The best shopping cart plugins for WordPress make it easy to integrate ecommerce functionality into your website.
While some plugins might only enable add-to-cart button shortcodes, others, like WooCommerce, provide an ecosystem of extensions and tools to help you build a store befitting of the best brands.
With the right plugin, you can:
Sell physical and digital products with customizable product pages and advanced inventory management
Configure multiple payment gateways, shipping options, and tax calculations to provide a seamless checkout experience
Automate marketing and sales processes through email, social, and advertising platform integrations
This article reveals the best free and paid WordPress shopping cart plugins to help you build a store and start selling.
Let’s get started.
Maximize your ecommerce sales with Omnisend’s abandoned cart recovery tools and integrated email and SMS marketing
How we chose the best WordPress shopping cart plugins
Some shopping cart plugins like WooCommerce were easy picks because they have a fantastic user base and proven ecosystem.
Others, such as WP EasyCart, required more in-depth research into their features and pricing to assess capabilities and value.
We considered the following factors:
Ease of use and implementation, even for businesses with limited technical expertise
The comprehensiveness of the feature set beyond basic shopping cart functionality
Flexibility and customization options to align with a business’s branding and unique requirements
Robust security and reliable performance to protect customer data and provide a seamless shopping experience
Value (premium versions)
Seamless integration with the WordPress ecosystem, including popular themes, plugins, and third-party services
When making our choices, we wanted to recommend shopping cart plugins for WordPress that were easy to use and implement.
We prioritized plugins with comprehensive features beyond basic shopping cart functionality, such as inventory management, and those that provided flexibility and customization options for branding.
10 best WordPress shopping cart plugins
Here’s a list of the top 10 WordPress shopping cart plugins that stand out:
WooCommerce is the first choice for most ecommerce stores on WordPress because it offers a powerful combination of simplicity and flexibility.
It’s free, open-source, and built specifically for WordPress, making it instantly familiar to millions of users. The platform provides robust out-of-the-box features for selling physical and digital products, while its extensive marketplace of plugins and themes allows for virtually limitless customization.
This balance of core functionality and extendability, coupled with full ownership of data and content, makes WooCommerce suitable for businesses of all sizes.
Key features
Open-source nature allows for unparalleled customization to meet diverse store requirements
Offers an extensive range of extensions from payment solutions to tailored shipping options
Taps into WordPress’s powerful blogging capabilities to draw organic traffic
Equipped with sophisticated tools to streamline stock management and order tracking
Simplifies the process of adding new products, ensuring a hassle-free user experience
Pros
Open-source and free core platform
Highly customizable with themes and extensions
Seamless integration with WordPress
Suitable for physical, digital, and subscriptions products
Wide range of payment and shipping options
Built-in tools for business operations (e.g., tax calculation, inventory management)
Strong developer community and documentation
Mobile app for on-the-go store management
Cons
Requires technical knowledge for advanced customizations
Performance can be affected by poorly optimized extensions
Some advanced features require paid extensions, potentially increasing costs significantly
Free, however, there might be costs associated with some extensions, themes, or hosting. Interested in getting a comprehensive overview of potential expenses? Check out Omnisend’s breakdown of WooCommerce pricing.
Pro tip: Want to learn more about WooCommerce’s product addition process? Consider exploring Omnisend’s guide on how to add products to WooCommerce. It’s a valuable resource that guides ecommerce brands on how to set things up quickly and correctly.
The Ecwid Ecommerce Shopping Cart plugin for WordPress offers a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for online selling.
It seamlessly integrates with WordPress sites, allowing you to easily add a fully functional store to your existing website.
The plugin stands out for its versatility. It enables sales across multiple channels, including the WordPress site itself, social media platforms, and popular marketplaces, all managed from a single dashboard.
One of the plugin’s key strengths is its accessibility for users of all technical levels. With no coding required, even beginners can quickly set up a professional-looking store using a range of customization options.
