With over 20% of global purchases made online by 2023 (source: Statista), choosing the right e-commerce platform has become a major issue for businesses. Whether you're just starting out or an established company, the choice of CMS (Content Management System) or e-commerce platform can determine the success of your online project.
But between Shopify, PrestaShop, WooCommerce and many others, how do you know which solution best suits your needs? In this article, we compare the main e-commerce platforms to help you make the right choice.
Why is choosing your e-commerce platform so important?
The choice of your e-commerce platform directly influences several key aspects of your online business:
- User experience: An adapted platform offers fluid navigation, responsive design and optimal loading times, improving customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
- Search engine optimization (SEO): Some platforms are better optimized for SEO, which can boost your visibility on search engines.
- Scalability: Your platform must be able to adapt to your company's growth, whether in terms of traffic, products or functionalities.
Choosing the wrong solution can lead to additional costs, technical limitations and even loss of customers.
Criteria for choosing the right e-commerce platform
Before taking the plunge, here are the main criteria to consider:
- Budget: How much are you prepared to invest? Some platforms have high initial costs, while others charge transaction fees or monthly subscriptions.
- Ease of use: If you're not a technical expert, opt for an intuitive platform with a user-friendly interface.
- Features: inventory management, payment options, module integration (such as EasyTransac for payment solutions), etc.
- SEO: A well-optimized platform will help you attract more organic traffic.
- Support and community: Good technical support and an active community can save you in the event of a problem.
Comparison of popular e-commerce platforms and CMS
Shopify - Simple and fast, but more expensive
Advantages:
✅ Ease of use: ideal for beginners and quick, maintenance-free go-live
✅ Hosting included: no need to manage a server.
✅ Wide choice of applications to extend functionality.
Disadvantages:
❌ Additional costs for certain applications and themes.
❌ Less technically flexible than open source solutions.
Target audience: Small and medium-sized businesses, start-up entrepreneurs.
💰 Budget: €36 to €384/month depending on package + paid modules (e.g. customer reviews, advanced SEO)
💳 Transaction fees: 0% with Shopify Payments, otherwise up to 2% per sale
🏦 Hosting included
PrestaShop - A complete, affordable solution for SMEs
Advantages:
✅ Open source: unlimited customization with advanced features.
✅ Large community and many available modules.
✅ Suitable for stores with a large product catalog.
Disadvantages:
❌ Requires technical skills for set-up and maintenance.
❌ Hosting to be managed separately.
❌ More technical handholding and sometimes expensive modules.
Target audience: Medium-sized and large companies.
💰 Budget: Free, but allow €5-50/month for hosting + paid modules (€0-500)
💳 No commissions on sales
🏦 Hosting to manage yourself
WooCommerce - Flexibility and control at low cost
Advantages:
✅ Integration with WordPress: ideal if you already have a WordPress site.
✅ Flexibility and extensive customization.
✅ Numerous extensions available.
✅ Cost-effective solution
Disadvantages:
❌ Requires WordPress hosting.
❌ Technical management sometimes complex for the uninitiated.
❌ More technical handholding and sometimes expensive modules.
❌ May require paid extensions and technical management.
Target audience: WordPress users, businesses looking for a flexible solution.
💰 Budget: Free, but allow €5-50/month for hosting
💳 Paid modules: Advanced SEO, invoicing, multi-currency (€50-300 one-off purchase or subscription)
🏦 Do-it-yourself hosting
Magento - A powerful but expensive platform
✅ Suitable for large companies and ambitious projects.
❌ High cost and requires advanced technical skills.
💰 Budget :
- Magento Open Source: Hosting (€50-500/month)
- Adobe Commerce: €2,000 to €3,000/year
💳 No commission on sales
🏦 Hosting required
OpenCart - A lightweight, cost-effective alternative
Advantages:
✅ Easy to install and use.
✅ Good economical alternative for small stores.
Disadvantages:
❌ Fewer modules and support than WooCommerce or PrestaShop.
❌ More limited design and basic functionality.
Target audience: Developers and companies looking for an open source solution.
💰 Budget: Free, with hosting between €5 and €50/month
💳 Paid modules: Extensions for SEO, marketing, integrations (0-200 €)
🏦 Hosting to be provided
Drupal Commerce - A robust solution for complex projects
Advantages:
✅ Extreme flexibility and scalability
✅ Advanced integration with Drupal (ideal for sites with content and e-commerce)
✅ Secure and robust for large enterprises
Disadvantages:
❌ High complexity: requires technical skills
❌ Less popular than WooCommerce or Magento, therefore fewer ready-to-use modules
💰 Budget: Free, but hosting required (€10-100/month)
💳 Pay-per-use modules: Extensions for SEO, advanced catalog management, etc. (0-500 €)
🏦 Hosting to manage yourself
Other options
- Wix: Simple and easy to use, but less suitable for large sites.
- Magento: Powerful and scalable, but only for technical experts.
- BigCommerce: All-in-one solution for growing businesses.
How do you choose the best platform for your budget?
🔹 Limited budget: OpenCart, WooCommerce or PrestaShop are the best options, as they are free and only require hosting.
🔹 Medium budget: Shopify offers a turnkey solution, but its cost can climb with subscriptions and commissions.
🔹 High budget / Growing business: Magento offers advanced management, but requires a substantial budget.
Comparison of the main e-commerce platforms and their costs
Cost summary table
Don't neglect your choice of payment solution
Choosing an e-commerce platform is about more than just creating your site. Payment is a key element of your success: it must be simple, fast and secure to offer your customers the best possible experience.
With Easytransacyou benefit from a payment solution tailored to your business, whatever CMS or e-commerce platform you use.
Why integrate Easytransac into your online store?
✅ Compatible with all major platforms: WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Magento, OpenCart, Shopify and Wix eCommerce
✅ No hidden commissions: unlike Shopify Payments or other solutions that charge up to 2% on your transactions
✅ Pay in installments: boost your sales by offering payment facilities to your customers
✅ Low commission rates compared to the market: only 1.2% per transaction in France and Europe (CB, Visa, Mastercard)
✅ Fast cash-out: funds are paid directly into your bank account
✅ Maximum security: PCI-DSS and 3D Secure compliance
💡 With Easytransac, you keep control of your payments while offering your customers a smooth, professional experience.
How do you integrate Easytransac into your store?
Integration is quick and easy, thanks to dedicated e-commerce modules for WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Magento, Drupal and OpenCart. For Shopify, implementation is more technical, please contact our team to help you set it up.
Need help integrating Easytransac into your online store?
🚀 Contact our teams today for a customized solution!
Conclusion
Choosing an e-commerce CMS depends on your budget and customization needs.
- Need simplicity? Wix eCommerce or Shopify are turnkey solutions.
- Want a flexible, cost-effective solution? WooCommerce, PrestaShop or OpenCart are good options.
- Aiming for a large-scale project? Magento and Drupal Commerce are ideal for large companies with specific needs.
Don't hesitate to test several platforms before deciding. And if you're looking for a reliable, secure payment solution for your site, consider Easytransac !
