7 Best eCommerce Platforms for Businesses in 2026

Key takeaways:

• An eCommerce platform handles the functions you need to host an online store, such as payment processing, website creation, and order management.

• To choose the right eCommerce platform, consider how their pricing and features compare, and which countries, currencies, and payment methods they’re compatible with.

• Airwallex is a payment solution that integrates with eCommerce platforms to cater to customers around the world. It offers a payment gateway, a no-code checkout, and multi-currency accounts that support 70+ countries with 160+ local payment methods.

eCommerce is no longer just a growing alternative to brick-and-mortar retailers. It’s now a firmly established way to shop in Australia, with one in five households shopping online weekly in 2024. The practice is particularly popular among Millennials and Gen Z¹ – increasing smartphone usage, internet penetration, and shopping options embedded into social media apps have all fueled this growing preference for buying online. 

Businesses that ignore eCommerce therefore risk missing out on the huge portion of customers who rely on it for purchases. This guide runs through how you can choose between the best eCommerce platforms in Australia, including a breakdown of their costs, extra features like product management and integrations, and global coverage.

What is an eCommerce platform?

eCommerce platforms are software solutions that make it easy for businesses to set up and run their online stores, letting them sell products and services to customers from around the world. 

This is possible because they handle everything needed for this in one place. The exact functions offered vary between platforms, but they usually include:

• Payment processing: Most eCommerce platforms offer their own online payment system to handle transactions when customers buy products and services through the site. 

• Hosting and website creation: For an online store to remain online, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. Many eCommerce platforms help businesses select and maintain the domain for their site and build a design that meets their needs.

• Front-end features: Many platforms include features to make a store more customer-friendly and increase sales. For instance, they might have checkout solutions or tools to customise product display (such as the option to add featured items).

• Back-end features: There are also tools to help companies manage business processes, such as order tracking and inventory management. 

• Marketing: eCommerce platforms often track how customers are interacting with your site, such as how long they stay on a page or where your website traffic comes from. They may also provide analytics to help you grow your business.

Types of eCommerce platforms

There are several types of eCommerce platforms, each with its unique features and capabilities. Understanding these can help you choose the right platform for your business needs.

Open-source eCommerce platforms

Open-source eCommerce platforms give businesses the flexibility to customise their websites to meet their specific needs, as the source code is freely available. That said, you typically need more technical expertise and development resources to set up and modify the site effectively.

SaaS (software-as-a-service) eCommerce platforms

SaaS eCommerce platforms are hosted solutions where businesses pay a subscription fee to access and use the platform. These platforms handle the technical aspects of hosting, security, and maintenance, making it easier for businesses to set up and manage their online stores.

PaaS (platform-as-a-service) eCommerce platforms

PaaS eCommerce platforms provide a cloud-based environment where businesses can develop their own eCommerce software or apps. They typically provide an infrastructure for your business to build on, such as servers and operating systems, but you'll need a development team to build your own eCommerce software.

Marketplace platforms

Marketplace platforms bring together multiple sellers and buyers, creating a virtual space for conducting transactions. Businesses can list their products or services on these platforms to reach a wider customer base. Amazon, eBay, and Etsy are popular examples of marketplace platforms.

B2B eCommerce platforms

B2B eCommerce platforms provide features tailored for wholesale operations, bulk ordering, and managing complex pricing structures, including assigning different payment terms and sending invoices.

C2C (consumer-to-consumer) eCommerce platforms

C2C eCommerce platforms let individuals buy and sell products or services directly to one another, creating an online marketplace for peer-to-peer transactions.

Top 7 eCommerce platforms in Australia

The best eCommerce software platforms for Australian businesses are:

• Shopify

• Wix

• Squarespace

• WooCommerce

• Adobe Commerce (Magento)

• Amazon Australia

• BigCommerce

1. Shopify

Shopify is a popular eCommerce platform that lets businesses create an online store and sell products and eCommerce subscriptions globally. The platform offers its own payment gateway, Shopify Payments, so businesses can sell directly to customers without having to go through a marketplace.

