6 Best SaaS E-commerce Platforms To Power Your Business in 2024

It’s no secret that Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) e-commerce platforms are much better than Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions. They’re easy to set up, don’t require technical knowledge, can grow with your business, handle security for you, and save you money.

With SaaS e-commerce solutions like Shopify, you can select from many pre-built website templates and set up your e-commerce store in minutes without hiring anyone. Shopify also provides several built-in e-commerce features that open-source platforms lack. Moreover, it handles security for you, offers a simple monthly subscription model, and provides flexible plans and powerful features that support business growth.

Now, Shopify is only one of several SaaS e-commerce platforms that make life easier for you. You can try it out for free or keep reading to see my 5 other best SaaS e-commerce platforms.

What We Look For in the Best SaaS E-commerce Platforms

• Quick setup and deployment. I understand how time-consuming setup processes can delay business operations, so I included SaaS e-commerce platforms that let you get your online store up and running in a few minutes.
• High level of customizability. Branding is an important part of any online business. So, I made sure to include e-commerce platforms that give you creative freedom to design your online store to your satisfaction.
• Ease of use. IaaS and PaaS platforms are usually complex and require technical knowledge, so I made sure to include user-friendly SaaS platforms with intuitive interfaces.
• Affordability. Running an e-commerce store with PaaS solutions costs more down the line, so I selected cost-effective solutions with transparent pricing and value-for-money features.

1. Shopify: Wide Range of Built-in E-Commerce Integrations1

Shopify offers a comprehensive suite of built-in e-commerce features, making it a powerhouse in the SaaS landscape. These include multi-language stores for businesses with international customers, advanced shipping for faster and cheaper order management, reports and analytics tools to monitor your store’s activities and progress, a custom domain so you don’t have to worry about web hosting, and more.

Shopify has 170+ mobile-responsive website templates1 categorized into different industries and catalog sizes. You just need to look for the one that’s most suitable for your business, tweak it slightly, and voila – you have an e-commerce store ready for launch. On Open-source platforms, IaaS and PaaS might require you to do some coding before you get a suitable storefront, so this is another point in Shopify’s favor.

I’m really impressed with Shopify’s risk-free pricing structure. You get a 3-day free trial, after which you pay $1 for any plan you select for the first month. If I were choosing a Shopify plan, it’d be the Basic package, which includes a custom domain, a shopping cart, and unlimited hosting and storage.

Features

• Apps and integrations. Shopify gives you access to 8000+ apps and integrations in addition to its native tools. Unlike PaaS and IaaS solutions, which often require extensive custom development and maintenance, Shopify’s integrations are designed to work seamlessly right out of the box.
• Shopify POS. You can use Shopify POS to process payments if you have a physical location for your e-commerce business. This way, you’re using the same system to collect both online and cash payments.
• Advanced fraud analysis. Shopify provides you with built-in protection against fraudulent orders. You’ll also get recommendations on what to do about these types of orders and access to third-party anti-fraud apps.
• Mobile app. If you’re the type of business owner who’s always on the go, Shopify has a mobile app for managing your inventory and orders wherever you are.

Find out more in our expert Shopify review.

2. Wix: Powerful Customization and User-Friendly Builder1

Wix is well-known for making online selling accessible to anyone, irrespective of their technical knowledge or expertise. Features like automatic updates and cloud hosting ensure you never worry about maintenance or downtime. Its beginner-friendly drag-and-drop editor and extensive template library allow you to create a professional online store without any coding knowledge.

One of the reasons I like it so much is that Wix provides everything you need in one place1. Unlike PaaS and IaaS solutions, which require technical expertise or additional software, Wix has built-in features like inventory management, secure payment gateways, abandoned cart recovery, and SEO optimizations. You can even connect your store to third-party marketplaces like Amazon and manage all your orders from one dashboard.

Wix’s free plan is great for startup e-commerce businesses that are on a tight budget and don’t mind Wix’s branding. If you don’t fall under this category, I highly recommend the Light plan, one of the industry’s most cost-effective plans.

