Best Saas Ecommerce Platforms Shortlist
Here’s a list of tools that will help businesses in many aspects of their ecommerce business, so they’re only responsible for some moving parts.
As online shopping is becoming more popular and consumer demand continues to rise, it’s becoming increasingly complicated for commerce merchants to handle the influx of traffic. Ecommerce businesses with on-premises platforms are beginning to explore software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions as an alternative due to the difficulty that occurs from sudden demand increases. SaaS ecommerce platforms provide multiple features that empower online stores to efficiently and effectively manage their business, simplifying operations and improving shopping experiences. Choosing the right platform is the beginning stage of implementing these tools into your business, and if you're planning on growing your online storefront, I'll compare the top SaaS ecommerce platforms that will benefit your brand. I’ll detail each tool’s benefits, features, and pricing for each choice so you can make the best choice for your organization.
What Is Saas Ecommerce Platforms
SaaS ecommerce platforms are innovative online solutions enabling businesses to establish and operate their digital storefronts without complex on-premise infrastructure. These platforms provide a comprehensive suite of tools and services, including website creation, product management, payment processing, and order fulfillment, all accessible through a user-friendly interface. By leveraging cloud-based technology, SaaS ecommerce platforms offer scalability, flexibility, and regular updates, empowering merchants to focus on their core business strategies while delivering straightforward shopping experiences to customers worldwide.
Overviews Of The 20 Best Saas Ecommerce Platforms
Here are my absolute top 10 tools for SaaS ecommerce platforms. These are the cream of the crop so read on for best use cases, what I love about them, and key features.
Adobe Commerce
Best end-to-end SaaS ecommerce platform
Adobe Commerce is an end-to-end SaaS ecommerce platform that helps online businesses create ecommerce stores through advanced features.
Why I picked Adobe Commerce: Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is one of the most popular ecommerce solutions on the market. It’s a flexible SaaS ecommerce platform that offers end-to-end capabilities that enable online merchants to manage their entire store processes. Adobe Commerce’s tools are highly customizable while also offering predefined options when you’re not up to spending time changing things and want to focus on getting your store started.
Adobe Commerce Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include omnichannel personalization tools that empower your store to reach new audiences and personalize content. Adobe Commerce also offers solutions to help you manage multiple brands across your sales channels and deploy a significant number of storefronts at scale.
Integrations include popular applications used by many ecommerce brands to manage their operations. These integrations include tools such as Adobe Analytics, Aleran Connected Commerce, Faslet Size Me Up, Inxmail, JetRails, KatanaPIM, Kleene, Microsoft Azure, Phrase, ShipMonk, and other software options.
Pros
- Powerful SEO tools
- Rich end-to-end feature set
- Scalable and flexible platform
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Not suitable for small businesses
Shopify
Best app marketplace
Shopify offers an extensive ecommerce builder solution that provides merchants with an enormous marketplace of third-party apps, allowing businesses to customize the tool to their needs.
Why I picked Shopify: To help you build a customized online storefront, Shopify provides a user-friendly marketplace with thousands of third-party tools you can connect to your store. After signing up for Shopify, you’ll get the standard features you’ll find in many ecommerce builders, such as payment gateways, shopping carts, and inventory management. However, you can customize the platform further by utilizing one of the many options in the Shopify App Marketplace to add various functionalities, including email marketing, accounting, and dropshipping tools.
Shopify Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include tools to help you promote and sell products on various sales channels, all from the Shopify platforms. Shopify also offers built-in SEO features that allow you to reach more customers searching for the products you offer.
Integrations include a significant number of native connections with standard business tools and systems you’re likely already using. These connections include third-party tools such as ClickSend, Domo, Fishbowl, FreshBooks, Freshchat, monday.com, Odoo, Orange Logic, ShipBob, SkuVault, and other software options.
Pros
- Rich security and privacy
- Allows integrations to add functionalities
- User-friendly platform
Cons
- Some fees are higher than other options
- Scalable to an extent
PrestaShop
Best for customization
PrestaShop allows ecommerce brands to control and customize their online store as required.
