Here Are the 5 Best WordPress eCommerce Plugins in 2024

Choosing the right WordPress eCommerce plugins can be a daunting task. With countless options available, it’s important to rely on trusted recommendations to make an informed decision. This is where OptinMonster comes in.

Unlike many tech blogs, OptinMonster has a unique advantage: experience. As seasoned WordPress users, we’ve personally implemented and tested many plugins on our websites. This hands-on approach allows me to provide insights and recommendations based on actual performance, not just theoretical knowledge.

I aim to share our expertise and help you select the best WordPress eCommerce plugins to power your online store.

Get ready as I unveil our top picks for the best eCommerce plugins for WordPress.

Overview of the Best WordPress eCommerce Plugins

Before diving into my detailed review, here’s a quick overview of the top 5 choices for the best WordPress eCommerce plugins:

	Plugin	Best For	Free Version?	Pricing
🥇	WooCommerce	Wide range of products (physical, digital, services), high customization, and scalability.	✅	Free core plugin, paid extensions
🥈	Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)	Selling digital products exclusively, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency.	✅	Starts at $99.50/year
🥉	Ecwid	Small businesses or those looking to embed a store on multiple platforms due to its flexibility.	✅	Starts at $21/month
4	BigCommerce	Businesses seeking a robust, all-in-one platform with advanced features and scalability.	❌	Starts at $29/month
5	WP EasyCart	Small businesses with a limited product range seeking a simple, user-friendly solution.	✅	Starts at $69.00/year

Key Factors to Consider

When selecting an eCommerce plugin, keep these factors in mind:

• Product Type: Physical, digital, or both?
• Product Quantity: How many products will you sell?
• Scalability: Do you anticipate significant growth?
• Design Customization: How much control do you need over your store’s appearance?
• Technical Expertise: Are you comfortable with coding or do you prefer a drag-and-drop interface?
• Budget: Consider the initial setup costs and ongoing fees.
• Payment Gateways: Ensure your preferred payment methods are supported.
• Shipping Options: Evaluate the plugin’s ability to handle your shipping requirements.
• Marketing and SEO Features: Consider built-in tools or the need for additional integrations.
• Customer Support: Assess the available support options and response times.

Best WordPress eCommerce Plugins

1. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is, without a doubt, the behemoth in the WordPress eCommerce plugin realm. It’s the go-to choice for countless online store owners, and for good reason. Having spent countless hours playing with it, I can confidently say it’s a robust, flexible, and scalable platform.

WooCommerce’s strength lies in its versatility. It’s like a blank canvas for your online store. The core plugin provides a solid foundation, but its true power is unleashed through its extensive ecosystem of extensions.

When testing, I was setting up an online store for organic skincare products. Product variations were a nightmare – different sizes, scents, and packaging combinations. WooCommerce’s product variations feature was a lifesaver. It handled everything flawlessly, from displaying options on the product page to managing inventory levels for each variation.

Another feature that impressed me was its shipping options. Calculating shipping costs based on weight, dimensions, and destination can be a complex affair. WooCommerce’s shipping zones and classes made it incredibly easy to set up accurate shipping rates for different regions.

While WooCommerce is undoubtedly a powerful tool, it’s not without its quirks. For instance, managing complex product attributes can be a bit cumbersome compared to some other plugins. However, there’s usually a plugin or custom code solution to address such issues.

The free version of WooCommerce offers a solid foundation for most online stores. However, to unlock its full potential, you’ll likely need to invest in premium extensions. These extensions cover everything from advanced shipping and payment options to marketing and customer support tools.

Pros:

1. Highly Customizable: Extensive range of themes and plugins for design and functionality.
2. Open Source: Free to use with a large community of developers.
3. Integration with WordPress: Seamlessly integrates with WordPress, making it a great choice for existing WordPress sites.
4. Scalable: Can handle small to large stores with proper hosting.
5. Large Support Community: Extensive documentation and support forums.

Cons:

1. Complex Setup: Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the number of customization options.
2. Performance: Requires good hosting and optimization to handle high traffic and large catalogs.
3. Hidden Costs: Many essential features require paid extensions.
4. Maintenance: Regular updates and maintenance are required to keep the store running smoothly.

Verdict: I wholeheartedly recommend WooCommerce for anyone looking to build an online store on WordPress. Its vast community, extensive documentation, and countless available resources make it a reliable and supportive platform.

WooCommerce Pricing: The core WooCommerce plugin is free and open-source. Some extensions are free, while others are paid.