Features: Some of Shopify's key features include customisable templates, inventory and order management, analytics, and reporting. Using the platform’s proprietary payment solution, Shopify Payments, sellers can accept customer payments in major cards and six local payment methods across 23 countries. For merchants requiring a wider global coverage, Shopify integrates with third-party payment gateway providers and services like Airwallex, which lets businesses with international customers accept payments in 160+ local payment methods across 180+ countries.

Pricing: Shopify offers four different pricing plans based on the seller's needs and budget. The most basic plan starts at A$42 per month, while the advanced plan can go up to A$431 per month. There's also a Shopify Plus plan for enterprise businesses with higher sales volume, starting at A$3,425 per month. For businesses using Shopify Payments, card rates start from 1.75% + 30c per transaction.²

Pros

• Easy to get started

• User-friendly online store editor

• Scalable with their enterprise solution, Shopify Plus

• Offers retail point-of-sale (POS) system

Cons

• Shopify Payments is only available in 23 countries

• Relies on Liquid, a proprietary templating language unfamiliar to some developers

• Lack of native email hosting and limited content marketing tools

2. Wix

Wix is a website builder that provides an easy and intuitive way for individuals and businesses to create professional-looking websites without coding. It offers a wide range of customisable templates for eCommerce, restaurants, personal blogs, photography, and more.

Features: Wix offers support for day-to-day business operations, such as marketing tools, inventory management, and POS systems. 

Pricing: Wix offers a free plan, but it doesn't include payment processing features. For businesses looking to accept payments, Wix offers four paid plans priced between A$21 and A$199 per month.³ Additionally, the platform provides enterprise solutions with personalised account support for larger-scale needs.

Pros

• Easy-to-use and intuitive interface

• Flexible and customisable templates

• Drag-and-drop design tools

• No coding knowledge needed

Cons

• Generally tailored for beginner eCommerce use

• You may need to rely on third-party payment providers, incurring additional fees

• Limited access to code and advanced customisation options for developers

3. Squarespace

Squarespace is a website builder known for its modern and sleek design aesthetic. It provides easy-to-use design tools to help businesses build their eCommerce sites without having any coding or technical knowledge.

Features: Squarespace offers a variety of mobile-optimised eCommerce templates and layout designs, ensuring your online store looks great on any device. The platform accepts various payment methods through Squarespace Payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, and Link by Stripe. 

Pricing: Squarespace offers three Business and Commerce plans, with pricing ranging from A$24 to A$149 per month. Business plan users are charged a 3% transaction fee, while Commerce Basic and Advanced plan users enjoy zero transaction fees.⁴

Pros

• Straightforward website-building tools with no coding experience required

• Built-in marketing tools such as email campaigns, SEO features, and social media integration

• Integrations with third-party tools like Easyship and AfterShip

Cons

• Lacks support for advanced online store customisation

• Doesn't support the complex menus needed for building multilingual websites

• More focused on website creation and design elements than eCommerce-specific features

4. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is the open-source eCommerce platform for WordPress. It's free to use and gives users full control over their online store's design, customisation, and data.

Features: WooCommerce lets businesses accept customer payments from around the world with its online payment service. It also offers integrations with third-party providers like Airwallex to enable businesses to accept funds in the same currency their customers pay in, eliminating conversion fees.

Pricing: WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress, with no setup costs or monthly fees. To process payments through WooPayments, transaction fees for card payments start at 1.75% + 30c.⁵

Pros

• Dedicated eCommerce features, such as inventory and order management

• Option to sync products across multiple marketplaces

• Designed to scale as your business grows

Cons

• Only compatible with WordPress as a CMS

• Requires some technical knowledge to set up and maintain

• Limited customer support

5. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)

Adobe Commerce, previously known as Magento, is an open-source eCommerce platform designed for building and managing feature-rich online stores for both B2C and B2B businesses. Adobe acquired the platform in 2018, and it’s now part of its Experience Cloud product suite.

