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When it comes to building an eCommerce, Shopify is the top-rated choice for me and many others.
But it doesn’t mean other eCommerce platforms don’t fit your needs as well.
You could be looking for a more affordable solution, may you need something simpler, or just want to go a different direction than Shopify.
Each eCommerce platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, so let’s break down the best alternatives and who they’re best suited for.
Shopify Alternative Side By Side Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Why Use It? |
|---|---|---|
| Wix | Beginners And Smaller Stores | Wix is going to be an easy drag-and-drop method with AI built in to design it and also have some key eCommerce features that will help your online store. |
| BigCommerce | Growing And Scaling Businesses | Bigcommerce is a very good platform and very similar to Shopify and has the means to grow your business too. It’s one to really test out because it could be a great fit. |
| Squarespace | Creative And Service-Based Businesses | Stunning templates with built-in marketing and appointment booking tools. |
| WooCommerce | WordPress Users | Fully customizable and integrates with WordPress. Great for bloggers expanding into eCommerce. |
| Volusion | Data-Driven Sellers | Robust analytics and reporting for businesses focused on tracking performance. |
| Sellfy | Digital And Print-on-Demand Products | Perfect for creators selling digital products, subscriptions, and merch. Sellfy is that simple platform that gets the job done. |
| Magento (Adobe Commerce) | Enterprise-Level eCommerce | Highly customizable but requires development knowledge. Best for large businesses with a budget or someone who can really develop. |
Wix – Best for Beginners Who Want an Easy Store Setup
Why Consider Wix Over Shopify?
Wix makes it easy to get going and even easier now with their AI features.
It has plenty of eCommerce features to get your online store going too.
I can tell they are working hard on features and providing a great platform here.
Key Features:
- Beginner-Friendly: Drag-and-drop editor makes website creation easy.
- Customizable Templates: Wide variety of design options for different industries.
- Built-In eCommerce Tools: Includes product pages, payment processing, and order management.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Their AI Features make it easy to set by just entering prompts to build out your store for you.
✔️ No coding is required for customization.
✔️ Tons of design flexibility compared to Shopify’s structured templates.
❌ Limited scalability for large businesses with high sales volumes.
❌ Customer Service lacks and I feel they want you to figure it out yourself.
❌ Transaction fees unless you use Wix Payments.
BigCommerce – One Of The Best Alternatives
Why Consider BigCommerce Over Shopify?
Bigcommerce is a solid platform to consider as an alternative to Shopify.
It has key features for everything as you grow and scale too!
It also has some key SEO features that will assist you in organically ranking better as you put a plan in place.
Key Features:
- Scalability: Works well for both small and large businesses.
- No Transaction Fees: Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce doesn’t charge extra fees for payments.
- Multi-Channel Selling: Easily integrates with Amazon, eBay, and social media stores.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ More built-in tools (so you don’t need as many paid apps).
✔️ Advanced SEO features for better Google rankings.
✔️ Great for larger businesses handling a high volume of orders.
❌ Steeper learning curve compared to Shopify’s more user-friendly dashboard.
❌ Higher monthly cost for premium plans.
Squarespace – Best for Creatives and Digital Stores
Why Consider Squarespace Over Shopify?
If you’re a content creator, artist, or photographer and want a stunning website with built-in eCommerce, Squarespace is a fantastic choice.
Tons of users turn to it that are creators and based off testing they do a good job continuing to improve.
Key Features:
- Beautiful, award-winning templates for a professional look.
- Built-in blogging and SEO tools for better content marketing.
- Integrated appointment booking and memberships for service-based businesses.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Visually appealing and easy to use.
✔️ Great for selling digital products and services.
✔️ Includes domain and hosting (Shopify does not).
❌ Fewer eCommerce features than Shopify.
❌ Limited third-party app integrations.
Sellfy – Best for Selling Digital Products & Subscriptions
Why Consider Sellfy Over Shopify?
Sellfy is one of the best platforms for selling digital products, memberships, and subscriptions without all the complexity of Shopify.
Sometimes simple is just better right?
Key Features:
- Sell digital and physical products from a single platform.
- Built-in print-on-demand integration for selling custom merch.
- Subscription & pay-what-you-want pricing options for flexible sales strategies.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Super easy setup—you can start selling in minutes.
✔️ No need for additional apps to sell digital products.
✔️ Low-cost option for those selling subscriptions or memberships.
❌ Limited store customization compared to Shopify.
❌ Not ideal for large physical product catalogs.
WooCommerce – Best for WordPress Users Who Want Full Control
Why Consider WooCommerce Over Shopify?
WooCommerce is completely customizable and runs on WordPress, making it ideal for those who want full control over their store.
It will have a larger learning curve but it could end up being a great solution for you.
Key Features:
- 100% Customizable: Choose your own hosting, themes, and plugins.
