Updated for 2027 · Prices checked November 2026

The Best Online Shop Platforms in 2027

Choosing an online shop platform is the biggest decision you'll make in ecommerce. We compare the leading ecommerce platforms and store builders on what actually matters: total cost, fees, ease of use, and how far each one can grow with you.

Our verdict in one line: Shopify is the best ecommerce platform for most sellers, while the alternatives win for specific needs.

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The best ecommerce platforms compared at a glance

Short on time? This table sums up our ranking. Every platform here is a real, reputable option. The right one depends on what and how you sell.

Best online shop platforms compared (USD, as of November 2026)
PlatformBest forStarting priceTransaction feesOur score
Shopify (opens in a new tab)Most stores: best all-rounder$29/mo (Basic, yearly)None with Shopify Payments9.4
BigCommerce (opens in a new tab)Large catalogs & B2BAbout $29/mo (yearly)None8.8
WooCommerce (opens in a new tab)WordPress users who want controlFree plugin + hostingNone (payment processing only)8.6
Wix (opens in a new tab)Design-led small storesAbout $29/moNone8.3
Squarespace (opens in a new tab)Creatives & portfoliosAbout $23/mo (yearly)Depends on plan8.1
Square Online (opens in a new tab)Restaurants & local pickupFree plan availableProcessing only7.8
Etsy (opens in a new tab)Handmade & vintage (marketplace)$0.20 per listing6.5% per sale + processing7.5

The 7 best online shop platforms, ranked

We score every platform on six weighted criteria: ease of use, total cost of ownership, sales features, payments and checkout, growth potential, and support. You can see exactly how in our review methodology.

#1

Shopify

Best overall
9.4/10

Shopify is the platform we recommend to most people starting or growing an online store. It is hosted for you, secure by default, and gives you a high-converting checkout (including Shop Pay) out of the box. As you grow, you add features through its huge app store rather than hiring developers. It is the rare platform that suits a side hustle and a $50M brand equally well.

Price: From $29/mo billed yearly ($39 monthly). Free trial + $1/mo for 3 months. See Shopify pricing explained.

Pros

  • Fastest path from idea to a store that sells
  • Excellent checkout and Shop Pay boost conversions
  • Built-in POS for selling in person
  • Thousands of themes and apps

Cons

  • Extra fee if you use a third-party payment gateway
  • Apps can add up month to month
  • Less control over code than self-hosted options
Start your Shopify trial (opens in a new tab) Read our full review
#2

BigCommerce

Best for large catalogs
8.8/10

BigCommerce packs more features into its core plans than most rivals, including advanced product options and strong B2B tools, with no transaction fees. The trade-off is a steeper learning curve and plan upgrades tied to your annual sales. Compare it head-to-head in Shopify vs BigCommerce.

Price: From about $29/mo billed yearly

Pros

  • Lots of built-in features
  • No transaction fees on any gateway
  • Strong B2B and wholesale tools

Cons

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Forced upgrades as sales grow
  • Smaller app and theme ecosystem
Visit BigCommerce (opens in a new tab)
#3

WooCommerce

Best for WordPress
8.6/10

WooCommerce turns a WordPress site into a store. The plugin is free and you own everything, but you're responsible for hosting, security, backups and updates. It's a great fit if you already run WordPress or have technical help. See Shopify vs WooCommerce.

Price: Free plugin; budget roughly $15–$60/mo for hosting, plus paid extensions

Pros

  • Full control and ownership
  • Huge plugin ecosystem
  • Best-in-class blogging via WordPress

Cons

  • You handle hosting, security and updates
  • Costs creep up with paid extensions
  • More things can break
Visit WooCommerce (opens in a new tab)
#4

Wix

Best for design flexibility
8.3/10

Wix's drag-and-drop editor lets you place anything anywhere, which makes it fun for design-focused sites with a small product range. For stores where sales are the main event, it lags Shopify on checkout, inventory and multichannel selling. Read Shopify vs Wix.

Price: Store-ready plans from about $29/mo

Pros

  • Very flexible visual editor
  • Good for service businesses plus a small shop
  • All-in-one hosting

Cons

  • Weaker for larger catalogs
  • Templates can't be swapped easily once live
  • Fewer commerce integrations
Visit Wix (opens in a new tab)
#5

Squarespace

Best for creatives
8.1/10

Squarespace has some of the most beautiful templates on the web and suits photographers, artists and brands selling a modest number of products. Commerce features are solid but simpler than Shopify's. See Shopify vs Squarespace and Wix vs Squarespace.

Price: Commerce-capable plans from about $23/mo billed yearly

Pros

  • Stunning, cohesive templates
  • Easy to keep a site looking polished
  • Good for selling services and digital items too

Cons

  • Fewer payment and shipping options
  • Smaller extension marketplace
  • Less suited to scaling up
Visit Squarespace (opens in a new tab)
#6

Square Online

Best free option for local
7.8/10

If you already use Square card readers in a café, restaurant or shop, Square Online gets you a basic store with pickup and delivery quickly, with a free plan. It's limited for brands that want to grow online. Our Shopify vs Square Online comparison explains the trade-offs.

