Ecommerce SaaS: key features, leading platforms, and benefits

SaaS ecommerce platforms are owned by ecommerce SaaS providers and run on their servers. They come as ready-to-use solutions with a few customization options and no access to the source code. Users only rent the software without the ability to change it fundamentally.

Open-source ecommerce platforms provide users access to source code, which they can download and modify, customizing the solution for their specific business needs. Thus, users take full responsibility for using the code to create and maintain online stores.

Ecommerce SaaS users subscribe to a monthly or yearly plan and pay fixed fees for using the platform. The fees also cover hosting, security, and software updates, so merchants don’t need to invest in their stores’ maintenance. Moreover, this payment model usually provides several subscription tiers so that companies can downgrade or upgrade to other plans in line with their current business needs.

Open-source platforms are generally free to download and use. However, store owners have to pay for web hosting, security and compliance provision, customization, integration with third-party apps, and store maintenance. In addition to the initial investment and regular maintenance expenses, merchants should update and modify the store and hire in-house specialists or a third-party team.

Ecommerce SaaS providers take necessary measures to ensure stores’ security and PCI compliance. They regularly release updates and automatically install new security features to protect ecommerce sites and customers’ payment data.

Companies opting for an open-source ecommerce platform are ultimately responsible for meeting PCI requirements, ensuring data protection, monitoring site security, and providing updates and bug fixes as needed.

Even merchants with no software development specialists can easily create stores by selecting pre-designed themes, modules, and add-ons in a beginner-friendly website builder. In addition, SaaS platforms usually have a free trial to let users explore the platform before subscribing to a paid plan.

Setting up a store based on an open-source platform requires sufficient coding knowledge.

SaaS platforms offer limited customizability compared to open source, but many vendors provide pre-built features and easily-customizable templates. Many vendors also have marketplaces providing a curated selection of extensions and APIs for third-party developers.

Open-source platforms provide unlimited customization options for storefront design, product pages, and checkout. However, businesses should hire certified developers to handle these complex changes.

Merchants running a SaaS-based store rely on the provider to perform maintenance operations, fix performance issues, and update the software. As part of the service package, SaaS users can directly contact support specialists through help desks.

Retailers have to take care of their open-source store’s maintenance, support, and updates. If an issue occurs with the system, they should find out how to resolve it and make fixes on their own or turn to third-party developers. Open-source ecommerce vendors can provide technical support only for an additional fee.

Ecommerce SaaS is popular among startups and SMEs that don’t have a mature IT infrastructure but are on a limited budget and need to handle increasing traffic. However, SaaS is also a good option for large companies focusing their efforts on business development rather than on the site’s infrastructure, maintenance, and security.

Open-source software is in demand among enterprises with in-house IT teams. Open-source platforms are also a good choice for companies that need full control of their platforms’ design and functionality and have enough budget to set up and maintain an open-source infrastructure.