〉15 Best E-Commerce Tools and Platforms (2024)

List of the best e-commerce platforms

E-commerce platforms are robust and comprehensive software tools that allow sell products online.

Choosing among the best options requires consideration of numerous factors, and each e-commerce site builder offers different functionalities.

Let's see that right now:

1. Shopify.

Shopify is a renowned e-commerce platform, hosting more than 400,000 merchants around the world.

Launched in 2004, this Canadian company quickly became one of the most dynamic SaaS companies in North America.

Founded by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake, Shopify was developed in response to a lack of satisfactory mobile and web e-commerce solutions on the market.

Built on Ruby on Rails, it has established itself as a preferred choice for those who aspire to succeed in e-commerce, especially in the field of dropshipping.

Features

Intuitive user interface for easy creation of online stores.
Great ease of integration with wholesale suppliers for dropshipping.
Possibility to design aesthetic websites with an easy addition of products.
Inventory management, with an unlimited number of products.
Integrated marketing features, like recovering abandoned carts.
Multilingual support and easy shopping buttons.
Free SSL certificate and discount codes.
Limitations on URL structure for SEO.
Limit of 100 product variants, which may be restrictive for certain product types.

Pricing

Pricing plans: From 29 to 299 dollars per month.
Shopify Plus for businesses, with custom pricing.
Free 14-day trial to test the platform.

Shopify is presented as a reliable and effective solution for small businesses that want to start e-commerce.

Despite some limitations, such as the URL structure for SEO and the number of product variants, Shopify remains a platform of choice for its ease of use, built-in features, and ongoing support.

Its beginner-friendly approach makes it a popular choice for those just starting out in the e-commerce world.

SEE MORE: Try Shopify free for 14 days

2. Webflow

Webflow is an innovative web design platform that recently expanded its capabilities to include robust e-commerce features.

This development marks an important step for Webflow, offering designers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs the ability to create fully customized online stores without requiring extensive coding knowledge.

Features

Complete customization of the store design: Webflow allows unprecedented customization, giving users total control over the appearance of their e-commerce site, from product pages to payment processes.
Intuitive CMS integration: You can easily manage and update product listings, descriptions, and images through CMS integration.
Sophisticated animations and interactions: Create unique user experiences with tailor-made animations and interactions to capture the attention of visitors.
Mobile responsiveness: E-commerce sites created with Webflow are fully responsive, ensuring an optimal user experience on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Integrated SEO optimization: Webflow facilitates the optimization of online stores for search engines, with controls Easy-to-use SEO.
Payment gateway integration: Popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal are integrated, providing customers with a secure and reliable payment experience.
Inventory and order management: Easily track inventory and manage orders directly from the Webflow dashboard.
Shipping and tax options: Set up custom shipping options and manage sales taxes according to your business needs.

Pricing

Specific e-commerce plans: Webflow offers a range of pricing plans to adapt to the different e-commerce needs of businesses, with options tailored to startups as well as established businesses.
No additional transaction fees: Webflow does not charge transaction fees on sales, allowing businesses to keep a larger portion of their revenue.

In conclusion, Webflow is presented as a powerful solution for users who want to combine high-quality web design with comprehensive e-commerce functionalities.

Its ability to offer unlimited personalization, combined with easy content management and an optimal user experience, makes it a top choice for businesses looking to stand out in the competitive e-commerce universe.

SEE MORE: Get started with a free trial

3. Sellfy.

Sellfy is positioned as an ideal e-commerce platform for bloggers, content creators, and small businesses.

Offering a simple but powerful solution for selling a variety of products, including digital, physical, and subscription products, Sellfy initially focused on digital products like e-books, videos, music, and courses.

Today, it offers a complete platform that also meets the needs of selling physical products.

Features

Sale of digital, physical and subscription products in one place.
Integration with over 1,000 third-party applications via Zapier.
User-friendly dashboard and easy site creation in minutes.
Integration with social networks like YouTube, Instagram, and Soundcloud.
Integrated email marketing tools, discount codes, and incentive sales.
Cloud-based access for use on a variety of devices.
Advanced site design customization, including adding logos and changing colors.
Custom domain options and store language options.
Optimized interface for mobile devices.
Integration of payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
Detailed analysis to monitor product performance.
PCI-DSS compliance for security.

