The 7 Best E-Commerce Platforms in 2025

Choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial for online business success. In 2025, the global e-commerce market is projected to reach USD 4.8 trillion, and businesses—small and large—need reliable platforms to capture this opportunity. Below we present a list of the best e-commerce platforms for small businesses, large businesses, and enterprises, with a particular focus on the UAE market.

We cover each platform’s strengths, key features, pricing and why they remain among the top choices in 2025.

1. Shopify

Shopify is a leading all-in-one e-commerce platform known for its ease of use and scalability. It powers over 2 million merchants worldwide​ and holds around 30–32% of the U.S. e-commerce platform market share, making it a top choice for small and medium businesses. Shopify offers a fully hosted solution – you can create a professional online store without coding, and it scales up to support large stores and even enterprises via Shopify Plus. In 2025, Shopify continues to dominate the market, backed by continuous innovation and a massive ecosystem of apps and developers. For UAE-based entrepreneurs, Shopify supports local payment gateways such as PayTabs and Telr.

Features & Benefits

• User-Friendly Store Builder: Intuitive website editor with 100+ free and paid themes to quickly design your storefront. No technical expertise required to launch a professional shop.
• Extensive App Ecosystem: Access to over 6,000 apps for extending functionality (SEO, marketing, dropshipping, etc.), allowing high flexibility in adding features.
• Multi-Channel Selling: Built-in integrations to sell on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, eBay and more. A robust Shopify POS supports in-person sales.
• Reliable & Secure: Fully hosted with excellent uptime, fast global CDN, SSL included, and Level 1 PCI DSS compliant for secure payments. Shopify handles all the technical infrastructure and security updates for you.
• Scalable Plans (SMB to Enterprise): Ranges from basic plans for new entrepreneurs up to Shopify Plus for large enterprises, ensuring the platform can grow with your business.

Pricing (Monthly)

• Basic – AED 143 (USD 39).
• Shopify (Standard) – AED 385 (USD 105).
• Advanced – AED 1,465 (USD 399).
• Plus (Enterprise) – ~AED 8,440 (USD 2,300).

For a detailed pricing list, see their website. All plans include hosting, unlimited bandwidth, and 24/7 support. Transaction fees are 0% if you use Shopify Payments, or up to 2.0% with external gateways. A Starter plan (for social media selling) is available at AED 18 (USD 5) per month.

Shopify remains one of the best e-commerce platforms in 2025, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. Its intuitive interface helps new merchants launch quickly, while advanced features and Shopify Plus accommodate larger enterprises. With a robust UAE community and support for local payment processors, it’s a safe, high-performance choice for online businesses in the region.

2. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress, making it ideal for those who want full control of their online store. Launched in 2011, WooCommerce has become the most widely used e-commerce platform globally, powering over 6 million live websites​ (around 20% of all online stores as of 2024​). It’s an excellent fit if you already have a WordPress site. In 2025, WooCommerce remains a top option due to its flexibility, though it requires a bit more technical management than hosted platforms. Local UAE payment gateways such as Telr and PayTabs can also be integrated via plugins.

Features & Benefits

• Highly Customisable: Complete freedom to tailor your store’s functionality and design. Thousands of plugins and extensions (free and paid) allow features like bookings, subscriptions, multi-currency, and more.
• Content Integration: Seamlessly integrates e-commerce with WordPress’s powerful CMS capabilities. Perfect for content-heavy sites that want to blend blogging or landing pages with a shop.
• Large Community & Resources: Huge developer community and extensive documentation. Users benefit from community-created themes and plugins, and finding support or developers for custom work is easy.
• Cost-Effective: The core WooCommerce plugin is free (AED 0). This lowers entry cost; you only pay for hosting and optional premium extensions.
• Ownership & Control: You retain full ownership of your store’s code and data, with no platform transaction fees.

Pricing (Monthly)

• Core Plugin – Free (open-source).
• Hosting – Pircing varies; for small stores, hosting can start around AED 30–75 (USD 8–20) per month.
• Extensions/Themes – Optional costs apply if you need premium plugins. These are typically one-time fees or yearly subscriptions ranging from ~AED 37 to AED 1,100 (USD 10–300).

