Last Updated on May 26, 2024 by Jhonni Jets
Opening an online shop is no small task. Luckily, macOS provides entrepreneurs with a wide selection of powerful e-commerce apps to help build, manage, and grow their business. Whether you’re just starting out or have an established store, these top macOS apps offer versatile features to take your online sales to the next level.
Shopify
Shopify is arguably the best all-in-one e-commerce solution for macOS. With its drag-and-drop theme editor and robust app marketplace, entrepreneurs can design beautiful stores without writing any code. Powerful tools like Shopify Payments, shipping calculators, and real-time reporting give sellers complete control over orders, inventory, and analytics. Additional perks like 24/7 chat support make Shopify a top choice for easy yet scalable store management. While not the cheapest option, its versatility and functionality make it worth the investment for serious sellers.
WooCommerce
As the most popular open-source e-commerce plugin, WooCommerce allows entrepreneurs to build stores for free on their own self-hosted WordPress site. Though not as seamlessly integrated as Shopify, WooCommerce boasts powerful features like product variations, custom fields, and coupon codes at a fraction of the monthly cost. Advanced sellers can even customize checkout and payment processing by tweaking PHP and MySQL. While requiring more technical know-how, WooCommerce empowers entrepreneurs with full control over their brand’s online presence through the versatile WordPress platform.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce strikes an appealing balance of features, flexibility, and price. Similar to Shopify, it supplies easy-to-use themes, SEO tools, and multichannel functionality. Where it differs is a tiered pricing model with more advanced plans including access to a development team and customized storefronts. BigCommerce also aims to simplify integrations through its robust app market. While not quite as full-featured as Shopify out of the box, it remains competitive for growing brands seeking more budget-friendly enterprise-level capabilities.
Volusion
Volusion makes building a professional online store straightforward and affordable. Its Mac-optimized control panel ensures compatibility across Apple devices, while feature-packed plans include marketing tools, customizable themes, and multi-vendor marketplace options. Both beginners and experienced sellers appreciate its simple signup process, as stores can be live in just one day. Top-notch customer support is also a highlight. Though lacking some Shopify-level functionality, Volusion stays competitive as a capable yet more cost-effective option for smaller to mid-sized businesses.
Ecwid
Unlike other platforms requiring their own hosting, Ecwid functions as an embeddable shopping cart for existing websites. This makes it a perfect companion app for bloggers, designers, or any entrepreneurs already invested in their self-hosted web presence. With just a few lines of code, sellers gain access to all core e-commerce features like products, orders, and customer profiles directly within their sites. Though not built for mega stores, Ecwid offers a free tier perfect for testing the waters before upgrading plans. Overall, it remains an appealing choice for growing sales within an established online brand.
Squarespace
Best known as a website builder, Squarespace has become a feature-rich contender in the online store race as well. Sellers appreciate its clever drag-and-drop interface allowing visual customization of beautiful templates optimized for mobile. Built-in analytics, email campaigns, and transaction support further streamline daily operations. Pricing is also competitive against Shopify when factoring in combined website and store hosting costs. While lacking some advanced capabilities, Squarespace strikes an ideal balance of style, usability and value for creative entrepreneurs focused on aesthetics. With a fully functioning free trial, it remains worth exploring for new store owners.
3dcart
For serious merchants managing complex catalogs, 3dcart provides enterprise-level functionality. Its Mac dashboard offers powerful features like multi-location inventory, purchase orders, custom product attributes, and third-party integration tools. Sellers gain highly customizable storefronts along with white-glove concierge support service. Advanced marketing options include loyalty programs, targeted email campaigns, and built-in analytics. While the steepest learning curve and priciest of solutions, 3dcart remains invaluable to established brands managing intricate operations at scale. Its full suite of tools ensures growth capabilities for even the largest of optimized stores.
Printful
As an on-demand printing service first and foremost, Printful powers automated delivery of products sellers design and list through its integration plugins. By uploading custom designs and connecting Printful to stores on platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce, entrepreneurs gain profitable made-to-order capabilities without hassles of in-house manufacturing. After simply connecting bank accounts, Printful itself handles printing, packaging, shipping, customer service, and returns—levying a small fee per order. For budding creative businesses, Printful removal stocking and fulfillment burdens while empowering new revenue through diversified product lines.
Gumroad
Offering a streamlined selling solution beyond physical goods, Gumroad appeals to entrepreneurs in creative industries. With one-click store setup, sellers gain customizable product pages to market everything from online courses to downloads, memberships and more. Built-in tools cover payment processing, email receipts, and analytics while also enabling recurring subscription-based models. Advanced features include digital delivery, affiliate programs and one-click social sharing. Best of all, Gumroad takes just a 5% cut, giving 90% of profits back to creators. Overall, it remains an ideal fit for selling digital content and services with low fees and built-in convenience.
In conclusion, the macOS platform provides a vast assortment of powerful yet approachable e-commerce solutions for growing ones’ online business. Whether seeking all-in-one functionality, cost-efficiency or specialized tools, these top 10 macOS apps each cover critical areas for building, managing and optimizing successful stores.