As an experienced WordPress developer with over 15 years in the industry, I‘ve helped hundreds of businesses choose the right ecommerce platform.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll compare the top Shopify alternatives to help you find the best solution for your online store.
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Why Consider a Shopify Alternative?
With over 1 million merchants, Shopify is hugely popular. However, it has some downsides that make exploring alternatives worthwhile:
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Cost – Shopify‘s starter plan is $29/month. The rates increase as your revenue grows. Many competitors have cheaper pricing.
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Transaction fees – Shopify charges fees ranging from 0.5-2% per order depending on your plan. Some alternatives have no transaction fees.
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Customization – Although customizable, Shopify is more restrictive compared to open platforms like WooCommerce.
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Control – As a SaaS platform, Shopify manages hosting, security, updates etc. Some businesses prefer more control.
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Specific needs – Shopify may not be ideal if you want to sell digital products, offer memberships, build a marketplace, etc. Alternatives exist for specific use cases.
Let‘s dive into the top 9 Shopify alternatives and see how they compare.
1. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is the world‘s most popular ecommerce platform, powering over 28% of online stores. The open-source WordPress plugin lets you build customizable online stores.
Key Features
- Free open-source plugin
- Unlimited products and categories
- Flexible theming with WordPress themes
- Hundreds of free and paid extensions
- Integrates with popular payment gateways
- Options for shipping, taxes, coupons etc.
- Leverage SEO capabilities of WordPress
- Customizable checkout process
Pros of Using WooCommerce
- Free and open source – No monthly fees for the base software
- Extremely customizable – Tailor everything from design to features
- Huge selection – Over 50,000 themes and plugins available
- SEO optimized – Easy to optimize store for search engines
- No transaction fees – Use any payment provider, no added charges
- Self-hosted – Total control over updates, security, performance
Cons of Using WooCommerce
- Requires web hosting and domain – Extra costs for hosting, SSL, maintenance
- Steeper learning curve – More complex for beginners than some alternatives
- Site management – Must manage WordPress updates, backups, security etc.
WooCommerce is the ideal solution for larger online merchants who value customization and control. The flexibility and vast ecosystem give it an edge over other platforms.
As of 2022, WooCommerce powers over 6 million active online stores, more than any competitor. It also has the largest selection of themes and extensions for store customization.
For a full comparison, see our in-depth Shopify vs WooCommerce guide.
What Does WooCommerce Cost?
The WooCommerce plugin is free. You‘ll need web hosting (starts around $5/month) and a domain name (around $12/year).
Popular managed WordPress hosting providers like Kinsta offer optimized WooCommerce hosting plans.
I recommend Kinsta‘s WooCommerce hosting which starts at $30/month. The managed solution is tuned for speed, security, and seamless support.
2. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a scalable SaaS ecommerce platform with an intuitive store builder. Over 60,000 online stores use it to power their business.
Key Features of BigCommerce
- Drag-and-drop store builder
- Built-in hosting, CDN, security, speed
- Mobile responsive templates
- Integrated payment gateways
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Automated shipping rates
- Product reviews and Q&A
- Third-party apps and integrations
The Pros of Using BigCommerce
- Quick and easy setup – Launch a store in under an hour
- Enterprise-grade infrastructure – Built for security and scalability
- Optimized for conversions – Great templates and built-in features
- Managed platform – No maintenance, updates done for you
The Cons of BigCommerce
- Transaction fees from 0.5% to 2% – Extra charges on each order
- Less customization – More restrictive than open-source platforms
- Cannot migrate easily – Locked into BigCommerce ecosystem
I like BigCommerce for established merchants who want a robust hosted platform without managing the technical side. But the monthly fees and transaction charges add up compared to self-hosted open-source options.
How Much Does BigCommerce Cost?
BigCommerce pricing starts at $29.95/month for the Standard plan. The Plus plan starts at $79.95/month. Enterprise pricing is customized.
3. Shopify
As this post compares Shopify alternatives, let‘s also look at Shopify itself and how it stacks up.
