Compare Ecommerce Platforms for a Print on Demand Store

Launching a print on demand (POD) business has become one of the most popular ways to start an online store without heavy upfront investment. However, the success of your store largely depends on the ecommerce platform you choose.

Different platforms offer unique features, pricing, integrations and ease of use. we will compare the most popular ecommerce platforms for a print on demand store.

Shopify

Shopify is currently the most popular and widely trusted ecommerce platform worldwide, powering over 4 million online stores across different industries. What makes Shopify stand out is its simplicity, reliability and flexibility, especially for entrepreneurs running a print on demand business. The platform is designed for beginners with little to no technical experience, yet it also provides advanced tools for scaling to a large brand. 

Print on demand sellers love Shopify because it offers seamless, one click integrations with top POD suppliers such as Printful, Printify, Gelato, SPOD and many others. This smooth connectivity allows business owners to easily manage orders, automate fulfillment and deliver products quickly to customers.

WooCommerce (WordPress Plugin)

Any WordPress website can be turned into a fully working e-commerce store with the help of the robust and free WooCommerce plugin.Unlike Shopify, which is a hosted solution, WooCommerce is open source, giving store owners complete freedom and control over every aspect of their site from design and layout to advanced functionality. 

This flexibility makes it a preferred choice for entrepreneurs who want to build a unique and highly customizable print on demand business. With WooCommerce, sellers can integrate directly with leading POD suppliers such as Printful, Printify  and CustomCat. while also benefiting from WordPress’s strong SEO capabilities and thousands of plugins for marketing, analytics and automation.

Compare Ecommerce Platforms for a Print on Demand Store

Etsy

Etsy is quite different from platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce because it is primarily a marketplace rather than a standalone store builder. This distinction means sellers do not need to invest time or money into creating and managing their own website. since Etsy already provides the infrastructure and traffic. With millions of active buyers browsing the platform every month. 

Etsy is especially popular for handmade items, custom designed products and artistic print on demand creations. For POD sellers, Etsy offers easy integrations with suppliers like Printful and Printify allowing entrepreneurs to upload designs and start selling quickly. It’s a great option for testing new niches and gaining visibility fast.

Wix

Wix is a well known website builder that has grown into a versatile platform offering strong ecommerce capabilities for small businesses and entrepreneurs. It is widely recognized for its intuitive drag and drop editor which makes building a professional looking online store simple even for beginners. One of Wix’s greatest strengths lies in its wide collection of creative templates giving store owners the freedom to design a site that truly reflects their brand identity. 

For print on demand businesses, Wix integrates smoothly with popular suppliers like Printful, Printify and Modalyst, making product creation and fulfillment straightforward. Affordable pricing plans and built in hosting further make Wix an attractive choice for design focused entrepreneurs.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a robust and feature rich ecommerce platform that is specifically designed for businesses with growth and scalability in mind. Unlike some other platforms. it comes packed with more built in tools than Shopify, reducing the need for multiple third party apps. These features include advanced SEO settings, product filtering, abandoned cart recovery and strong multi channel selling options, allowing businesses to expand across Amazon, eBay, Facebook and Instagram with ease.

 While BigCommerce does have a slightly steeper learning curve compared to beginner friendly platforms. its power and flexibility make it a strong choice for serious entrepreneurs. For print on demand sellers, integrations with Printful and Printify make fulfillment seamless.

Feature Comparison Table

Platform	Ease of Use	POD Integrations	Pricing (Starting)	SEO Strength	Best For
Shopify	Very Easy	Printful, Printify, Gelato, SPOD	$29/month	Good	Beginners, Scalability
WooCommerce	Moderate	Printful, Printify, CustomCat	Free (hosting ~$5–15/month)	Excellent	Customization, SEO
Etsy	Very Easy	Printify, Printful	Free (fees per sale)	Limited	Artists, Quick Sales
Wix	Easy	Printful, Modalyst	$16/month	Moderate	Design-focused stores
BigCommerce	Moderate	Printify, Printful	$29.95/month	Good	Scaling large brands

How to Choose the Right Platform

When deciding which platform is best for your print-on-demand store, ask yourself these questions:

1. What is my budget? → If you want to minimize upfront costs, start with Etsy or WooCommerce.
   
2. How much control do I want? → For full control, choose WooCommerce; for simplicity, choose Shopify.
   
3. Do I want built-in traffic or my own branded store? → Etsy gives you instant visibility; Shopify/WooCommerce give you branding.
   
4. How much do I want to scale? → If you plan to grow into a larger brand, Shopify or BigCommerce are better choices.

https://www.shopify.com/blog/print-on-demand-companies

Future Trends in POD Ecommerce Platforms

The POD industry is rapidly evolving, and ecommerce platforms are adapting to support sellers better. Some upcoming trends include:

• AI-driven personalization → Platforms will help create smarter product recommendations.
  
• More integrations with global POD suppliers for faster shipping.
  
• Mobile-first optimization as most sales now happen on smartphones.
  
• Subscription-based POD stores (recurring revenue models).
  

Entrepreneurs should keep an eye on how platforms adapt to these trends, as it may influence long-term success.

Conclusion:

There is no one size fits all answer when it comes to choosing the best ecommerce platform for a print-on-demand store.

• Shopify → Best for beginners who want a professional store with powerful integrations.
  
• WooCommerce → Best for advanced users who value flexibility and SEO control.
  
• Etsy → Best for creatives who want instant access to customers without building a site.
  
• Wix → Best for small POD stores with a focus on design freedom.
  
• BigCommerce → Best for established businesses looking to scale across multiple channels.
  

Ultimately, your choice depends on your budget, technical skills, and growth vision. If you’re just testing POD designs, Etsy might be your first step. But if you want to build a long-term POD brand, Shopify or WooCommerce will give you the tools to succeed.