Why I picked PrestaShop: In the highly competitive ecommerce industry, building a memorable brand is imperative to long-term success. So I added PrestaShop to this article because it offers customization tools that help your business gain complete product organization and create an experience that allows customers to easily navigate your store. You can also find hundreds of templates and customizable themes in the PrestaShop marketplace.
PrestaShop Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include a product creation area that allows you to add as many items as you’d like to sell and configure elements to display specific information, such as expiry dates for time-sensitive stock. PrestaShop also offers customer relationship management tools that allow you to send automated emails after a sale to give customers a sense of security.
Integrations include some of the most popular business tools, such as Dolistock, HubSpot, Looker Studio, Odoo, Pipedrive, QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, Zoho CRM, Zoho Inventory, and other software options. You can also create custom integrations with a paid Zapier account or PrestaShop’s API.
Pros
- Good for small businesses
- Allows extensive customization
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can slow down after adding too many products
- Support needs work
Sana Commerce Cloud
Best for ERP features
Sana Commerce Cloud offers an ERP-integrated solution that helps online stores grow and create more significant relationships with customers.
Why I picked Sana Commerce Cloud: The native enterprise resource planning (ERP) integrations within Sana Commerce Cloud can ensure your business never loses a sale. This feature also helps you avoid putting your business in a scenario where you or someone on your team need to fix incorrect information. This is because the platform’s ERP integration ensures that any changes you make are updated efficiently and in real-time, and since all data is located in one place, you’ll be able to eliminate replicas, silos, and confusion.
Sana Commerce Cloud Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include efficient invoicing capabilities that enable customers to pay invoices online, and if you’re operating a B2B ecommerce business, your customers can pay multiple invoices simultaneously. Sana Commerce Cloud also offers a visual designer tool that uses a drag-and-drop interface that enables you to build an online storefront that supports omnichannel purchases.
Integrations include connections with a list of ecommerce business tools, such as Adyen, Authorize.net, Avalara, Buckaroo, Cybersource, FedEx Ship Manager, Mailchimp, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP ERP, UPS Ready, and other software options. You can also use the platform’s API to create custom integrations with your current systems.
Pros
- Analytics and reports provide valuable insights
- Customizable platform
- Excellent inventory management capabilities
Cons
- Takes longer to set up than other options
- Steep learning curve
Volusion
Best for small-to-medium businesses
Volusion is a cloud-based SaaS ecommerce platform that provides various tools suitable for small-to-medium businesses.
Why I picked Volusion: I chose to add Volusion to ensure those operating a small-to-medium business (SMB) have an option suitable for their company. Volusion’s dashboard makes it easier for SMBs to build an online store thanks to the platform’s setup wizard. This allows you to create an excellent customer-focused website from scratch and will enable you to quickly expand and manage it.
Volusion Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include an add-on library that allows you to connect built-in features to make your online store more manageable. Volusion also offers return management tools that help you manage customer returns with an intuitive system.
Integrations include connections with over 100 business operation tools, such as Assessment Generator, AWeber, LiveAgent, OpenPro ERP, OptiMonk, Ordoro, PATLive, QuickBooks, ShipStation, Stripe, and other software options. You can also use Volusion’s API or a paid Zapier account to create custom integrations.
Pros
- No coding necessary
- Simple to set up
- Range of features suitable for SMBs
Cons
- Support needs improvement
- Limited integrations
Square Online
Best for established brick-and-mortar stores moving online
Square Online is a suitable SaaS ecommerce software option for businesses that accept payments in a brick-and-mortar location with Square and want to build an ecommerce presence.
Why I picked Square Online: For smaller sellers with brick-and-mortar locations already using Square, the Square Online platform can help you move your operations online. Square Online provides a simple entrance into online selling by providing a number of valuable features. Square Online can easily integrate with Square’s other products and enables you to manage your online store.
Square Online Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include marketing tools, such as basic coupon codes and selling and accepting gift cards to encourage repeat business. The platform also enables ecommerce businesses to effectively manage inventory that automatically updates after every sale.