- No Monthly Fee: WooCommerce itself is free, but you’ll pay for hosting and add-ons.
- SEO-Friendly: Leverages the power of WordPress for content marketing.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ No fixed monthly costs (just hosting fees).
✔️ Endless customization options.
✔️ Strong SEO capabilities.
❌ Requires more technical knowledge than Shopify.
❌ Ongoing maintenance is needed for updates and security.
Volusion – Best for Advanced Analytics & Reporting
Why Consider Volusion Over Shopify?
If you’re looking for strong reporting tools and in-depth analytics, Volusion is a great Shopify alternative.
Key Features:
- Detailed analytics dashboards for tracking sales and customer data.
- Built-in SEO and marketing tools to help drive traffic.
- No transaction fees when using Volusion Payments.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Advanced reporting features for better business insights.
✔️ Good customization options with a flexible website builder.
✔️ Lower processing fees than Shopify.
❌ Limited design templates compared to Shopify and Wix.
❌ No built-in blogging platform, which may hurt content marketing efforts.
Magento (Adobe Commerce) – Best for Large Enterprises
Why Consider Magento Over Shopify?
If you need a powerful, scalable platform for a large business, Magento is a strong option.
Key Features:
- Highly customizable with open-source code.
- Multi-store management for running multiple brands.
- Enterprise-level security and scalability.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Built for big businesses handling massive product inventories.
✔️ Total control over customization.
✔️ Strong security features.
❌ Expensive and requires developers to set up.
❌ Steep learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Shopify Alternatives
Why should I consider a Shopify alternative?
Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform, but it may not be suitable for everyone due to pricing, transaction fees, customization limitations, or specific feature requirements. Exploring alternatives can help you find a solution that better aligns with your business needs and budget.
What are the best Shopify alternatives?
Some popular Shopify alternatives include:
- WooCommerce (for WordPress users seeking flexibility)
- BigCommerce (for scalability and built-in features)
- Wix eCommerce (for easy drag-and-drop design)
- Squarespace Commerce (for beautiful, design-focused stores)
- Magento (for large-scale businesses needing advanced features)
- Sellfy (great for smaller e-commerce stores and selling digital products, subscriptions, and merch)
Which Shopify alternative is the cheapest?
WooCommerce is often the most budget-friendly option since it is free to use with WordPress, though you may need to pay for hosting, themes, and plugins. Wix and Squarespace offer affordable monthly plans with built-in eCommerce features.
What Shopify alternative is best for beginners?
Wix and Squarespace are great options for beginners due to their intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and all-in-one hosting and design solutions. BigCommerce is also beginner-friendly with built-in tools that simplify store management.
Which platform offers the most customization?
WooCommerce and Magento provide the most customization options, allowing you to modify every aspect of your store. However, they require some technical knowledge or developer support.
Do Shopify alternatives charge transaction fees?
Unlike Shopify, which charges additional transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments, many alternatives (like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Wix) do not charge extra transaction fees beyond standard payment processor fees.
Can I migrate my Shopify store to an alternative platform?
Many platforms offer migration tools or services to help you transfer products, customer data, and orders. Third-party apps and professional services can also assist with a smooth migration process.
Which platform is best for large businesses?
BigCommerce and Magento are excellent choices for large businesses due to their scalability, powerful built-in features, and ability to handle high traffic and complex inventory.
What Shopify alternative is best for digital products?
WooCommerce, Sellfy, and Squarespace Commerce are great for selling digital products. They offer features for secure file delivery, subscriptions, and licensing management.
Do Shopify alternatives offer good customer support?
Most platforms provide customer support via email, live chat, and phone, though the quality and availability may vary. BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace are known for strong support, while WooCommerce relies more on community forums and third-party developers.
How do I choose the best Shopify alternative for my business?
Consider factors like budget, ease of use, customization options, transaction fees, scalability, and the type of products you plan to sell. Taking the time to really try out these free trials is going to help you out a ton. I feel it helps you see what it offers at no cost to you.
My Final Thoughts On These Shopify Alternatives
Choosing the right platform depends on your budget, technical skills, and what you’re selling.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Platform | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Wix | Beginners & Small Stores | $$ |
| BigCommerce | Growing Businesses | $$$ |
| Squarespace | Creatives & Service-Based Businesses | $$ |
| WooCommerce | WordPress Users | $$ (depends on hosting) |
| Volusion | Businesses That Need Strong Analytics | $$$ |
| Sellfy | Digital Product Sellers | $ |
| Magento | Large Enterprises | $$$$ |
If you need something beginner-friendly, Wix and Squarespace are great choices.
If you’re focused on scalability and growth, BigCommerce or WooCommerce may be better.
And if you’re selling digital products, Sellfy is a top pick.
Still unsure?
Try a free trial on a couple of these platforms and see which one fits your needs best!
