The 10 Best eCommerce Platforms for Your Online Store

Starting an online store has never been easier, thanks to the wide range of eCommerce platforms available today. Whether you’re a beginner looking to sell a few products or an established entrepreneur ready to scale, choosing the right platform is crucial for your business success.

To help you decide, we’ve rounded up the 10 best eCommerce platforms that balance ease of use, affordability, customization and growth potential.

The 10 Best eCommerce Platforms for Your Online Store

1. Shopify

Best for: Beginners and growing businesses.

Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world. It offers an all-in-one solution that lets you build, manage and scale your store with ease.

Pros: Easy to use, 100+ payment gateways, 24/7 support, app integrations.
Cons: Monthly fees can add up, transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments.
Pricing: From $29/month.

2. WooCommerce

Best for: WordPress users who want flexibility.

WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns any WordPress website into a full eCommerce store. It’s highly customizable and has a huge library of extensions.

Pros: Free to start, endless customization, strong SEO.
Cons: Requires hosting + setup, can get complex with too many plugins.
Pricing: Free core plugin (hosting & add-ons extra).

3. Wix eCommerce

Best for: Small businesses wanting simplicity.

Wix offers drag-and-drop website building with built-in eCommerce features. It’s user-friendly and great for those who don’t want to deal with coding.

Pros: Simple interface, templates, affordable.
Cons: Limited scalability, transaction fees on lower plans.
Pricing: From $27/month.

4. Squarespace

Best for: Creative businesses (artists, designers, photographers).

Squarespace combines stunning design templates with eCommerce functionality, making it ideal for creative entrepreneurs.

Pros: Beautiful templates, mobile optimization, easy setup.
Cons: Fewer integrations than Shopify/WooCommerce.
Pricing: From $27/month.

5. BigCommerce

Best for: Scaling businesses and enterprises.

BigCommerce is a robust platform designed for high-volume sellers. It’s feature-rich and can handle thousands of products.

Pros: No transaction fees, powerful built-in tools, multichannel selling.
Cons: Steeper learning curve, higher monthly cost.
Pricing: From $29.95/month.

6. Magento (Adobe Commerce)

Best for: Large businesses needing full control.

Magento is an open-source eCommerce platform for businesses that want maximum customization and scalability.

Pros: Extremely powerful, scalable, customizable.
Cons: Requires technical expertise, higher development cost.
Pricing: Free for open-source, enterprise version is custom-priced.

7. OpenCart

Best for: Tech-savvy entrepreneurs who want a free platform.

OpenCart is a free, open-source solution that’s lightweight but flexible. It supports multiple stores and currencies.

Pros: Free to use, multi-store functionality, strong community support.
Cons: Requires hosting + technical skills, fewer built-in features.
Pricing: Free (hosting & add-ons extra).

8. PrestaShop

Best for: SMEs looking for customization without high costs.

PrestaShop is another open-source eCommerce solution, offering flexibility with a wide range of add-ons.

Pros: Free to download, strong international features, customizable.
Cons: Technical setup needed, add-ons can be costly.
Pricing: Free (hosting & add-ons extra).

9. Ecwid

Best for: Adding a store to an existing website.

Ecwid integrates seamlessly with platforms like WordPress, Wix, or even social media, making it easy to start selling online.

Pros: Easy integration, multichannel selling, free plan available.
Cons: Limited advanced features, scalability issues.
Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans from $15/month.

10. Shopstar (South Africa)

Best for: Local entrepreneurs in South Africa.

Shopstar is a proudly South African eCommerce platform that allows local businesses to sell products easily and get paid in ZAR.

Pros: Local payment support (PayFast, Ozow), easy to use, affordable.
Cons: Smaller app ecosystem than Shopify/WooCommerce.
Pricing: From R220/month.

How to Choose the Right eCommerce Platform

When deciding on the best platform, consider:

Budget – Can you afford monthly fees or do you prefer open-source?
Ease of Use – Do you want simple drag-and-drop or full customization?
Scalability – Will the platform grow with your business?
Features – Think about SEO, payment gateways, integrations and design flexibility.

Final Thoughts

The best eCommerce platform depends on your business size, budget and technical skills. For beginners, Shopify or Wix are excellent starting points. If you’re tech-savvy and want full control, WooCommerce or Magento may be better. If you’re a South African entrepreneur, Shopstar offers an affordable, local solution.

The good news? There’s an option for everyone. With the right platform, you can set up your online store and start selling in just a few hours.

Comparison Table: The 10 Best eCommerce Platforms

Platform	Pricing	Ease of Use	Scalability	Best For
Shopify	From $29/month	Very Easy	High (apps + integrations)	Beginners & growing businesses
WooCommerce	Free plugin (hosting & add-ons extra)	Moderate (setup needed)	High (endless plugins)	WordPress users
Wix eCommerce	From $27/month	Very Easy	Medium (limited apps)	Small businesses & beginners
Squarespace	From $27/month	Easy	Medium	Creative businesses (designers, photographers)
BigCommerce	From $29.95/month	Moderate	Very High (enterprise-ready)	Scaling & enterprise stores
Magento (Adobe Commerce)	Free (open source) or custom enterprise pricing	Hard (developer needed)	Extremely High	Large businesses needing full control
OpenCart	Free (hosting & add-ons extra)	Moderate/Hard	High (customizable with extensions)	Tech-savvy entrepreneurs
PrestaShop	Free (hosting & add-ons extra)	Moderate	High	SMEs needing customization
Ecwid	Free plan available, paid from $15/month	Easy	Medium	Adding store to existing sites
Shopstar (SA)	From R220/month	Very Easy	Medium	South African entrepreneurs