Integrations include connections with over 200 third-party software that you’re likely already using in your business, such as Acuity Scheduling, Ecwid, QuickBooks, ShipBob, ShipStation, Thrive Inventory, Wix, WooCommerce, Xero, Zoho Invoice, and other software options. You can use a paid Zapier account to create custom integrations with your systems.
Pros
- Integrates with other Square products
- Customizable templates
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited features
- Support needs work
Elastic Path Commerce Cloud
Best for flexibility
Elastic Path Commerce Cloud provides a powerful, flexible SaaS ecommerce platform that enables businesses to build storefronts that impress customers.
Why I picked Elastic Path Commerce Cloud: I wanted to add Elastic Path Commerce Cloud because it uses a unique approach to building ecommerce stores. The platform provides an API-first architecture that is purpose-built to fully integrate with your current tech stack. Elastic Path Commerce Cloud provides you with robust interoperability, no matter what systems you're currently using, removing the headaches involved with siloed platforms.
Elastic Path Commerce Cloud Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include catalog creation tools that enable you to develop unlimited product catalogs in minutes. The platform also provides product information management capabilities that allow you to manage product data for every merchandising strategy.
Integrations include connections with various business applications, such as Adyen, Algolia, Braze, Card Connect, Fluent Commerce, Google Merchant Center, Onport, Pimberly, Postmark, Salsify, and other software options. You can also use the platform’s API to create custom integrations with your tools.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Helps users create better customer experiences
- Simple and dependable API
Cons
- Installation is slow
- Some bugs can occur
NetSuite Commerce
Best for omnichannel ecommerce stores
NetSuite Commerce helps ecommerce brands increase sales by managing their omnichannel presence from a centralized system.
Why I picked NetSuite Commerce: The platform enables your ecommerce business to provide a more extensive brand experience for customers by connecting your sales channels. NetSuite Commerce allows you to reach your audiences wherever they prefer to buy products, allowing you to fulfill orders and maximize profitability. The omnichannel capabilities enable you to create a more personalized and integrated online shopping experience.
NetSuite Commerce Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include ERP tools that connect with other modules to help your organization manage daily actions from one area, such as human resources, orders, logistics, financials, and procurement. The platform also offers order management tools that allow you to manage order fulfillment across multiple channels.
Integrations include connections with a small number of applications and systems to help you manage your ecommerce business. These integrations include tools such as Affirm, Lightyear, NetSuite CRM, Neuron ESB, Pacejet, and Zone Billing.
Pros
- Real-time data visibility
- Highly customizable
- Centralizes omnichannel operations
Cons
- Support only available on premium plans
- Limited integrations
Shift4Shop
Best for U.S.-based businesses
Shift4Shop offers robust capabilities that make it easy for U.S.-based ecommerce brands to build an online store.
Why I picked Shift4Shop: If your ecommerce business is in the U.S., Shift4Shop can provide you with the essential features you’d find in other popular SaaS platforms. The platform’s design allows you to start building your store immediately and get it operational. Shift4Shop empowers your business to manage your product offering by allowing you to easily upload, categorize, and promote your items.
Shift4Shop Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include analytics and reporting tools that track your store’s performance over time with interactive data visualization, enabling you to dive deep into information regarding individual products or customers. The platform also allows you to create a mobile-friendly ecommerce experience for online shoppers on the go so your store looks good on their devices.
Integrations include connections with many popular business systems, such as AWeber, Drip, Klaviyo, LiveAgent, Make, Order Desk, Red Stag Fulfillment, Sellercloud, ShipEngine, ShipStation, and other software options. You can also use a paid Zapier account or the platform’s API to make custom integrations with your tools.
Pros
- Excellent customer support
- User-friendly cart
- Easy setup
Cons
- Can be slow to load
- Templates need work
Oracle Commerce
Best for customer experiences
Oracle Commerce is an intuitive, customizable ecommerce platform that enables businesses to create more personalized customer experiences.
