WordPress eCommerce Plugins for Your Online Store [Top 10 List]

One of the questions we get a lot at cmsMinds is: “Which WordPress eCommerce plugin should I use for my online store?”

And honestly, it’s a fair question. I mean, there are tons of options out there, and if you’re not deep in the world of WordPress every day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even confused.

Over the years, we’ve worked with all kinds of companies, from small businesses and shops just getting started to more established brands looking to scale, and we’ve tried more plugins than we can count. Some have been great. Others… not so much.

So we thought we’d save you some time.

In this post, we’re sharing 10 of the best WordPress eCommerce plugins we’ve come to trust. These are the ones that actually help store owners get things done, whether that’s setting up products, managing payments, or just making the buying experience smoother for customers.

Why Choosing the Right eCommerce Plugin Matters

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from building online stores, it’s that not all plugins play nice, and definitely not every “top-rated” plugin is actually the right fit for your store.

We’ve seen websites slow to a crawl because of bloated tools, or store owners struggling with clunky checkouts that turn customers away. And in most of those cases, the issue wasn’t the website itself, it was the plugins running behind the scenes.

That’s why it’s so important to pick the right ones from the start.

It should work well with your theme, be easy to manage, and not weigh your site down. Bonus points if it saves you time on the boring stuff like inventory or taxes.

That’s exactly why we put this list together — to help you skip the trial and error and go straight to what actually works.

Top 10 WordPress eCommerce Plugins

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to eCommerce plugins. What works for a store selling digital downloads might not be the best choice for someone shipping physical products.

These are the plugins we’ve seen work well across different types of stores — plugins we’ve used, recommended, and sometimes even wrestled with ourselves.

Let’s break them down:

1. WooCommerce

Best for: Almost any kind of store — physical or digital products

If you’re using WordPress and want to start selling online, WooCommerce is a free WordPress eCommerce plugin most people turn to, and for good reason. It’s not just the most popular eCommerce plugin for WordPress, it’s one of the most trusted tools out there, period.

We’ve used WooCommerce for everything from small craft shops selling handmade candles to larger businesses with hundreds of SKUs. What makes it so useful is how flexible it is. Out of the box, you can sell physical products, digital downloads, or a mix of both.

But the real power comes from its ecosystem —you can extend it with hundreds of plugins and integrations that cover almost anything: shipping calculators, subscriptions, bookings, bundles, memberships, you name it.

That said, flexibility has its tradeoffs. Once you start adding too many plugins or customizations, things can get a little heavy. We’ve seen sites slow down or run into conflicts when they’re overloaded. So our advice? Start simple. Get the core of your store running well, and only add what you truly need.

When used thoughtfully, WooCommerce gives you full control over your store, and that’s a big deal for business owners who want something they can grow with.

2. Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)

Best for: Selling digital products

Not every online store needs shipping labels and fulfillment workflows. A lot of businesses today are built entirely around digital products — whether that’s software, PDFs, music, or online courses. That’s where Easy Digital Downloads comes in.

We started using EDD years ago for a client selling downloadable templates. At the time, we tried to make it work with WooCommerce, but honestly, it felt like we were trying to drive a bus down a bike lane. WooCommerce was just too much. That’s when we gave EDD a shot, and immediately, things clicked.

EDD is made specifically for selling digital goods. It doesn’t come with unnecessary product weight settings, shipping zones, or stock management you don’t need. What it does offer is clean and simple product setup, secure file delivery, built-in licensing options, and a surprisingly great checkout experience. You can even set up recurring payments or sell software with license keys if needed.

One of the things we’ve always appreciated is how lightweight it is. It doesn’t try to be everything; it just focuses on digital sales, and it does that really well.

We’ve used it for creators selling eBooks, web designers offering downloadable assets, and even SaaS products that need software delivery with license management. In all those cases, EDD made things easier, not harder.

3. Shopify Buy Button

Best for: Keeping your WordPress site while using Shopify’s backend

Every now and then, we work with clients who already have their eCommerce store running on Shopify and they’re mostly happy with it, but they want more control over their content, blogging, or design. That’s where WordPress comes in. The challenge? Getting the two platforms to talk to each other smoothly.

That’s where the Shopify Buy Button plugin really shines.

It’s not a full eCommerce system, and that’s kind of the point. It’s a simple way to embed products and collections from your Shopify store directly into your WordPress site. You keep all your content and design in WordPress, and Shopify handles everything else: inventory, payments, taxes, and fulfillment.

We had one client, a boutique skincare brand, who built a beautiful WordPress site but didn’t want to move their whole store off Shopify. They didn’t need two platforms fighting for control. The Buy Button plugin was a perfect middle ground. It lets them keep their WordPress blog and landing pages while still using Shopify’s reliable checkout and backend.

4. BigCommerce for WordPress

Best for: Stores that need serious scale without slowing down

We usually recommend BigCommerce for online businesses that are either already growing fast or plan to. I mean, especially the ones that don’t just need a store, but need a system that can handle a lot of moving parts without breaking down.

