A quick way to decide
The platforms compared
| Type | Best for | You'll usually add | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Hosted store builder | A polished storefront, fast to launch | Apps for COD, couriers, GST invoices, WhatsApp, reports |
| WooCommerce | Free plugin for WordPress, self-hosted | Full control, content-heavy sites | Hosting, plugins for the same jobs, a developer |
| Wix | Hosted website builder with ecommerce plans | Small catalogues, brand or service sites selling a few products | Courier and COD handling, invoicing |
| Dukaan and similar | Mobile-first store builder | Very small sellers getting online quickly | Operations tools as volume grows |
| Zoho Commerce | Store builder inside the Zoho suite | Businesses already using Zoho Books or Inventory | Courier and COD workflows |
| D2 Commerce OS | All-in-one commerce platform | D2C brands where COD, delivery and daily operations are the main work | Nothing for COD, couriers, riders, GST, WhatsApp or reports. They're built in |
Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Dukaan, Zoho Commerce and Instamojo are trademarks of their owners. Descriptions are general and plans change.
What each one is best at
Shopify
The easiest way to get a good-looking, reliable store online, with a huge theme and app ecosystem. Plans in India start at ₹1,499 a month on yearly billing, and Shopify adds a fee on payments through third-party gateways. Our Shopify pricing guide works out the real monthly bill.
WooCommerce
Free software that turns a WordPress site into a store. You control everything, including hosting, which also means you own the updates, security and the occasional plugin conflict during a sale.
Wix, Dukaan, Zoho Commerce and Instamojo
Good, simple ways to start selling with little setup. They suit stores with a small catalogue and modest volume. As orders grow, brands usually find themselves adding separate tools for couriers, COD and reconciliation.
D2 Commerce OS
A full commerce platform built for Indian D2C: store and checkout, plus couriers and your own riders, COD tracked to the bank, GST invoices and credit notes, WhatsApp updates and one set of reports. It's live with D2C brands in India, our team sets it up, and it's free forever up to 100 orders a month.
What Indian stores need on any platform
- UPI first at checkout, then cards and wallets, plus cash on delivery.
- Pincode serviceability shown before checkout.
- A way to confirm COD orders before shipping and to track COD cash until it reaches your bank.
- Courier booking, tracking and follow-up on failed deliveries.
- GST invoices with HSN and place of supply, and credit notes for cancellations.
- WhatsApp order updates, which Indian buyers read far more than email.
Whichever platform you choose, check how each of these is handled, by whom, and at what cost.
Questions to ask before you choose
- What will the full monthly cost be at today's volume and at three times that, including fees and add-ons?
- Can you show me a COD order from checkout until the cash lands in the bank?
- What happens to the invoice when an order is cancelled or returned?
- Who sets it up, and who do I call when something breaks during a sale?
- If I leave, can I take my products, customers and orders with me?