Shortlist result
Shopify is the store-first default; WooCommerce wins control
Shopify is our default for a merchant who wants the store, checkout and operations in one hosted system. WooCommerce is the control pick for a business prepared to manage WordPress and hosting. Wix suits a smaller visual catalogue or service-commerce mix, while WordPress.com Commerce offers a managed WooCommerce route at a higher USD subscription. Indian payment, tax, shipping and marketplace workflows must be verified for the exact account before launch.
Indian online sellers comparing a first store or replacing a fragile manual setup.
This is not a payment-gateway approval or tax-compliance recommendation; confirm those separately with providers and advisers.
What to know first
- A store platform must be judged on orders, inventory, recovery and support—not only homepage design.
- Shopify Basic is ₹1,499/month when paid yearly on the checked India page, before third-party app and payment costs.
- WooCommerce core is free, but a production store still needs hosting, extensions, security and maintenance.
- Run real test orders, refunds, tax invoices and shipping labels before directing traffic to the store.
The shortlist at a glance
| Platform | Best for | Checked base model | Main watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Store-first operations | Basic ₹1,499/month yearly | Apps and third-party payment fees |
| WooCommerce | Maximum WordPress control | Core free; stack paid | Maintenance responsibility |
| Wix | Small visual store/services | Core or higher for payments | Portability and scaling fit |
| WordPress.com Commerce | Managed WooCommerce | $45/month yearly equivalent | USD price and higher baseline |
Price check: Offers change. Confirm tax, billing term, renewal and included features on the official checkout before paying.
Our picks in detail
Best store-first platform
Shopify Basic
Best for: A merchant who wants hosted checkout, inventory and multichannel operations
Shopify is designed around commerce rather than adding a store to a general website, which simplifies ownership for a small retail team.
- Full online store and unlimited products listed
- Ten inventory locations on Basic
- 24/7 live-chat support
Watch-out: Basic lists a 2% fee for third-party payment providers, and themes, apps, shipping or payment services can add cost.
Check Shopify BasicDirect official link · no affiliate tracking currently
Best for ownership and customisation
WooCommerce
Best for: A content-led brand with WordPress skills or a dependable technical partner
WooCommerce core is free and the merchant retains control of the store and data, with a broad extension ecosystem.
- Open and extensible WordPress model
- No required WooCommerce core subscription
- Control over hosting and data
Watch-out: Hosting, backups, security, extension licences and compatibility are the merchant's operating responsibility.
Check WooCommerceDirect official link · no affiliate tracking currently
Best for a small visual store
Wix
Best for: A portfolio, restaurant, bookings or service business selling a limited range
The visual editor and integrated business toolkit let one owner manage the website and a modest commerce layer together.
- No-code design
- Payments and e-commerce on Core and above
- Bookings and marketing tools
Watch-out: Verify India payment options and long-run catalogue or operations fit; moving the full design elsewhere is not simple.
Check WixDirect official link · no affiliate tracking currently
Best managed WooCommerce route
WordPress.com Commerce
Best for: A team that wants WooCommerce features without selecting a separate hosting stack
It combines managed WordPress operations with an integrated WooCommerce experience and bundled store extensions.
- Real-time backups and restore
- Developer tools and priority support
- WooCommerce store features bundled
Watch-out: The official yearly equivalent is $45/month, so compare currency, tax and included extensions against Shopify and self-hosting.
Check WordPress.com CommerceDirect official link · no affiliate tracking currently
How we evaluated store platforms
We examined official plan information for product management, checkout, third-party payment cost, inventory, ownership, support and the responsibility for hosting and recovery. We did not process live Indian orders in this research batch, so payment-provider and shipping compatibility must be confirmed in a trial account.
The list prioritises operational fit over the largest feature count. A store that staff can fulfil accurately is better than a feature-rich build that nobody understands.
The real three-year cost
For Shopify, include subscription, third-party payment fees where applicable, premium theme, apps and specialist setup. For WooCommerce, include hosting, domain, security, backups, extension renewals and maintenance. For Wix or WordPress.com, include the correct commerce tier, apps, currency conversion and payment processing.
Model low, expected and high order volumes. A percentage fee can overtake a subscription difference as sales grow. Do not rely on promotional months to judge a business expected to operate for years.
India launch checklist
Confirm that the payment provider supports the business entity, bank account, product category and settlement needs. Configure GST and invoices with qualified advice, test serviceability and returns, and check how cash-on-delivery risk is handled. Place real low-value orders across mobile and desktop.
Test failed payments, cancellations, refunds, out-of-stock states, email and WhatsApp notifications, shipping labels and reconciliation. Export the catalogue and orders so the business has a recovery path.
Which platform should you choose?
Choose Shopify when commerce is the business and a hosted operating system is worth the subscription. Choose WooCommerce when content and store need deep integration and you have technical ownership. Choose Wix for a visually led small catalogue or service business. Choose WordPress.com Commerce when managed WordPress is the desired middle ground and the USD baseline is acceptable.
Launch with the smallest reliable configuration, document every paid app and review the stack quarterly. Revenue should fund complexity; complexity should not precede validated demand.
Check the live offer
Verify the final terms on Shopify
Confirm the exact plan, full invoice, tax, renewal and refund conditions before paying.
Visit ShopifyDirect official link until an approved affiliate URL is added.
Frequently asked questions
Which e-commerce platform is best in India?
Shopify is our store-first default, while WooCommerce is best when control and WordPress integration justify maintenance. The right choice depends on payments, catalogue and team capability.
Is WooCommerce really free?
The core software is free to use. A production store still pays for hosting, a domain and often security, backups, premium extensions or technical support.
How much is Shopify Basic in India?
The official India page checked on 3 September 2026 lists ₹1,499 per month when paid yearly and ₹1,994 month-to-month, with other service and payment costs possible.
Can Wix run an Indian online store?
Wix offers payment and e-commerce features on eligible plans. Verify the payment providers, settlement, tax and shipping integrations available to your exact Indian account.
Sources and research notes
Official product information and sources were checked on 3 September 2026. Prices, specifications and terms can change; confirm current details before purchasing.
- Shopify India pricing — Plans, third-party payment rates, store, inventory and support features
- WooCommerce start — Core cost, ownership and platform model
- Wix pricing — Payments, e-commerce tiers and business features
- WordPress.com pricing — Commerce plan, backups, support and WooCommerce features