Over the past few years, the eCommerce industry has experienced exponential growth. The trend of shopping online has become the preference due to increased internet penetration rates, convenience, affordability and much more.
According to Recent Statistics,
- There are 2.77 billion online shoppers, over 33% of the world’s population.
- In 2026, the number of online shoppers will reach 2.86 billion.
- 21% of retail purchases are expected to take place online in 2025.
- eCommerce sales will surpass $6.8 trillion in 2025 and are expected to reach $8 trillion by 2027.
Today, several aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners are skyrocketing their profits from the ever-growing eCommerce industry by building their own eCommerce platforms.
However, you can also do that; all you need is a feature-rich online store where you can attract potential customers, reach the global market, generate more sales and drive success for your business.
In this blog, we have curated a list of the best online store builders in 2025 after analyzing a large number of solutions available in the industry. Let’s explore all the online store builders and find the right fit that will work for your eCommerce business.
What is an online Store Builder?
An online store builder is a platform that enables businesses of all sizes to build and operate their own online stores without developing from scratch. There are a large number of online store builders available in the industry, catering to different business needs. They support all the essential features and functionalities required to operate an online business, ensuring seamless transactions.
On the one hand, businesses list their products on their eCommerce store to sell them digitally. On the other hand, buyers can navigate those products through the platform and place orders online by completing the checkout process.
In short, eCommerce store builders help build platforms to connect buyers and sellers through a digital platform to fulfill their purposes and demand.
Quick Comparison of Best Online Store Builder in 2025
Before we start with a detailed explanation of the best eCommerce store builders. Let’s take a look at the table below for a quick overview.
| Platforms | Types | Pricing Starts at | Customization | Ownership | Transaction Fee |
| Shopify | SaaS-Based | $39 Monthly | Restricted due to SaaS nature | Partial | Yes |
| Tribe | Self-Hosted | $99 for one-time setup | Fully customizable, as it offers source code ownership | Complete | No |
| Wix | SaaS-Based | $17 Monthly | Restricted due to SaaS nature | Partial | No |
| BigCommerce | SaaS-Based | $39 Monthly | Restricted due to SaaS nature | Partial | No |
| Squarespace | SaaS-Based | $25 Monthly | Restricted due to SaaS nature | Partial | Yes |
Looking for the Right Online Store Builder?
Our Comparison Criteria for Choosing the Best Online Store Builder
Bringing you the list of top online store builders isn’t just a simple pick. We have followed critical selection parameters that are a must when building an eCommerce store.
Let’s explore them below and decide why these considerations are crucial.
1. Ease of Use: The first parameter we have set is that the solution should be intuitive and easy to use. It directly impacts the customer’s overall experience on your online store.
A user-friendly platform makes visitors’ navigation simple. Sellers can easily list products, check analytics and reporting, monitor performance and more. On the other hand, buyers can easily search and find products, complete the checkout process, make a payment and place an order effortlessly.
Ease of use ultimately benefits businesses through improving customer satisfaction, increasing conversion rate, encouraging repeat purchases and enhancing the overall online shopping experience.
2. Features and Functionality: To operate your online store, what you primarily need is a feature-rich platform. Therefore, you can’t ignore the features and functionality that an online store builder is offering.
The list below of top eCommerce software ensures that they support all the essential features and functionality required to operate and grow your online store.
3. Pricing: Another important consideration when choosing an eCommerce store builder is deciding on a pricing model. However, it doesn’t mean one should choose the cheapest solution. It is something you need to consider if the solution offers value for money, it is viable in the long run, or it will align with your business’s goals.
We went through several online store builders; some are free, some charge monthly or yearly fees, and some are more focused on transactional charges. Each online builder works with different pricing strategies.
However, we have tried to introduce solutions that are not just cost-effective but also available at true cost.
4. Customization Flexibility: The flexibility to customize your online store is critical to build a unique brand value. Therefore, we have selected software that is easily customizable.
However, which one of these platforms offers more flexibility when it comes to extensive customization is a question mark that you will explore while exploring online store builders.
5. Scalability Support: A solution supports scalability means your platform can grow with the growing business’s demands.
A scalable online store builder can expand and handle the growing number of visitors, transactions, product catalog, and more without any performance degradation.
However, scalability comes at what cost you will get to know about further while exploring the details of each one of them.
6. SEO & Marketing Features: When you build a business, marketing and promotion are important aspects. They help you reach out to potential customers.