There was this one project we worked on — a company selling custom parts with a huge product catalog, complex tax rules, and fulfillment across multiple countries. Trying to run all of that on a single WordPress install would’ve been a nightmare. We suggested BigCommerce for a WordPress website, and it was exactly the right fit.

What we liked most was that it allowed the marketing team to keep using WordPress exactly how they liked (which meant faster edits, better SEO, etc.) while the eCommerce side stayed stable and secure on BigCommerce’s infrastructure.

It’s probably overkill for a small shop just starting out — no need to bring in the big guns if you’re only selling a few items. But if you’re managing a lot of inventory, selling across multiple channels, or just need something that won’t fall apart when traffic spikes… BigCommerce is built for that kind of pressure.

5. CartFlows

Best for: Stores that want better conversions

You might hate it, but I’m going to say it anyway. WooCommerce is great, but its default checkout flow? Not so much. It’s functional, sure, but it’s not exactly built to convert. That’s when we started to look for other options and WooCommerce alternatives.

We first tried CartFlows on a client’s site that was getting traffic but not enough completed purchases. They were doing everything right, good products, decent site speed, clean layout, but their checkout process was too basic. It felt like an afterthought. CartFlows helped us turn that around.

What makes CartFlows stand out is that it brings sales funnel logic to WordPress. You’re not just creating pages for your products, you’re guiding people through a buying journey. Think custom landing pages, one-click upsells, order bumps, and even split-testing different versions of a checkout page. It’s like giving your store a conversion-focused brain.

We’ve used it to build everything from lead generation funnels to full product launch sequences. The best part? You don’t need to be a marketing genius to use it. The drag-and-drop builder works with popular page builders like Elementor or Gutenberg, so customizing everything is super intuitive.

6. WP Simple Pay

Best for: Quick, no-fuss payments (especially for services, one-time sales, or donations)

Not every business needs a full shopping cart. Sometimes, all you really need is a simple way to accept payments — no product catalog, no shipping setup, no hassle. We’ve seen this a lot with clients offering services, digital consultations, or single-payment offers. And every time, WP Simple Pay has been our go-to recommendation.

We used it once for a consultant who just wanted to collect booking fees online. She didn’t want to deal with setting up WooCommerce or worrying about managing orders, so she just needed a clean payment form that worked. WP Simple Pay took us about 30 minutes to set up, and it’s been working quietly in the background ever since.

It’s built specifically for Stripe, so right out of the gate, you get access to modern payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit card support, and recurring billing, without needing a full-blown store. You can set custom amounts, collect customer info, and even create subscription-style payments if needed.

What we like most is how lightweight it is. No bloated features, no unnecessary complexity. It just does its job well. And when you don’t want the overhead of WooCommerce or simply don’t need it, that’s a big win.

7. MemberPress

Best for: Membership sites, gated content, and recurring subscriptions

Memberships are a different kind of challenge. You’re not just trying to sell products, you’re building an experience, managing access, and often setting up recurring payments. We’ve worked with a lot of clients who tried to use general WordPress eCommerce plugins to do this, and things usually fell apart pretty fast. That’s when we point them to MemberPress.

It’s hands-down one of the best WordPress eCommerce plugins if your business revolves around subscriptions, courses, or premium content. We once helped a fitness coach build a full membership site with on-demand videos and private forums. She had tried a bunch of other plugins before, but nothing gave her the control and simplicity MemberPress did.

What makes it stand out? It handles the complex stuff like content protection, access rules, and subscription management without requiring a dozen extra plugins or custom work. You can create multiple membership levels, drip content over time, and even track member progress if you’re offering courses. Plus, it works great with Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay, and integrates with tools like Google Analytics and email marketing platforms.

If you’re building a WordPress website around community or content instead of just selling physical items, this is one of the best eCommerce plugins to have in your toolbox.

8. Ecwid Ecommerce Shopping Cart

Best for: Selling across multiple channels with a simple setup

Not every business wants to go deep into customizing an online store from scratch. Some just want to start selling quickly on their WordPress site, on social media, maybe even on Amazon, without getting bogged down in the technical details. That’s where Ecwid really works well.

We’ve used it for smaller online stores and startups that wanted to move fast — people who weren’t ready for something like WooCommerce or just wanted fewer moving parts. One client, a jewelry maker, had her blog on WordPress and wanted to sell her products on Instagram and Facebook, too. Instead of building everything into her site, we hooked her up with Ecwid. She had a working eCommerce store with synced inventory and multiple currencies in a day.

What’s cool about Ecwid is that it’s not tied down to WordPress alone. You install it as a plugin, but all the heavy lifting happens off-site, meaning your website stays light and fast. You can manage everything from one dashboard: product listings, payments, orders, and even mobile optimization.

It’s a great option for businesses that want to sell online with minimal fuss. You don’t have to worry about managing too many plugins or stitching together different tools. Ecwid gives you a pretty seamless experience right out of the box, and the free version is surprisingly capable for smaller shops.

Of course, it’s not as customizable as some of the bigger platforms. If you need advanced shipping rules, deep product filters, or lots of design tweaks, you might feel a little boxed in. But if you’re after a clean, reliable, and flexible way to run your eCommerce website, especially across platforms, Ecwid is a smart choice.

