Shopify vs Square Online
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business. Last verified June 4, 2026.
The short answer
Shopify ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #8) for Small business owners choosing an e-commerce platform (Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce). The best all-around choice for ease of use, app selection, and support, making it ideal for most small businesses.
At a glance
| Shopify | Square Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business | #8 / The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 93 | 78 |
| Best for | Best all-in-one platform | Best for physical retailers |
| Pricing | $$ ($29 to $299/mo) | $ ($0 to $72/mo) |
| HQ | Ottawa, Canada | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2006 | 2009 |
Shopify
The best all-around choice for ease of use, app selection, and support, making it ideal for most small businesses.
www.shopify.comSee full entry in The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business
Square Online
Perfect for businesses with a physical location, syncing online and in-person sales effortlessly.
squareup.com/us/en/online-storeSee full entry in The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.