Similarly, when you build an online store, you need several SEO and marketing tools to promote your business digitally. Businesses plan several marketing strategies and run campaigns to reach wider customers, drive more traffic, generate more sales and more.
7. Technical Support: Technical support is something you can’t let go of when choosing an eCommerce store builder.
It provides a cushion when you counter any such challenge while operating your online store. The technical team has the expertise to help you handle the issues immediately.
Again, accessing technical support from the same team, also an advantage because these experts know and understand the solution and can promptly address bugs or errors and provide resolutions.
Top Online Store Builders in 2025
The selection of an online store builder depends on the business’s specific needs. There are different types of platforms, but the best means choosing one that is the right fit for your purpose.
Shopify
Overview:
Shopify is a popular name among SaaS-based eCommerce solutions. The platform is leading the eCommerce industry and has empowered a large number of online stores worldwide. In addition, Shopify has a vast collection of free and paid themes and templates.
However, unlike advantages, there are several drawbacks that you also can’t ignore. Shopify poses transactional charges alongside monthly subscription fees. One needs to pay additional costs to access advanced features or when scaling the platform. Moreover, you can confront barriers when customizing and scaling the platform.
Key Features:
- User-friendly design allows buyers to navigate and place an order seamlessly.
- Enable multi-channel selling options.
- Comes with powerful reporting and analytics tools.
- Multiple payment options that provide ease of online shopping.
- It comes with built-in SEO and marketing tools.
- Supports multiple languages and currencies.
Pros:
- Easy to set up your online store.
- It comes with a drag-and-drop editor.
- Supports scalability with the growing business’s needs.
Cons:
- Extra transaction fees for using external gateways.
- Don’t support extensive customization.
- Expensive in the long run due to its monthly recurring charges.
- Accessing advanced features requires additional costs.
- Check out capacity is also restricted or varied by plans.
- Customer support is not up to the mark according to customers’ reviews on multiple platforms.
Pricing Plans:
- Basic for Solo Entrepreneurs: $39/month
- Shopify for Small Teams: $105/month
- Advanced: $399/month
- Plus: $2300/month
Ideal for: Small and growing businesses
Tribe
Overview:
Tribe is the best online store builder for businesses looking for a self-hosted eCommerce platform. The solution supports all the essential features and functionality crucial for a fully functional online store, including advanced marketing and analytics tools.
With Tribe, you get the opportunity to own the source code that provides complete control and access to the platform. Also, makes it a preferred choice over SaaS-based solutions like Shopify, Wix, BigCommerce and more.
In addition, gaining access to the source code means complete freedom when customizing extensively. You can tailor your online store to align it with your unique business’s identity and offer an enhanced experience to your customers.
Moreover, Tribe is 100% white-label and is available at a one-time payment option. You don’t need to pay monthly or yearly recurring fees, including any kind of transactional charges. Also, it is built with scalability in mind. Therefore, you can expand the platform to meet the growing business’s needs.
Key Features:
- Tribe has an intuitive and user-friendly UX/UI.
- It enables easy customization options through a drag-and-drop CMS.
- Tribe comes with multiple pre-integrated payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe for secure online transactions.
- It supports over 70 languages and offers a real-time translation facility.
- Tribe’s multi-currency support allows customers to make payments using their preferred currencies.
- An advanced shipping and order management tool to facilitate shipment, track and manage orders.
- Merchants can track and manage their inventory through an inventory management tool.
Pros:
- Self-hosted software that offers complete control.
- Readymade eCommerce store software.
- 100% white-label solution.
- Fully customizable software.
- Easily scalable eCommerce platform.
- It offers source code ownership.
- Provides free technical support.
- Offers a free SSL certificate.
Cons:
- Additional expense is needed to manage hosting.
Pricing Plans:
- GoQuick Lite – $0 ($99 – One-time for Setup)
- Go Quick – $1999 One-time
- GoQuick Boost – $3499 One-time
- GoCustom – $6499 One-time
- Go Quick Ultra – Request a Quote
- Mobile App (Android or iOS) – $999 One-time
Best for: Startups, SMBs and enterprises looking for a self-hosted online store to gain complete control and access.
Wix
Overview:
Wix is another SaaS-based online store builder that supports drag-and-drop functionality. It enables entrepreneurs and business owners to launch their eCommerce platform with ease. A large collection of readymade templates makes Wix a good choice for different types of online stores.
What makes it more attractive is its intuitiveness; users can easily navigate and participate. Moreover, one can easily make updates and change the look and feel of their eCommerce website.
