Best E-commerce Platforms
Storefronts for physical and digital products — compared on total running cost once apps and transaction fees are counted.
4 tools reviewed · Updated July 2026
Ranked tools
WooCommerceFree planCommerce that lives inside WordPress
4.3editor scoreNo user reviews yetFrom $25/mo
Buyer’s guide
The subscription is not the cost
The sticker price on an e-commerce plan is the smallest line on the bill. The real figure is subscription plus payment processing plus transaction fees plus the four or five apps every real store ends up installing. Model that number before choosing.
The four questions that decide it
- Physical or digital? Shipping, inventory, and tax for physical goods are a different problem from delivering a file and remitting VAT. Tools optimised for one are clumsy at the other.
- What are the transaction fees? Some platforms charge a percentage on top of your processor unless you use theirs. On volume this dwarfs the subscription.
- How much will apps add? Reviews, subscriptions, upsells, and email are rarely native. Price the stack, not the platform.
- Who maintains it? Hosted platforms handle updates and PCI compliance. Self-hosted saves fees and hands you the maintenance.
For creators
If you are selling a handful of digital products, a full store platform is overkill — a creator-focused checkout takes minutes and costs a percentage instead of a subscription.