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Depending on your level of experience, launching an online store can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Choosing the right ecommerce website builder can streamline the process, offering tools to help you design your site, manage products, process payments, and grow your business—all in one place.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve gathered the starting annual paid subscription prices, basic capabilities, and key selling features of some of the most popularly referenced ecommerce platforms. Whether you’re a first-time seller or looking to scale, compare these details to help you find the best fit for your goals.
| Platform | Paid plan starts at (monthly) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Squarespace | $16 | Includes built-in ecommerce tools at entry-level plans |
| BigCommerce | $29 | Designed for scaling businesses; many ecommerce features upfront |
| GoDaddy | $9.99 | Access to ecommerce tools requires higher-tier plan ($20.99) |
| Hostinger | $3.99 | AI-driven; access to ecommerce tools requires higher-tier plan ($4.99) |
| Shopify | $29 | Designed for robust ecommerce needs; core ecommerce tools included |
| Webflow | Free | Access to ecommerce tools requires higher-tier plan ($29) |
| Weebly (Square Online) | $12 | Integrates with Square POS, standard ecommerce functionality included |
| Wix | $17 | Access to ecommerce tools requires higher-tier plan ($29) |
| WooCommerce | Free (plugin only) | Requires separate hosting, security, and other services |
1. Squarespace
Paid pricing starts at: $16 per month
Squarespace pairs an all-in-one platform for running and marketing a business with more than 20 years of design expertise. Website plans include built-in tools to sell products, services, or subscriptions, and offer access to extensions to add functionality like dropshipping.
The Blueprint AI website builder can help you create a personalized online store in minutes. Just describe your business and style preferences, and Blueprint AI will walk you through choices for your site’s structure, pages, fonts, and colors. The result is a polished, functional site that you can launch and manage without additional tools. You can also start from a predesigned website template, with dozens of options tailored to different ecommerce businesses.
Squarespace plans include built-in ecommerce features like inventory and shipping tools, customer accounts, native payments, multichannel selling, and flexible product pages. You also get access to AI tools for writing product descriptions, creating marketing emails, and optimizing your site for search engines.
Key ecommerce features
Product, service, and digital goods sales
Native payment tool and multiple payment methods
Subscriptions and member-only content
Inventory and shipping management
In-person POS with the Squarespace app
AI-generated product descriptions, emails, and SEO
Note: Plans and pricing for each platform can vary by location. For Squarespace, see our pricing page for the most up-to-date details in your location.
2. BigCommerce
Paid pricing starts at: $29 per month
BigCommerce is designed for ecommerce businesses with complex product catalogs that are actively scaling or looking to scale. It offers many built-in features on its lowest-priced plan to support multiple staff accounts and inventory locations.
It may be more than a solopreneur or first-time seller needs, but if you expect to grow significantly in the near future, it can reduce your need to look elsewhere for added functionality.
Key ecommerce features
Unlimited product variants
Multi-storefront management
Built-in SEO and analytics
Added marketing tools on higher-tier plans
3. GoDaddy
Paid pricing starts at: $9.99 per month ($20.99 for ecommerce plans)
GoDaddy is well-known for domain registration, but it also offers an ecommerce website builder to help you launch an online store. You also have the option to build a WooCommerce store through GoDaddy on a higher-priced subscription plan.
GoDaddy includes core ecommerce tools like inventory syncing and tax calculation, and integrates with GoDaddy’s marketing features, including email and social post generators.
Key ecommerce features
Product and service sales
Appointments and online bookings
AI-generated content
Inventory and order tracking
4. Hostinger
Paid pricing starts at: $3.99 per month ($4.99 for ecommerce plans)
Hostinger is primarily an AI website builder with some ecommerce capabilities. The website builder creates a store based on a short prompt, or you can start from a website template. Higher-tier plans include additional tools for ecommerce and SEO.
