Ecommerce · 6 tools compared
What is the best ecommerce platform in 2026?
Short answer
WooCommerce ranks first on published facts: a free plan (Free open-source plugin). The cheapest paid option in the first year is Ecwid ($60). 2 of 6 have a free plan.
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | From | 1st year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WooCommerce | WordPress stores you host yourself | Yes | Free | $0 |
| 2. PrestaShop | Self-hosted open-source stores | Yes | Free | $0 |
| 3. Shopify | Stores of any size | No | $29 / mo | $348 |
| 4. Ecwid | Adding a store to an existing site | No | $5 / mo | $60 |
| 5. Wix eCommerce | Small stores on Wix websites | No | $29 / mo | $348 |
| 6. BigCommerce | Growing B2B and B2C stores | No | $29 / mo | $348 |
From = cheapest paid plan, billed yearly where offered. 1st year = that plan for 12 months.
How did we rank these 6 ecommerce platforms?
On published facts only, scored out of 7: free plan (2, or 1 for a trial), first-year cost against the others (up to 3), three or more paid plans (1), mobile apps (1). We do not test tools hands-on.
| Tool | Score / 7 |
|---|---|
| WooCommerce | 5 |
| PrestaShop | 5 |
| Shopify | 4.2 |
| Ecwid | 2.8 |
| Wix eCommerce | 2.2 |
| BigCommerce | 2.2 |
The 6 best ecommerce platforms, ranked
WooCommerce
Best for: WordPress stores you host yourself
- Free plan
- Yes, Free open-source plugin
- From
- Free
- 1st year
- $0
PrestaShop
Best for: self-hosted open-source stores
- Free plan
- Yes, Free open-source software
- From
- Free
- 1st year
- $0
Shopify
Best for: stores of any size
- Free plan
- No, 3-day trial
- From
- $29 / mo
- 1st year
- $348
Ecwid
Best for: adding a store to an existing site
- Free plan
- No
- From
- $5 / mo
- 1st year
- $60
Wix eCommerce
Best for: small stores on Wix websites
- Free plan
- No
- From
- $29 / mo
- 1st year
- $348
BigCommerce
Best for: growing B2B and B2C stores
- Free plan
- No
- From
- $29 / mo
- 1st year
- $348
Which ecommerce platform is cheapest?
WooCommerce, at $0 for the first year, then PrestaShop at $0.
| Tool | Cheapest plan | 1st year |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | Free | $0 |
| PrestaShop | Free | $0 |
| Ecwid | Starter | $60 |
| Shopify | Basic | $348 |
| Wix eCommerce | Core | $348 |
| BigCommerce | Core | $348 |
Which ecommerce platforms have a free plan?
2 of 6: WooCommerce, PrestaShop.
- WooCommerce: Free open-source plugin
- PrestaShop: Free open-source software
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce pricing | woocommerce.com/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
| PrestaShop pricing | prestashop.com/en | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Shopify pricing | shopify.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Ecwid pricing | ecwid.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Wix eCommerce pricing | wix.com/plans | 27 Oct 2026 |
| BigCommerce pricing | bigcommerce.com/essentials/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare