The Undisputed 5 Best E-commerce CMS Platforms in 2024

Your choice of content management system is one of the most impactful that you’ll make as an e-commerce business, potentially affecting your strategy from web development to marketing. The stakes are high, and the choice is difficult; there is never a single solution that is obviously perfect for a business.

In this article, we compare the best e-commerce CMS systems in 2024. We prioritize the features that will help dynamic e-commerce businesses the most, such as personalized shopping experiences, multi-channel selling, and secure transaction handling. After lengthy research, we came up with a final ranking of the solutions that are most likely to be best for most companies looking for an integrated CMS. If your company has the technical expertise for building out a custom headless or hybrid solution, see our other article on the best headless CMS platforms.

Overview of the Best eCommerce CMS Platforms

To help you choose the right platform for your needs, we compare the top eCommerce CMS contenders for 2024:

• Best for WordPress Users: WooCommerce
• Best for Scalability: BigCommerce
• Best for Design and Ease of Use: Squarespace
• Best for Budget-Conscious Businesses: OpenCart
• Best for Customization: PrestaShop

1. WooCommerce – Best for WordPress Users

WooCommerce stands out for WordPress users because it seamlessly integrates with the WordPress ecosystem.

This means you can add powerful e-commerce features to your existing WordPress site without learning a new system. You’ll save time and reduce your learning curve, letting you focus on growing your business.

WooCommerce, constructed on top of the world’s most favored content management system, provides unmatched personalization and control over your digital store. Its modularity allows it to work with other popular WordPress plugins, enhancing its functionality and providing a tailored experience.

With over 400 official extensions, WooCommerce enables you to extend your store’s capabilities in areas such as

• Adobe Commerce
• payment processing
• shipping
• marketing
• and ecommerce sales management.

However, WooCommerce isn’t without its challenges. The need for a WordPress site might be a limitation for some users, and the platform can become complex if overloaded with too many plugins.

Despite this, WooCommerce’s strengths in customization, integration, and advanced inventory management make it a top choice for WordPress enthusiasts looking to create a robust and flexible eCommerce website.

But what if you’re not comfortable with WordPress?

Don’t worry too much about the challenge of learning to use WordPress. Its usability is one of the reasons it has become one of the most popular CMS platforms on the internet. Many hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installs and WooCommerce setup wizards. If you still need to decide, consider hiring a WordPress developer to get you started. They can set up your store and teach you the basics, letting you take over once you’re more confident.

Compared to standalone platforms like BigCommerce, WooCommerce’s integration with WordPress gives it an edge in content management. This makes WooCommerce a strong choice for businesses that want to blend content marketing with their online store.

Specifications:

• Built on WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system
• Integrates seamlessly with WordPress themes and plugins
• Supports various product types, including physical products, digital downloads, subscriptions, and bookings

Pros:

• High customization and control
• Seamless integration with WordPress themes and numerous plugins
• Advanced inventory management features
• Supports a wide range of payment gateways

Cons:

• Requires a WordPress site
• It can become complex with too many plugins

Rating:

• Price: 4/5
• Design: 4.5/5
• Features: 4.5/5
• Ease of Use: ⅘

Price:

Being open-source, WooCommerce is free to use.

There are 849 free and paid product extensions.

Any purchases come with a 30-day guaranteed refund.

2. BigCommerce – Best for Scalability

BigCommerce is one of the best e-commerce CMS platforms to handle growth, with its exceptional scalability.

As your business expands, you can add more products and handle increased traffic without worrying about your store slowing down or crashing during busy times. This makes it perfect for businesses that expect rapid growth and need robust features to support it.

It proves to be an ideal platform for businesses that predict substantial growth and require robust features to bolster this expansion.

Some key features of BigCommerce include:

• Cloud-based, fully hosted solution
• Ability to handle increased traffic and a larger inventory without compromising performance
• Advanced SEO tools
• Flexible APIs

These features make BigCommerce a favorite among ecommerce businesses looking to drive organic traffic and improve their search engine rankings.

On the downside, BigCommerce’s higher pricing tiers may deter small businesses or startups with limited budgets.

The platform is intuitive, but beginners might initially find its extensive features overwhelming.