If you’re interested in WooCommerce, check out the following article: How to Create a WooCommerce Popup (+7 Ways to Boost Sales).

2. Easy Digital Downloads

While WooCommerce is a versatile platform for both physical and digital products, Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is crafted with digital goods in mind. If you’re selling ebooks, software, music, or any other digital content, EDD is a compelling choice.

EDD’s focus on digital products is evident in its user-friendly interface and efficient workflow. From setting up product pricing to managing customer downloads, everything feels intuitive.

I recall while testing I was building an online course platform. EDD’s ability to handle multiple payment gateways, including recurring subscriptions, was a game-changer. Setting up different pricing tiers and creating a seamless checkout experience was effortless.

Another impressive feature was EDD’s file access control. It securely stores and delivers digital products, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring customers receive their purchases promptly.

While EDD excels at handling digital products, it might lack some of the advanced features for physical goods that WooCommerce offers, such as inventory management and shipping options. However, for those exclusively selling digital content, these limitations are unlikely to be a significant concern.

The core EDD plugin is free, providing a solid foundation for selling digital products. To expand your store’s capabilities, you can explore a range of premium extensions. These extensions offer features like subscriptions, affiliate marketing, and advanced reporting.

Pros:

1. Specialized for Digital Products: Perfect for selling digital goods with features tailored for digital downloads.
2. Simple and User-Friendly: Easy to set up and manage.
3. Extensible: Numerous add-ons available for additional features.
4. Strong Community Support: Active community and extensive documentation.

Cons:

1. Limited to Digital Products: Not suitable for physical product sales.
2. Add-on Costs: Many advanced features require purchasing add-ons.
3. Scalability Issues: May not be ideal for very large stores.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a dedicated solution to sell digital products on your WordPress website, EDD is undoubtedly worth considering. Its focus on simplicity and efficiency makes it a strong contender in the eCommerce plugin market.

Easy Digital Downloads Pricing: Starts at $99.50/year with a limited free version available

3. Ecwid

Ecwid positions itself as a flexible eCommerce solution that can be embedded into any website, including WordPress. While not as deeply integrated as WooCommerce or EDD, it offers a unique approach to online selling.

What sets Ecwid apart is its cloud-based nature. This means your store data is stored on Ecwid’s servers, offering potential benefits like automatic backups and easier scalability.

I used Ecwid for a few small projects, and I was impressed by its simplicity. Setting up basic products and payment options was a breeze. However, when dealing with more complex product configurations or inventory management, I found it a bit less intuitive than dedicated eCommerce plugins.

Ecwid’s strength lies in its ability to be embedded anywhere. I’ve used it to create small online stores within existing websites without disrupting the overall design. This flexibility can be a huge advantage for businesses with limited technical resources.

While Ecwid offers a decent range of features, power users might find it lacking in some areas compared to dedicated eCommerce platforms. For instance, advanced shipping options and inventory management tools can be more limited.

Ecwid offers a free plan with basic features, but to unlock its full potential, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. These plans provide additional features like more product variations, advanced shipping options, and customer support.

Pros:

1. User-Friendly: Simple and straightforward setup process.
2. Cost-Effective: Often cheaper than many competitors.
3. Integration Options: Works well with various payment gateways and shipping options.

Cons:

1. Limited Customization: Fewer themes and plugins compared to WooCommerce.
2. Smaller Community: Less community support and documentation.
3. Scalability: May not handle very large catalogs or high traffic well.

Verdict: Ecwid is a solid choice for small businesses or those looking for a quick and easy way to add eCommerce functionality to their existing website. While it might not be the best option for large-scale or complex online stores, it certainly deserves consideration for its simplicity and flexibility.

Ecwid Pricing: Starts at $21/month with a limited free version available

4. BigCommerce

BigCommerce stands out as a fully hosted eCommerce platform that offers a comprehensive suite of features for online businesses of all sizes. Unlike WordPress plugins, BigCommerce is a standalone platform, providing a complete eCommerce solution out of the box.

I worked with several clients using BigCommerce, and I’ve been impressed by its focus on scalability and performance. The platform handles product catalogs with thousands of items efficiently, and the checkout process is optimized for conversions.

One of the standout features for me is BigCommerce’s built-in SEO tools. It provides valuable insights into on-page optimization and helps you improve your store’s search engine visibility. I’ve seen firsthand how these tools can boost organic traffic and sales.

Another area where BigCommerce shines is its integration with popular marketing platforms. Connecting your store to email marketing services, social media channels, and other tools is relatively straightforward. This makes it easier to run targeted campaigns and track customer behavior.