However, Wix lacks when it comes to supporting advanced SEO and marketing tools, advanced features and functionality. In addition, it also limits or restricts when it comes to gaining full freedom with customization.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop website builder.
- Supports multi-channel integration.
- Offers different layouts and designs.
- Supports integration with multiple payment gateways
Pros:
- Doesn’t impose any kind of additional transaction fees.
- Allows unlimited product listings.
- User-friendly UX/UI, even non-technical people can also operate an online store.
Cons:
- Has higher pricing plans.
- Not flexible with the customization.
- Doesn’t allow switching templates.
- Businesses often encounter performance-related issues.
- Lacks advanced inventory management tools.
Pricing Plans:
- Lite: $17/month
- Core: $29/month
- Business: $39/month
- Business Elite: $159/month
Best for: Businesses looking to build a visually appealing online store.
BigCommerce
Overview:
BigCommerce enables building a single-vendor online store. It is also a SaaS-based eCommerce solution that supports all the essential features to run your store seamlessly. BigCommerce has also empowered several popular brands by helping them launch their online store.
When building your online store with BigCommerce, you don’t need technical expertise. It’s a drag-and-drop store builder especially for beginners. In addition, it also supports customization and scalability.
However, BigCommerce also imposes several limitations due to its SaaS nature. In addition, BigCommerce is primarily focused on enterprise-level platforms. Therefore, it’s more expensive than many other online store builders.
Key Features:
- Feature-packed eCommerce store builder.
- It supports a drag-and-drop CMS that simplifies the design and customization.
- Enables search engine optimization through its natively integrated SEO features.
- Supports multiple payment gateways, allowing you to choose your preferred one.
- Businesses can reach more customers by integrating stores with social media platforms.
Pros:
- Does not charge transaction fees.
- Supports multi-channel selling, enabling businesses to sell across various platforms.
Cons:
- Lacks when it comes to immediate technical support.
- Accessing advanced features required additional expense.
- Not good for beginners, steeper learning curve.
- It can be expensive compared to many other platforms.
- Enforces sales limits on its plans. Also, automatically upgrade plans if the sales limit is exceeded.
- Dependency on third-party is higher for advanced features.
Pricing Plans:
- Standard – $39/month
- Plus – $105/month
- Pro – $399/month
- Enterprise – Custom
Best For: This can be a right fit for enterprise-level businesses.
Squarespace – Best for Small Creatives & Brands
Overview:
Squarespace also enables businesses to sell products online. Businesses can build a professional-looking eCommerce website with Squarespace without having coding or technical expertise.
The platform has a large collection of templates that mostly attract the creative community. For small and beginner-level stores, Squarespace can be a good selection. Squarespace provides a user-friendly interface with pre-built templates and drag-and-drop tools for designing websites.
Its features for selling products online include inventory management, payment processing, order management, and more. In addition, Squarespace also enables several marketing features to help users reach a wider customer base and generate more sales.
However, Squarespace lacks when it comes to offering robust eCommerce features. It is primarily known as a versatile website builder, not solely an eCommerce platform. Yet, the platform supports eCommerce functionality, making it suited for an eCommerce website.
Key Features:
- Brings stunning templates that can be customized to tailor to your requirements.
- It supports several marketing features, including blogging tools to promote business and reach a wider audience.
- Drag-and-drop editor enables easy customization.
- Provides all the necessary tools for managing and tracking orders.
- Supports third-party integrations to enable advanced services.
- Has integration with multiple payment gateways.
Pros:
- Unlimited storage doesn’t limit the number of listings.
- Offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
- Stores built with Squarespace are well-optimized for mobile devices.
- The solution comes with multi-lingual support.
Cons:
- Restricts when it comes to extensive customization due to a template-based approach.
- Accessing advanced features and functionality can cost you more.
- Users may face difficulty due to a steeper learning curve.
- Switching between templates can be challenging.
Pricing Plans:
- Personal – $25/month
- Business – $36/month
- Commerce Basic – $40/month
- Commerce Advanced – $72/month
Seeking Expert Advice to Choose the Right eCommerce Store Builder?
How to Choose the Right Online Store Builder
If you are one of those aspiring entrepreneurs or business owners who want to profit from this ever-growing eCommerce industry, you can build your own eCommerce platform.
However, building your online store is not enough. What you need is a feature-rich platform where buyers can easily navigate and place orders. On the other hand, the store owner can easily operate, analyze and grow their platform. Therefore, you need to find the right online store builder. Let’s explore the tips to find.
