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The best ecommerce website builder for most new stores in 2026 is Shopify: it has the strongest checkout, app store and sales tools. Choose Squarespace if design matters more than features, Wix for a small catalog on a site that does more than sell, and WooCommerce if you want full control on WordPress.
Last updated: October 2026 · How we researched this: we checked the official pricing pages of Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, WooCommerce and Square in October 2026 and compared plan limits, card rates and extra fees.
Key takeaways
- Most entry ecommerce plans now cost about $29/month billed yearly (Shopify Basic, Wix Core, Squarespace Core, BigCommerce Core).
- The real cost difference is in transaction fees, card rates and paid apps, not the headline price.
- BigCommerce caps each plan by yearly sales, so your bill rises as you grow.
- WooCommerce is free software, but you pay for hosting, extensions and your own maintenance time.
Best ecommerce website builder: quick comparison table
Prices below are the monthly cost when billed yearly, checked October 2026. Monthly billing is higher (for example, Shopify Basic is $39 month-to-month).
| Builder | Cheapest selling plan | Extra platform fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Basic, $29/mo | 0% with Shopify Payments; 2% if you use another gateway | Most product stores, dropshipping, scaling |
| Wix | Core, $29/mo | None from Wix (card fees apply) | Small catalogs on a full business website |
| Squarespace | Basic, $19/mo | 2% on Basic; 0% on Core ($29) and up | Creatives, design-led brands |
| BigCommerce | Core, $29/mo | None, but plans capped by yearly sales | Large catalogs, B2B features |
| WooCommerce | Free plugin + hosting | None from WooCommerce | WordPress users who want control |
| Square Online | Free plan, $0 | Higher card rate on free plan (3.3% + 30¢) | Restaurants and shops that already use Square POS |
The top ecommerce website builders reviewed
1. Shopify: best overall
Shopify plans are Basic ($29/mo), Grow ($89/mo) and Advanced ($359/mo) billed yearly, with Shopify Plus from about $2,300/mo. Online card rates drop from 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic to 2.5% + 30¢ on Advanced. New stores can try it free for 3 days, then pay $1/month for 3 months (offer checked October 2026).
- Pros: fast checkout, huge app store, built-in POS, multichannel selling (Instagram, TikTok, marketplaces).
- Cons: many useful features need paid apps; a 2% fee applies if you skip Shopify Payments.
Read our full Shopify review for details.
2. Wix: best for a site that does more than sell
Wix’s selling plans start with Core at about $29/mo, then Business ($39) and Business Elite ($159), billed yearly. The Free and Light plans cannot take online payments. Wix is great if you also need bookings, a blog or events on the same site.
- Pros: very flexible drag-and-drop editor, many built-in business apps.
- Cons: you cannot easily switch templates after launch; inventory tools are weaker than Shopify’s for large catalogs.
3. Squarespace: best design
Squarespace Basic costs $19/mo billed yearly but adds a 2% transaction fee on product sales. Core ($29), Plus ($49) and Advanced ($99) remove that fee. Templates look polished with almost no effort.
- Pros: beautiful templates, simple setup, good for portfolios plus a shop.
- Cons: smaller app ecosystem; fewer payment and shipping integrations.
4. BigCommerce: best for large catalogs
BigCommerce renamed its plans to Core ($29), Growth ($79), Scale ($299) and Performance (from $1,499), billed yearly. Core covers up to about $30K in trailing-12-month sales and Growth up to $100K. Pass the cap and you are moved to a higher plan.
- Pros: no extra transaction fees, strong product options and B2B tools.
- Cons: sales caps force upgrades; the editor feels less beginner-friendly.
5. WooCommerce: best for WordPress control
WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin. WooCommerce itself estimates hosting at $25–$350/month for most stores, and paid extensions at $29–$299 per year each. You handle updates, security and backups.
Not sure between a hosted builder and WordPress? See our Shopify vs Wix vs WordPress comparison.
Which ecommerce builder fits you? A 5-question decision framework
- How many products? Under 20: Wix or Squarespace are fine. Hundreds or thousands with variants: Shopify or BigCommerce.
- Do you sell in person too? Shopify POS or Square Online keep stock in sync.
- Do you need dropshipping or print-on-demand? Shopify has the widest app choice.
- Do you already run WordPress? WooCommerce avoids moving your content.
- How much time do you have for tech? Little time: pick a hosted builder, not WooCommerce.
Hidden costs most comparisons skip
Here is a rough example for a store doing $2,000 a month in online sales, using only the plan fee and the standard online card rate. Average order of $40 (50 orders). Apps, themes and shipping are not included.
| Setup | Plan | Card fees (approx.) | Total per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Basic + Shopify Payments | $29 | 2.9% + 30¢ = $73 | about $102 |
| Squarespace Basic (2% fee) | $19 | card fees + $40 platform fee | about $19 + $40 + card fees |
| Squarespace Core | $29 | card fees only | about $29 + card fees |
| Square Online Free | $0 | 3.3% + 30¢ = $81 | about $81 |
The lesson: at low volume a free or cheap plan can win. Once sales grow, a plan with no platform fee and lower card rates usually costs less. Also budget for a paid theme ($0–$400 one-time), a domain (about $10–$20/year) and 2–4 paid apps.
Who should NOT use a website builder
- You sell only a few handmade items: Etsy or a marketplace may get you buyers faster.
- You need custom pricing logic or complex integrations: a headless or custom build may fit better.
- You only want to test an idea: start with a Shopify trial or Square’s free plan before committing to a yearly plan.
Ready to build? Our guide on how to create an online store walks through setup step by step.
FAQ about ecommerce website builders
What is the easiest ecommerce website builder for beginners?
Shopify and Squarespace are the easiest for most beginners. Both guide you through products, payments and shipping in a setup checklist. Wix is also easy, but its huge set of options can feel busy.
Is Shopify better than Wix for ecommerce?
For a store focused on selling products, yes. Shopify has stronger inventory, checkout and app options. Wix is better when selling is only one part of a wider business website.
Can I build an ecommerce website for free?
Square Online has a $0 plan, and WooCommerce is free software. You still pay card processing fees, and WooCommerce needs paid hosting. Most free options show limits or higher fees as you grow.
How much does an ecommerce website cost per month?
Most small stores pay about $29 to $79 a month for the plan in 2026, plus card fees and apps. A realistic starting budget is $50 to $150 a month all in.
Conclusion
There is no single best ecommerce website builder for every seller. For most product stores Shopify is the safest pick. Squarespace wins on design, Wix on all-in-one websites, BigCommerce on big catalogs and WooCommerce on control. Check the official pages for Shopify pricing, BigCommerce pricing and WooCommerce costs before you commit, as plans change often.
