Want to earn some extra cash online but don't know where to start? Or maybe you already have an eCommerce store but need help managing the technical side of things?
Say hello to SaaS eCommerce platforms - your new best friend for running a smooth online business!
This new wave of SaaS eCommerce solutions allow you to create, operate and optimize an online store without needing to build costly in-house infrastructure and expertise.
Everything you need, from web hosting to payment processing to marketing tools, is handled seamlessly through the cloud-based platform.
What are you waiting for? There’s no better time than now, as global online sales are exploding, expected to hit $7.4 trillion by 2025. Stake your claim!
An effective SaaS platform gives you the backbone needed to set up shop and start selling without breaking a sweat, so let’s explore the top SaaS eCommerce platforms to consider in 2024 for taking your online business to the next level!
So whether you're a burgeoning entrepreneur looking to launch your very own online platform, and want to learn from the best of ‘em, or you're looking for the best platforms to showcase your very own shopping experience, this page is for you.
Let’s get started!
- What is SaaS eCommerce and how does it work?
- SaaS ecommerce vs. open-source ecommerce
- Top 10 SaaS eCommerce Platforms
- Final thoughts
What is SaaS eCommerce and how does it work?
Alright, before we dive into the platforms, let's make sure we're all on the same page about what exactly SaaS eCommerce is.
As I’m sure you already know, SaaS stands for "software as a service" and essentially it's a software licensing model where you pay a subscription fee, usually monthly or yearly, to access the software.
The software vendor handles hosting it in the cloud, managing security, fixing bugs - all that behind-the-scenes technical stuff. This means you get awesome software without needing your own servers or IT department!
Anthony Witherspoon
The platforms provide everything you need to create an online store all in one place - I'm talking the shopping cart, payment processing, marketing tools, inventory management, and more.
You just log in and focus on your products and customers.
The benefits are huge compared to old-school eCommerce software you'd install manually. With SaaS eCommerce there's:
💰 Lower upfront costs - no expensive licenses or hardware.
⚡ Quick setup - get your store up and running fast.
📈 Easy scaling - upgrade or downgrade your plan based on sales.
🌎 Access anywhere - manage your store on the go.
🔄 Automatic updates - new features added seamlessly.
SaaS ecommerce vs. open-source ecommerce
But before we talk about the new-and-trending SaaS eCommerce platforms, let’s focus a little further on some of the key differences between SaaS eCommerce and open-source eCommerce.
Top 10 SaaS eCommerce platforms of 2024
After careful research, we’ve compiled the top 10 SaaS eCommerce solutions to consider for taking your online business to the next level:
1 . Shopify – Best overall SaaS eCommerce platform
Shopify is arguably the most well-known and widely-used SaaS platform, with over 1 million businesses powered by its solutions, including companies like Red Bull, Kylie Cosmetics, and Budweiser.
It offers an extremely robust set of eCommerce features for creating and managing your online store across sales channels, including:
- Hundreds of professional templates
- Drag-and-drop store builder
- Payment processing and shipping integrations
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Marketing tools like email and SMS
- Inventory management
- Detailed analytics and reporting
Shopify also provides 24/7 support and a thriving app marketplace with over 6,000 apps for enhancing your store’s functionality. It’s an ideal one-stop solution.
Pricing:
Basic Shopify - $29/month
Shopify - $79/month
Advanced Shopify - $299/month
2 . BigCommerce – Top SaaS for large enterprises
As one of the top eCommerce platforms, BigCommerce powers over 60,000 online stores. It offers an enterprise-level solution with robust B2B features, making it a great choice for established mid-market to large businesses.
Key strengths include:
- Scalable to support huge catalogs and sales volumes.
- Built-in B2B functionality like customer groups and price lists.
- Integrates with major online marketplaces.
- Abandoned cart and email marketing tools.
- Apps for accounting, shipping, POS, and more.
Terry Mitchell
BigCommerce provides excellent support and design services in addition to its SaaS platform. There are four pricing plan tiers suitable for any stage of growth.
Pricing:
Standard plan - $29.95/month
Plus plan - $79.95/month
Pro plan - $249.95/month
Enterprise quote-based pricing
3 . Wix – Best SaaS for website builders
Wix is a hugely popular website builder utilized by over 200 million users. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor and a wealth of stylish templates to easily build an eye-catching online store integrated with your Wix site.
Standout eCommerce features include:
- Free secure hosting.
- Mobile optimized templates.
- Shipping rate management.
- Multiple payment gateway options.
- Marketing tools like email newsletters.
- SEO optimization.
- Hundreds of apps add advanced functions.
For those less tech-savvy, Wix is the simplest way to make a beautiful, functional online shop. Developers can also customize stores further via code.
