⚡ Quick Answer
Shopify is the best ecommerce platform for most businesses — hosted, scalable, 8,000+ apps, and trusted by 4M+ merchants. WooCommerce is best for WordPress users who want full control and lower ongoing costs. Squarespace is best for design-first stores with simple product catalogues. If you're starting a new store today: Shopify Basic at $29/month is the lowest-risk path to revenue.
#1 PLATFORMBest OverallShopify
Most powerful hosted ecommerce platform. 8,000+ apps, multi-channel selling (Amazon, Instagram, TikTok), 24/7 support. 4M+ merchants trust it.
From $29/mo (Basic)
★★★★★ 4.9/5
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Best for WordPressWooCommerce
Free plugin for WordPress. Full control over your store. Lower cost but requires more technical management. Best for existing WordPress sites.
Free plugin / ~$15/mo hosting
★★★★☆ 4.4/5
See Shopify vs WooCommerce →
Best for DesignSquarespace
Best-looking templates. Great for creatives, photographers, and small stores with curated products. Limited app ecosystem vs Shopify.
From $23/mo (Commerce)
★★★★☆ 4.2/5
See Shopify vs Squarespace →
Is Shopify the best platform to start an online store? ⌄
For most people starting from zero, yes. Shopify handles hosting, security, payments, and updates automatically. You focus on products and marketing. WooCommerce is cheaper long-term but requires more technical management.
What percentage does Shopify take per sale? ⌄
Shopify charges 0% transaction fees when you use Shopify Payments. If you use a third-party payment processor, fees are 2% (Basic), 1% (Shopify), or 0.5% (Advanced) per transaction.
Can I switch from WooCommerce to Shopify? Yes — Shopify has a built-in store importer that migrates products, customers, and orders from WooCommerce. The process takes a few hours depending on store size.