10 Best E-commerce Platforms for a Small Business I’ve Tested in 2025

An e-commerce platform is a software that allows entrepreneurs to build and manage an online store and sell their products and services.

It typically includes tools for setting up a website, creating catalogues, managing inventory, and processing payments. E-commerce platforms can also provide sales and marketing tools like analytics dashboards, email marketing automation, affiliate programs, etc.

When I first started researching digital selling, I had no idea where to begin. What I quickly understood is that the right platform makes everything easier, allowing me to focus more on the creative process instead of managing day-to-day operations.

Running a small business today is easier than ever, thanks to e-commerce platforms built to handle the heavy lifting. In this article, I’ll break down some of the best e-commerce solutions for small businesses, so you can find the one that fits your goals and workflow.

How I tested e-commerce platforms for small businesses

It can be hard to decide between different e-commerce platforms, as there are many options available. Some are designed for beginners looking for an all-in-one tool, while others cater to growing businesses that need more flexibility and advanced features.

My goal was to find some of the best e-commerce sites for small businesses that help sell online easily, without needing a full tech team or massive budget.

My selection process

Each e-commerce platform offers a slightly different mix of tools, pricing, and customization options. That makes them tricky to compare directly. So instead of ranking them all in one list, I focused on matching the right platform to the right kind of business.

When reviewing, I paid special attention to:

• Ease of setup and use
• Design and customization
• Built-in features
• Pricing transparency
• Scalability
• Support and community

Disclaimer

E-commerce platforms change quickly, adding new features and updating their pricing policy. That’s why all information here is based on what was publicly available at the time of writing this article. Before committing, make sure to check each platform’s website for the latest updates on pricing, trial periods, and available tools.

Best e-commerce platforms at a glance

Let’s have a closer look at the best e-commerce platforms I found for small businesses. I also made sure to include different types of platforms, e.g., for selling a certain type of product, like digital downloads or online courses, and more universal ones that let you sell pretty much anything without limitations.

Platform	Best for	Features	Pricing
	The best all-around platform for creators	Digital, physical & POD products, built-in marketing features, email marketing, analytics, easy setup	$22/mo
	Online courses & coaching	AI course builder, sales tools, memberships, communities	$69/mo
	Solo digital entrepreneurs	Sell courses, downloads, memberships, email automation	$33/mo
	Scaling online stores	Store builder, SEO, analytics, inventory, 16K+ apps	€19/mo
	Boosting website sales	Checkout pages, upsells, A/B testing, subscriptions	$59/mo
	Simple digital product sales	Fast checkout, upsells, SEO, anti-piracy, coupons	$39/mo
	Beginners selling online	Easy setup, tax collection, analytics, DRM protection	10% per sale
	Handmade & vintage goods	Built-in audience, ads, SEO, secure payments	6.5% per sale + $0.17 per listing
	WordPress users & membership sites	WordPress plugin, paywalls, subscriptions, course builder, tax automation, flexible customization	$179.50/yr
	Creators monetizing with fan support	Donations, memberships, direct messaging, digital & physical sales, instant payments, embeds, Discord/Twitch integrations	Free

Top 10 e-commerce platforms for a small business

1. Sellfy: The best online store platform for a small business

I found Sellfy to be the best all-around small business platform for creators of any niche. You can sell just about anything from your Sellfy store, including digital, subscriptions, physical, and even print-on-demand goods, all from one place, which makes it the perfect choice for every digital entrepreneur.

Plus, the effortless setup and the built-in toolkit that it offers make it the easiest and one of the most reliable platforms to build an online store.

Why I picked Sellfy

With Sellfy, you can either build a professional-looking online store for your small business, embed Buy Now buttons and a checkout page into an existing website, or simply share product links wherever your audience hangs out. 

Sellfy also provides all the necessary tools to launch and grow your online business, like a store builder, beautiful pre-made store themes that can be customized, a set of powerful marketing tools, and built-in store analytics.