Nevertheless, BigCommerce’s scalability, SEO, and multi-channel selling capabilities make it an unparalleled choice for fast-growing companies.

What if your business growth slows down?

BigCommerce still offers value. Its SEO tools and multi-channel selling features can help you find new customers and markets. You can also downgrade your plan if needed. Check with BigCommerce about their downgrade policies to ensure flexibility as your business needs change.

While Squarespace focuses on design simplicity, BigCommerce offers more advanced features for more extensive operations. Its robust APIs and customization options outpace simpler platforms like OpenCart, making it better suited for complex eCommerce needs.

Specifications:

• Cloud-based, fully hosted solution
• Advanced SEO tools and flexible APIs
• Level 1 PCI compliant for security

Pros:

• Highly scalable for growing businesses
• Advanced SEO integration
• Supports multi-channel selling

Cons:

• Higher pricing tiers for advanced features
• It can be complex for beginners

Rating:

• Price: 3.5/5
• Design: 4/5
• Features: 5/5
• Ease of Use: 3.5/5

Price:

Four Plans

• Standard – sell online – $29 per month, billed annually
  • Plus – grow your business with marketing tools – $79 per month, billed annually Pro – for scaling your growing business – $299 per month, billed annually Enterprise – Contact Sales or call for custom pricing.
  •  

Bigcommerce is free for 15 days before you choose your plan.

Click the “START YOUR FREE TRIAL” button on the pricing page, complete it, and submit your details to commence. No credit card is needed.

3. Squarespace – Best for Design and Ease of Use

Squarespace is known for its striking designs and user-friendly interface.

You can launch a visually stunning online store quickly without design or coding skills. This frees up your time to focus on your products and customers rather than getting bogged down in website technicalities.

This platform is ideal for creative entrepreneurs and small enterprises that value aesthetics and simplicity. Squarespace offers a rich image manager that allows users to add and organize images effortlessly using a drag-and-drop builder. Its mobile site optimization ensures that your eCommerce site looks great on smartphones, enhancing the user experience.

However, Squarespace’s level of customization might not meet the needs of businesses with more complex eCommerce requirements.

While it excels in design and user-friendliness, it may fall short for larger operations that require advanced customization.

Despite these limitations, Squarespace’s beautiful templates and straightforward eCommerce functionality make it an excellent choice for those seeking a visually appealing and easy-to-use platform.

But what if you outgrow Squarespace?

While it may not suit large-scale operations, Squarespace allows data export. This means you can move your content to a more robust platform. Always check Squarespace’s current export options to ensure they meet your potential future needs.

Unlike WooCommerce and PrestaShop, which offer extensive customization through coding, Squarespace provides polished, ready-to-use templates. This approach requires less technical skill, making Squarespace ideal for businesses prioritizing quick setup and visual appeal.

Specifications:

• User-friendly drag-and-drop builder
• Mobile-optimized design templates
• Integrated with essential eCommerce services like social media solutions and email marketing

Pros:

• Beautiful, professional design templates
• Intuitive interface with no coding skills required
• Mobile site optimization

Cons:

• Limited customization compared to other platforms
• Not ideal for large-scale eCommerce operations

Rating:

• Price: 4/5
• Design: 5/5
• Features: 3.5/5
• Ease of Use: 5/5

Price:

There are four plans

• Personal – $16 per month, billed annually
  • Business – for those looking to grow their business and begin taking payments – $23 per month, billed annually (3% transaction fee for physical products and services)
  • Commerce Basic – with selling tools to grow your business (no transaction fees) – $28 per month, billed annually
  • Commerce Advanced – all the tools for the more advanced seller (no transaction fees)

Custom plans are available for larger teams. To learn more, click the “Learn More” button on the pricing page, complete and submit the “Contact Us” form.

4. OpenCart – Best for Budget-Conscious Businesses

OpenCart is a superb choice for budget-conscious businesses.

You can set up a fully functioning online store without spending much upfront. This allows you to invest more money in your inventory and marketing, which is crucial when starting.