9. WooCommerce Subscriptions

Best for: Adding recurring billing to your WooCommerce store

Sometimes your store needs more than one-time purchases. Maybe you’re offering monthly boxes, digital memberships, or subscription-based services. We’ve had several clients in this space, and when they’re already running a WooCommerce store, we almost always recommend WooCommerce Subscriptions.

It’s an official extension, which means it plays nicely with the rest of the WooCommerce ecosystem. One project that stands out was a coffee subscription business. The owner was already selling physical products through his WordPress eCommerce site, but he wanted to introduce recurring deliveries — think Netflix, but for caffeine. We added WooCommerce Subscriptions, helped him set up plans and billing cycles, and within a week he had a fully automated system in place.

This plugin gives you the tools to create flexible billing models — weekly, monthly, annually, or custom intervals. You can offer free trials, sign-up fees, and even let customers pause or change their subscription. And it all fits smoothly into the existing WooCommerce plugin experience.

It also supports automatic email reminders, renewal payments, and integrates well with Google Analytics to help track churn and revenue.

It’s worth noting that this is a premium extension, not a free WordPress eCommerce plugin, but for businesses built around recurring revenue, it’s more of an investment than a cost.

10. YITH WooCommerce Wishlist

Best for: Boosting engagement and bringing customers back

Sometimes it’s not about making a sale right away — it’s about giving customers a reason to come back. We saw this firsthand with a client running a WordPress eCommerce store for home decor. Beautiful products, solid traffic, but a lot of people were browsing without buying. We added a wishlist feature, and almost immediately, we saw a bump in repeat visits and purchases.

That feature came from YITH WooCommerce Wishlist, and it’s become a bit of a favorite for us.

It lets users save products they’re interested in, kind of like bookmarking their future cart. They can return later, share their wishlist with friends or partners (great for gift shopping), or just keep track of items as they browse. It’s a small feature, but for the right eCommerce site, it adds a lot of value.

The setup is easy, and it works smoothly with most WooCommerce plugins and themes. You can customize the wishlist button to match your branding, and even see which products are most often added to wishlists, which gives you insight into what your customers love, even if they’re not ready to buy yet.

It’s especially helpful during holidays or promotional events, where shoppers are planning purchases ahead of time. And because it works right within your existing WooCommerce store, there’s no need for complicated integrations or heavy add-ons.

How to Choose the Best WordPress eCommerce Plugin for Your Needs

After going through all these tools, you might be wondering: “Okay, but which one is right for my store?”

We get it. There’s no shortage of options, and even though we’ve worked with all of these plugins across different types of businesses, the truth is — what works perfectly for one site might be a terrible fit for another.

Here’s how we usually approach this with clients:

1. Start with what you’re selling

If you’re selling digital products such as eBooks, software, or design assets, something lightweight like Easy Digital Downloads might be perfect. If you’re offering memberships or online courses, then MemberPress is probably going to save you a lot of headaches. But if you’re shipping physical items, WooCommerce or BigCommerce for WordPress are much better options.

There’s no “best WordPress eCommerce plugin” in a vacuum, it has to match your business model.

2. Think about how simple or complex you want things to be

Some plugins, like WP Simple Pay or Ecwid, are ideal for folks who just want to get set up and start selling. No advanced features, no endless configuration — just quick setup and a clean payment flow.

Others, like WooCommerce, give you tons of flexibility, but you’ll also need to manage add-ons, settings, and sometimes extra plugins for things like shipping or tax.

3. Consider the experience you want for your customers

The checkout experience can make or break your conversions. Tools like CartFlows or YITH Wishlist are designed specifically to improve that. If your current checkout feels clunky or flat, it might be time to enhance it with one of these tools. Small changes can lead to noticeable improvements in your average order value.

4. Don’t overbuild from day one

This one’s big: just because a plugin has 100 features doesn’t mean you need all of them. We’ve seen plenty of stores get bloated with too many plugins, which can slow down your WordPress website, cause conflicts, or just make it harder to manage.

Start with the essentials. Grow from there.

5. Look at support and updates

Whatever plugin you go with, make sure it’s being actively maintained. Look for regular updates, a helpful support team, and a user community (especially with open-source tools). A good plugin should grow with your eCommerce store, not hold it back.

Conclusion

When you’re building or growing an online store, the tools you choose can either make your life easier or add unnecessary headaches. And with so many WordPress eCommerce plugins out there, it’s easy to get pulled in a dozen directions.

We’ve worked on enough projects to know that you don’t always need the flashiest plugin or the one with the most features. What you need is the one that fits your business, your products, your process, and your customers.

Some stores do great with something simple and focused. Others need more flexibility or room to scale. And that’s the beauty of WordPress: whether you’re selling digital downloads, subscriptions, or physical products, there’s likely a plugin that gets the job done without overcomplicating things.

If you’re unsure where to start, just focus on your core needs. What are you trying to sell? What kind of experience do you want to give your customers? From there, the right tools tend to reveal themselves.

If you ever feel stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out. At cmsMinds, a reliable WordPress plugin development agency, we’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t), and we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.