When it comes to digital products, security is important to me. Sellfy offers unique download links for each purchase, limited download attempts, PDF file stamping, and more.

Standout features

• Unlimited products, storage, and bandwidth
• Optimized digital product delivery
• Email marketing
• Upselling
• Cart abandonment
• Discounts and coupon codes
• Store embed options with on-site checkout
• Shareable product links
• Multiple payment gateways in different currencies
• Anti-piracy features
• Third-party apps and services
• 24/7 customer support

Products you can sell

Digital products, subscription-based products (i.e., fitness plans), physical products, and print-on-demand products.

Integrations

Google Analytics, Zapier, Webhooks, Zapier filtering, X Ads, Facebook Ads (Facebook Pixel)

Google Merchant Center, Sell Downloads app on Wix, PayPal, Stripe, etc.

Pricing

Starter Plan: $22/month (billed annually)

Business Plan (best value): $59/month

Pros and cons

I found Sellfy is a perfect all-in-one e-commerce platform for small businesses, creators, and any aspiring digital entrepreneurs. Everyone looking for an affordable e-commerce solution with an effortless setup and tons of useful features will find Sellfy an excellent fit.

2. Teachable: best for selling online courses and educational content 

Teachable is a platform that is centered around selling educational products. I found it particularly great for selling online courses, coaching services, memberships, and even digital downloads. 

The platform is beginner-friendly. You can use Teachable’s comprehensive course builder to easily create as many courses as you need, and build a basic landing page from scratch. There’s also an option to embed your educational content and products into an existing website or blog.

What’s not as exciting to me is the limited product allowance depending on your plan. For example, the Builder plan only lets you publish up to 5 products. This might be fine for smaller creators, but if you have more to sell, you’ll need to upgrade to a more expensive plan.

Why I picked Teachable

Teachable is easy to use and offers many useful options. I also find it useful that the platform has several specific sales tools, like Buy Now, Pay Later option, tax-inclusive pricing, abandoned cart notifications, etc.

There are also AI features that make Teachable stand out. For example, their Course Starter will help you create a course curriculum, content, and even a sales page in minutes. You can also use the Quiz Generator to create complex.

Standout features

• Drag-and-drop site builder
• Intuitive interface
• Marketing and sales tools, e.g., Buy Now, Pay Later option
• Affiliate marketing tools
• AI features, e.g., Quiz Generator
• Mini courses for users to develop and scale their businesses
• Communities for your students
• Live chat support

Products you can sell

Online courses, coaching services, digital downloads, memberships.

Integrations

ActiveCampaign, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, MailChimp, Meta Pixel, Zoom, Zapier, Mailerlite, etc.

Pricing

Builder Plan: $69/month (billed annually)

Growth Plan (best value): $139/month (billed annually)

Pros and cons

Teachable is a strong choice for creators focused on educational content, online courses, and coaching. It provides beginner-friendly tools, AI-assisted course creation, and built-in sales features. Though you may need to upgrade your plan if you want to sell more products or need more design flexibility.

3. Podia: Best for running your digital product business as a solo-entrepreneur

Podia is an e-commerce platform that helps creators sell anything digital, including memberships, online courses, and digital downloads.

The platform offers a simple interface, which makes the setup process very beginner-friendly. One of the things I liked about Podia is that you can run your business without needing to use other platforms, e.g., a separate email marketing service. Another great thing is that you are not limited to just one or two product types, making it easy to diversify.

Why I picked Podia

When you are a creator running your small business solo, you mustn’t spend too much time on operations. Otherwise, you can’t focus much on creating your products. Podia offers functionality that allows you to run your business smoothly without needing to be constantly involved in the daily operational routine.

I also liked that Podia offers a 30-day trial period. Another unique feature is hiring a Podia Pro. You can hire someone who has deep knowledge of the platform to help you run your business.

