring subscriptions. (Included (Commerce Plans))
- ✓POS Integration: In-person selling via Squarespace mobile app and Square readers. (Included (Commerce Plans))
Scorecard (Overall: 7.2 / 10.0)
Pricing
Business
$23.00 / Monthly (Billed Annually)
- Basic e-commerce
- Unlimited Products
- Accept Donations
- Gift Cards
Limitations: 3% transaction fee applies
Basic Commerce
$27.00 / Monthly (Billed Annually)
- Business features plus:
- 0% transaction fees
- Customer Accounts
- Analytics
- POS
Limitations: Lacks abandoned cart recovery, subscriptions
Advanced Commerce
$49.00 / Monthly (Billed Annually)
- Basic Commerce features plus:
- Abandoned Cart Recovery
- Subscriptions
- Advanced Shipping/Discounts
- Commerce APIs
Limitations: Fewer integrations than dedicated platforms
Pros
- + Excellent design templates
- + Very easy to use website builder
- + All-in-one platform simplicity
- + Good for subscriptions and digital products
- + Zero transaction fees on Commerce plans
Cons
- - Limited payment gateway options
- - Fewer e-commerce specific features than dedicated platforms
- - Limited customization and app integrations
- - 3% transaction fee on the Business plan
Verdict
"A great option for visually focused brands, artists, and small businesses who prioritize design and ease of use over complex e-commerce functionality or extensive integrations."
#4
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
By Adobe Inc.
A powerful, feature-rich, and highly scalable e-commerce platform aimed at large businesses and enterprises with complex needs.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based (Self-hosted or Cloud)
Best For: Large Enterprises, Complex B2B/B2C Requirements, Global Operations, Businesses needing high customization
Key Features
- ✓Extreme Customizability: Open-source core (Magento Open Source) and robust platform (Adobe Commerce) allow deep modifications. (Included)
- ✓Advanced Features: Built-in B2B functionality, advanced marketing, content staging, business intelligence. (Included (Adobe Commerce))
- ✓Scalability: Designed to handle very large product catalogs and high traffic volumes. (Included)
- ✓Multi-Store Management: Manage multiple brands, stores, and websites from a single backend. (Included)
- ✓Large Extension Marketplace: Extensive marketplace for adding specific functionalities. (Varies)
Scorecard (Overall: 7.2 / 10.0)
Pricing
Magento Open Source
Contact Vendor
- Core e-commerce functionality
- Basic store setup
- Community support
Limitations: Requires hosting, development, security, and support resources, Lacks advanced features of Commerce
Adobe Commerce
$22000.00 / Annually (Starts From)
- All Open Source features plus:
- Cloud hosting option
- Advanced marketing tools
- B2B suite
- Content staging
- Business Intelligence
- Dedicated support
Limitations: Very expensive, Complex to manage, Requires significant developer resources
Pros
- + Incredibly powerful and flexible
- + Highly scalable for enterprise needs
- + Rich feature set, especially for B2B
- + Strong multi-store capabilities
- + Large developer community (for Open Source)
Cons
- - Very steep learning curve
- - Extremely expensive (Adobe Commerce)
- - Requires significant development and maintenance resources
- - Open Source version lacks many key features and support
Verdict
"Best suited for large, established businesses with complex requirements, substantial budgets, and dedicated technical teams capable of managing its complexity."
#3
WooCommerce
By Automattic
A highly customizable, open-source e-commerce plugin specifically designed for WordPress websites.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: WordPress Plugin (Web-based)
Best For: Existing WordPress Users, Content-focused Businesses, Budget-conscious Startups, Developers wanting full control
Key Features
- ✓WordPress Integration: Seamlessly adds e-commerce functionality to any WordPress site. (Core Feature)
- ✓Open Source: Free core plugin with full code access for customization. (Free)
- ✓Extensibility: Vast library of free and paid extensions and themes. (Varies)
- ✓Content & Commerce: Leverages WordPress's powerful blogging and content management features. (Included)
- ✓Developer Friendly: Offers extensive hooks and filters for deep customization. (Included)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.2 / 10.0)
Pricing
Core Plugin
Contact Vendor
- Basic e-commerce functionality
- Unlimited products
- Order management
- Basic reporting
Limitations: Requires WordPress website, Hosting, domain, security, themes, and many extensions are additional costs
Extensions/Themes
Contact Vendor
- Payment Gateways
- Shipping Calculators
- Marketing Tools
- Advanced Store Designs
Limitations: Costs can accumulate significantly depending on needs
Pros
- + Free core software
- + Unmatched customization potential
- + Leverages WordPress ecosystem
- + Large active community and developer pool
- + No platform transaction fees (only gateway fees)
Cons
- - Requires technical knowledge for setup and maintenance
- - Total cost can be high with hosting, themes, and premium extensions
- - Scalability requires robust hosting
- - Support relies on community forums or paid extension developers
Verdict
"Ideal for businesses already using WordPress or those needing complete control and customization, provided they have the technical resources or budget for development and hosting."
#2
BigCommerce
By BigCommerce Holdings, Inc.
A flexible, hosted e-commerce platform known for its built-in features, strong SEO capabilities, and suitability for growing businesses.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based, Mobile App (Management)
Best For: Growing SMBs, Mid-Market, Enterprises, B2B Commerce, Headless Commerce
Key Features
- ✓Built-in Features: Many features included out-of-the-box, reducing reliance on apps. (Included)
- ✓Multi-Channel Selling: Integrations with marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and social channels. (Included)
- ✓SEO Tools: Robust built-in SEO features and customizable URLs. (Included)
- ✓API Access: Extensive APIs for customization and integration (Headless Commerce). (Included)
- ✓No Transaction Fees: Does not charge transaction fees on top of payment gateway fees. (Included)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.2 / 10.0)
Pricing
Standard
$29.95 / Monthly
- Online Store
- Unlimited Products/Staff
- POS
- Marketplace/Social Integrations
- Reporting
Limitations: Sales limits apply (~$50k/year)
Plus
$79.95 / Monthly
- Standard features plus:
- Customer Groups
- Abandoned Cart Saver
- Stored Credit Cards
Limitations: Sales limits apply (~$180k/year)
Pro
$299.95 / Monthly
- Plus features plus:
- Google Customer Reviews
- Product Filtering
- Custom SSL
Limitations: Sales limits apply (~$400k/year, negotiable)
Pros
- + No platform transaction fees
- + Rich set of built-in features
- + Strong SEO performance
- + Highly scalable architecture
- + Good for multi-channel and B2B sales
Cons
- - Interface can be less intuitive than Shopify for beginners
- - Annual sales volume limits on standard plans
- - Theme customization can require technical knowledge
Verdict
"Excellent choice for businesses prioritizing built-in features and SEO, especially those scaling rapidly or engaging in B2B or headless commerce."
View Top Ranked Software
Watch a short ad to unlock the details for the #1 ranked software.
#1
Shopify
By Shopify Inc.
A comprehensive, user-friendly, hosted e-commerce platform suitable for businesses of all sizes, known for its extensive app store and scalability.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web-based, Mobile App (Management)
Best For: SMBs, Large Enterprises, Dropshipping, Multi-channel Selling, POS Integration
Key Features
- ✓Website Builder: Drag-and-drop interface with customizable themes. (Included)
- ✓App Store: Extensive marketplace for adding functionality. (Varies (Free & Paid Apps))
- ✓Payment Processing: Integrated Shopify Payments and support for third-party gateways. (Included (Transaction Fees Apply))
- ✓Multi-Channel Integration: Sell on social media, online marketplaces, and in-person. (Included)
- ✓Marketing & SEO Tools: Built-in tools for SEO, email marketing, and promotions. (Included)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.6 / 10.0)
Pricing
Basic
$29.00 / Monthly
- Online Store
- Unlimited Products
- 2 Staff Accounts
- Basic Reports
- Shopify Payments
Limitations: Higher transaction fees, Limited features
Shopify
$79.00 / Monthly
- Basic features plus:
- 5 Staff Accounts
- Professional Reports
- Lower transaction fees
Limitations: Advanced features require higher tiers
Advanced
$299.00 / Monthly
- Shopify features plus:
- 15 Staff Accounts
- Advanced Report Builder
- Calculated Shipping Rates
- Lowest transaction fees
Limitations: Higher cost
Pros
- + Extremely user-friendly interface
- + Large app ecosystem for customization
- + Excellent scalability options
- + Strong multi-channel capabilities
- + Reliable hosting and security
Cons
- - Transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments
- - App costs can add up quickly
- - Limited customization on lower tiers without coding
Verdict
"Best overall for most users, offering a powerful yet accessible platform with extensive features and scalability for businesses from small startups to large enterprises."
Final Thoughts
The e-commerce platform market offers diverse solutions catering to different business sizes, technical abilities, and strategic priorities. Hosted platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce provide ease of use and scalability with strong feature sets, while open-source options like WooCommerce and PrestaShop offer maximum flexibility for those with technical resources. Website builders like Squarespace and Wix provide simple entry points, and enterprise systems like Adobe Commerce and Salesforce Commerce Cloud serve complex, large-scale operations.