Are you planning to build an online store but confused about choosing plugins? No worries as this guide will help you choose one of the best WordPress eCommerce plugins.
WordPress is a popular CMS that enables you to use plugins to build websites/online stores. If you want to build an e-commerce store then choosing the right plugin might be hard for you. This is extremely important because it significantly impacts business growth. If you do not research before choosing an e-commerce plugin for your store, you’ll lose money, and that’s over.
We have curated a list of 6 Best WordPress eCommerce plugins to simplify your decision-making process. This guide will assist you in finding the perfect plugin that matches your needs saving both your time and money💱 💰
Let’s begin!🤩
What to Look for in WordPress eCommerce Plugin for Your Store?
While choosing a plugin, you’ll keep in view your store’s requirements. You’ll need to choose a plugin that is suitable for your product type. For instance, some plugins are designed for selling only digital products like music while others are considered better for selling physical goods. Make sure that the plugin you’re going to choose provides marketing features to attract customers like discount coupons etc.
Besides your store’s need, there are other key factors you’ll have to consider before choosing an eCommerce plugin. Following are the four important factors to keep in mind:
Site Speed Impact: Installing too many plugins can slow down your site’s speed. Make sure you install lightweight or high-quality plugins with multiple functions.
Payment Integrations: Choose a plugin with payment integrations that fit your store’s requirements. There are some plugins with built-in processors while some plugins offer add-ons. if you want to maintain page loading time and SEO, we suggest avoiding installing separate payment gateways. You also need to ensure that the plugin you choose is available in your country.
Customization Options: Choose a plugin that offers multiple templates and easy-to-use customization options to align with your business goals.
Support System: Revenue loss and customer dissatisfaction are the things you’d never wish for. Choose a plugin that offers reliable and accessible support 24/7 through various channels.
Always test the plugin before using it for a live website.
6 Best WordPress Ecommerce Plugins – 2024
For analyzing these 6 best WordPress e-commerce plugins, we have considered their pricing, pros, and cons. Let’s take a look at the list of the names we’ve chosen.
| Plugin | Suitable for | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | General online stores | Free + paid add-ons |
| Easy Digital Downloads | Music, eBooks, software, and downloads | Free + pro |
| MemberPress | Membership websites | $179.50/year |
| BigCommerce | Hassle-free online store | $29/month |
| Ecwid eCommerce Shopping Cart | Various types of online stores | Free + paid plans |
| Shopify | All types of online stores | Starts at $29/month |
Now, we’ll discuss each plugin in detail stating its pricing, pros, and cons.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a versatile eCommerce plugin for WordPress, offering support for both digital and physical goods. It’s known for its ease of use, extensive customization options, and a wide range of extensions that enhance its functionality. 
Pros:
- Supports both digital and physical goods, offering flexibility for various types of online stores.
- Beginner-friendly inventory management makes it easy to keep track of products and orders.
- Built-in marketing tools such as discount codes and analytics help attract and retain customers.
- Supports multiple currencies and languages, making it suitable for international businesses.
- A wide range of extensions and integrations are available, allowing for extensive customization and functionality.
- Large community support through forums and documentation, making it easy to find solutions to common issues.
Cons:
- The sheer number of available add-ons can be overwhelming for new users, requiring some time to navigate and choose the right ones.
- Direct, real-time support is only available through Woo Express plans, which may require additional cost.
WooCommerce Pricing breakdown:
| Feature | Cost |
|---|---|
| Core Plugin | Free |
| Product Management | Free |
| Inventory Management | Free |
| Order Management | Free |
| Basic Shipping Options | Free |
| Payment Gateways (Limited) | Free (may require additional setup fees) |
| Coupon Codes | Free |
| Extensions | Varied (Free & Paid) |
| * Payment Gateways (e.g., Stripe) | Monthly fee or transaction fees |
| * Shipping Integrations (e.g., USPS) | Monthly fees or per-shipment costs |
| * Marketing & SEO | Varied pricing based on features |
| * Design & Customization | Varied pricing based on complexity |
| * Subscriptions & Memberships | Paid extensions unlock functionality |
| Themes | Varied (Free & Paid) |
| * Free Themes | Limited options |
| * Premium Themes | One-time purchase or yearly subscription |
| Hosting | Varied |
| Domain Name | Yearly fee |
| Development Costs | Varied (if needed) |
Estimated Cost Range (excluding Hosting, Domain, and Transaction Fees):
| Store Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Store | Free |
| Functional Store | $100 – $500 per year |
| Advanced Store | $500+ per year |
Easy Digital Downloads:
As the name suggests, Easy Digital Downloads is perfect for selling digital products. It provides a straightforward setup process, robust eCommerce reporting, and various extensions to expand its capabilities.
Pros:
- Specifically optimized for selling digital downloads, offering a streamlined setup and management process.
- Compatible with most WordPress themes, providing flexibility in design and layout.
- Offers in-depth eCommerce reporting, allowing for detailed analysis of sales and customer data.