Standout features

• Customizable website templates
• A diverse list of digital products you can sell
• Built-in blogging solution
• Marketing tools: email automations, segmentation, coupons, sales, etc.
• Payment processing integrations: PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay
• Landing pages creation
• Online course builder

Products you can sell

Digital downloads, online courses, coaching, webinars, product bundles, templates, etc.

Integrations

Mailchimp, Zoom, Discord, Calendly, Asana, PayPal, Stripe, YouTube Live, Hotjar, etc.

Pricing

Mover (Starter Plan): $33/month (billed annually)

Shaker Plan (best value): $75/month (billed annually)

Pros and cons

Summing up, Podia is a great all-in-one e-commerce platform for creators who sell digital products and coaching services. If you want to sell physical goods as well, you need to think of a different platform like Sellfy. Plus, Podia is quite pricey and takes commissions on the lowest plan.

Read a more in-depth comparison of Sellfy and Podia here.

4. Shopify: Best for scaling your small business

Shopify is an all-in-one e-commerce platform that allows a small business to create a complete online store and sell almost any product you like. Shopify’s biggest advantage is its popularity. It’s one of the most widely used e-commerce platforms in the world. That also means there’s no shortage of tutorials, plugins.

My problem with Shopify is that because it’s so widely used, opinions about it can sometimes feel a little biased. Still, its strength lies in how customizable it is. With the right mix of apps and integrations, you can shape your store into almost anything you want.

Shopify isn’t the easiest platform to use: even though you don’t need coding skills, it still takes some time to learn, which is clear from how many “how-to” guides are out there.

Why I picked Shopify

In my opinion, one of the advantages of Shopify is that there is no limit to scaling. You can start small and grow your business over time, adapting your Shopify store to your needs.

It’s worth noting that many of Shopify’s native tools are primarily tailored for physical products, especially for merchants running inventory-based businesses or selling across both online and offline channels (e.g., pop-ups or retail with Shopify POS). That’s where Shopify really shines as an all-in-one commerce system rather than just a digital storefront.

I also think Shopify offers an excellent business management suite. You can manage your inventory, process refunds and returns, split and merge orders, etc. There are also live metrics and advanced analytics for you to see how your store is performing at any time of the day.

Standout features

• Online store builder
• Built-in marketing tools
• Automation tools for marketing and shipping
• Abandoned cart recovery
• SEO tools
• Extensive app store
• Detailed reporting and analytics
• Inventory management

Products you can sell

Physical products, digital downloads, services, and print-on-demand products.

Integrations

16000+ in Shopify App Store: Klaviyo, Mailchimp, ShipStation, ShipBob, QuickBooks, Zendesk, Gorgias, PayPal, Stripe, etc.

Pricing

Basic Plan: €19/month (billed annually), great for solo entrepreneurs

Grow Plan (best value): €56/month (billed annually), best for small teams

Pros and cons

Shopify is great, and thanks to many app integrations, you can turn it into whatever fits your small business. On the other hand, it is quite a complex e-commerce platform, and the learning curve is not as straightforward as you might want it to be. 

Read a more in-depth comparison of Sellfy and Shopify here.

5. SamCart: Best for boosting sales on existing websites

SamCart is an online sales tool that could help an established business grow thanks to the advanced e-commerce toolkit. The platform allows you to sell digital downloads and online courses by integrating a shopping cart into your e-commerce website or creating a dedicated product page.

It’s important to know that SamCart doesn’t really let you build an e-commerce store for your digital products. However, it allows you to create landing pages, lead magnets, and optimized checkout pages.

Why I picked SamCart

If you already run a small business and have an existing website or audience, SamCart is a great way to boost your revenue without having to rebuild your store from scratch. Instead of acting as a full storefront, SamCart specializes in high-converting checkout pages, and you can easily embed them into your current site without any technical skills.

You get built-in features like one-click upsells, order bumps, abandoned cart recovery, subscriptions, coupons, and more, all designed to increase average order value and maximize every sale.