For detailed pricing estimates, see their website. Many small businesses can start with minimal monthly costs, though larger operations may need higher-end hosting and premium plugins.

WooCommerce is highly relevant in 2025, especially for those seeking maximum flexibility and ownership. Performance depends on your hosting and setup. Regular updates from Automattic keep WooCommerce current. If you’re comfortable managing technical aspects or hiring a developer, WooCommerce remains a top-tier choice.

3. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a robust SaaS (software as a service) e-commerce platform geared towards fast-growing and mid-market businesses. It’s a fully hosted solution like Shopify, but it is often praised for offering more built-in features that are out-of-the-box and for its focus on scalability. BigCommerce powers tens of thousands of stores globally, with over 30% of its users in the mid-market or enterprise range. For UAE-based sellers, BigCommerce supports key local payment gateways and is ideal for businesses anticipating rapid growth. In practice, BigCommerce stores are known for solid uptime and quick page speeds, and the regular rollouts of updates (e.g., multi-storefront capability, marketplace integrations, and advanced SEO tools) to keep stores cutting-edge.

Features & Benefits

• No Additional Transaction Fees: BigCommerce does not charge its own transaction fees on sales (unlike some competitors). This can save merchants a lot as they scale, since you only pay the normal credit card processing fees.
• Rich Built-In Functionality: BigCommerce comes with many features built-in that would require plugins elsewhere – e.g. ratings & reviews, gift cards, wish lists, multi-currency, SEO optimisations, and robust discounting tools – all ready from day one. This reduces reliance on third-party apps and can lower total cost.
• Scalable Performance: Designed to handle large catalogues and high traffic, with a robust CDN and built-in SEO optimisations.
• B2B and Wholesale Ready: Strong support for B2B selling (especially on the Enterprise plan). Features like customer group pricing, bulk pricing lists, quote management, and a B2B-specific storefront make it a great choice for wholesalers or hybrid B2B/B2C companies.
• Headless Commerce Support: Use BigCommerce’s backend with a custom front-end for ultimate design flexibility.

Pricing (Monthly)

• Standard – AED 143 (USD 39).
• Plus – AED 385 (USD 105).
• Pro – AED 1,465 (USD 399)​. Pro plan pricing increases if sales go beyond set thresholds.
• Enterprise plans are custom-priced based on volume (typically required if annual online sales exceed ~AED 1.47M (USD 400k)). All plans include unlimited products, bandwidth, storage, and 24/7 support.

For a detailed pricing list, see their website.

BigCommerce remains a top e-commerce platform in 2025, particularly for established retailers and ambitious startups aiming to scale. Its commitment to performance and constant feature enhancements keep it competitive. The platform’s appeal to mid-size and larger sellers is evidenced by the fact that mid-market and enterprise firms account for roughly half of BigCommerce’s revenue.

4. Ecwid by Lightspeed

Ecwid (now part of Lightspeed) is a user-friendly e-commerce platform perfect for small businesses and beginners seeking a quick start. Ecwid allows you to embed an online store into any existing website or social media page and also offers a simple standalone store builder. A forever-free plan makes it particularly attractive for micro-sellers. In the UAE, Ecwid integrates with local payment gateways and offers a smooth solution for brick-and-mortar shops seeking an online presence.

Features & Benefits

• Embed to Any Site: Ecwid can plug into your existing presence – whether it’s a Wix site, WordPress blog, custom website, or even Facebook page. You just drop in a widget or use a plugin, and your store appears on that site. This makes it extremely easy to add a shop to an established website in minutes.
• Multi-Channel Selling: Sell simultaneously on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. Ecwid centralises your product catalog and inventory, so you can manage sales across social media, marketplaces, and your website from one dashboard.
• Free Plan Available: Ecwid offers a free forever plan (for a small product count) which is great for testing or very small operations.
• Ease of Use: The interface is beginner-friendly and the setup wizard guides you through adding products, setting up payments, and launching. It’s often praised as “intuitive” and “budget-friendly” by users​– no web development skills required to set up and launch.
• Lightspeed Integration: Now backed by Lightspeed, Ecwid can integrate with Lightspeed’s Retail POS, allowing unified in-store and online inventory management. It also benefits from Lightspeed’s resources – for example, improved payment options and more native integrations are rolling out, enhancing Ecwid’s capabilities in 2025.