Pricing

Starter plan: $19/month.
Business plan: $39/month.
Premium plan: $89/month.
No additional transaction fees.
Email credits and upsells in Business and Premium plans.
Priority customer support and migration services in the Premium plan.
14-day free trial for all plans.

Sellfy proves to be a complete solution for those looking to sell a variety of products online with ease. Thanks to its extensive functionalities, its integration with social networks, and its integrated marketing tools, Sellfy is particularly suitable for creators and small businesses looking to expand their online presence. Its simple pricing structure and the absence of additional transaction fees make it an attractive option for effective online sales management.

SEE MORE: Try Sellfy with a free 14-day trial

4. Weebly.

Weebly, founded in 2006, has established itself as a major platform in the website building industry, with over 500,000 domains and a significant market share.

Especially suited to small businesses that are starting out online, Weebly offers a simple but effective solution for creating websites without requiring advanced web development skills.

Features

Integration of marketing automation functions, saving the costs associated with acquiring separate email marketing services.
Advanced product management with inventory tracking, automation of out-of-stock items, and display of remaining stock to encourage purchase.
Ideal for simple small business websites, with less than ten pages and some e-commerce features.
Less powerful than other platforms like Shopify or 3dcart (Shift4Shop), but sufficient for basic e-commerce needs.
E-commerce features available starting with the $25/month business plan, including a free domain.

Pricing

Business plan: $25/month with free domain included.
Various plans to meet specific needs, from basic websites to online stores.

Weebly is therefore a relevant option for small businesses or individual entrepreneurs who want to establish an online presence without getting complicated with advanced or complex features. Its ease of use, coupled with marketing automation and product management features, makes it a solution of choice for those looking to create an effective website with basic e-commerce capabilities.

SEE MORE: Get started with Weebly for e-commerce

5. Zyro.

Zyro, a renowned website builder, recently launched its e-commerce platform, bringing with it a multitude of features tailored to the needs of online retailers.

Since its launch in early 2020, Zyro e-commerce has integrated the qualities of its website builder and added a full suite of features specific to online commerce.

Features

Multi-channel selling: Allows you to sell products on a variety of platforms, including Amazon, Facebook, and Instagram.
Ease of use: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface, similar to Shopify, allowing quick and easy implementation.
Order and Inventory Management: Comprehensive tools to effectively manage sales and inventory.
Over 50 payment options with no sales commissions.
Shipping and tax management.
Discount codes and gift cards to boost sales and keep customers coming back.
Email notifications to maintain effective communication with customers.
Several windows: Possibility to sell via an online store, Amazon, Facebook and Instagram.
Free hosting included with all plans.

Pricing

Free plan available to test basic features.
E-commerce plan: $14.99/month or $8.99/month over a 3-year commitment.
E-Commerce+ plan: $21.99/month or $10.99/month over a 3-year commitment, including additional features like abandoned cart recovery, multi-channel selling, and multilingual stores.

In summary, Zyro e-commerce is an attractive option for those looking for a simple and intuitive solution for e-commerce.

Its ability to integrate multi-channel sales and its ease of use make it particularly suitable for small businesses and entrepreneurs who are new to e-commerce.

While some features are still under development, Zyro provides a solid foundation for those who want to launch an effective and visually appealing online store.

SEE MORE: Try Zyro e-commerce

6. Nexcess.

Nexcess stands out as a versatile web hosting service provider, offering managed hosting solutions for various platforms, including WordPress, Magento, WooCommerce, Drupal, and BigCommerce.

Known for their optimization and quality support, they offer a range of services adapted to the needs of online businesses.

Features

PHP optimization and PHP7 support: Guarantees optimal performance for your sites.
24/7 monitoring and alert response: Ensures continuous and reliable operation.
Near-instant caching: For faster load times and a better user experience.
One-click automatic scaling: Ideal for managing a sudden increase in traffic.
StoreBuilder for WooCommerce: Easily create a unique storefront by answering a few questions.
24/7/365 expert support: High-level technical support at any time.
Free site migration: Facilitates the change of host.
Specific features for Magento hosting: Includes support from Magento experts.
Advanced WooCommerce Hosting Features: Includes useful plugins and integrations for analytics.
Integrated CDN with 22 locations: For fast and reliable content distribution.
PCI compliance: Ensures the security of transactions.
Cloud distribution: Accelerates site load times.
Customizable technology stack: To meet the specific needs of each site.
Development site (sandbox): To safely test updates and changes.