Standout features

• Easy deployment on your website
• Drag-and-drop page builder, powered by AI
• Mobile-first design
• One-click upsells
• Order bumps
• Subscription management
• A/B testing
• Affiliate center
• Abandoned cart recovery
• One-click checkouts

Products you can sell

Digital products and downloads, coaching, online courses, events and workshops, physical products, subscriptions, services.

Integrations

Mailchimp, WordPress, ShipStation, Zapier, Intercom, MemberPress, Kajabi, Keap, Shopify, ConvertKit, etc.

Pricing

Basic Plan: from $59/month (billed annually), depending on your revenue. SamCart bases its pricing on your earnings: the higher they are, the more the monthly subscription fee is.

Pros and cons

If you run a small business and already have a website where your services and/or products are listed, SamCart is a great add-on that will help you streamline the checkout process for your customers. If you are looking for an all-in-one e-commerce platform for a small business, I would suggest going for solutions like Sellfy, which is also less costly. 

Read more on how Sellfy and SamCart differ here.

6. SendOwl: Best for simple digital product sales

SendOwl is a digital commerce solution that can help you sell digital products. With SendOwl, you can create a personalized storefront where you can showcase up to 10 products with unique URLs.

It’s really easy to use thanks to the simple interface and lack of complicated functionality.  Uploading your products and configuring a conversion-optimized checkout module will take no more than a few minutes.

Why I picked SendOwl

SendOwl offers a decent set of conversion optimization tools, like upselling, cart recovery, discounts, coupon codes, etc. I also liked that SendOwl offers automated SEO optimization, meaning my products can be easily discovered with search engines.

Standout features

• Single-page checkout
• Custom checkout fields
• Embeddable shopping cart
• Custom checkout scripts
• Customized storefront
• SEO optimized product pages
• Unique product URLs
• Abandoned cart recovery
• Pre-order functionality
• Upsells
• Coupons, discount codes
• Flexible payment options
• Anti-piracy tools

Products you can sell

Digital products, creative assets, software, online courses and other educational products, physical goods, memberships and subscriptions, services.

Integrations

Linktree, Notion, Square, Shopify, WordPress, MailChimp, Sendy, etc.

Pricing

Low volume tier: $39/month (if you make $1k-$10k/month)

Mid volume tier: $87/month (if you make $10k-$100k/month)

Pros and cons

If you’re looking for a simple way to sell digital products directly from your own website, SendOwl is a great choice. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and comes with solid checkout and marketing tools to help you boost sales.

Read more on how Sellfy compares to SendOwl here.

7. Gumroad: Best for beginner entrepreneurs

Gumroad is an all-in-one e-commerce platform that helps artists and creators start selling downloads and other products from a simple landing page. Unlike with SamCart and SendOwl, you don’t need to have an existing website, as Gumroad allows you to create a page for your products. 

I find it daunting that Gumroad takes a share of your sales. Depending on how the audience discovers your products, it can be 10% or 30%.  So, it all boils down to choosing whether you’re willing to pay a set monthly fee or a percentage of whatever income you earn.

Why I chose Gumroad

If you are just starting your small business, I think Gumroad is one of the best options to go with. It’s easy to start an account and earn your first money with whatever you have to offer to the market.

You can start selling without having a dedicated website, as Gumroad offers functionality to create a customized storefront. Alternatively, if you do have a website, you can link it to Gumroad under a custom domain.

I think it’s great that Gumroad covers global reach and taxes. You can accept payments in different currencies, and the platform collects VAT, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Standout features

• User-friendly interface
• Integrated payments and delivery
• Simplifies taxes
• DRMs to protect your work
• License key generation for software
• Customer base import
• Analytics and reporting
• Tax collection
• Multi-currency support
• Automated workflows

Products you can sell

Digital downloads, subscriptions, physical goods.