Why I picked Oracle Commerce: I added Oracle Commerce to this list because it empowers your business to cater to customers’ preferences and enhance their shopping experience. With this platform, you can increase engagement and conversions by enabling customers to browse and buy what they want. You can also combine the platform’s data and advanced intelligence to interpret buyers’ actions and offer the right products at the right moment.
Oracle Commerce Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include tools that combine customer relationship management and email marketing to help you personalize customer engagement and increase traffic. The platform also provides business data analysis tools that generate real-time details from all sales channels.
Integrations include connections with a limited number of applications you might be using in your business, such as Affirm, ClearSale, DataMilk, Feedonomics, GoDataFeed, Highstreet.io, Informatica Product 360, ShoppingFeeder, SmartHint, ZineOne, and other software options. Oracle Commerce also provides an API that allows you to create custom integrations.
Pros
- Enables developers to create unique customer experiences
- Extensive customization options
- Handles high-volume ecommerce sites
Cons
- Often requires skilled developers
- Steep learning curve
The 10 Best Saas Ecommerce Platforms Summary
| Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adobe Commerce Best end-to-end SaaS ecommerce platform | Free demo | From $1,999/month | Visit Website |
| 2 | Shopify Best app marketplace | 3-day free trial + $1/month for the first three months | $29/month, 2.9% + $0.30/transaction | Visit Website |
| 3 | PrestaShop Best for customization | Free to download | Visit Website | |
| 4 | Sana Commerce Cloud Best for ERP features | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
| 5 | Volusion Best for small-to-medium businesses | 14-day free trial | From $35/month | Visit Website |
| 6 |  Square Online Best for established brick-and-mortar stores moving online | Free plan available + transaction fees | From $35/month and 2.9% + $0.30/transaction | Visit Website |
| 7 |  Elastic Path Commerce Cloud Best for flexibility | 14-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
| 8 |  NetSuite Commerce Best for omnichannel ecommerce stores | Free demo available | From $2,500/month + $999 license fee + $99/month access fee | Visit Website |
| 9 |  Shift4Shop Best for U.S.-based businesses | Free plan available for U.S. businesses | From $29/month | Visit Website |
| 10 |  Oracle Commerce Best for customer experiences | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
Other Options
Here is the rest of my top 20 SaaS ecommerce platform recommendations. Each is a valuable tool in its own right. I’ve listed my recommendations and flagged what each might work best for, in case your use case wasn’t satisfied from the above list.
- WooCommerce
Best for WordPress users
- BigCommerce
Best for large businesses
- Squarespace
Best for creative ecommerce businesses
- Ecwid by Lightspeed
Best for adding an online store to any webpage
- OroCommerce
Best for B2B ecommerce
- Wix eCommerce
Best for a reliable ecommerce infrastructure
- Ultra Commerce
Best for quickly launching new storefronts
- Mirakl
Best for creating online marketplaces
- WCFM Marketplace
Best for building marketplaces on WordPress
- Spryker
Best modular ecommerce builder
Selection Criteria For SaaS Ecommerce Platforms
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best SaaS ecommerce platforms for this article:
Core Functionality
To be effective for online storefronts, all SaaS ecommerce platforms will offer the same core functionality. These tools will have varying features and benefits to businesses, but they all provide the following functions.
- SaaS ecommerce platforms allow all online merchants to access software over the internet instead of via a download onto their servers; the SaaS vendor owns the software and hosts it themselves on the cloud, licensing it to users for a fixed subscription.
- SaaS ecommerce platforms enable online ecommerce businesses to build custom storefront websites and sell products to customers; the tool includes various online store management tools, such as shopping carts, order management, inventory management, and order fulfillment.
Key Features
Your business has more options than ever to help design an online store, but too many choices can make choosing the right SaaS ecommerce platform challenging. When writing this list, I focused on solutions that offer as many of the following features as possible.
- Content Management System: Online merchants need ecommerce solutions that help create, edit, publish, and manage digital content for their websites; content management systems enable brands to modify the design and feel of their storefront, including page layouts, promotional banners, and new sections.