Key Features of Shopify
- All-in-one commerce platform
- Drag-and-drop store builder
- Hundreds of themes and app integrations
- Payment processing with Shopify Payments
- Automated taxes and shipping rates
- Abandoned cart recovery
- POS integration and channels
Why People Love Shopify
- Trusted brand – Over 1 million merchants use Shopify
- Everything bundled – Domain, hosting, security managed in one place
- Ease of use – Intuitive platform and interface
- Support – Phone, chat, and email support
Downsides of Using Shopify
- Transaction fees from 0.5% to 2% – Extra charges on each order
- Limited customization – Less control compared to self-hosted solutions
- Lock-in – Difficult to migrate away from Shopify
Shopify is a solid choice for selling online thanks to their robust platform and brand recognition. But I suggest also evaluating alternatives to see if another provider is a better fit.
Shopify Pricing
Basic Shopify plans start at $29/month. More advanced plans range from $79/month up to $299/month for Shopify Plus.
Next, let‘s look at some of the other leading Shopify competitors.
4. Squarespace Commerce
Squarespace Commerce combines web design, ecommerce, marketing, and analytics into one platform.
Why Stores Use Squarespace Commerce
- All-in-one setup – Domain, hosting, security managed by Squarespace
- Great templates – Professionally designed, easy to customize
- Decent rates – 2.4% + $0.30 transaction fees
Key Features of Squarespace
- Website builder and ecommerce in one
- Drag-and-drop templates
- Integrated payments and shipping
- Inventory and order management
- Discounts and coupons
- Email marketing and analytics
Downsides of Squarespace
- Fewer marketing features – Less built-in compared to dedicated ecommerce platforms
- Limited extensions – Cannot expand with third-party apps and plugins
- Difficult to migrate – Locked into Squarespace ecosystem
If you value an integrated all-in-one solution, Squarespace Commerce is a decent Shopify alternative. But merchants who want maximum customization and flexibility may be better served by other platforms.
How Much Does Squarespace Commerce Cost?
The Basic Commerce plan is $26/month billed annually. The Advanced plan is $40/month when billed yearly.
5. Wix Stores
Wix is a popular all-in-one website builder that also lets you create online stores. It offers ecommerce features for small businesses.
Pros of Using Wix
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder – Easy visual editor requires no coding
- Free Basic plan available – Lets you create up to 10 product listings
- Plenty of customizable templates – Good for quick site creation
Key Wix Stores Features
- Drag-and-drop online store builder
- Hundreds of templates to customize
- Built-in payment processing
- Order management and shipping integrations
- Inventory management
Cons of Using Wix
- Transaction fees are high – 3.5% on each order plus gateway fees
- Limited design flexibility – More restrictive editor compared to other builders
- Difficult to migrate away – Store integrates tightly with Wix
Wix is best for beginners who want a simple hosted platform. But the monthly costs, higher transaction fees, and lack of flexibility limit its potential for large online merchants.
What Does Wix Cost?
The Basic eCommerce plan starts at $23/month. The Unlimited plan is $27/month. Both require annual contracts.
6. Volusion
Volusion offers an affordable all-in-one ecommerce platform for small businesses. The company powers over 35,000 online stores.
Pros of Using Volusion
- Inexpensive starter pricing – Plans from $29/month
- Easy onboarding – Quick start guide to launch store
- Mobile optimized templates – Looks great on all devices
Key Features of Volusion
- Drag-and-drop store builder
- Built-in payment processing
- Inventory and order management
- Shipping integrations
- Responsive design and themes
- Built-in marketing tools
Cons of Using Volusion
- Limited design customization compared to other platforms
- Underpowered compared to Shopify and other leaders
- Must pay cancellation fee if closed within first year
Volusion is a good basic option for small merchants. But as your business scales, the lack of customization and high fees make other platforms a better long-term fit.
How Much Does Volusion Cost?
Volusion starter plans begin at $29/month with a $180 setup fee. More advanced plans start at $79/month.