Integrations

You can integrate third-party apps via Zapier.

Pricing

Gumroad does not have a monthly subscription fee, but it has transaction fees:

• 10% + $0.50/transaction for all sales through your profile or direct links to your customers
• 30%/transaction when new customers find and buy from your products through Gumroad’s discover marketplace

Pros and cons

For those looking for a solution to try running a small business, Gumroad might be one of the best e-commerce platforms. Thanks to an easy registration process and simple interface, you can open a store in no time. But if you plan on having something more than a little side-hustle, I’d suggest looking at a more advanced solution like Sellfy.

Read more on how Sellfy compares to  Gumroad here.

8. Etsy

Etsy is a creative marketplace that is the best fit if you are into crafts, art, etc. You can also sell digital downloads on Etsy.

The best thing about Etsy is that it gives you direct access to a massive community of 30+ million art and craft enthusiasts who are actively searching for unique products like yours.

Why I picked Etsy

Etsy is great for both beginners and experienced entrepreneurs. I like that it gives you the chance to turn a creative hobby into a side hustle and eventually grow it into a full-time business over time.

Etsy also makes it easy to manage your shop. You can list digital downloads, automate deliveries, and access helpful analytics to track your performance. The platform also offers marketing tools like promoted listings, sales, and coupons to help you attract more buyers and boost your sales.

Standout features

• Built-in audience of customers
• Simple setup
• Etsy Ads & Offsite Ads to increase visibility across Etsy and external platforms (Google, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Bing)
• Mobile Seller App to manage orders and communicate with customers anywhere
• Secure payments with multiple payment methods (credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
• Automated payouts to your local bank or Payoneer account
• Seller protection program for secure transactions
• Comprehensive analytics to track store performance and sales trends
• Marketing tools — coupons, discounts, email offers, and social media integrations
• Community and learning resources

Products you can sell

Unique items that you made, designed, handpicked, or sourced, as described in Etsy’s Creativity Standards. E.g., handmade goods, jewelry, vintage items, and personalized gifts.

Integrations

You can add third-party apps via the Etsy app store.

Pricing

Etsy’s pricing is straightforward and mostly pay-as-you-go, with no monthly subscription required. Here’s what to expect:

• €0.17 per listing
• 6.5% transaction fee
• 4% + €0.30 payment processing fee
• 15% offsite ads fee (only applies if a sale comes from Etsy’s external advertising)

Pros and cons

If you are into crafts and arts, Etsy is one of the best small business e-commerce platforms to start with. Thanks to its massive built-in audience of creative shoppers, you can easily launch your first store and start making sales without having to invest in your own website.

Read on how Sellfy compares to Etsy here.

9. MemberPress: best for WordPress users and membership-based businesses

MemberPress is a WordPress plugin that helps you to sell all sorts of digital products, from online courses to memberships. If you have a WordPress website, you can monetize your content or sell digital products.

One of its coolest features is that it allows you to control users’ access to certain digital products with subscriptions and VIP accounts. This means that you can offer your digital products as part of a membership plan, giving followers access to exclusive content and downloads.

Why I picked MemberPress

I find MemberPress great for business owners with an existing website or blog built on WordPress. The plugins offer a range of powerful e-commerce features like membership subscription tracking, in-depth integration options, access to PayPal and other payment methods, seamless integration with WordPress and WooCommerce, affiliate support, etc.

MemberPress also gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to customization. With the ability to modify the plugin’s appearance and functionality, you can create a unique and professional-looking storefront that showcases your digital products in the best way possible. But note that this will ask for in-depth experience in operating a WordPress website.

Standout features

• Paywall & content dripping
• Customizable checkout
• Subscription
• Billing
• Coaching platform
• Online course creation platform
• Course creator
• Members-only dashboard
• Digital downloads
• Corporate memberships
• WordPress subscription plugin
• Built-in tax calculations
• PDF invoices

Products you can sell

Online courses, ebooks, videos, software, physical goods (by integrating with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce), services (coaching or access to VIP communities), subscriptions, etc.