Features

• AI website builder. Wix’s AI tool can build a unique, custom website for your business from start to finish. You just need to give it some information about what you do, and it will do its magic.
• Social media integration. You can connect your store to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, reaching more people and increasing your sales potential.
• Video maker. There is a video-making tool and video templates for creating detailed videos about your business and products, which you can then share with prospects via email and social media.
• Wix Chat. Wix’s chat functionality is a great way to add a personal touch to your website. This tool will make it possible for you to directly communicate with site visitors and address any concerns they may have about your products.

Read our in-depth Wix review to learn more about the platform.

3. BigCommerce: E-Commerce Solutions for Large Businesses1

BigCommerce is a premier SaaS e-commerce platform with features that appeal to established businesses. Its robust capabilities include unlimited storage and bandwidth, ensuring your store can handle high traffic and large inventories without a hitch. It also provides Google AMP integration for speeding up mobile load times, which helps keep your customers engaged and reduces bounce rates.

I’m a big fan of BigCommerce’s multi-storefront functionality1, which allows you to set up separate sites for different regions, each with its own product catalog. I haven’t seen many platforms offer this level of customization and flexibility without requiring more complex and costly setups.

BigCommerce offers three main plans – all of which are on the costly side and more suitable for high-volume e-commerce businesses. But I must say, you do get a bang for your buck, as each plan includes unlimited staff accounts, no additional transaction fees, a multi-storefront functionality, a POS, multiple products, unlimited file storage and bandwidth, and so much more.

Features

• Multi-channel selling. With BigCommerce, you can seamlessly integrate your store with platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart, simplifying and unifying inventory management across multiple sales channels.
• Multi-currency payments. BigCommerce lets you accept payments in 100+ currencies, allowing you to cater to a diverse customer base.
• BigCommerce API. BigCommerce understands that some major brands have their own app, which is why it provides an API for integrating your proprietary app into your website.
• Customer segmentation. You can categorize your customers into different groups and market to each group in different ways. For instance, you could offer a unique promotion to returning customers that is different from the one you provide to new customers.

Get more tips in our expert BigCommerce review.

4. Squarespace: Intuitive Platform That Promotes Branding1

One of Squarespace’s key advantages is its extensive range of professionally designed templates. These mobile-responsive templates are aesthetically pleasing and highly customizable, allowing you to create a unique brand identity without extensive design skills.

I really like Squarespace’s built-in online booking tool for service businesses – Acuity Scheduling. While it’s originally a scheduling feature for clients to book appointments with you, you can also use it to send automated emails and SMS, sell gift certificates and subscriptions, and reward loyal customers with appointment packages.

Squarespace provides several pricing plans to accommodate different business needs, but my favorite is the Business plan. It includes a professional email and Workspace account from Google, a free custom domain for one year, advanced analytics, and a donation collection feature. While these are attractive, Squarespace is more expensive than competitors like Wix, which offer more value for a lesser price.

Features

• Localized website versions. Squarespace lets you reach an international audience by localizing the default text, date, and currency settings. The available languages for localization include Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish.
• Tutorials and tips. Squarespace has a comprehensive set of guides covering almost every platform topic, providing instant access to helpful information.
• Multiple add-ons and integrations. You can access many add-ons and integrations that provide additional services outside Squarespace’s built-in solutions.
• Create shipping zones. You can create regional shipping zones to limit where you send your products or customize shipping costs based on the destination.

For a more in-depth look, check out our full Squarespace review.

5. Hubspot: Best for Businesses With Many Customers1

HubSpot’s suite of SaaS features can help you personalize customer engagement and scale your e-commerce operations effectively. Its integrated CRM system allows you to track customer interactions seamlessly and launch targeted marketing campaigns directly from the platform. Meanwhile, its marketing automation tools enable you to automate email sequences, segment your audience, and nurture leads efficiently.

While HubSpot is more of a CRM and project management tool, I found its website builder to be pretty decent and easy to use. You get access to 500+ themes, so you can select one of these options and build a custom website in minutes. You can then use HubSpot’s robust analytics and reporting tools to track your site’s performance.

HubSpot’s free plan is minimalistic at best, providing you with basic CRM and marketing tools – some of which come with HubSpot’s branding. You’ll have to upgrade to the Starter plan if you want to remove HubSpot’s branding, get access to the customer support team, and acquire advanced features like lead nurturing. That said, it would be nice if HubSpot provided customer service for free users like Wix does.

