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The Best Platform to Sell Food Online

Selling food online ranges from a local bakery taking pickup orders to a packaged snack brand shipping nationwide. The best platform depends on which one you are.

Part of our guide: Best online shop platforms

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Quick answer

  • Packaged food brand shipping nationally: Shopify.
  • Restaurant, café or bakery with pickup/delivery: Square Online.
  • Small caterer with a simple menu site: Wix.

Best platforms to sell food online

#1

Shopify

Best for food brands
9.1/10

Ideal for packaged foods, coffee, sauces, snacks and subscriptions. Local delivery, pickup, shipping rules, delivery-date apps and subscriptions are all available.

Price: From $29/mo billed yearly. Free trial + $1/mo for 3 months

Pros

  • Subscriptions
  • Local delivery + shipping
  • Strong branding

Cons

  • Not a restaurant ordering system
#2

Square Online

Best for restaurants & cafés
8.4/10

Online ordering for pickup and delivery, synced with Square POS, with a free plan.

Price: Free plan available

Pros

  • Restaurant-ready
  • Free

Cons

  • Basic for brands
#3

Wix

Simple menus & catering
7.9/10

Good for catering sites with menus, events and simple ordering.

Price: Store plans from about $29/mo

Pros

  • Flexible

Cons

  • Limited food-specific tools

Food rules vary widely by location. Check licensing, labeling and shipping requirements before you sell.

Our verdict

Packaged food brands should build on Shopify. Restaurants and cafés taking local orders will find Square Online quicker and cheaper.

Try Shopify free (opens in a new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to sell food online?

Usually yes. Requirements depend on your location and product. Cottage food laws may cover some homemade foods, but shipping across state lines often needs a licensed kitchen. Check local regulations.

Can I offer local delivery on Shopify?

Yes. Shopify supports local delivery zones and local pickup, and you can set delivery dates with apps.

Keep reading

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.