Key features
Ecwid seamlessly connects with platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and marketplaces like Amazon
Its design ensures a consistent shopping experience, irrespective of the device used
Real-time inventory management tools prevent overselling by maintaining accurate stock levels
The checkout process is smooth and also fortified with robust security measures
With support for multiple languages and currencies, Ecwid appeals to a global audience
Pros
Integrates with multiple websites, social media platforms, and marketplaces
Suitable for beginners with no coding knowledge
Integrates with PayPal, Stripe, and 40+ other payment gateways
Integrates with major shipping carriers and provides automatic tax calculations
iOS and Android apps for store management
Unlimited storage, automatic backups, and seamless upgrades
WP EasyCart lets you quickly set up a WordPress store to sell physical products, digital goods, and subscriptions.
The plugin supports multiple payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, and offers customizable shipping and tax options.
Order management, marketing tools, and optional extensions for social media integration are included, providing a scalable solution for businesses of all sizes.
It also offers robust SEO tools for product listings, abandoned cart recovery to recapture lost sales, and a built-in coupon system to drive conversions.
Key features
WP EasyCart offers quick installation, letting users set up their online store quickly
The integration of global tax systems and shipping rates facilitates international business operations
Advanced users have the option to tweak and customize with CSS and HTML
Multiple payment gateways ensure that businesses can offer flexible payment solutions
A variety of built-in marketing tools, like promotions and coupons, help drive sales
Pros
Free version available with unlimited products and orders
30+ payment gateways, including Stripe, Square, and PayPal
Supports physical, digital, and subscription products
Built-in SEO tools for product listings
Customizable shipping and tax options
Mobile-responsive design works with most WordPress themes
Abandoned cart recovery system
Premium extensions for social media integration and advanced features
Cons
The free version has a 2% additional application fees
Customer support for the free version is limited to community forums
WP EasyCart has a free version, providing essential features suitable for small businesses. Those looking for advanced functionalities can explore these premium plans:
WordPress Simple Shopping Cart is a lightweight ecommerce plugin ideal for small businesses and bloggers looking to sell products or services directly from their WordPress site.
It offers easy-to-use shortcodes for creating “Add to Cart” buttons and displaying product information. The plugin supports both PayPal and Stripe payment gateways, includes features like discount coupons and digital downloads, and allows for customization of the shopping experience.
Its minimal setup requirements and responsive design make it perfect for those seeking a straightforward, low-maintenance solution to turn their WordPress site into a simple online store.
Key features
Enables quick PayPal integration, making the initial setup a breeze for users
As a lightweight plugin, it ensures website performance remains optimal and responsive
A dynamic cart view allows customers to review their selected items before purchase
Transactions are kept secure, enhancing the trust factor for both sellers and buyers
The convenient “Add to Cart” button simplifies the shopping process for customers
Pros
Free and lightweight plugin with minimal setup required
Supports both PayPal and Stripe payment gateways
Allows selling of physical products, services, and digital downloads
Customizable “Add to Cart” buttons and product display boxes
Includes discount coupon functionality
Responsive design works with most WordPress themes
Supports multiple languages and translations
Offers sandbox/test modes for both PayPal and Stripe
Cons
Limited ecommerce features compared to full-fledged platforms
Basic inventory management capabilities
Lacks built-in analytics or reporting tools
Limited options for complex product variations
No native support for recurring payments or subscriptions
Easy Digital Downloads is one of the best WordPress shopping cart plugins for selling digital products.
It offers a comprehensive platform with unlimited product listings, secure file delivery, and a range of payment options, including PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, with detailed reporting tools, customizable checkout forms, and content protection.
The Pro version unlocks advanced features like subscriptions, software licensing, and content restriction, catering to different businesses.
Whether you’re an individual creator selling eBooks or a large marketplace offering software and courses, the plugin adapts to your needs.