This lightweight, open-source platform, with its user-friendly interface and wide range of customization options, proves a perfect choice for startups and small businesses aiming to minimize expenses. OpenCart’s vibrant community and active forums provide a wealth of resources and support, helping users navigate challenges.

Despite its many advantages, OpenCart does have some limitations.

Its built-in features are limited, and advanced customization may require technical knowledge.

OpenCart’s simplicity, active community, and customization options make it a top contender for businesses that need a cost-effective solution without sacrificing functionality.

What if you need more features as your business grows?

OpenCart’s large marketplace of extensions can help. You can add new functions as needed without breaking the bank. If you’re worried about future costs, plan by researching popular paid extensions you might need later.

Compared to PrestaShop, another open-source option, OpenCart offers a gentler learning curve. Its streamlined, out-of-the-box experience makes it a better fit for small businesses with limited technical resources, unlike more complex platforms like BigCommerce.

Specifications:

• Lightweight and open-source
• Extensive customization options
• User-friendly interface

Pros:

• Free to use and upgrade
• Active community and support forums
• Extensive customization features

Cons:

• Limited built-in features
• It may require technical knowledge for advanced customization

Rating:

• Price: 5/5
• Design: 3.5/5
• Features: 3.5/5
• Ease of Use: ⅘

Price:

OpenCart is a free, open-source eCommerce platform, but there are several costs to consider when setting up and running an online store with OpenCart:

• Hosting fees: $300 – $2,400 per year, depending on if you self-host or use OpenCart’s cloud hosting packages (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
• Theme costs: $30 – $100 for a one-time purchase of a premium theme to customize your store design and layout.
• Extension costs: $500 – $1,500 per year for additional extensions to add functionality like payment gateways, shipping, SEO, analytics, etc.
• Agency costs: $2,500 – $10,000 upfront for services like web design, development, SEO, and marketing if outsourcing to an agency.

So, while the core OpenCart software is free, you can expect to invest a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year in hosting, themes, extensions, and services to launch and maintain a full-featured OpenCart store.

The exact pricing depends on your specific requirements and scale.

There’s a 7-day free trial, or you can try OpenCart without installing it by clicking on one of the front end and administration demo links on the OpenCart Demonstration page.

5. PrestaShop – Best for Customization

PrestaShop stands out for its flexibility, offering a highly customizable eCommerce solution.

If you sell unique or customizable products, you can create a shopping experience that matches your brand and meets your customers’ needs. This can boost your sales and keep customers coming back.

The ‘Options’ tab in the back office allows for extensive product customization, including file upload buttons and text fields for customer input. This enables businesses to offer personalized products, enhancing customer engagement and providing a tailored shopping experience.

PrestaShop’s extensive customization options can be daunting for beginners and may require some technical knowledge to use fully.

Despite this, PrestaShop’s robust features and scalability make it an excellent choice for businesses that prioritize flexibility and personalization.

What if you lack technical skills for customization?

Don’t let this stop you. PrestaShop has a large community of developers. You can hire help for complex customizations while handling more straightforward tasks yourself. This approach enables you to benefit from PrestaShop’s flexibility without needing deep technical knowledge.

PrestaShop’s customization abilities surpass those of Squarespace and OpenCart. While these platforms prioritize user-friendliness, PrestaShop offers more in-depth control over store functionality. This makes it stand out for businesses with unique operational needs that simpler platforms can’t address.

Specifications:

• Extensive product customization options
• Supports multiple languages and currencies
• Flexible and scalable

Pros:

• Highly customizable
• Supports product personalization
• Free and open-source

Cons:

• Requires some technical knowledge
• It can be complex for beginners

Rating:

• Price: 4.5/5
• Design: 4/5
• Features: 4.5/5
• Ease of Use: 3.5/5

Price:

PrestaShop has three offers for its e-commerce software.

1. Classic – free, open-source software, but the following costs apply:
   1. Domain name: Registering a domain typically costs $10-15 annually.
   2. SSL certificate: An SSL/TLS certificate for secure transactions ranges from $5 to $1,000 annually, depending on the level of security needed.
   3. Hosting: PrestaShop requires web hosting, which can cost anywhere from $5 to $5,000 per month, based on traffic and resource needs. Shared hosting is cheapest ($1-14/month), while dedicated servers are most expensive.
2. Hosted – from €24 excluding VAT per month –  includes hosting, support, and ecommerce services included to launch your online store. This offer has features that are additional to the Classic offer.
3. Custom – Custom pricing. Contact Prestashop for details.