7. 3dcart
3dcart markets itself as the most affordable enterprise-level ecommerce platform, combining robust features with cheaper pricing.
Key Advantages of 3dcart
- Beginner-friendly drag-and-drop store builder
- Hundreds of professional ecommerce templates
- Affordable pricing with no hidden fees
Features of 3dcart
- Integrated payment processing
- Automated taxes and shipping rates
- Inventory and order management
- CRM and email marketing integrations
- Abandoned cart recovery
Potential Drawbacks of 3dcart
- Can get pricey for high volume merchants
- Underpowered compared to market leaders
- High early cancellation fee
3dcart strikes a decent balance between features and budget pricing. But the lack of standout strengths makes other platforms better long-term options as your business scales.
What Does 3dcart Cost?
3dcart starter pricing begins at $24.99/month for up to 50 products. More advanced plans with lower transaction fees are available.
8. Webflow Ecommerce
Webflow offers visual, drag-and-drop website building with integrated ecommerce capabilities.
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Key Benefits of Webflow Ecommerce
- No coding required – Drag and drop editor for design
- Modern, customizable templates – Great for unique branding
- Compatible with Jamstack – Optionally output completely static sites
Webflow Ecommerce Features
- Drag-and-drop visual editor
- Animations, interactions, and dynamic content
- Built-in commerce tools
- Integrations for taxes, shipping, payment processing
- CMS for managing products and content
Downsides of Webflow
- Steeper learning curve than page builders like Wix
- Hosted platform – cannot migrate or self-host
- Smaller app ecosystem compared to giants like Shopify
Webflow stands out with its visual design tools combined with Jamstack capabilities. But lock-in to the platform may deter some larger merchants.
Webflow Pricing
Plans start at $42/month for up to 500 orders. Unlimited orders are $84/month.
9. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a free, open-source ecommerce solution popular in Europe. Any technical user can download, install, and customize it.
Key Benefits of PrestaShop
- 100% free and open-source software
- Advanced built-in marketing and analytics
- Great for developers – highly customizable
Features of PrestaShop
- Drag-and-drop store builder editor
- SEO and marketing tools
- Payment integrations and fraud protection
- Catalog management and inventory tracking
- Hundreds of free and paid themes
Potential Challenges with PrestaShop
- Requires developers for setup and management
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Limited ecosystem outside Europe
PrestaShop appeals most to developers and tech-savvy merchants thanks to its open-source foundation. But it involves significant technical overhead compared to simpler platforms.
What Does PrestaShop Cost?
The core PrestaShop software is 100% free. You need to budget for web hosting, developers, and add-ons.
Key Factors When Choosing a Shopify Alternative
As you evaluate Shopify alternatives, keep these factors in mind:
Budget – How much do you want to spend on monthly fees and transaction charges? What is your budget for developers or agencies to customize the platform?
Customization – Do you want to heavily customize your store‘s design and features? Or would you prefer an out-of-the-box solution?
Ease of use – Is an easy onboarding and simple admin a priority? Or are you comfortable with a steeper learning curve?
Specific needs – Do you have unique needs like digital products, memberships, or multi-language support that require a tailored platform?
Technical skills – Does your team have development skills to manage an open-source platform? Or would you rather an all-in-one hosted solution?
By carefully weighing your needs, resources, and capabilities against the pros and cons of each platform, you can identify the ideal Shopify alternative to power your online business.
For further guidance, check out our in-depth comparison of WooCommerce vs Shopify and our Shopify vs Squarespace breakdown.
Find the Best Shopify Alternative for Your Online Store
I hope this comprehensive overview of the top 9 Shopify alternatives helps you find the ecommerce platform that best fits your business.
No solution is one-size-fits-all. Carefully consider your unique needs, budget, and capabilities as you evaluate options to determine the right Shopify alternative for your goals.
With the proper platform in place, you can stop worrying about the technical details and focus fully on growth and optimization. Wishing you the best with taking your online business to the next level!