Integrations

ActiveCampaign, ChatGPT, CoachKit, Easy Affiliate, Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce, Zapier, Asana, Calendly, and many more.

Pricing

Basic Plan: $179.50/year

Pro Plan (Best Value):  $399.50/year

Pros and cons

If you already run a WordPress website and want to monetize your content, MemberPress is one of the best options out there. It’s ideal for selling memberships, subscriptions, and online courses, especially if you want to give your audience exclusive access to digital products or gated content.

However, MemberPress can get quite technical and expensive compared to all-in-one platforms like Sellfy, which don’t require plugins or coding skills. 

10. Ko-fi

Ko-fi is a slightly different alternative to the platforms already mentioned in the list. It’s a virtual tip jar that allows your followers to support you by donating money. Still, Ko-Fi also has an option to set up your store to sell goods.

Ko-fi simplifies the idea of crowdfunding for creative businesses. It’s perfect for established bloggers and content creators who are looking for a way to close part of their exclusive content behind a paywall.

Why I picked Ko-Fi

I appreciate the platform’s simplicity. You just need to pick a username, add a photo and bio, and connect a payment source like PayPal or Stripe. The whole process will literally take just a minute or two, and you’ll have your page up and running.

There are several ways to earn money on Ko-fi. For example, you can set up a fan page where you can offer exclusive content to your audience in exchange for their support.

You can also set up your own Ko-fi Shop to sell physical and digital products. While the list of available e-commerce features is quite poor, and storefront customization is also super basic, the platform helps you get the job done. 

Standout features

• One-time donations
• Direct payments
• Direct messaging
• Instant payments to a PayPal or Stripe account
• Multiple payment options
• Widgets, embeds, and shareable links that you can add to your website

Products you can sell

Apart from receiving donations, you can sell art and design assets, physical merchandise, handmade crafts, and digital downloads.

Integrations

Discord, Google Analytics, WordPress, Twitch, and more apps via Zapier.

Pricing

Contributor Plan: free to start an account, 0% service fee on tips, 5% service fee on Memberships, Shop sales, and Commissions.

Gold Plan: 5% service fee on all payment types (tips, memberships, commissions, and shop sales) + extra tools like Supporter-only content, scheduled posts, shorter page name, and more.

Pros and cons

If you want a simple way for fans to support your work or sell a few digital or physical products, Ko-fi is one of the easiest platforms to start with. Setting up your page is quick, and you can start receiving donations or selling content almost immediately. If you’re looking to run a full-fledged online store with advanced e-commerce features, marketing tools, and product management, Sellfy might be a better option.

How to choose an e-commerce platform?

When choosing an e-commerce platform, start by thinking about your business needs, budget, and technical know-how. Next, compare platforms based on features that matter most, like scalability, security, payment options, and design flexibility. Don’t forget to check what kind of support, marketing tools, and SEO features each platform offers.

Here’s what to pay attention to when choosing an e-commerce platform:

• Ease of use. Look for an all-in-one solution that lets you create a store in minutes.
• Pricing. Try to minimize additional expenses by selecting a platform with many built-in features so you don’t have to pay for app integrations, store themes, or services.
• Digital downloads and video streaming. It is more advantageous to opt for a platform that supports video streaming and digital downloads.
• Customization. You have to be able to make your online store look professional and visually appealing.
• Marketing features. For promoting your products and growing your business.

Which e-commerce platform is best for your small business?

The best e-commerce website for a small business depends on your business needs and tech skills. You also might consider your niche to choose the best-fitting solution. 

For those seeking a hassle-free approach to e-commerce, Sellfy stands out as the best online selling platform for small businesses. With its user-friendly interface, seamless setup process, and powerful features, Sellfy empowers entrepreneurs to launch and grow their online businesses with ease.