Quick answer
Start with who will run the store. If you want no technical ownership, shortlist hosted options (Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce). If you already run WordPress and can own maintenance, investigate WooCommerce. If design is the main job, look at website builders first; if commerce is the main job, look at commerce-first platforms first. This is a research framework, not a ranking.
Framework
Three operating approaches
Commerce-first SaaS
Shopify and BigCommerce. The vendor hosts the platform; commerce is the core product. Worth investigating when selling is the business.
Website builder with commerce
Wix and Squarespace. The vendor hosts; the site is the core product and commerce is added. Worth investigating when design and content lead.
Self-hosted WordPress
WooCommerce. Free core plugin; you choose hosting and own maintenance. Worth investigating when control matters and technical capacity exists.
Fit, not rank
Who should investigate each platform
| Platform | Operating model | Investigate if… | Published pricing (verified Sep 28, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Hosted SaaS | Commerce is the core business and you want a large app ecosystem. | Basic $29/mo, Grow $79/mo, Advanced $299/mo (billed yearly); $39 / $105 / $399 billed monthly |
| WooCommerce | Open-source, self-hosted | You run WordPress and can own hosting and updates. | Core plugin free; hosting and extensions extra |
| Wix | Hosted website builder | Site design matters as much as commerce; catalog is modest. | About $29–$159/mo (annual ecommerce plans) |
| Squarespace | Hosted website builder | You are a design-led brand selling a small catalog. | Not verified here — see official page |
| BigCommerce | Hosted SaaS | You expect multi-storefront or B2B needs as you grow. | Core $29/mo annually ($39 monthly) |
Editorial overviews: Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, BigCommerce. Squarespace is covered in our 2026 platforms guide and Shopify vs Squarespace.
For operating context beyond feature and pricing research, read how Carlos Gil used a simple stack of Shopify, social media, and an iPhone to help build Outlaw Masks. It is one operator case study, not proof of a universal platform outcome.
Checklist
Questions to answer before choosing
- Who will maintain the store week to week, and how technical are they?
- Is the website or the store the primary job?
- How large is the catalog, and how complex are variants, shipping, and tax?
- Which payment providers do you need, and what fees apply on each platform?
- Which apps or extensions will you need on day one, and what do they cost?
- How hard would it be to migrate away in two years?
Evidence status
What we have not tested yet
This guide is based on first-party product and pricing pages. BestStorefront has not yet completed hands-on setup, checkout, support, or migration testing on these platforms, and no platform has been scored. See how we research and test.
Shopify is one of the platforms covered in this guide.
BestStorefront may earn a commission from links on this page. Affiliate relationships do not influence our ratings, rankings, or editorial conclusions.
Decision support
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ecommerce platform for a small business?
It depends on who runs the store, whether commerce or design leads, and how much technical ownership you accept. We do not publish a ranking.
What is the cheapest option?
Sticker price and total cost differ. WooCommerce has no platform fee but requires paid hosting and often paid extensions. See our pricing guide and cost calculator.
Have these platforms been tested hands-on?
Not yet. Current coverage is editorial overviews based on first-party sources.