Pricing (Monthly, Paid Annually)

• Free – AED 0 (USD 0) for a basic store (up to 10 products).
• Venture – AED 92 (USD 25). Covers most essentials (100 products, Facebook/Instagram store, mobile app, etc).
• Business – AED 165 (USD 45). This plan increases limits and adds features like abandoned cart emails and staff accounts.
• Unlimited – AED 385 (USD 105). This plan removes product limits entirely.

For a detailed pricing list, see their website. All Ecwid plans have 0% transaction fees (you only pay payment processor fees).

Ecwid continues to be among the best lightweight e-commerce solutions in 2025, particularly for those wanting a quick, budget-friendly way to sell online. Performance-wise, Ecwid stores are hosted on secure, fast servers – even as a widget on your site, the buying experience is smooth. The platform’s security and compliance are enterprise-grade (PCI DSS Level 1 certified). While it may not have the massive ecosystem of Shopify or WooCommerce, Ecwid stands out by fulfilling a niche: quick, easy online selling integrated with your existing website or POS.

5. Vendasta

Vendasta stands out as an end-to-end platform for digital agencies, media companies, and B2B providers offering e-commerce solutions to local businesses. Rather than being a direct DIY store builder for a single brand, Vendasta enables agencies to white-label e-commerce, marketing tools, and more—meaning they can rebrand and sell these services as their own without developing the software themselves. This is ideal for agencies managing multiple UAE-based clients, allowing them to offer comprehensive digital solutions under their own name.

Features & Benefits

• All-in-One Platform for Agencies: Vendasta is an “end-to-end management software for selling digital solutions to local businesses”. Agencies can provision online store services, plus other offerings (like SEO, social media, reviews management), all from one dashboard.
• White-Label & Multi-Client: The platform is completely white-label, meaning agencies can brand the dashboard as their own. It offers a client portal (Business App) where each small business client can log in to manage their store and other digital services under the agency’s branding. Vendasta is built to handle thousands of client accounts with role-based team access, making it truly multi-tenant.
• Marketplace of E-Commerce Solutions: Instead of building its own e-commerce CMS from scratch, Vendasta integrates best-in-class e-commerce software in its marketplace. For example, agencies can activate a store for a client using PinnacleCart or other e-commerce tools through Vendasta. ​This gives flexibility in choosing a store builder, while Vendasta ties together billing and management.
• Integrated CRM & Automation: Vendasta includes a built-in CRM to manage leads and clients, email marketing tools, proposal generator, project management, and even AI assistants. Its automation features help agencies onboard new clients, generate needs-assessment reports, and even automatically suggest upgrades (using the Snapshot report to identify a client’s gaps​). These save a lot of time and make it easier to scale an agency business.
• Extensive Support & Training: Vendasta provides 24/7 support, an online academy, and a community (Conquer Local) to help partners succeed. In 2025, they’ve also infused AI across the platform (for example, AI chatbots and AI content tools for clients).

Pricing (Monthly, Annually Billed)

• Starter – AED 290 (USD 79). This allows a single team member and basic features.
• Professional – AED 1,465 (USD 399). This includes up to 5 team members and expanded feature access.
• Premium – AED 2,930 (USD 799). This supports 10 team members and adds advanced tools and custom products.
• Custom Enterprise for larger organisations.

For a detailed pricing list, see their website. All plans allow unlimited client accounts and come with the full white-label platform. There’s also a free trial. Agencies may incur additional costs for any third-party software licenses they resell via the Vendasta Marketplace.

Vendasta is very much alive and thriving in 2025, especially among marketing agencies serving local UAE businesses. It is “excellent for marketing professionals looking for ready-made products and services to sell to local business owners”, effectively acting as a backbone for hundreds of agencies globally. It offers a scalable, AI-driven cloud platform with consistently high user ratings. For an agency or enterprise aiming to offer e-commerce solutions to multiple clients, Vendasta remains one of the best white-label options.

