Are you planning to start an online store with WordPress? If yes, the first thing you’ll need is the right e-commerce plugin. WordPress doesn’t include built-in e-commerce features, but plugins make it possible to sell physical products, digital downloads, memberships, and more.
Choosing the best plugin can be tricky because there are dozens of options. Each one offers different features, pricing models, and integrations. Picking the wrong plugin may lead to limited functionality, higher costs, or unnecessary complexity.
In this guide, we’ll compare the 15 best WordPress plugins for e-commerce. You’ll learn about their features, pricing, and which business types they fit best. Whether you’re selling a single product or building a multi-vendor marketplace, this list will help you find the best WordPress e-commerce plugin for your needs.
What to Look for in a WordPress E-Commerce Plugin
Before diving into the list, you need to know what makes a plugin stand out. Here are the main factors you should consider:
- Ease of Use: The plugin should be easy to set up without coding. A complicated setup can slow down your business launch.
- Product Types Supported: Some plugins focus on physical products, while others are built for digital goods, subscriptions, or memberships.
- Payment Gateway Support: Check if the plugin integrates with PayPal, Stripe, or other payment systems you want to use.
- Mobile Optimization: Your store should work seamlessly on mobile devices. More than 60% of online sales now happen on mobile.
- Scalability: Will the plugin handle growth when you add more products or customers?
- Pricing: Some plugins are free, but premium features often require paid extensions. Compare costs to avoid overspending later.
Keeping these criteria in mind will help you pick the right plugin for your business.
1. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is the most popular WordPress e-commerce plugin. It powers over 5 million websites and is backed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com.
Key Features:
- Sell physical and digital products
- Unlimited products and categories
- Built-in payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, bank transfer)
- Large library of free and paid extensions
- Customizable themes and templates
WooCommerce is flexible and works for both small and large stores. You can start free and extend functionality with add-ons. For example, you can add subscriptions, bookings, or shipping calculators.
Best For: Anyone wanting a powerful, scalable store with complete control.
Pricing: Free core plugin. Paid extensions range from $29 to $299 annually.
2. Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)
If you’re selling digital goods like software, eBooks, or photos, Easy Digital Downloads is the go-to choice. Unlike WooCommerce, which focuses on physical products, EDD is optimized for downloadable files.
Key Features:
- Secure file delivery and download management
- Customer accounts and purchase history
- Discount codes and promotions
- Reporting and analytics
- Subscription and recurring payments with add-ons
EDD is simple yet powerful. It avoids the clutter of physical product features and gives you a clean, focused setup for digital sales.
Best For: Creators selling eBooks, courses, software, or music.
Pricing: Free version available. Paid plans start at $99/year.
3. BigCommerce for WordPress
BigCommerce offers a hybrid approach by combining WordPress flexibility with BigCommerce’s backend power. It lets you run your storefront on WordPress while BigCommerce handles checkout, payments, and scalability.
Key Features:
- Multi-channel sales (Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, eBay)
- Centralized product management
- Advanced security and PCI compliance
- Optimized checkout flow
This plugin is designed for businesses that expect growth and need enterprise-level tools. You don’t have to worry about server performance or complex integrations because BigCommerce handles it.
Best For: Large businesses with high-volume sales and multiple sales channels.
Pricing: Starts at $29.95/month.
4. Shopify Buy Button
Already using Shopify but love WordPress for blogging? The Shopify Buy Button is perfect for you. Instead of running two full systems, this plugin lets you embed Shopify products into WordPress pages or posts.
Key Features:
- Quick product embedding with shortcode
- Secure Shopify checkout
- Works with WordPress posts, pages, and sidebars
- Mobile-friendly design
It’s a great way to blend Shopify’s reliability with WordPress’s flexibility. You won’t get WooCommerce-level customization, but it’s lightweight and easy.
Best For: Users who want to connect an existing Shopify store with WordPress.
Pricing: Requires Shopify Lite plan at $9/month.
5. MemberPress
MemberPress is not a traditional e-commerce plugin. Instead, it focuses on selling memberships, subscriptions, and online courses. If your business revolves around gated content or training, MemberPress is a top choice.
Key Features:
- Membership levels and subscription billing
- Drip content scheduling
- Integration with learning management systems (LMS)
- Coupon codes and promotions
- Analytics and reporting
It’s perfect for building learning platforms, exclusive clubs, or paid communities.
Best For: Coaches, teachers, and creators offering subscription-based services.
Pricing: Starts at $179/year.
6. WP EasyCart
WP EasyCart is a budget-friendly alternative to WooCommerce. It’s designed for small businesses that need a straightforward store without dozens of add-ons.
Key Features:
- Support for physical and digital products
- Built-in tax and shipping calculators
- Subscriptions and gift cards
- POS integration for in-person sales
- Easy setup with minimal configuration
It doesn’t offer the same ecosystem as WooCommerce, but for small businesses, it strikes a good balance between simplicity and functionality.
Best For: Small business owners on a budget.
Pricing: Free version available. Premium starts at $69/year.
7. Ecwid Ecommerce Shopping Cart
Ecwid is a cloud-based solution that integrates easily with WordPress. You can add a store to your site and also sell on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Key Features:
- Multi-language and multi-currency support
- Mobile app for managing orders
- Free plan available
- Automatic tax calculations
- Social media sales integration
Unlike WooCommerce, Ecwid manages hosting and updates for you. That means fewer technical headaches.
Best For: Businesses selling across social platforms and global markets.
Pricing: Free plan for up to 10 products. Paid plans start at $14.08/month.