Features: Adobe Commerce enables sales representatives and customer support agents to log into customer accounts and create orders on their behalf. The platform also lets users give custom product recommendations to customers based on their browsing and purchase history.

Pricing: The cost for Adobe Commerce plans ranges from A$17,878 to A$368,00+ annually, which includes licensing, hosting, and all additional fees. Transaction fees typically start from 2.9% + 45c⁶.

Pros

• Highly customisable and flexible

• Easy inventory and order management

• Ability to deliver personalised shopping experiences

Cons

• High cost compared to other open-source options

• Complex store setup and maintenance process

• Not suitable for smaller businesses

6. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is designed to help businesses create and manage online stores. It provides a more comprehensive and scalable solution compared to alternatives with simple and quick setups. 

Features: BigCommerce offers robust features, including unlimited products and staff accounts, and multiple sales channels such as eBay, Amazon, Facebook, and Google Shopping. Its more premium plans offer abandoned cart recovery, store credit cards, and Google customer reviews. 

Pricing: BigCommerce offers four plans based on annual sales volumes. Standard plans start from A$43 per month, and larger enterprises can receive custom pricing for over A$596,000 in annual sales volume. 

Pros

• Highly comprehensive platform to scale with

• No additional transaction fees for all plans 

• Strong sales features and multi-channel integration

Cons

• Setup can be considered challenging 

• Website design offers limited customisation 

• Doesn’t have advanced AI tools for generating content 

7. Amazon Australia

Amazon is one of the world's biggest marketplaces with over 200 million Prime members and 300 million active customers worldwide. The platform sells everything from electronics to books, toys, clothing, and more.

Features: Amazon helps businesses sell worldwide through its 22 global stores, and businesses can also create sponsored product ads on Amazon to appear in related search results and on product pages.

Pricing: Amazon charges 99c per unit sold for sellers using their Individual Plan and A$49.95 per month for those using their Professional Plan. Referral fees range from 6% to 15% per item sold, and logistics fees apply when you ship your orders with Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) or Amazon Easy Ship (AES) services. Amazon also charges a cost-per-click fee when a customer clicks on your Amazon Ad.

Pros

• Access to a large global audience

• Strong logistics network

• Option to outsource fulfilment to Amazon

• Integrations with thousands of third-party software applications, including Airwallex

Cons

• Highly competitive marketplace

• Limited access to customer data, which makes it difficult to build strong relationships with them

• It may be difficult to build a brand in the Amazon ecosystem

Key considerations when choosing an eCommerce platform

When choosing a platform for your eCommerce business in Australia, consider the following key factors to ensure the best fit for your needs:

• Target audience and business model: Consider whether the platform caters to B2B or B2C transactions, supports international shipping, and aligns with your target market's payment preferences and shopping behaviours.

• Analyse your budget and costs: Compare pricing across platforms, including transaction fees, monthly subscriptions, and extra costs for add-ons or changes.

• Ease of use and scalability: Look for user-friendly platforms with intuitive interfaces and easy setup processes. Consider each platform's scalability to accommodate your future business growth and handle more traffic and sales volume.

• Multi-currency support: Opting for an eCommerce platform that provides quick, easy settlement in multiple currencies can help you save on costly foreign exchange conversion fees. 

• Payment methods: Evaluate the platform's payment options to ensure they align with your customers' preferences. Look for support for third-party eCommerce payment systems and solutions like Airwallex, which offers access to 160+ local payment methods and payment collection methods in 180+ currencies, as well as a more cost-effective solution for handling international transactions.

• SEO and marketing tools: Evaluate the platform's built-in SEO capabilities, such as customisable URLs, metadata, keyword research, and mobile-friendly templates. Look for marketing features like social media and Google Ads integration to boost visibility and customer engagement.

• Security features. Choose platforms with built-in fraud prevention tools, like Airwallex, to protect your business against chargebacks – especially when dealing with international payments.