Pricing

WooCommerce hosting: Six plans available, ranging from $13.30/month to $699.30/month, with options to suit the size and needs of your store.
Managed Magento hosting plans: Ranging from $49/month to $849/month, offering a range of solutions for Magento sites.
Four months free on annual registration for some plans.

Nexcess is therefore an ideal option for businesses looking for reliable and efficient web hosting, with particular attention to optimization and technical support. Their wide range of plans and features makes Nexcess a suitable choice for a variety of e-commerce hosting needs.

SEE MORE: Try Nexcess free for 14 days

7. BigCommerce.

BigCommerce is an enterprise e-commerce platform with the best SEO features, over 40 payment gateways, advanced product options, 24/7 support, and can grow with your e-commerce activity up to over $100 million per year.

This platform is ideal for businesses of all sizes, from small growing businesses to major corporate brands, with an ability to support annual sales in excess of $100 million.

Features

Better SEO features for optimal online visibility.
Over 40 payment gateways for maximum flexibility in transactions.
Advanced product options for comprehensive catalog management.
24/7 support for constant and reliable support.
Open APIs and an open partner ecosystem for easy integration with other systems.
BigCommerce for WordPress to combine content management and e-commerce backend.
New shipping features offering discounted rates and integrated logistics management options
Responsive themes that are optimized for conversion rates.
Free SSL certificates and a transparent pricing structure.
No transaction fees.

SEE MORE: BigCommerce vs Shopify

Pricing

Plans starting at $29.95/month.
Domain name included and ability to sell on platforms like Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Simple user interface for store management, order management, marketing, and more.

BigCommerce is an ideal solution for businesses looking for a comprehensive and scalable e-commerce platform.

Its flexibility, advanced features, and integration with various applications and platforms make it a preferred choice for mid-sized businesses and major brands.

Compared to other solutions like Shopify, BigCommerce offers a slightly higher learning curve but compensates with its extensive capabilities and lack of transaction fees.

Try BigCommerce with a 15-day free trial

8. PrestaShop.

PrestaShop is a robust and free e-commerce solution, written in PHP and supporting MySQL databases. Used by more than 300,000 merchants and available in 75 different languages, it is recognized for its flexibility and personalization.

Features

Free solution: PrestaShop is an open-source platform with no license fees.
Multilingual support: Available in 75 languages, making the platform accessible to a large international audience.
Supported by IONOS: Software download with pre-installed and hosted site, including easy installation and daily backups.
Active community and ecosystem: Over 1 million members, 1,000 contributors, and over 250 partner agencies.
Community forums and meetings: For exchanging information and sharing best practices.
Complete customization of the store design: Allows you to create a unique and personalized store.
Broad product catalog and payment methods: Flexibility to manage a wide range of products and payment options.
Add-on marketplace: Over 5,000 free and paid modules, themes, and services to extend store functionality.
Specific additional modules: Like Prestashop SEO tools, wish lists, newsletter subscriptions, and more.
Third-party integrations: Like PayPal payment, Mailchimp email marketing, Google ads, etc.

Pricing

Self-hosted: For a hassle-free hosted solution at €29 per month.
Paid add-ons: For specific features, like the $229.99 Amazon Marketplace add-on.
33 free add-ons for basic integrations.

PrestaShop is a great option for developers or advanced users who are looking for total control over the creation of their e-commerce store. With its open-source platform, numerous customization options, and a strong support community, PrestaShop makes it possible to build unique online stores adapted to specific needs.

Try PrestaShop for free

9. Wix.

Wix is positioned as an accessible and growing website builder, offering comprehensive e-commerce features at an affordable price of $20 per month.

This platform is ideal for those looking for an easy to use solution to create an aesthetic and functional e-commerce site.