8. Cart66 Cloud
Cart66 Cloud is built around security and simplicity. It includes payment processing and PCI compliance out of the box.
Key Features:
- Support for physical and digital products
- Recurring billing and donations
- Cloud-hosted checkout for security
- Email marketing integration
It’s not as feature-packed as WooCommerce, but if you prioritize security and ease of use, it’s a solid option.
Best For: Small businesses and nonprofits needing secure payments.
Pricing: Starts at $19/month.
9. WPForms with Payment Add-ons
If you only need a simple checkout form, WPForms with payment add-ons might be enough. Instead of a full store, you can create order forms with PayPal or Stripe integration.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- One-time and recurring payments
- Pre-built templates
- Conditional logic for custom forms
This is not a full e-commerce solution, but it works well for freelancers, consultants, or small service-based businesses.
Best For: Service providers needing lightweight payment collection.
Pricing: Paid plan with payment integrations starts at $79/year.
10. Dokan Multivendor Marketplace
Want to build the next Amazon or Etsy? Dokan turns your WordPress site into a multi-vendor marketplace. Vendors can manage their own stores, products, and shipping.
Key Features:
- Vendor dashboards and management tools
- Commission system for admins
- Product review and rating system
- Frontend product management
It works on top of WooCommerce, so you’ll need both plugins.
Best For: Entrepreneurs creating a multi-vendor marketplace.
Pricing: Free core plugin. Pro version starts at $149/year.
11. ShopEngine (Elementor Addon)
ShopEngine is a WooCommerce add-on for Elementor users. It lets you design custom store layouts with drag-and-drop ease.
Key Features:
- Pre-built WooCommerce templates
- Cart, checkout, and product widgets
- No coding required
- Full compatibility with Elementor
If you already use Elementor for your site, ShopEngine makes it easy to design a visually stunning store.
Best For: Elementor users who want design flexibility.
Pricing: Free version available. Pro starts at $59/year.
12. MarketPress
MarketPress is an all-in-one solution created by WPMU DEV. It includes most features you’d normally need add-ons for.
Key Features:
- Product variations and inventory control
- Shipping and tax management
- Coupons and discounts
- SEO-friendly design
It’s not as popular as WooCommerce, but its simplicity and bundled features make it attractive.
Best For: Users who want a built-in e-commerce system without extra extensions.
Pricing: Included in WPMU DEV membership ($15/month).
13. WP eCommerce
One of the oldest WordPress e-commerce plugins, WP eCommerce, has been around since 2006. While less popular today, some businesses still use it.
Key Features:
- Customizable checkout
- Shipping and tax calculators
- Integration with payment gateways
- Theme-friendly design
It has fewer updates and community support compared to WooCommerce, but it can still run small stores.
Best For: Businesses with legacy WP eCommerce setups.
Pricing: Free with premium add-ons.
Comparison Table of the 15 Plugins
| Plugin | Best For | Pricing (Starting) | Key Feature Highlight |
| WooCommerce | All types of stores | Free | Most popular, highly scalable |
| Easy Digital Downloads | Digital products | Free/$99 yr | Optimized for digital sales |
| BigCommerce | Large businesses | $29.95/mo | Enterprise-level scalability |
| Shopify Buy Button | Shopify users | $9/mo | Embeds Shopify in WordPress |
| MemberPress | Memberships & courses | $179/yr | Subscription billing & LMS tools |
| WP EasyCart | Small businesses | Free/$69 yr | Affordable all-in-one store |
| Ecwid | Social media & global sales | Free/$14.08 mo | Cloud-hosted, multi-language |
| Cart66 Cloud | Secure payments | $19/mo | PCI-compliant checkout |
| WPForms + Payments | Freelancers/services | $79/yr | Simple checkout forms |
| Dokan | Marketplaces | Free/$149 yr | Multi-vendor store creation |
| ShopEngine | Elementor users | Free/$59 yr | WooCommerce builder templates |
| MarketPress | All-in-one solution | $15/mo | No need for extra extensions |
| WP eCommerce | Legacy stores | Free | Classic plugin, still functional |
Which WordPress E-Commerce Plugin is Best for You?
- For beginners: WooCommerce or WP EasyCart
- For digital products: Easy Digital Downloads
- For large businesses: BigCommerce
- For marketplaces: Dokan
- For memberships/courses: MemberPress
- For global sales: Ecwid
Think about your product type, growth plans, and budget before choosing. No plugin fits all businesses.
Final Thoughts
The right WordPress e-commerce plugin can make or break your online store. From WooCommerce’s versatility to EDD’s digital focus, each plugin serves different needs.
Your choice depends on what you sell, how you want to grow, and the features you can’t live without. Start small if you’re unsure. You can always expand with premium add-ons or migrate later.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best WordPress e-commerce plugin overall?
WooCommerce is the most versatile and widely used plugin, making it the best option for most businesses.
Q2. Can I use multiple e-commerce plugins at once?
It’s not recommended. Running multiple e-commerce plugins can cause conflicts and performance issues.
Q3. Which plugin is best for digital products?
Easy Digital Downloads is specifically designed for selling digital goods like eBooks, music, or software.
Q4. Do all plugins support PayPal and Stripe?
Most plugins support PayPal and Stripe, but always confirm before installing to avoid extra integration costs.
Q5. Are free e-commerce plugins reliable for long-term use?
Yes, many free plugins like WooCommerce and Ecwid are reliable. However, premium add-ons may be necessary as your store grows.
E-Commerce Plugins 