Accept payments and simplify cross-border transactions with Airwallex for eCommerce

When choosing the best eCommerce platform for a small business in Australia, you may also be considering expanding to international markets as your eCommerce business grows. To scale successfully, you need a reliable global payment gateway that can help you accept customer payments from around the world. 

Airwallex’s payment solution lets you accept payments from 180+ countries using 160+ local payment methods. This helps to increase checkout rates by offering your customers the options they prefer. Additionally, you’ll save more with multi-currency settlement, which enables you to accept payments in 11 foreign currencies without automatic conversion to Australian dollars, avoiding unnecessary FX fees.

We also offer our own checkout solution. It’s easy to add to your site, with no coding required, and it lets you accept currencies and payment methods from across the world quickly and efficiently. 

What’s more, the platform seamlessly integrates with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Adobe Commerce, or you can link your Airwallex multi-currency account to marketplace platforms like Shopee and Carousell and receive payments in your customers’ preferred currencies.

Beyond a payment gateway, Airwallex is an end-to-end financial operations platform. From accepting global payments to opening multi-currency accounts, Airwallex equips your business with the tools to thrive in international markets. You can receive and hold funds in 21 currencies, pay overseas suppliers directly, and avoid costly double conversions. Our platform removes the hassle of currency exchange, simplifying cross-border commerce and helping your business operate more efficiently as you expand globally.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any government grants or subsidies available in Australia for eCommerce businesses?

Yes, several grants and subsidies are available to provide financial assistance for eCommerce businesses, including:

• Export Market Development Grants (EMDG): The EMDG supports Australia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in exporting goods and services across different stages of export development into existing and new markets. 

• Minimum Viable Product Ventures Program: Funded by the NSW government, this program supports startups and innovative SMEs in digital systems, software, and tourism sectors.

Can I use multiple eCommerce platforms simultaneously, and what are the pros and cons?

Yes, businesses have the flexibility to use multiple eCommerce platforms simultaneously. This approach lets them expand their online presence, diversify revenue streams, and test different strategies. 

But managing multiple platforms can be more complex, potentially requiring additional resources to keep the inventory synchronised across platforms. Furthermore, maintaining consistent pricing, branding, and customer experience across multiple platforms can be challenging. You also have to make sure that listing your products on marketplaces doesn’t undermine or negatively impact your direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales through your own online store. 

By carefully weighing the pros and cons, businesses can make an informed decision that aligns with their goals and capabilities.

How do eCommerce platforms ensure the security of transactions and customer data?

Most eCommerce platforms have implemented robust security measures to prevent unauthorised access and ensure secure transactions. These include using encryption technology, implementing two-factor authentication, and regularly updating security protocols. 

Platforms also adhere to strict compliance regulations such as PCI DSS to maintain the security of sensitive payment information. By using trusted payment gateway providers like Airwallex, businesses can further improve the security of their transactions and protect their customer data.

What’s the difference between a payment gateway service and payment service providers (PSPs)? 

A payment gateway and a payment service provider (PSP) both facilitate online transactions, but they differ in scope. A payment gateway securely transmits payment information from the customer to the payment processor, acting as the intermediary for transaction authorisation. In contrast, a PSP offers a broader range of services, including payment processing, fraud protection, and settlement, integrating various payment methods and currencies. 

For example, Airwallex is a payment gateway provider that not only provides payment gateway services, but also a full suite of financial management tools, including broad global payment scheme acceptance, integration with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, and the ability to hold funds in multiple currencies. 

Sources

1. https://ecommerce-report.auspost.com.au/ 

2. https://www.shopify.com/au/pricing

3. https://www.wix.com/plans 

4. https://www.squarespace.com/pricing

5. https://woocommerce.com/document/woopayments/fees-and-debits/fees/#australiam  

6. https://www.magestore.com/blog/magento-pricing-true-cost-of-magento-website/

This information doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. If you are a customer of Airwallex Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 487221) read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Direct Services available here.