The Hosted plan has a 14-day free trial.

Other costs can be incurred:

• Development: Hiring PrestaShop developers to build and customize the store costs an average of $35-125 per hour. Total development costs can range from around $3,500 for a basic store to $18,000 for an advanced customized one.
• Themes: PrestaShop themes and templates to customize the design cost an average of $50-330 each.
• Modules/Plugins: PrestaShop modules cost $30-550 per module, and stores typically need several paid modules to add functionality.
• Payment Processing: Payment gateway transaction fees are usually around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
• Marketing: SEO services and advertising can cost hundreds to thousands per month to drive traffic.

In summary, the free open-source PrestaShop provides full control and customization but requires more technical setup, while the paid hosted version offers an all-in-one solution with support and managed services for a monthly fee. The choice depends on your budget, technical skills, and desire for control vs. convenience.

How to Choose the Right eCommerce CMS

Picking the right eCommerce CMS platform is vital for your online business success.

Here are key factors to keep in mind when comparing different options:

Usability: Ensure the CMS is user-friendly and meets your website’s requirements. For example, try setting up a basic product page and processing a test order. The platform may be too complex for your needs if it takes more than 30 minutes or requires consulting the documentation multiple times. Look for a CMS that allows you to complete these basic tasks intuitively within 15-20 minutes. An easy-to-use platform can save time and money, allowing you to focus on other marketing initiatives.

Scalability: Consider your business’s future growth. A good rule of thumb is to choose a platform that can handle at least ten times your current traffic and product volume without significant slowdowns. For instance, if you currently have 100 products and 1,000 monthly visitors, ensure the CMS can smoothly manage 1,000 products and 10,000 monthly visitors. A scalable CMS can accommodate increased traffic and a more extensive inventory, preventing limitations down the line.

Customization: Look for a flexible CMS that can be tailored to your target audience. Customization options can enhance customer engagement and provide a unique shopping experience.

Integrations: Check for integrations with third-party tools and services. Built-in plugins and APIs can enhance the functionality of your online business and online stores and streamline operations.

Mobile Compatibility: With over 54% of global website traffic coming from mobile devices, ensure your CMS is mobile-compatible to provide a seamless user experience. Test potential CMS options by viewing sample stores on various devices. A truly mobile-compatible platform should render correctly on at least 3-4 screen sizes (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop) without significant layout issues. Aim for load times under 3 seconds on mobile devices – you can use Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool to check this.

SEO Features: A good eCommerce CMS should offer SEO tools and flexibility to help scale your SEO efforts as your website grows. Control over SEO-related elements like filtering and faceted navigation can enhance user satisfaction and search engine rankings. Aim for a CMS that allows you to customize at least 80% of your SEO elements, including page titles, meta descriptions, and URL structures. Test this by trying to edit these elements for a sample product page – if you can’t easily modify them within 5 minutes, consider a more SEO-friendly option. With the right e-commerce cms software, you can effectively manage your online store and improve its performance.

Considering these factors, you can opt for a CMS that caters to your present requirements and simultaneously fosters your business’s growth and evolution.

Find the Best eCommerce CMS for Your Online Store

Each of the top eCommerce CMS platforms we reviewed offers unique strengths catering to different business needs.

WooCommerce is ideal for WordPress users, BigCommerce excels in scalability, Squarespace is perfect for design and ease of use, OpenCart is best for budget-conscious businesses, and PrestaShop stands out for its customization options.

Remember the critical factors discussed earlier:

• usability
• scalability
• customization
• integrations
• mobile compatibility
• and SEO features.

Use these criteria to evaluate each platform against your specific needs.

We hope this guide has provided valuable insights into the best eCommerce CMS platforms for 2024. By understanding each platform’s strengths and limitations, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.

Ready to elevate your online store?

Start by testing the platform that best matches your business needs. Many offer free trials, so you can get hands-on experience before deciding.