This can be a good starting point if you’re looking for a quick, simple way to get online. But you may prefer an option with more depth or complexity if you want to handle more of your operations on one platform or plan to expand in the future.
Key ecommerce features
Basic product and order management
AI tools for SEO, copy, and product creation
Lower-cost entry point
5. Shopify
Paid pricing starts at: $29 per month
Shopify is well-established as an ecommerce platform. It’s built with a focus on selling physical products, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for product management, payments, fulfillment, and multichannel sales.
Shopify also has Shopify Magic and Sidekick, AI tools that help automate tasks like writing product descriptions, drafting emails, and managing your store’s backend. You can customize your shop through third-party apps and themes, but you may need to rely on external developers or plugins for some advanced functionality.
Key ecommerce features
Robust product catalog and inventory tools
Multichannel selling support
AI-assisted content and support
App marketplace for adding functionality
6. Webflow
Paid pricing starts at: Free ($29 per month for ecommerce plans)
Webflow offers complex design control, with ecommerce functionality on higher-tier plans. It’s often used by designers and developers who want more creative freedom than more beginner-friendly website builders offer.
Webflow’s ecommerce plans support product catalogs, custom checkout flows, and content management. However, the learning curve can be steeper for less experienced web developers and designers, so consider whether it fits your experience level and design needs.
Key ecommerce features
High level of design control
Flexible CMS for content and products
Custom checkout and interactions
7. Weebly
Paid pricing starts at: $12 per month
Weebly, also known as Square Online, offers an ecommerce builder geared toward small businesses. Weebly is owned by Square, so it integrates closely with Square POS for in-person selling. Weebly also offers a free plan that comes with some limitations, like no custom domain or shipping calculator.
Its design options may be more limited than other platforms, but ease of use and Square’s payment integration can make it a simple solution for businesses that often sell in person.
Key ecommerce features
Integration with Square POS
Digital and physical product support
Order and pickup management
8. Wix
Paid pricing starts at: $17 per month ($29 for ecommerce plans)
Wix offers ecommerce functionality alongside a flexible drag-and-drop site builder. It can be a good choice for users who want to start an online store from a template or build something more custom.
Wix’s ecommerce features include abandoned cart recovery, product galleries, and payment integration. It also includes AI tools like text and image generators and a chatbot for site visitors. However, ecommerce features are only available on higher-tier plans, so make sure to compare offerings before you commit.
Key ecommerce features
Customizable product pages and galleries
Built-in marketing and SEO tools
AI image and text generators
App market for additional features
9. WooCommerce
Paid pricing starts at: Free (plugin only)
WooCommerce is an open-source ecommerce plugin built for WordPress. It’s designed to be very customizable and for those with more technical expertise who want full control over their store’s look and function.
Because it’s self-hosted, users are responsible for setting up hosting, security, store management, and functionality updates, which can come at an added cost. WooCommerce may be appealing if you’re already comfortable with WordPress or working with developers. However, it’s worth confirming that the costs and hands-on process are a fit for you.
Key ecommerce features
Control over design and features
Wide selection of plugins and themes
Integrates with WordPress websites
How to choose the best ecommerce website builder
Since your business and operations are unique, the right ecommerce platform is different for every person. Your choice depends on what you’re selling, how much design control you want, and how quickly you want to get started. Ask yourself:
What website designs appeal to you and fit your brand?
Do you need built-in marketing and SEO tools?
Are you planning to scale quickly or start small?
Do you want the option to sell more than physical products?
For example, if you want an intuitive experience that helps you create a store with your brand in mind, Squarespace’s Blueprint AI can help you go from idea to live store in minutes. If you need advanced added functionality, other platforms may be what you’re looking for.
Whatever your needs, each of the platforms above offers ecommerce capabilities, and each strikes a slightly different balance of power, simplicity, and design control. When in doubt, list out the features that are most important to you and which platforms offer what you need. Then compare price points and test websites to see if you like the design and usability before committing.