- Various extensions are available for business growth, such as a campaign tracker, purchase rewards, and add-to-cart popup.
- Multiple support options including forums, videos, tutorials, and ticket submissions, ensure users can find help when needed.
Cons:
- Not suitable for selling physical products, limiting its usability for stores that sell both digital and physical goods.
Easy Digital Downloads Pricing Breakdown (2024)
| Feature | Cost |
|---|---|
| Core Plugin | Free |
| Product Management | Free |
| Order Management | Free |
| Basic Download Delivery | Free |
| Basic Sales Reporting | Free |
| Content Drip (Limited) | Free |
| Extensions | Varied (Free & Paid) |
| * Payment Gateways (e.g., Stripe) | Monthly fee or transaction fees |
| * Email Marketing Integrations | Varied pricing based on service |
| * Advanced Download Delivery | Paid extension |
| * Content Drip (Advanced) | Paid extension |
| * Marketing & Reporting | Varied pricing based on features |
| * Design & Customization | Varied pricing based on complexity |
| Themes | Varied (Free & Paid) |
| * Free Themes | Limited options |
| * Premium Themes | One-time purchase or yearly subscription |
| Hosting | Varied |
| Domain Name | Yearly fee |
| Development Costs | Varied (if needed) |
Estimated Cost Range (excluding Hosting, Domain, and Transaction Fees):
| Store Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Download Store | Free |
| Functional Download Store | $100 – $300 per year |
| Advanced Download Store | $300+ per year |
MemberPress:
MemberPress is ideal for creating membership websites and selling subscription-based digital products. It offers powerful access control, a user-friendly client portal, and features like content dripping and automated email reminders.
Pros:
- Powerful access control allows for the definition of user access levels and content restrictions, providing a customized user experience.
- A user-friendly client portal makes it easy for customers to access their paid content in one place.
- The content dripping feature enables the release of paid content over a specific period, ideal for online courses or subscription-based services.
- Membership-specific extensions available, such as CoachKit™ for online coaching businesses, provide additional functionality.
- Automated email reminders keep members informed of important events, such as subscription renewals or membership expirations.
Cons:
- Complexity may increase when using multiple extensions, potentially leading to confusion for users unfamiliar with the platform.
MemberPress Pricing Breakdown (2024)
| Feature | Basic ($179.50/year) | Plus ($299.50/year) | Pro ($499.50/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Membership Sites | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Coupons | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Courses (Drip Content) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Support | No | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Membership Features | No | No | Yes (Details not publicly available) |
| Renewal | Annual Subscription | Annual Subscription | Annual Subscription |
| Payment Gateways | Integrates with popular options (transaction fees may apply) | Integrates with popular options (transaction fees may apply) | Integrates with popular options (transaction fees may apply) |
| Theme Compatibility | Works with most themes (advanced features might require compatible themes) | Works with most themes (advanced features might require compatible themes) | Works with most themes (advanced features might require compatible themes) |
| Development Costs | May be required for custom integrations or advanced functionality | May be required for custom integrations or advanced functionality | May be required for custom integrations or advanced functionality |
BigCommerce:
BigCommerce is a fully-hosted eCommerce platform with a WordPress plugin for integration. It offers seamless synchronization of products, PCI-compliant checkout, and real-time shipping rates, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.
Pros:
- Easy WordPress integration with the plugin and Gutenberg blocks, allowing for seamless integration of eCommerce functionality into WordPress websites.
- PCI-compliant checkout experience ensures secure transactions for customers, building trust and confidence.
- Real-time shipping rates from popular providers like UPS, USPS, and FedEx, provide accurate shipping costs to customers.
- Multichannel selling feature allows for selling on social channels like Facebook and Instagram or marketplaces like Amazon, expanding the reach and potential customer base.
Cons:
- Theme and app stores are not as extensive as WooCommerce, limiting customization options compared to other eCommerce platforms.
- Automatic upgrade to the next plan, if the sales threshold is reached, may increase costs unexpectedly for businesses.
BigCommerce Pricing Breakdown (2024)
BigCommerce offers a tiered pricing structure based on your estimated annual online sales. Here’s a breakdown of the key features included in each plan:
| Plan | Price (Monthly) | Annual Sales Volume | Transaction Fees | Staff Accounts | Product Variations | API Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $29 | Up to $50,000 | Standard Rates Apply | 2 | 250 | Included |
| Plus | $105 | Up to $180,000 | Standard Rates Apply | 5 | 500 | Included |
| Pro | $399 | Up to $400,000 | Negotiable Rates | 15 | Unlimited | Included |
| Enterprise | Custom Quote | Over $400,000 | Negotiable Rates | Custom | Unlimited | Included |
Additional Considerations:
- Sales Volume Thresholds: As your online sales increase, you might need to upgrade to a higher plan to accommodate your growing business.
- Transaction Fees: BigCommerce charges standard transaction fees on each sale (rates vary depending on your payment gateway). Negotiable rates might be available for higher plans.