6. Adobe Commerce (Magento)

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is a robust platform for large businesses and enterprises that require advanced capabilities and full control of their online stores. Magento was once entirely open source; now, it’s part of the Adobe Experience Cloud, providing enterprise-level features, cloud hosting, and AI-driven insights. Suitable for complex or heavily customised e-commerce operations in the UAE, Adobe Commerce supports multiple currencies, languages, and storefronts at scale.

Features & Benefits

• Unmatched Flexibility: Adobe Commerce offers complete code access and an extensive modular architecture. This means merchants (or their developers) can customise virtually every aspect of the storefront and backend. Complex business models, bespoke checkout flows, or unique integrations can be built on Magento.
• Rich Feature Set: Out-of-the-box, Magento provides a comprehensive suite of e-commerce features: a powerful catalog system, support for multiple product types, advanced pricing rules, multi-store and multi-language support, built-in customer segments, loyalty programs, and much more. Especially with Adobe Commerce (paid), you get extras like AI product recommendations, visual merchandising tools, and a Page Builder for content. It’s a one-stop solution that can handle B2C and B2B needs (the B2B module includes quote management, company accounts, etc.).
• Scalability & Performance: Magento can handle very large product catalogues, high traffic, and global storefronts, backed by Adobe’s managed cloud.
• Large Developer Ecosystem: There are over 100,000 Magento developers globally and a vast marketplace of extensions (plugins) and themes.
• Omnichannel & Experience Integration: As part of Adobe’s ecosystem, Adobe Commerce can natively integrate with Adobe Experience Manager, Analytics, Target, and other Adobe tools to deliver a unified customer experience. For example, you can use Adobe’s CMS for content and Magento for commerce seamlessly. Additionally, Adobe Commerce has features for headless commerce and PWA (Progressive Web App) storefronts, enabling cutting-edge shopping experiences across web and mobile.

Pricing (Monthly)

• Magento Open Source– Free to download (license cost AED 0). However, running a Magento site incurs hosting and development costs.
• Adobe Commerce (Enterprise)–starts around AED 80,000 per year (USD 22k) and can exceed AED 460,000 (USD 125k) for high-volume businesses. Licensing is based on Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and Average Order Value (AOV).
• If you use Adobe Commerce Managed Services (Cloud), hosting is included but you’ll pay a premium (starting ~USD40,000/year and up, scaling with revenue).

For a detailed pricing list, see their website.

Adobe Commerce (Magento) firmly remains one of the best enterprise e-commerce platforms in 2025. It’s frequently chosen by large UAE retailers (Forrester, Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Commerce, etc.) requiring deep customisation and integration with ERP systems or advanced marketing tools. While it’s more complex and expensive than many competitors, Adobe Commerce offers near-limitless flexibility and performance when implemented correctly.

7. Zoho Commerce

Zoho Commerce is a cloud-based e-commerce platform that is part of the Zoho product family. Aimed at small to mid-sized businesses, it enables users to build online stores with ease while tightly integrating with Zoho’s suite of business apps (CRM, Inventory, Books accounting, Marketing tools, etc.). By 2025, it’s a strong contender for UAE merchants seeking an all-in-one approach—from website building to inventory management—without additional transaction fees.

Features & Benefits

• Seamless Zoho Ecosystem Integration: One of Zoho Commerce’s biggest advantages is native integration with Zoho’s other applications. Your online store can connect with Zoho Inventory (for stock management across online/offline channels), Zoho Books (for accounting), Zoho CRM (for customer data), and more.
• User-Friendly Store Builder: Zoho provides an intuitive drag-and-drop store builder with a selection of responsive themes. You can create product pages, set up categories, and design your homepage without coding. The platform includes conveniences like a mega menu builder, form builders, and CMS features (blog, pages) so you can manage your whole site in one place.
• E-commerce Essentials Built In: Key selling features are built into all plans – e.g. abandoned cart recovery emails, discount coupon codes, customer reviews and ratings, wishlist, related products (AI recommendations), and even support for digital products. Advanced plans add B2B-friendly features like price lists for customer groups, bulk ordering, and serial number tracking. Zoho Commerce covers both retail and basic wholesale needs well, and every plan supports unlimited orders with 0% commission on sales.
• Secure and Localised: Zoho Commerce includes free SSL, and stores are hosted on Zoho’s secure cloud infrastructure (with data centers in multiple regions, including the Middle East). The platform supports multiple currencies and localised checkout experiences.
• Analytics and Marketing Tools: Benefit from Zoho’s native analytics, email marketing, and SEO settings for holistic store management.