While BigCommerce is a powerful platform, it does come with a learning curve compared to some of the other options. The interface can be overwhelming for beginners, and customizing the store’s design might require some technical expertise.

Pros:

1. All-in-One Solution: Comprehensive platform with hosting, security, and updates handled by BigCommerce.
2. Scalability: Handles high traffic and large product catalogs effortlessly.
3. Built-In Features: Many essential eCommerce features built-in without needing additional apps.
4. Multi-Channel Selling: Easily integrates with marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.

Cons:

1. Cost: More expensive compared to open-source solutions.
2. Customization Limitations: Less flexibility compared to self-hosted platforms.
3. Learning Curve: Can be complex for beginners due to the extensive feature set.

Verdict: BigCommerce offers several pricing plans to accommodate different business needs. The platform includes essential features in its base plan, but you’ll need to upgrade for advanced functionalities like advanced shipping options and abandoned cart recovery.

BigCommerce Pricing: Starts from $29 per month with zero transaction fees, unlimited products and storage, and unlimited staff accounts. 15-day free trial available.

5. WP EasyCart

WP EasyCart presents itself as a straightforward eCommerce plugin designed to simplify the process of selling products on WordPress. While it may not boast the same level of complexity as some other options, it certainly has its appeal for those seeking a no-frills approach.

WP EasyCart’s biggest strength lies in its simplicity. Setting up basic products and processing orders is relatively hassle-free. For small businesses with a limited product catalog, it can be an efficient solution.

I’ve used WP EasyCart for a couple of small client projects, and while it fulfilled the basic requirements, I found its feature set to be somewhat limited compared to more robust options. For instance, managing product variations or implementing complex shipping rules proved to be more challenging than expected.

The plugin’s focus on ease of use comes at a cost. You won’t find advanced marketing tools or in-depth analytics within WP EasyCart. If you need these features, you’ll likely need to rely on external integrations or plugins.

WP EasyCart offers a free version with limited functionality. To access additional features like digital product delivery, advanced shipping options, and customer support, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan.

Pros:

1. Ease of Use: Simple setup and user-friendly interface.
2. Affordable: Competitive pricing with a range of features included.
3. Integration with WordPress: Seamlessly integrates with WordPress, easy to manage within the WordPress dashboard.
4. Good Support: Reliable customer support and documentation.

Cons:

1. Limited Customization: Fewer themes and plugins available compared to WooCommerce.
2. Scalability: May struggle with very large stores or high traffic.
3. Feature Limitations: Some advanced eCommerce features may be lacking or require additional purchases.

Verdict: While WP EasyCart might not be the best choice for large-scale or complex eCommerce ventures, it can be a viable option for small businesses with simple product offerings. Its user-friendly interface and straightforward approach make it a potential contender for those looking for a quick and easy way to start selling online.

WP EasyCart Pricing: Starts at $69.00/year with a limited free version available.

WordPress eCommerce Plugins: Honorary Mentions

WP Simple Pay: If you’re looking for a straightforward solution to accept payments without a full-fledged shopping cart, WP Simple Pay integrates seamlessly with Stripe to process one-time and recurring payments.

TrustPulse: While not directly related to eCommerce, TrustPulse is a valuable tool for building social proof and increasing conversions. By displaying real-time customer activity, it can boost trust and encourage purchases.

OptinMonster: Another conversion optimization tool, OptinMonster helps capture leads and grow your email list through various opt-in forms, popups, and exit-intent technology.

Shopify: Although not a WordPress plugin, Shopify is a popular hosted eCommerce platform that offers integration with WordPress.

MemberPress: Primarily for membership sites, but can be used to sell digital products and access to content.

What Is the Best eCommerce Plugin for WordPress?

After thoroughly using these plugins, I can confidently say that WooCommerce is by far the best WordPress eCommerce plugin.

For small businesses with limited product offerings, WP EasyCart or Ecwid are excellent starting points due to their simplicity and ease of use. WooCommerce is also a viable option, but might be overkill for a very small inventory.

For digital product-focused businesses, Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is the clear winner for its specialized features and efficiency.

Businesses selling both physical and digital products, WooCommerce is the most versatile option, offering flexibility to handle both product types.

For high-growth businesses or enterprises, BigCommerce or WooCommerce with premium extensions are suitable for handling large product catalogs, high traffic, and complex business needs.

I hope this article helped you determine the best WordPress eCommerce plugin for your needs.

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• WordPress Affiliate Plugin – Best 10
• 12 Best WordPress Plugins For Coming Soon Pages
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