Features

Hundreds of designs designed by designers, offering a wide range of aesthetic options.
Promotions and gift cards to boost sales and build customer loyalty
Attractive product galleries that are optimized for conversions.
Easy order and shipping management.
Automatic optimization for mobile devices including iPhone and Android.
Creation tool to customize the appearance of the mobile e-commerce site without the need to code.
Intuitive user interface, making the creation of websites and online stores accessible to everyone.
Creation process in seven simple steps for a quick and hassle-free set-up.

SEE MORE: Wix vs Shopify comparison

Pricing

Wix offers its e-commerce plan starting at $20 per month.

Wix is a great option for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and creators who want to quickly launch an online store without getting lost in complex technical details. Its ease of use, combined with attractive design options and comprehensive e-commerce features, makes it a solid choice for anyone looking to create an e-commerce website effortlessly.

Try Wix for free and start selling your products online

10. Ecwid.

Ecwid is an ideal e-commerce solution for existing website owners who want to integrate an online store. With a customer base of 1.6 million small businesses and recognized for its rapid implementation by G2 Crowd, Ecwid is a flexible and easy to use e-commerce platform.

Features

Easy integration with existing websites: Perfect for adding an e-commerce store to sites running on platforms like Joomla, Drupal, or WordPress.
Multi-channel selling: Allows you to sell on Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram, etc., from a single dashboard.
Highly customizable showcase: Allows you to highlight the brand through personalized logos, colors and messages.
Ad creation and management: Easily manage Facebook or Google ads directly from the Ecwid dashboard.
Over 50 payment gateways: Integration with systems like PayPal, Square, Stripe, WePay, etc.
Compliance with the PCI DSS standard: Ensures the security and encryption of payment data.
Advanced Product Management: Inventory tracking, product option management, and intelligent shipping cost calculations.

Pricing

Free plan: Allows you to sell up to ten physical items per month.
Venture plan: $12.50/month to sell 100 physical or digital items.
Business plan: $29.17/month to sell up to 2,500 items.
Unlimited plan: $82.50/month for unlimited sales capacity across all channels.

Ecwid stands out for its ease of integration with existing websites and its ability to sell across multiple channels. While there are limitations in terms of language and support, its flexibility, easy customization, and various pricing plans make it an attractive option for those looking to expand their e-commerce presence.

Try Ecwid with a completely free plan

11. WooCommerce.

woocommerce is a widely recognized and used e-commerce plugin for WordPress, offering a flexible and customizable solution for creating online stores. With over 74 million downloads, it powers around 25% of online stores worldwide.

Launched in 2011, WooCommerce has become an essential e-commerce solution, particularly appreciated for its compatibility with WordPress, one of the best platforms for SEO.

Features

Free Open-Source Plugin: WooCommerce is completely free and can be added to any site WordPress.
Highly Customizable: Thanks to its open-source nature and a large developer community, it offers extensive customization.
SEO integration with WordPress: Take advantage of the power of WordPress for SEO, offering numerous SEO customization options.
Paid Add-ons: For more advanced features, paid extensions are available, extending the functionality of the e-commerce site.
Easy Product Management: Enables intuitive management of products, orders, and customers.
Flexible Payment Options: Easily integrates various payment methods.

Pricing

Free Basic Plugin: WooCommerce as such costs nothing.
Cost of extensions: Paid extensions may be required for specific or advanced features.
Scalability: Although the core plugin is free, adding numerous extensions can increase costs and affect site performance.

WooCommerce is ideal for those who already have a WordPress site and want to add e-commerce features to it. Its flexibility, coupled with the power of WordPress for SEO, makes it an attractive option for many website owners. However, it is important to consider the potential costs of extensions and the impact on site performance when adding additional features.

Try WooCommerce to add an online store to your WordPress site

12. Square Online

Square Online, launched by the popular Square point of sale system, is an e-commerce platform designed to help retailers expand their online presence. This solution is particularly effective for local businesses, offering options such as on-site pickup and home delivery.

Features

Easy website creation: Use of pre-designed templates and page editors for easy store configuration.
Adding products to the store: Simplified inventory management and product addition.
Free store launch: No upfront fees, with a transaction fee of 2.9% +$0.30 per sale.
Selling directly from Instagram: Integration with social networks for an extended reach.
Secure online payments: Accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay payments.
Unique features for small businesses: Includes online food ordering for restaurants, retail tools, online reservations, and the ability to accept donations.