Key features
Easy Digital Downloads is exclusively designed for the sale of digital products
Sellers can set access controls on downloads, such as limits or expiration dates
An expansive library of extensions, both free and premium, enhances store functionalities
Integration with leading payment gateways, including PayPal and Stripe
In-depth data reporting tools provide insights into sales, earnings, and commissions
Pros
Unlimited products and transactions with no hidden fees
Secure file delivery system with automated access control
Flexible payment options, including major gateways and digital wallets
Powerful reporting tools for data-driven decision-making
Customizable checkout experience with responsive design
Extensive integration options (100+ services)
Scalable from individual creators to large marketplaces
Developer-friendly with hooks, filters, and customization options
Cons
Some advanced features like subscriptions and software licensing require paid plans
BigCommerce is the best-fit plugin for large stores with complex catalogs and high traffic demands. It seamlessly integrates BigCommerce’s robust ecommerce engine with WordPress’s content management flexibility.
The plugin offloads resource-intensive tasks like payment processing and PCI compliance to BigCommerce’s servers while preserving WordPress’s familiar front-end experience.
This unique approach lets you leverage advanced ecommerce features such as multi-channel selling and extensive product customization options without overloading your web hosting and slowing down your site.
For enterprises requiring seamless integration with ERPs, PIMs, or other sophisticated back-office systems, BigCommerce offers scalability and feature depth that outperforms traditional WordPress ecommerce solutions (including WooCommerce).
Key features
Provides a centralized dashboard, simplifying sales and product management across multiple WordPress sites
Ensures peak performance, even during traffic surges, keeping the shopping experience smooth
Provides a customizable checkout experience featuring multiple payment gateways
Built-in SEO tools amplify organic reach, positioning products prominently in search results
Handling vast product catalogs is a breeze, thanks to advanced product option configurations
Pros
Handles complex catalogs and high-traffic volumes efficiently
Offloads resource-intensive tasks to BigCommerce servers
Provides multi-channel selling capabilities
Offers extensive payment gateway options (65+)
Ensures PCI compliance and secure checkout
Supports integration with ERPs, PIMs, and other enterprise systems
Allows for WordPress-style customization and theming
Includes AMP support for mobile optimization
Cons
Requires more technical expertise to set up compared to simpler solutions
Overkill for small businesses with basic ecommerce needs
Pricing structure less cost-effective for low-volume sellers
SeedProd is primarily a website builder and landing page creator for WordPress, but it also offers features for creating an online store.
The central feature is WooCommerce integration, letting you build custom product pages, shopping carts, and checkout pages using its drag-and-drop interface.
The plugin includes WooCommerce-specific blocks such as “Add to Cart,” “Product Grid,” and “Recent Products,” helping you design store layouts without coding.
SeedProd’s theme builder functionality allows for creating custom WooCommerce templates, potentially replacing the need for a separate ecommerce theme. It’s best suited for users who want to create a visually appealing storefront and customize their WooCommerce pages within a unified drag-and-drop environment.
CartFlows is a WooCommerce extension that enhances the WordPress ecommerce experience.
It replaces the default checkout with a conversion-optimized version and creates complete sales funnels. Features include one-click upsells, order bumps, and customizable thank-you pages.
You can set up pre-built funnel templates, integrate your designs with popular page builders, and integrate tools for cart abandonment recovery and conversion insights.
While not a standalone shopping cart, it works with WooCommerce to boost sales and average order value for online stores of all sizes.
Key features
Optimized WooCommerce checkout
One-click upsells
Order bumps
Pre-built funnel templates
Cart abandonment recovery
Conversion insights
A/B split testing (Pro version)
Pros
Helps increase checkout conversion rates
Can increase average order value
Easy to use with pre-built templates
Integrates with popular page builders
Compatible with many WooCommerce themes
Offers both free and premium versions
Provides detailed conversion insights
Supports multiple payment gateways
Cons
Some advanced features are only in the Pro version
Sellfy is an ecommerce platform that can integrate with existing websites, including WordPress, through various embed options.