- Staff Accounts: The number of staff accounts included allows you to grant access to your store for team management.
- Product Variations: This refers to the number of unique product variations you can manage (e.g., size, and color combinations).
- API Access: All plans include access to BigCommerce’s API for developers to integrate with external services.
Choosing the Right Plan:
- Standard: Ideal for starting with a low sales volume and limited need for staff accounts and product variations.
- Plus: Suitable for growing businesses with moderate sales volume and a need for more staff accounts and product variations.
- Pro: Ideal for established businesses with higher sales volume, requiring more staff access, extensive product variations, and potentially negotiable transaction fees.
- Enterprise: Designed for large businesses with very high sales volume, requiring custom solutions and potentially lower transaction rates.
Ecwid eCommerce Shopping Cart:
Ecwid is a user-friendly shopping cart plugin that seamlessly integrates with existing websites. It offers mobile-responsive design, multiple language and currency support, and various pricing plans to cater to different business needs. 
Pros:
- Easy setup and use, making it suitable for users with limited technical knowledge.
- Seamless integration with existing websites, allowing for the addition of eCommerce functionality without changing the website design.
- Supports multiple languages and currencies, making it ideal for international businesses.
- Mobile-responsive design ensures that the shopping cart looks good and functions well on mobile devices.
Cons:
- Limited features in the free plan, require upgrading to a paid plan for access to advanced functionalities.
- Additional costs for certain features and payment gateways, potentially increase overall costs for businesses.
Ecwid E-commerce Shopping Cart Pricing Breakdown
Ecwid offers a freemium pricing model with various plans catering to different business needs. Here’s a breakdown of the features included in each plan:
| Plan | Price (Monthly) | Products | Online Store | Product Variants | Coupons & Discounts | Abandoned Cart Recovery | Real-Time Shipping Rates | Facebook & Instagram Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 10 | Yes (Limited Features) | 10 | Limited | No | No | Limited |
| Venture | $15 | 100 | Yes | 250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Business | $35 | 2,500 | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited | $99 | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Additional Considerations:
- Product Limits: The Free plan restricts you to 10 products, while higher tiers offer more product capacity.
- Online Store Features: The Free plan offers a limited online store experience compared to paid plans with more customization options.
- Product Variants: This refers to the number of unique product variations (e.g., size, color combinations) you can manage.
- Marketing & Sales Features: Higher plans unlock abandoned cart recovery, advanced coupon options, and integration with Facebook & Instagram for social selling.
- Transaction Fees: Ecwid itself doesn’t charge transaction fees, but fees might apply depending on your chosen payment gateway.
Choosing the Right Plan:
- Free: Ideal for testing the waters with a small product selection and basic online store functionality.
- Venture: Suitable for startups with a moderate product range and a desire for essential marketing features.
- Business: Ideal for growing businesses with a larger product catalog, advanced marketing needs, and unlimited product variations.
- Unlimited: Perfect for established businesses with extensive product lines, requiring all available features and the highest product capacity.
Shopify:
Shopify is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that offers a wide range of features, including a drag-and-drop website builder, advanced marketing tools, and the ability to create multiple localized versions of your store. However, it comes with additional transaction fees, which should be considered when choosing a plan.
Pros:
- Dozens of eCommerce plugins are available for WordPress integration, providing flexibility and customization options.
- User-friendly features include a drag-and-drop website builder and AI tools for product descriptions, making it easy to create and optimize an online store.
- Ability to create multiple localized versions of the store, allowing for international business expansion.
- Advanced built-in tools like abandoned cart recovery and automatic tax regulation updates, enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers.
Cons:
- Additional fees for transactions and features like Shopify Tax, potentially increase overall costs for businesses.
- Limited control over costs, as transaction fees can add up and impact profitability.
Shopify Pricing Breakdown
Shopify offers a tiered pricing structure based on the features and functionalities you need for your online store. Here’s a breakdown of the key features included in each plan:
| Plan | Price (Monthly) | Online Store Creation | Transaction Fees | Staff Accounts | Inventory Management | Order Management | Discount Codes | Abandoned Cart Recovery | Basic Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Shopify | $29 | Yes | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2 | Included | Included | Yes | Limited | Included |
| Shopify | $79 | Yes | 2.6% + 30¢ | 5 | Included | Included | Yes | Yes | Included |
| Advanced Shopify | $299 | Yes | 2.4% + 30¢ | 15 | Included | Included | Yes | Yes | Advanced |
Choosing the Right Plan:
- Basic Shopify: Ideal for starting with a basic online store, limited team size, and potentially using a third-party payment gateway (be aware of transaction fees).
- Shopify: Suitable for growing businesses with a larger product catalog, a need for more staff accounts, and access to features like abandoned cart recovery.
- Advanced Shopify: Ideal for established businesses with high sales volume, requiring a larger team, advanced reporting capabilities, and potentially lower transaction fees (using Shopify Payments).
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