Pricing (Monthly)

• Starter – AED 99 (USD 27) for up to 2,000 products, 2 users.
• Professional – AED 275 (USD 75) for up to 10,000 products. 5 users.
• Advanced – AED 642 (USD 175) for up to 50,000 products, 25 users.

For a detailed pricing list, see their website. All plans include unlimited orders, bandwidth, and no transaction fees. Annual billing is around 20% cheaper.

Zoho Commerce is increasingly relevant in the UAE, especially for small and mid-sized businesses wanting an integrated software suite. Pages load quickly on Zoho’s secure cloud, and the platform continues to add features (e.g., advanced SEO, more payment gateways). It’s a cost-effective, highly versatile solution—particularly if you already use Zoho applications.

Start Your E-commerce Business with Virtuzone

Starting an e-commerce business in the UAE presents a wealth of opportunities, thanks to the region’s robust digital infrastructure and thriving economy. However, navigating the complexities of business setup—such as choosing the right free zone, obtaining a trade licence, and ensuring compliance with UAE regulations—requires expert guidance.

At Virtuzone, we provide end-to-end business setup support, helping entrepreneurs and businesses establish and manage their e-commerce ventures seamlessly. From company registration and trade licence acquisition to ongoing administrative and PRO services, our team ensures that your business is not only compliant but also set up for long-term success in the UAE’s competitive market.

For a step-by-step guide on launching your e-commerce enterprise in the UAE, visit our blog on Starting an E-Commerce Business in the UAE. To learn how Virtuzone can assist you in setting up and growing your online business, schedule a free consultation with us today.

FAQs

Do These Platforms Support Arabic Language Options?

Yes. Shopify, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, and WooCommerce offer either built-in or plugin-based support for Arabic storefronts, enabling you to reach Arabic-speaking customers effectively.

What Does White-Label Mean?

White-label refers to a product or service that is created by one company but rebranded and sold by another as their own. In the context of e-commerce and digital services, a white-label platform allows businesses—such as agencies or resellers—to offer fully branded solutions without developing the technology themselves.

Should I Choose a Hosted or Self-Hosted Platform?

Hosted platforms (e.g., Shopify, BigCommerce, Ecwid, Zoho Commerce) handle most technical details, which is convenient if you lack development resources. Self-hosted options (WooCommerce, Magento Open Source) give you more control but require more technical work. Choose based on your technical skill, budget, and the level of customisation you need.

Which E-Commerce Platform is Best for Small Businesses and Startups in the UAE?

For small businesses or startups in the UAE, user-friendly e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Ecwid, and Zoho Commerce provide quick, affordable ways to start selling online due to their user-friendly interfaces and straightforward setup. Both integrate well with UAE payment gateways, allowing you to start selling quickly.

Which E-Commerce Platform is Best for Enterprises in the UAE?

For enterprise or advanced needs, Adobe Commerce (Magento) stands out as an industrial-strength e-commerce platform, while agencies have Vendasta to power their client offerings.

Which E-Commerce Platform is Best for Large Businesses in the UAE?

For larger and scaling businesses, e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce and BigCommerce offer flexibility and power to grow without replatforming.

How Do I Manage VAT for UAE E-Commerce?

Platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Zoho Commerce allow you to set up VAT rules in the checkout process. You can also integrate accounting tools (e.g., Zoho Books, Xero) to handle VAT reporting more seamlessly.

What Payment Gateways are Popular in the UAE?

Common payment gateways include PayTabs, Telr, Stripe, PayPal, and Checkout.com. Most top platforms provide easy integrations for these gateways, ensuring secure and convenient checkouts.

Do I Need a Trade Licence to Sell Online in the UAE?

Yes, you’ll need a trade licence (often an e-trader licence or similar) to operate an e-commerce business in the UAE. Specific requirements vary by emirate, so check local regulations before setting up your online store.