- Product Information Management: This feature specifically manages product data and publishes accurate catalogs; it stores product descriptions, videos, images, and user-generated content such as reviews and how-to tutorials.
- Shopping Cart: A shopping cart is the main difference between ecommerce sites and non-commercial websites; they allow customers to create product lists, save the data for checkouts and future purchases, and provide an invoice breakdown that transitions them to the payment gateway.
- Payment Processing: SaaS ecommerce platforms offer multiple payment processing options; some connect with popular gateways, such as PayPal or Stripe, offering customers the latest payment options, including credit cards and eWallet transactions.
- Order Management: The slightest of errors, such as wrong letters in an order number, can disrupt sales funnels, so SaaS ecommerce funnels offer order management tools to minimize manual effort by collecting orders from various channels on a centralized screen for simple tracking; they can also connect with warehouses and automate inventory changes after every order.
- Reporting: SaaS ecommerce solutions provide a significant amount of customer data, and these systems must organize and analyze the information and offer actionable insights you can use to enhance and scale your business; many solutions provide access to a large number of reporting templates and pre-built dashboards to monitor profitability, inventory, engagement, and other tailored KPIs.
Usability
SaaS solutions are popular due to their simple and user-friendly interface, and many options come with intuitive features that require little or no training. I paid particular attention to easy-to-use tools that also come with automatic updates that the vendor provides, meaning you don’t have to worry about spending time or resources on software maintenance. Many of the solutions I evaluated for this article are also accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, making them especially useful for those with remote teams or organizations with multiple locations.
Software Integrations
One of the benefits of implementing SaaS ecommerce platforms is the ability to integrate the tool with your business systems. I looked for solutions that easily integrate with tools such as customer relationship management, helpdesk, social media management, and other essential business solutions to add features to suit your needs. I also look for SaaS ecommerce options that allow you to make custom integrations through tools such as Zapier or offer an API you or your team can use with developer expertise.
Support
While many of the options in this list are easy to start using in your business and get everything up and running, you might end up in a situation where you need some help. So I look for SaaS ecommerce platforms with good reviews for customer support and provide quick access to their customer service team, either through a helpdesk, phone, chat, or email. I also give particular preference to support groups that are active 24/7.
Security
Protecting customers’ payment information from data breaches and misuse is crucial. Implementing security measures will help your business build trust with your customers because it shows your commitment to protecting sensitive details, such as credit card information, names, and home addresses, creating a safer and more reliable shopping experience. So when building this list, I looked for SaaS ecommerce platforms that ensure compliance with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards.
People Also Ask
Ecommerce platforms are a hot topic as more consumers prefer to shop for products from the comfort of their homes – and as more businesses look to implement ways to capitalize on this growing trend, some frequently asked questions arise. To help, I added some of the most common questions people ask when searching for new SaaS ecommerce platforms for their business.
How much do SaaS ecommerce platforms cost?
What are the benefits of SaaS ecommerce platforms?
Is there a difference between SaaS and open-source ecommerce?
Other SaaS Ecommerce Platforms Reviews
If you need more specific types of SaaS ecommerce platforms, here are other reviews from other ecommerce experts:
- B2B Ecommerce Platforms
- Easiest Ecommerce Platforms
- Ecommerce Platforms
- Ecommerce Marketplace Platforms
- Ecommerce Platforms For Small Businesses
- Multichannel Ecommerce Software
The Takeaway
Online shopping is going to be around for a while, and with the rise of this industry, you shouldn't leave your business behind on accessing a profitable sales channel. The SaaS ecommerce platforms I listed in this article will help you get the confidence you need to open an online storefront. These tools will revolutionize how your organization operates in the modern digital age, and using them will simplify your business operations, increase sales, and enhance your customers’ shopping experience.
If you need expert guidance or help identifying other software to implement in your business, sign up for The Ecomm Manager newsletter. Here you’ll receive the latest advice from top ecommerce professionals and evaluations of the latest software to use in your organization.