While not a traditional WordPress plugin, Sellfy offers features to sell digital products, physical goods, and subscriptions directly from your site.
It provides embed codes for buy buttons, single products, or entire storefronts that can be inserted into your website’s HTML.
The platform handles checkout through a pop-up modal, allowing customers to complete purchases without leaving your site. Sellfy also includes marketing tools, analytics, and secure file delivery for digital products.
CartPops enhances the default WooCommerce cart experience by replacing it with a visually appealing and highly customizable fly-out cart drawer or popup.
The plugin offers a range of features to improve the shopping experience and increase conversions. These include a floating cart launcher, customizable colors and styles, a coupon form, and a product recommendation engine.
One of CartPops’ key strengths is its ease of use and customization, with over 24 different color settings without needing to write CSS, making it simple to match the cart’s appearance to your brand.
The plugin also provides a shortcode for easily placing the cart launcher in menus or anywhere on the site.
For developers, CartPops offers custom CSS and JS capabilities and PHP hooks and filters for advanced customization.
Key features
Built for WooCommerce
Elementor integration
Customizable fly-out cart drawer/popup
Floating cart launcher
Extensive color customization options
Product recommendation engine
Coupon form integration
Cart launcher shortcode for flexible placement
Pros
Easy integration with WooCommerce
Improves user experience with fly-out cart
Compatible with most WordPress themes
Built with page speed optimization in mind
Product recommendation engine to boost sales
Cons
Must-have features like add-to-cart triggers and shipping calculations are only available in the Pro version
Creating a shopping cart in WordPress might seem like a daunting task initially. However, with plugins like WooCommerce, the process becomes straightforward.
Are you aiming to set up your WordPress online store right away? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it using the WooCommerce plugin:
Plugin installation: Navigate to your WordPress dashboard. Go to Plugins > Add New, and search for ‘WooCommerce’. Install and activate the WooCommerce plugin.
Setup wizard: Upon activation, WooCommerce will launch a setup wizard. This wizard handles basics like store details, currency preferences, and payment methods.
Add products: Once set up, navigate to Products > Add New to begin listing products in your store. Fill in the product name, details, price, and relevant images.
Choose a theme: Customize your store’s appearance. WooCommerce is compatible with many themes, which allows you to design your storefront as you see fit.
Extensions and add-ons: Elevate your store’s capabilities with add-ons. Visit the Extensions tab in the WooCommerce dashboard. There, you can explore various additional features, from memberships to subscriptions.
Test your cart: Before going live, ensure your WordPress shopping cart functions seamlessly. Check product additions, deletions, and the checkout process.
By following these steps, creating a shopping cart in WordPress becomes easy. With WooCommerce, you’re not just setting up a shop. You’re setting the stage for potential business growth and success.
When it comes to building an online store, four shopping cart plugins for WordPress stand out:
WooCommerce: The golden standard for WordPress stores with a user-friendly design, countless extensions, and excellent community support
WP EasyCart: A direct alternative to WooCommerce with an even simpler interface and more functionality out-of-the-box without extensions
BigCommerce: For larger merchants needing flexibility, minimal maintenance, and a seamless online shopping experience
Easy Digital Downloads: The perfect fit for digital downloads with its integrated shopping cart, multiple payment support, and clean checkout
Other notable shopping cart plugins include WordPress Simple Shopping Cart (perfect for adding add-to-cart buttons with shortcodes) and SeedProd for pre-made templates and drag-and-drop page building.
As always, thoroughly research these plugins before downloading. If you want features that let you integrate email and SMS, manage orders, and track sales easily, look towards WooCommerce and BigCommerce.
Want to start utilizing SMS + email in your ecommerce marketing?
Richard is a Content Marketing Manager at Omnisend. An avid writer, he's said to have been born holding a pencil. Fascinated by all things handmade, if he's not reading or writing he can often be found practicing leathercraft.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
related features
These are the Omnisend features that can help you get the results mentioned in the article.
OFFER
