Our verdict
Choose Ecwid to add a store to an existing website or sell across channels cheaply. Choose Square Online if you use Square POS or run a restaurant or retail shop.
Ecwid and Square Online are popular low-cost ways to start selling online. Ecwid (by Lightspeed) is an embeddable store you can add to an existing website, social pages and marketplaces. Square Online pairs naturally with Square's point-of-sale hardware, making it a favourite for restaurants and retailers who sell in person.
Choose Ecwid if…
- You want to add a store to an existing website
- You sell on several channels including social and marketplaces
- You want a free plan for a small catalogue
- You do not use Square POS
SO Choose Square Online if…
- You already use Square for in-person payments
- You run a restaurant, café or retail shop
- You want inventory synced between online and in-store
- You want a free store with pickup and delivery options
Side by side
| Criterion | Ecwid | Square Online |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.1 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Features & fit | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Ease of use | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Value for money | 8.6 | 9.0 |
| Support & reliability | 7.4 | 7.6 |
| Security & privacy | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 7.8 | 7.4 |
| Starting price (indicative) | Free; paid from around $5–25 / month | Free; paid from around $29–49 / month |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Best for | Adding a store to an existing site | Square POS users |
Feature by feature
| Feature | Ecwid | Square Online |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes (limited products) | Yes (Square branding) |
| Paid from (indicative) | ~ $14 / month (annual) | ~ $29 / month (annual) |
| Embed in existing site | Yes | No |
| Native POS sync | Via integrations | Square POS |
| Restaurant ordering | Basic | Yes |
| Marketplaces and social | Higher tiers | Social selling options |
| Payment processor | Choice of gateways | Square |
| Best fit | Adding a store anywhere | Square in-person sellers |
Pricing compared
Ecwid
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Limited products |
| Venture | ≈ $14.08 / mo | Billed annually |
| Business | ≈ $29.17 / mo | Billed annually |
| Unlimited | ≈ $82.50 / mo | Billed annually |
SO Square Online
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Square branding |
| Plus | ≈ $29 / mo | Billed annually |
| Premium | ≈ $79 / mo | Billed annually |
Indicative USD list prices; excludes tax, add-ons and promotions. Confirm on each vendor’s site.
Embedding
Ecwid can be embedded into WordPress, Wix, Squarespace and other sites. Square Online is a standalone site builder.
POS integration
Square Online syncs natively with Square POS inventory and payments. Ecwid integrates with POS systems, including Lightspeed and Square, but less natively.
Pricing
Ecwid has a free plan with limited products and paid plans from around $14 to $83 per month annually. Square Online has a free plan with Square branding and paid plans from around $29.
Restaurant features
Square Online offers online ordering for restaurants, with pickup and delivery integrations. Ecwid is more general retail.
Multichannel
Ecwid supports selling on social platforms and marketplaces from higher tiers.
Pros & cons
Ecwid
- Embeds anywhere
- Very easy
- No transaction fees
- Product limits on lower plans
- Fewer advanced features
SO Square Online
- Free plan with full selling
- Inventory sync with POS
- Pickup and delivery
- Limited design control
- Fewer apps
Key features of each
Ecwid
- Embed store. Add to any website.
- Instant site. Simple standalone store.
- Multi-channel. Social and marketplace selling.
- POS. Lightspeed and Square integrations.
Integrates with: WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Facebook, Instagram, Square.
SO Square Online
- POS sync. One inventory across store and online.
- Pickup & delivery. Local fulfilment options.
- Online ordering. Restaurant menus and ordering.
- Marketing. Email and loyalty integrations.
Integrates with: Square POS, Instagram, Facebook, DoorDash.
Who should avoid each
Skip Ecwid if…
- Large or complex stores
- B2B wholesale at scale
Best for: Adding a store to an existing site; Small catalogues; Selling on social channels.
SO Skip Square Online if…
- Brands needing advanced design
- International multi-currency stores
Best for: Square POS users; Restaurants and local shops; Pickup and local delivery.
Switching between Ecwid and Square Online
Migration difficulty: Moderate
Products can be exported and imported via CSV. Payment processor changes affect saved cards and subscriptions.
- Export products and customers.
- Set up the new store and payment processor.
- Import products and verify options and images.
- Configure shipping, pickup and taxes.
- Redirect old store URLs and test orders.
Weigh it your way
Adjust the weights to your priorities to see which tool comes out ahead for you. Print or export the result for your team.
| Tool | Features | Ease | Value | Support | Security | Integrations | Your score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Square Online | 7.6 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 8.4 | 7.4 | 8.19 |
| 2. Ecwid | 7.6 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 7.4 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 8.08 |
Drag the sliders to match your priorities. Scores are our editorial sub-scores; weights start at the values we publish on the methodology page. Nothing you change is stored or sent anywhere.
How our scores and weights work · Add a third tool side by side
Frequently asked questions
Is Ecwid free?
Ecwid offers a free plan with a limited number of products; paid plans unlock more products and features.
Does Square Online require Square payments?
Yes. Square Online uses Square for payment processing.
Can I add Ecwid to WordPress?
Yes. Ecwid has a WordPress plugin and embeds on many site builders.
Which is better for restaurants?
Square Online, thanks to native ordering and POS integration.
Does Ecwid or Square Online have a free plan?
Ecwid has a free plan; Square Online has a free plan. Indicative starting prices: Ecwid — Free; paid from around $5–25 / month; Square Online — Free; paid from around $29–49 / month.
Which scores higher in our review, Ecwid or Square Online?
Square Online scores 8.2/10 and Ecwid 8.1/10 on our weighted rubric. Square Online leads on 3 of six criteria. A higher score does not make it right for every buyer — see the “choose if” lists above.
