How to Build a Website
Best Ecommerce Platforms in 2026: Where to Build Your Online Store
The best ecommerce platforms for new and growing stores — hosted platforms vs WordPress, fees to watch, and which platform fits your products and skills.
Your ecommerce platform decides how you take payments, manage products and grow. The biggest choice is hosted (the platform runs everything) vs self-hosted (WooCommerce on your own WordPress site).
Our picks at a glance
No paid rankings · prices not shown (they change often)
- 1ShopifyBest overall hosted store
- 2WooCommerceBest for full ownership
- 3BigCommerceBest built-in features & B2B
- 4WixBest for small stores on a builder
- 5SquarespaceBest for design-led brands
- 6Square OnlineBest for retail with Square POS
Costs to compare beyond the plan price
- Payment processing and transaction fees
- Paid apps/extensions you'll need
- Theme cost
- Hosting (for WooCommerce)
Our ecommerce picks
Shopify
Best overall hosted storeDetails pending editor verificationLeading hosted ecommerce platform with checkout, payments and a huge app store.
What we like
- Reliable, conversion-optimised checkout
- Large theme and app ecosystem
- Sell online, on social and in person
Watch out for
- Apps add monthly costs
- Transaction fees apply unless you use Shopify Payments (where available)
WooCommerce
Best for full ownershipDetails pending editor verificationFree, open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress with full ownership.
What we like
- Free core plugin, extend with add-ons
- Full control of data, design and SEO
- Huge ecosystem of extensions
Watch out for
- You manage hosting, security and updates
- Premium extensions add up
Free option: free (open source)
Visit official site for WooCommerce (opens in new tab)Official websiteBigCommerce
Best built-in features & B2BDetails pending editor verificationHosted ecommerce with strong built-in features and B2B capabilities.
What we like
- Many features built in rather than via apps
- Multi-channel and B2B tools
- Headless commerce options
Watch out for
- Plans tied to annual sales thresholds
Wix
Best for small stores on a builderDetails pending editor verificationAll-in-one hosted builder with AI site generation, templates, apps and ecommerce.
What we like
- AI site generator and drag-and-drop editor
- Large template and app market
- Hosting, SSL and security included
Watch out for
- Hard to migrate away later
- Free plan shows Wix branding
Squarespace
Best for design-led brandsDetails pending editor verificationDesign-led hosted builder with polished templates, commerce and scheduling.
What we like
- Polished, design-focused templates
- AI-assisted site setup
- Built-in commerce, scheduling and email campaigns
Watch out for
- Fewer third-party integrations than WordPress
- No free plan (trial only)
Square Online
Best for retail with Square POSDetails pending editor verificationSimple online store that connects with Square's in-person payments.
What we like
- Great for businesses already using Square POS
- Free plan to start
- Pickup and delivery options
Watch out for
- Limited design flexibility
- Availability varies by country
Launch checklist
Clear product photos and descriptions · shipping & returns policy · tax settings · test orders · analytics with UTM tracking · email capture (best email marketing tools).
Editors & researchers
Our editorial team researches, tests and fact-checks every guide. Articles are reviewed against our editorial policy before publishing and re-reviewed on a schedule.
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