Pricing

Free plan: Includes unlimited products, in-house and on-demand delivery, gift cards, coupons, SEO tools, SSL certificate, and more. 2.9% transaction fee +$0.30 and $0.50 per delivery. Does not allow the use of a custom domain name.
Professional Plan ($12/month): Custom domain name (free for one year) and no Square brand.
Performance Plan ($26/month): Abandoned cart emails, on-site customer reviews, and discounted shipping labels.
Premium Plan ($72/month): Reduced transaction fees, maximum shipping discounts, and real-time shipping calculator.

Square Online is ideal for brick-and-mortar retailers and local businesses looking to establish an online presence. With its ease of use and flexibility, it is an excellent choice to start in e-commerce, with the possibility of evolving according to business needs.

Try Square Online

13. nopCommerce.

nopCommerce is a free and recognized e-commerce platform, based on Microsoft ASP.NET technology.

With an existence of more than 11 years, it currently supports 60,000 active online stores and collaborates with more than 150 partners. It is particularly suited to developers and businesses with specific or complex business needs.

Features

Based on ASP.NET: Uses an open source web framework from Microsoft, effective for creating complex web applications.
Optimization and high performance: Caching technology and just-in-time compilation to improve the performance of large sites.
Complete admin panel: Manage unlimited products, multiple stores, and sellers from a single location.
Shipping cost calculation and integrated marketing tools: Facilitates the management of logistical and promotional aspects.
Mobile version support: Enables an optimal user experience on mobile devices without additional coding.

Pricing

Free platform: No transaction fees or monthly fees. Ideal for businesses looking for an economical solution.
Requires development knowledge: While free, creating a responsive, high-quality site with nopCommerce requires expertise in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

nopCommerce is a great option for developers and businesses looking for a customizable and powerful e-commerce platform. Notable customers like Microsoft, The North Face, and BMW Group demonstrate its ability to meet the needs of large businesses as well as small businesses with specific e-commerce requirements.

Try nopCommerce for free

14. Squarespace.

Squarespace is a website builder known for its ease of use and aesthetic designs, offering e-commerce features integrated into its more advanced plans.

Ideal for those new to creating websites without extensive technical knowledge, Squarespace makes it possible to create elegant sites while offering basic e-commerce features.

Features

Intuitive drag-and-drop design: Easy for beginners to use.
High quality pre-designed templates: Stylish, mobile-friendly designs.
Product Management: Simple tools for adding and managing products in your store.
Integration with shipping solutions: Compatible with ShipBob, ShipStation, and others, offering real-time shipping rates.
24/7 Support: Customer support available at any time to resolve issues and answer questions.

Pricing

Personal plan: $12/month, ideal for simple websites without e-commerce.
Business Plan: $18/month, for advanced website features.
Basic (online store): $26/month, to get started with e-commerce.
Advanced (online store): $40/month, for extended e-commerce functionalities.

While Squarespace offers ease of use and engaging designs, it may not be the best option for those looking for advanced SEO features or complex customizations. However, for those who are already using Squarespace and want to add an online store to their site, the benefits of easy setup and shipping integration make Squarespace a viable option.

Try Squarespace with a free 14-day trial

15. GumRoad

Gumroad is a unique and simplified e-commerce platform, specially designed for independent creators, artists, and entrepreneurs.

It makes it easy to sell a variety of products, such as e-books, courses, music, art, and more.

The platform is distinguished by its ease of use and its ability to allow creators to connect directly with their audience.

Features

Simplified User Interface: Gumroad offers a clean user experience, making getting products online quick and effortless.
Selling Various Products: Ideal for selling digital products, subscriptions, courses, and even physical products.
Marketing and Promotion Tools: Offers features like limited-time offers, coupons, and flash sales.
Analytics and Reports: Provides detailed sales and customer behavior data to help optimize sales strategies.
Secure Payments: Incorporates reliable and secure payment methods for transactions.
Customer Management: Allows you to collect email addresses and interact directly with customers to strengthen loyalty.
Product Page Customization: Offers customization options to reflect each creator's brand and style.