Step 1: Define Your Business’s Needs:
Defining your business’s needs involves knowing what the requirements are:
- What type of business are you going to run?
- What features and functionality are required?
- How much does it cost to build an online store?
Step 2: Find the Best Online Store Builder:
Once you have finalized the requirements, it’s time to choose the best eCommerce store builder that fits your specific business’s needs. There are a few aspects you can consider when choosing an eCommerce store builder:
- Feature and Functionality: Go through the demo and understand whether the solution has all the essential features and functionality available that you are looking for.
- Customizability: Flexibility to customize your online store is crucial to align with your specific needs. Therefore, always choose a platform that is fully flexible with customization.
- Scalability: Again, similar to customization, a scalable solution is also a primary need. It helps you expand your platform with your growing business.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Mobile commerce is on the rise today. Most eCommerce sales are driven by mobile devices. Therefore, operating a mobile-friendly online store can benefit you in many ways.
- User-friendly UX/UI: First interaction always matters the most. You should find a solution that is intuitive and user-friendly. It helps buyers navigate and complete checkout easily.
- Third-party Integration: There are several features and services required to operate an online store that require third-party integration. When choosing an eCommerce store builder, check whether the solution allows integration or not. In addition, don’t forget to check if it comes with all essential integrations.
Step 3: Choose Between SaaS and Self-Hosted:
It is a common confusion that often arises when choosing an online store builder.
Businesses get stuck, which one should I select: a SaaS-based online store or a self-hosted online store software?
Let’s make the decision easy for you. Explore the table below and decide which one of the hosting types best suits an online store.
| Comparison | SaaS | Self-Hosted |
| Hosting Type | Shared | Private |
| Control | Limited | Complete |
| Data Storage | Managed by Third-Party | Managed by the Owner |
| Security | Third-party Dependence | Belongs to the Owner |
| Customization | Limit, Due to the SaaS Nature | Fully Customizable, Accessing the Source Code |
| Scalability | Restricted by Pricing Tiers | Depends on the Host |
| Costing | Monthly/Yearly and Higher in the Long Run | One-Time, Lower in the Long Run |
| Source Code Ownership | Unavailable | Unavailable |
According to the above table, you can decide that self-hosted eCommerce software can be a better choice over a SaaS-based solution. However, once you have decided between SaaS and self-hosted, you can now launch, operate and grow your online store.
Want to Build Your Online Store Using a Self-Hosted Solution?
Our Final Verdict & Recommendations
1. Best for Startups, Medium-sized businesses: Tribe
2. Best for launch Fast: Shopify
3. Best for Basic store: Wix
4. Best for service-based eCommerce platform: Squarespace
5. Best for Small-scale selling: Bigcommerce
To Compare Shopify, WooCommerce, and Tribe in Detail,: Click Here
Final Thought
Thanks for giving your time. Hope you find this comparison blog insightful.
From the above best online store builders, you can choose one that fits your business’s needs. We have explained all the essential details, including key features, pros and cons, pricing and more.
Now you are aware of all the strengths and drawbacks of each one of these online store builders. Moreover, you can analyze all the details and make an informed decision.
However, if you are looking for a solution offering complete control and access over your online store, you can choose Tribe, a self-hosted online store builder.
FAQs
Q 1. Which is the most popular eCommerce store builder in 2025?
Ans. There are several online store builders allowing businesses to build their eCommerce platform. However, when it comes to deciding the most popular for a single-vendor online store, Shopify is a leading one if you are looking for a SaaS-based solution. On the other hand, Tribe is one of the most popular online store builders if you are looking for self-hosted eCommerce software.
Q 2. Which is the most beginner-friendly eCommerce platform?
Ans. Tribe, Shopify, and Wix are prominent names in the list of beginner-friendly eCommerce platforms. They offer an easy and intuitive UX/UI. Also, their drag-and-drop CMS makes this platform accessible for users with no technical expertise.
Q 3. Shopify vs Tribe: Which one is better for long-term goals?
Ans. When it comes to deciding which one of these eCommerce store builders between Shopify and Tribe, is the best in the long run. The consideration that primarily comes to mind is pricing.
Shopify incurs monthly or yearly subscription charges. On the other hand, Tribe is available at a one-time payment option. Therefore, comparing costs in the long run, you will find Tribe a clear winner.
Q 4. Can I switch from one store builder to another?
Ans. Of course, you can switch from one online store to another. However, it widely depends on the platform you have selected. If your current platform allows you to migrate and on the other side, the platform supports easy migration, you can seamlessly migrate.
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