Features

• HubSpot Payments. HubSpot’s payment processor lets you collect one-time and recurring payments through credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH via payment links, invoices, and quotes. Unfortunately, HubSpot Payments is only available to US-based businesses.
• Smart forms. You can customize the forms on your website based on your site visitors. For instance, you can display different forms or form options depending on the device the visitor is using or the country they’re from.
• Built-in AI support. HubSpot’s AI tools can create marketing campaign plans, generate content and images, handle customer services for your business, build custom client reports, create sales pipelines, and much more.
• 1500+ app integrations. You have access to 1500+ apps that seamlessly integrate with HubSpot’s native tools. A good 300+ of these apps are completely free, and you can find integrations for nearly any service your business may need, including communication, financial, and productivity apps.

Read our expert HubSpot review for more details.

6. Ecwid: Flexible E-commerce Platform For Beginners1

Ecwid offers beginner-friendly tools, such as integrated sales channels, for selling your products on third-party platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Ecwid handles the technical infrastructure, letting you focus on running your store without worrying about hosting or server maintenance.

I like how customizable Ecwid’s product and category management is. You can easily edit product details, create categories, and set specific shipping rates per product. This level of customization allows you to tailor your store to your exact needs, ensuring that each product is presented in the best possible way.

Ecwid’s free plan allows you to host up to 5 products, making it an excellent starting point for small businesses. As your business grows, you can upgrade to paid plans like Venture, Business, or Unlimited, which offer advanced features like custom shipping rates, product-specific shipping methods, and priority support. Although adequate for most needs, Ecwid doesn’t offer as many e-commerce features as top players like Shopify.

Features

• Customer rewards. You can reward loyal customers with gift cards and discount coupons to strengthen customer relationships and increase lifetime value.
• Extensive app market. To add to Ecwid’s built-in solutions, it gives you access to 240+ apps that provide services ranging from age verification to AI product descriptions.
• Reports and analytics tool. With Ecwid’s reports and analytics tool, you can track customer behavior, your sales, and potential buying tendencies.
• Flexible shipping and pickup options. You can offer local delivery with different pricing zones, set blackout dates, offer real-time carrier rates at checkout, and even allow customers to select their preferred pickup times.

Learn more about Ecwid in our expert review.

These Are the Best SaaS E-commerce Platforms

Choosing the right SaaS e-commerce platform can streamline your e-commerce business operations and elevate your brand overall. Here are my top recommendations to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.

If you’re looking for a powerful all-in-one solution with extensive built-in e-commerce features and third-party integrations, Shopify is my top recommendation1. It offers a wide range of templates and robust e-commerce tools, making it perfect for businesses of all sizes.

If customization and user-friendliness are your main priorities, consider Wix1. Thanks to its drag-and-drop editor and integrated tools, it’s ideal for beginners and those who want a highly customizable store without technical expertise.

Or, if you need advanced solutions for a large business, go with BigCommerce1. It provides powerful capabilities like multi-storefront management and multi-channel selling, making it perfect for handling high traffic and large inventories.

FAQ

What is the #1 SaaS e-commerce platform?

Shopify is the #1 SaaS e-commerce platform. It offers extensive built-in features, a wide range of templates, and seamless third-party integrations. You can quickly set up your store without technical expertise, and it provides robust tools to support businesses of all sizes.

Is Shopify a SaaS?

Yes, Shopify is a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform. It provides an all-in-one e-commerce solution with built-in features, hosting, security, and integrations, all accessible through a monthly subscription.

What are some good SaaS e-commerce solutions?

Some good SAAS e-commerce solutions are Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce. Shopify offers extensive built-in features and third-party integrations, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. Wix is known for its powerful customization options and user-friendly interface, which is perfect for beginners. BigCommerce provides advanced solutions for large businesses, including multi-storefront management and multi-channel selling.

What is SaaS in e-commerce?

SaaS in e-commerce refers to Software-as-a-Service platforms that enable businesses to run their online stores through cloud-based solutions. These platforms offer tools for building, managing, and scaling online storefronts without requiring extensive technical knowledge. SaaS e-commerce platforms handle all the technical aspects, including hosting, security, and updates, allowing you to focus on selling products and growing your business​.