Price: Free plan; paid plans add custom domain and features

Pros

  • Free to start
  • Syncs with Square POS
  • Good for pickup and local delivery

Cons

  • Basic design and marketing tools
  • Limited apps
  • Not built for scaling online
Visit Square Online (opens in a new tab)
#7

Etsy

Best marketplace for handmade
7.5/10

Etsy isn't a store builder. It's a marketplace with millions of ready-to-buy shoppers. It's great for testing handmade, vintage or craft products, but fees stack up and you don't own the customer relationship. Many sellers use Etsy and their own store. See Shopify vs Etsy.

Price: $0.20 per listing + 6.5% transaction fee + payment processing

Pros

  • Built-in traffic
  • Very quick to start
  • Trusted by buyers

Cons

  • Fees on every sale
  • Heavy competition
  • Limited branding and no customer list
Visit Etsy (opens in a new tab)

The best store builder for your type of business

The "best" platform depends on what you sell. Jump to the guide that matches your business:

DropshippingBest platform for dropshippingSell without holding inventory, with the right supplier apps. Small businessBest for small businessesOnline and in-store selling without enterprise complexity. BeginnersBest for beginnersThe easiest platforms if you've never built a site. Print on demandBest for print on demandSell custom tees, mugs and art with zero stock. DigitalBest for digital productsEbooks, templates, music, presets and more. FashionBest for clothing brandsVariants, lookbooks and size guides that sell. HandmadeBest for handmade itemsFrom Etsy to your own branded store. BudgetCheapest ecommerce platformThe real all-in cost of every option, free plans included.

See all our best-of guides →

What to look for in an online store platform

Before you compare feature lists, answer these five questions. They narrow the field faster than anything else. For the full framework, read how to choose an ecommerce platform.

  1. What are you selling? Physical products, digital downloads, services, or subscriptions each favor different tools. Physical products with variants (sizes, colors) are where Shopify and BigCommerce shine.
  2. Where will you sell? If you want your own site plus Instagram, TikTok, Google and in-person sales, pick a platform with native multichannel and POS. Shopify leads here.
  3. How technical are you? Hosted platforms (Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce) handle security and updates. Self-hosted WooCommerce gives control but needs maintenance.
  4. What's your real budget? Count apps, themes, payment processing and your time, not just the monthly plan. Our Shopify store cost breakdown shows a realistic total.
  5. Where do you want to be in two years? Moving platforms mid-growth is painful. Choose something that can handle 10× your current plans.

Why Shopify is our #1 ecommerce platform

Shopify isn't the cheapest option or the most customizable. It wins because it gets the most important things right with the least effort: a fast, trusted checkout, reliable hosting, and a clear path to grow. You don't need a developer to launch, and you won't outgrow it. If you're ready, our Shopify store setup guide walks you through launch step by step, and the Shopify free trial guide shows how to get the most from your trial.

Start your Shopify free trial (opens in a new tab)

Free trial + $1/mo for 3 months · Offer varies by region

Start here: ecommerce platform guides

Shopify review

Our in-depth look at the platform we rank #1: features, pricing, pros and cons, and who should skip it.

How to start an online store

From picking products to your first sale, the complete beginner's roadmap.

Shopify alternatives

Not sold on Shopify? Here's what to use instead, and when each alternative is the better choice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best online shop platform overall?

For most people, Shopify is the best online shop platform. It is the quickest way to launch a professional store, it handles payments, shipping, taxes and point of sale in one place, and it scales from your first sale to millions in revenue.

What is the cheapest way to open an online shop?

Free options like WooCommerce or Square Online's free plan cost the least upfront, but you pay in time and add-ons. Shopify's Starter plan is $5/month if you only need to sell through social media and links. Our cheapest ecommerce platform guide breaks down the real total cost.

Is Shopify better than Wix for an online store?

For a store where selling is the main goal, yes. Shopify has stronger inventory, checkout, multichannel selling and app support. Wix is a good fit when the website is the priority and the store is a side feature. See our full Shopify vs Wix comparison.

Do I need a business license to start an online shop?

It depends on where you live and what you sell. Many places require a general business license or seller's permit for collecting sales tax. Check with your local government. Our guide to starting an online store covers the basics.

Can I switch platforms later?

Yes. Products, customers and orders can usually be exported as CSV files and imported elsewhere, and there are migration apps for most moves. It is still easier to pick well the first time. Read how to migrate to Shopify if you are already on another platform.

About the author: The BOSP Editorial Team

We build and run test stores on each platform we cover, track pricing changes, and write up what we find in plain English. No platform pays for placement in our rankings.

Read our review methodology and affiliate disclosure.