How you handle returns can make or break a customer relationship. A smooth, no-fuss return turns a frustrated shopper into a repeat buyer (and someone who’ll recommend your store to their loved ones). On the other hand a clunky, back-and-forth return experience is a one way ticket to losing customers and earning bad word-of-mouth. The right return integration saves time, reduces cost and keeps shoppers coming back. 

So, how do the major ecommerce platforms stack up when it comes to returns? Let’s look at Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce or Magento, four popular choices when weighing up the best ecommerce platform Australia has to offer, and break down what you really get.

What is an e-commerce returns integration?

A return integration is software that plugs into your online store and manages what happens after someone hits “I’d like to return this”. Instead of handling requests over email, it gives customers a portal to:

• Lodge returns themselves
• Track progress
• Choose refunds, exchanges or store credit
• Access labels and updates

And for businesses, it centralises everything - approvals, rules, tracking, data, and insights, so returns stop being costly and start becoming a loyalty loop.

Four ecommerce platforms with return integrations

When choosing the best ecommerce platform to handle your returns, it’s not just about what the platform can do on its own, it’s about what it can do with the right integrations. You’ll want to look at native returns features (what’s built in out of the box), the app ecosystem, and how much control you’ll have to customise the process. The right fit ultimately comes down to your technical ability, growth plans, and what your business needs today and tomorrow.

Shopify

Shopify is one of Australia’s best ecommerce platforms. It’s a popular user-friendly solution, trusted by millions of businesses worldwide for managing products and orders.

Native returns

Shopify comes with built-in basic return and refund tools and a focus on a user-friendly experience. Most growing brands add an integration for automation, self-serve returns, and labels. This is part of what makes it one of the best e-commerce platforms for scalability.

Customisation

Shopify relies on the app store for advanced features, allowing Shopify merchants can personalise the entire returns journey, from branded portals to automated approvals and exchange rules. 

Ecosystem

With one of the largest app marketplaces, Shopify connects easily with returns software, customer support tools, carriers, and CRMs, making it a top contender among best ecommerce platforms in Australia.

Best for

Merchants who want a fast, user-friendly setup with a strong ecosystem that grows with their business.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is designed to support growing and large-scale ecommerce businesses with high volumes of orders and products. Its open API and flexible architecture make it one of the most powerful ecommerce platforms available, allowing for custom integrations and scalable workflows.

Native returns

BigCommerce includes core return settings, but most merchants layer integrations over the top for better customer-facing return portals and automation.

Customisation

Offers strong flexibility for growing brands, but advanced returns workflows typically require an app. Still, it’s gaining traction as one of the best e-commerce platforms for fast-growth merchants.

Ecosystem

Not as extensive as Shopify, but stable, scalable, and built for performance, a solid choice among ecommerce platforms Australia relies on for high-volume selling.

Best for

Growing businesses that need reliability, performance, and room to scale without constant infrastructure oversight.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a fully customisable ecommerce platform built for WordPress. It’s one of the best ecommerce platforms for businesses that want flexibility and scalability, growing alongside your store as your needs change.

Native returns

WooCommerce doesn’t include built-in returns tools. Merchants rely on third-party plugins or custom development.

Customisation

Nearly limitless due to its open-source nature. Return logic, portals, automations, and backend workflows can all be tailored. This control is why WooCommerce is often shortlisted by businesses with a strong technical team, when weighing up the best ecommerce platform in Australia.

Ecosystem

Its plugin environment is dependent on availability of Wordpress plugins, though performance depends heavily on hosting and maintenance. This means more freedom, but more responsibility than other ecommerce platforms.

Best for

Brands with development support who want full control and aren’t afraid of managing plugins. 

Magento (Adobe Commerce)

Magento is a powerful, open-source e-commerce platform owned by Adobe. The commercial version of Magento is Adobe Commerce and the free-open source version is called Magento Open Source. 

Native returns

Magento doesn’t include a dedicated returns portal out-of-the-box. Returns are typically managed and supported by third-party extensions.

Customisation

One of Magento’s biggest strengths is flexibility. Returns workflows, policies, automation rules and customer journeys can all be built to fit exact business needs. If you can imagine it, you can likely build it, however developer support and technical resources will be needed. 

Ecosystem 

Magento has an extensive marketplace of apps, plugins and integrations, giving retailers access to advanced returns solutions, CRM tools, shipping platforms and automation software.

Best for

Midsize to large businesses with in-house technical expertise (or agency support), strong development resources, and a healthy budget for setup and maintenance.

How Refundid can help

Refundid is built to easily plug into Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and more, making ecommerce returns management seamless and stress-free for both you and your customers.

• Integration made easy: Refundid works with your existing tech stack, so retailers can start managing returns quickly with minimal technical support.
• Flexible API: Create custom workflows and automation that fit your business needs.
• Dedicated support: Clear documentation and hands-on support make integrating Refundid simple and worry-free.

That’s a wrap. At the end of the day, returns can either drain your time or strengthen your business, it all comes down to the tools you choose. The best ecommerce platforms in Australia give you a solid foundation, but smart integrations are what bring the whole process to life. Prioritise ease, flexibility, and customer experience, and you’re already ahead of most. Because when returns are easier for shoppers and smoother for your team, everyone wins.

Book a demo today.