Hosted e-commerce platforms provide a hassle-free way for businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores, eliminating concerns about hosting, security, and technical upkeep. Unlike self-hosted platforms where users must manage their own servers and software updates, hosted solutions offer a fully managed experience. This makes them ideal for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and even large enterprises looking for a streamlined approach to selling online.
Why Hosted E-Commerce Platforms Are More Popular Than Ever?
The e-commerce landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, and hosted platforms have played a crucial role in shaping its growth. Here’s why they are becoming increasingly dominant:
- Ease of Use: These platforms eliminate the need for coding knowledge, making it easier for businesses to get started.
- Scalability: Hosted solutions offer flexible pricing and resources that can grow with a business.
- Security & Compliance: They come with built-in security features like SSL certificates, PCI compliance, and automatic updates.
- Integrated Features: Most hosted platforms provide built-in tools for marketing, SEO, analytics, and multi-channel selling.
- Faster Time to Market: With pre-designed templates and intuitive store builders, businesses can launch their stores in a matter of hours.
With these benefits in mind, let’s take a closer look at the top hosted e-commerce platforms that are set to dominate in 2025.
Shopify – The Market Leader
Shopify Pricing
Shopify continues to be the leading choice for online retailers, thanks to its versatility, extensive app ecosystem, and ease of use. Whether you’re starting a small business or running a multi-million-dollar enterprise, Shopify provides solutions tailored to your needs.
Key Features:
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive drag-and-drop store builder.
- Scalability: Plans range from Shopify Basic to Shopify Plus for enterprises.
- App Store: Over 6,000 apps for customizing store functionality.
- Multi-Channel Selling: Sell on Amazon, eBay, Instagram, Facebook, and physical retail locations.
- POS System: Shopify POS enables seamless in-person sales and inventory management.
- SEO & Marketing Tools: Built-in email marketing, SEO features, and analytics.
- Shopify Migration Support: Businesses switching to Shopify can benefit from professional migration services to ensure a smooth transition.
Pricing:
- Basic Shopify: $25/month – Includes basic e-commerce features and a 2% transaction fee unless using Shopify Payments.
- Shopify: $65/month – Lower transaction fees (1%) and additional reporting features.
- Advanced Shopify: $399/month – Includes advanced reports and the lowest transaction fees (0.5%).
- Shopify Plus: Starting at $2,300/month – Tailored for high-volume businesses with dedicated support.
BigCommerce – Best for Growing Businesses
BigCommerce Essentials Pricing
While Shopify dominates the market, businesses looking for built-in features without relying on third-party apps may prefer BigCommerce. This powerful hosted e-commerce solution is designed for businesses looking to scale quickly.
Key Features:
- No Transaction Fees: Unlike many competitors, BigCommerce does not charge extra fees for transactions.
- B2B and B2C Capabilities: Supports wholesale and retail models.
- SEO Optimization: Advanced SEO tools help businesses rank higher on search engines.
- Headless Commerce: Allows businesses to use BigCommerce as a backend while maintaining complete frontend customization.
- POS System: Integrates with multiple POS solutions for seamless offline sales.
- Omnichannel Selling: Seamless integration with marketplaces and social media.
- API Migration Support: BigCommerce provides robust API capabilities for businesses migrating from other platforms.
Pricing:
- Standard: $39/month – Best for small businesses with up to $50k annual revenue.
- Plus: $105/month – Adds customer segmentation and abandoned cart saver, supporting up to $180k annual revenue.
- Pro: $399/month – Includes Google customer reviews and supports up to $400k annual revenue.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing – Designed for large-scale businesses with unlimited scalability.
Wix eCommerce – Best for Small Businesses
Wix Pricing
Wix has made a name for itself as an easy-to-use website builder, and its e-commerce platform is no different. Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, Wix eCommerce combines affordability with powerful design capabilities.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-Use Website Builder: Create and customize your store visually with a drag-and-drop interface.
- App Market: Expand store functionality with third-party apps.
- Multi-Channel Selling: Sell on social media, marketplaces, and your website.
- POS System: Wix POS supports in-person transactions.
- SEO & Marketing Tools: Built-in SEO and email marketing features.
- Mobile Optimization: Fully responsive design for seamless shopping on any device.
Pricing:
- Light: $17/month – Basic e-commerce features for small stores.
- Core: $29/month – More storage, analytics, and automated tax calculations.
- Business: $36/month – Priority customer support and advanced marketing tools.
- Business Elite: $159/month – Designed for high-performance businesses with premium support.
Squarespace – Best for Design-Focused Stores
Squarespace Pricing
For businesses that prioritize aesthetics and brand presentation, Squarespace is the ideal hosted e-commerce platform. It offers stunning design templates and a simple yet powerful user experience.
Key Features:
- Award-Winning Templates: Visually striking and mobile-responsive.
- All-in-One Solution: Includes hosting, domain registration, and security.
- Easily Manageable Store: Simple product management and inventory tracking.
- Integrated Blogging & SEO: A great option for content-driven e-commerce.
- POS System: Supports in-person sales through its integrated POS solution.
- Marketing & Analytics: In-depth reports on sales performance and traffic.
Pricing:
- Personal: $14/month – Basic website-building features without e-commerce functionality.
- Business: $20/month – Includes basic e-commerce functionality with a 3% transaction fee.
- Basic Commerce: $24/month – Removes transaction fees and adds essential selling tools.
- Advanced Commerce: $44/month – Includes advanced e-commerce features like abandoned cart recovery.
Ecwid – Best for Adding E-Commerce to Existing Websites
Ecwid Pricing
Ecwid offers a unique approach by allowing businesses to integrate an online store into an existing website or social media page, rather than building one from scratch.
Key Features:
- Seamless Integration: Works with WordPress, Wix, and even social media platforms.
- Free Plan Available: A great starting option for small businesses.
- Multi-Language Support: Sell globally with localized languages.
- POS System: Lightspeed-powered POS for in-person transactions.
- Mobile Management: Manage your store from a mobile app.
Pricing:
- Free Plan: $0/month – Limited to 10 products.
- Venture: $25/month – Adds unlimited products and social media integration.
- Business: $45/month – Includes abandoned cart recovery and wholesale pricing.
- Unlimited: $105/month – Removes all feature restrictions and provides priority support.
Conclusion
Selecting the right platform depends on your business needs and growth goals. Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, these hosted solutions offer the tools to thrive in the competitive e-commerce landscape. If you’re planning a migration to any of these platforms, professional migration services can ensure a seamless transition, preserving your store’s data and functionality.