Pricing:
Wix Free plan – Free
Combo plan – $14/month
Unlimited plan – $22/month
4 . Square Online Store – Best for omnichannel selling
Square’s eCommerce platform seamlessly integrates with its popular POS hardware and software, making it ideal for brick-and-mortar retailers wanting to add an online store.
Key benefits include:
- Easy syncing of online and in-person inventory.
- Centralized reports for online/offline sales.
- Integrated payments processing.
- Automatic categorization of sales data.
- Email invoicing.
- Flexible order fulfillment options.
While not as feature-rich as some platforms, Square Online Store removes friction for omnichannel businesses selling both online and in-person.
Pricing:
Basic plan – Free
Standard plan – $26/month
Advanced plan – $60/month
5 . Volusion – Best for small business
Volusion touts itself as an “all-in-one”eCommerce solution built with small to medium businesses in mind. The user-friendly interface requires no coding to set up an SEO-optimized online store.
Notable Volusion features:
- Customizable design and templates.
- Integrated payment processing.
- Automated tax and shipping calculations.
- Accounting integration.
- Inventory and order management.
- Abandoned cart emails.
- POS capabilities.
Volusion also provides stellar customer support, helpful resources, and transparent pricing. It’s a great choice for growing SMBs.
Emma Bilardi
Pricing:
Mini Plan – $29/month
Plus Plan – $79/month
Pro Plan – $299/month
6 . 3dcart – Top budget SaaS pick
3dcart offers tremendous value and capabilities, especially for the budget-conscious. The platform touts a robust feature set suitable for small, mid-size, and large operations.
Benefits of 3dcart include:
- No limits on products, bandwidth or storage.
- Free branded storefront.
- Integrated payment processing.
- Automated shipping rate calculator.
- SEO and marketing tools built-in.
- Inventory management and accounting integration.
- Hundreds of apps and integrations available.
- No transaction fees.
With completely free support and excellent community forums, 3dcart punches above its weight. It’s a top bargain choice.
Pricing:
3dcart Startup plan – $19/month
3dcart Standard plan – $29/month
3dcart Plus plan – $79/month
7. Odoo – Open-source SaaS eCommerce
As an open-source platform, Odoo offers free community editions along with more robust enterprise eCommerce features available through partner integrations.
Some highlights of Odoo include:
- Free open-source modules with option to expand.
- Built-in CRM, billing, accounting, and project management.
- Warehouse and inventory management.
- Strong third-party integrations.
- Scalable modular architecture.
- 700+ apps to extend functionality.
For developers wanting flexibility and customization, Odoo provides an affordable foundation on which to build.
Pricing:
Community edition – Free
Online plan – Starts at $25/month
Enterprise plan – Custom pricing
8 . Brightpearl – Best for automated operations
Brightpearl stands out for automating back-office operations like inventory and accounting, allowing retailers to focus on growth and sales.
Notable features include:
- Real-time visibility into inventory across channels.
- Automated purchasing workflows.
- Built-in accounting and POS.
- Custom reporting and business intelligence.
- Supplier and customer management.
- Fulfillment integration.
- Peak trading support.
By eliminating manual processes, Brightpearl lets you efficiently manage higher order volumes as you scale.
Anthony Witherspoon
Pricing:
Starter – $199/month
Growth – $299/month
Pro – Custom quote
9 . Selz – Top pick for selling digital products
Selz focuses specifically on empowering small businesses to sell digital downloads and services online. Its streamlined features help you quickly start selling.
Key capabilities:
- Easy product setup.
- Varied payment options.
- Coupons and bundles.
- Detailed transaction history.
- Email and social media marketing tools.
- Abandoned cart recovery.
- Customizable storefront.
Selz simplifies digital commerce for lean startups and entrepreneurs.
Pricing:
Free plan – Free for 25 Products
Starter plan – $16/month
Business plan – $29/month
10 . Shopware – Extendable open-source platform
As an open-source solution, Shopware provides free core software that developers can fully customize to create bespoke online stores.
Shopware offers:
- Free core software with an open code base.
- Modular system for flexibility.
- Extensive API for developers.
- Over 4,000 plugins for added functions.
- Themes and templates available.
- Handles enterprise-level volumes.
For full control and scalability, Shopware open source software allows you to build exactly the platform you need.
Pricing:
Free community edition
Extended license – Starting at $349/month
Final thoughts
There you have it - the top ten SaaS eCommerce platforms to catapult your online sales!
From simplified solutions for startups to advanced tools for enterprises, these SaaS providers truly offer something for every business.
Now you can focus on what you do best, while the platform handles the technical side of running your online store.
My advice? Take some time to review your specific needs and priorities.
Do you want gorgeous templates for a stunning storefront? Built-in marketing tools? Flexible pricing plans? Jot down your must-haves.
With consumers flocking online, the possibilities are truly endless. Now get out there, have fun, and watch your online business thrive!
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