Pricing

No Monthly Fees: Gumroad doesn't charge monthly fees, making it an attractive option for creators starting out in their careers or with a limited budget.
Sales Commission: Gumroad takes a commission on each sale, which varies depending on sales volume.
Flexible Monetization Options: Allows creators to set their own prices and offer free products with the “pay what you want” option.

Gumroad is particularly suited to independent creators and small businesses looking to sell directly to their customers without the complications of traditional e-commerce platforms. With its ease of use, built-in marketing tools, and performance-based pricing model, Gumroad is a great solution to start selling online.

Try Gumroad and start selling your creations today

How do you choose the right e-commerce platform?

Define your needs: Identify if you sell physical, digital, or services. For example, Shopify is great for physical products, while Gumroad is better for digital products.
Budget and Costs: Compare monthly fees, like BigCommerce, to the higher initial costs but lower transaction fees of Magento.
User Experience and Design: Wix is easy to customize, while Squarespace is known for its sleek designs.
Support and Community: Shopify and WooCommerce have a large community and solid support.
Integrations and Extensions: WooCommerce offers great flexibility with WordPress plugins, while Shopify has a more controlled application ecosystem.
Security and Compliance: Platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust security and comply with PCI standards.

Selecting an e-commerce platform depends on these essential factors. Analyze them to choose a solution that meets your needs and promotes the growth of your online business.

Classification by use case

To choose the right e-commerce platform, take into account various aspects:

1. According to the Technical Level:

Beginners: Wix, Weebly (simplicity and support)
Intermediate Users: BigCommerce, WooCommerce (moderate customization).
Technical experts: PrestaShop, Magento (total control, advanced customization).

2. According to the type of product or activity

Physical products: Shopify, BigCommerce.
Digital products: Sellfy, Gumroad.
Services: Squarespace, Wix.
Dropshipping: Shopify with Oberlo.
Handmade products: Etsy, Shopify

3. According to the size of the company

Small businesses: Shopify, WooCommerce.
Medium businesses: BigCommerce, PrestaShop.
Big Businesses: BigCommerce, WooCommerce.

4. Other Factors to Consider

Free platforms to start at a lower cost: WooCommerce, PrestaShop.
Optimized dropshipping solutions: Shopify with AliExpress.

In summary, choosing a platform depends on your technical level, the type of products you sell, the size of your business, and your preference for a free or paid solution.

Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce are versatile, while BigCommerce is ideal for more specific or complex needs.

FAQs

What is the easiest e-commerce platform to use?

E-commerce site builders are intuitive and allow you to easily create a website, add products, and market your business online. However, some are easier to use than others. Here are the e-commerce platforms that are easiest to use, based on their usability and simplicity:

1. Shopify.

2. Wix.

3. BigCommerce.

Is it better to sell on Amazon or Shopify?

While Amazon is easy for smaller online sellers to use, Shopify is a better option. Shopify's low-cost plans are more affordable than Amazon's professional plan and are a more scalable solution. Establishing your brand presence online is important and the best way to do that is to have your own website.

Is Shopify easier than WordPress?

Shopify's website builder is easier to set up and use than WordPress, which has a steeper learning curve.

Shopify has a lot of built-in e-commerce features that are not included in WordPress without plugins. However, WordPress has various advantages, such as better SEO, more customization options, an improved blog, etc. In the end, it's up to you to see what works best for you.

How can I sell online for free?

If you don't have the budget to use an e-commerce platform, there are some ways to sell online for free. Here are a few of them:

1. Craigslist.

2. Facebook Marketplace.

3. Geebo.

4. eBid.

5. Gumroad

Summary.

That's it, this is my list of the best e-commerce platforms.

If you want to use the best overall platform, the easiest to use, and the most suitable for small businesses, opt for Wix.
If you want the best software to grow your large business, I recommend starting with BigCommerce.
If you're a dropshipper who needs good integrations, Shopify is your best choice.

What popular e-commerce platforms do you recommend?

Further reading: For more software and platform reviews, check out my guides to best web hosting, of best website builders And best email marketing platforms.