Shopify
The commerce platform to beat if selling is the point, built to scale across channels.
Shopify is not really a general website builder; it is a commerce engine that happens to build sites. Everything is oriented around selling: a fast checkout, inventory, multichannel reach into social and marketplaces, and the deepest app store in ecommerce. As a brochure or content tool it is thinner than Wix or Squarespace, but as a store that needs to grow order volume without re platforming, nothing in this category matches it. For anyone whose main goal is selling, Shopify is the default.
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If the job is selling, the conversation starts here.
In its favour
Held against it
The category leader for stores that intend to grow
Shopify scores highest here on features, driven by its commerce depth and app store. It is held back as a general builder by thinner content tooling and the transaction fee on non Shopify payments.
Scored against the same five weighted criteria we use across website builders. See the rubric →
selling is the core job of the site and you expect order volume and channels to grow.
you mainly need a content, brochure or portfolio site, or you sell only a handful of items.
What it costs
Per month, billed annuallyPricing as of June 2026, billed annually; monthly billing runs higher. Check the vendor for current pricing. A $5 Starter sells via links and social, and Plus starts around $2,300/mo. A transaction fee applies unless you use Shopify Payments.