Best e-commerce platforms in Nepal (2026)
A detailed comparison of the best e-commerce website builders in Nepal for 2026: WooCommerce, Shopify, Blanxer, and Pasalos compared by price, payments, and features.
The Pasalos Team
July 13, 2026 · 4 min read
An online store in Nepal can be custom-built by an agency, assembled with WordPress plugins, or hosted by a managed commerce provider. Each option has different setup work and recurring costs.
Payment fees, checkout steps, and the work required to add eSewa or Khalti vary by platform.
Here is how WooCommerce, Shopify, Blanxer, and Pasalos compare on setup, billing, payments, and store management in 2026.
1. WooCommerce: Best for DIY builders who want complete control
WooCommerce is a free open-source shopping cart plugin built on top of WordPress. It powers a large percentage of websites globally and remains highly popular in Nepal.
The setup
- Hosting: You buy your own hosting (e.g., from a local provider like Babal Host or international ones like Hostinger) and install WordPress.
- Domain: You buy your own domain name (e.g., a free
.com.npdomain from Mercantile or a paid.comdomain). - Plugins: You install WooCommerce, a theme, and plugins for local payments like eSewa.
The verdict
WooCommerce is the most customizable platform available. Because it is open-source, you can change every line of code. There are free plugins to integrate eSewa and Khalti.
However, you are the developer. If a plugin update breaks your checkout on a Saturday night, you have to debug it yourself or pay a freelancer. Total cost of ownership includes domain, hosting, and often paid security or speed-optimization plugins.
2. Shopify: Best for international selling and large catalogs
Shopify is the world's leading managed e-commerce platform. It provides hosting, security, and updates in a single monthly package.
The setup
- Hosting & Security: Fully managed and hosted by Shopify.
- Theme & Apps: Access to thousands of high-quality templates and plugins via the Shopify App Store.
The verdict
If you sell from Nepal to customers in the US, Europe, or India, Shopify supports credit cards, PayPal, and international shipping rates directly.
But if your customers are inside Nepal, Shopify gets expensive and complicated. It bills in US dollars (starting around $29/month), which fluctuates with the exchange rate and requires a dollar-capable card. Most importantly, it lacks native, built-in checkouts for eSewa, Khalti, or Fonepay, requiring custom workarounds or third-party applications.
3. Blanxer: Best for established local brands ready to commit
Blanxer is a Nepal-based platform designed to offer a managed alternative to Shopify for the local market.
The setup
- Local Hosting: Fully managed.
- Local Integration: Built-in connections for Fonepay, Pathao, and other local providers.
The verdict
Blanxer is a local managed platform with native payment options and a Point of Sale (POS) system for physical counters.
Blanxer has no monthly plans; you must pay for a full year upfront (starting at रु 24,000/year). It also has a dedicated mobile app for store management, which matters to sellers who work primarily from their phones.
4. Pasalos: Best for quick setup, local payments, and monthly billing
Pasalos is a managed commerce platform for Nepali shop owners who want local checkout, monthly NPR billing, and hosted store infrastructure.
The setup
- NPR Monthly Billing: Plans start at रु 1,499/month, paid monthly.
- Payments in checkout: eSewa, Khalti, Fonepay, connectIPS, and Cash on Delivery (COD) appear as native options.
- One inventory: A single stock list behind your storefront, with a POS for physical counters rolling out (coming soon).
The verdict
Pasalos includes local payment methods and delivery-zone settings without requiring a developer or yearly contract. Plans are billed monthly in NPR, starting at रु 1,499.
Comparison at a glance
| WooCommerce | Shopify | Blanxer | Pasalos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billing currency | NPR (hosting) + USD (some plugins) | USD | NPR | NPR |
| Starting cost | Hosting + domain (varies) | Approx. $29 / month | रु 24,000 / year upfront | रु 1,499 / month |
| Contract terms | Yearly hosting typical | Monthly / yearly | Yearly only | Month-to-month |
| Setup difficulty | Hard (you are the developer) | Easy (no code) | Easy (no code) | Easy (no code) |
| Native eSewa & Khalti | Via plugins (you maintain them) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Local delivery zones | Via plugins | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Point of Sale (POS) | Via plugins | Yes | Yes | Coming soon |
| Hosting & security included | No (you manage it) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Who fixes it when it breaks | You / your developer | Shopify | Blanxer | Pasalos |
Facts verified July 2026. Subscriptions and platform features change; check provider sites for latest updates.
Which platform should you choose?
- Choose WooCommerce if you have technical skills (or a developer on hand), want 100% control over your database, and have time to manage hosting and plugin updates.
- Choose Shopify if you are exporting products globally and need international payment gateways like credit cards or PayPal.
- Choose Blanxer if you want a local platform, need a native mobile manager app immediately, and are ready to commit to a yearly payment.
- Choose Pasalos if you are selling inside Nepal, want an automated store with eSewa/Khalti checkout active in minutes, and want the freedom of a low-cost, monthly plan.