Are you looking to build your dream online store but not sure which platform to choose? You’re not alone. With a plethora of ecommerce platforms available, it can be challenging to find the perfect fit for your needs. While Shopify is undoubtedly one of the most popular platforms, it may not be the best option for everyone. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the 20 best Shopify alternatives, comparing their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. So let’s dive right in and explore the world of ecommerce platforms beyond Shopify!
Key Takeaways
- BigCommerce is a direct competitor to Shopify with no transaction fees.
- Wix and Squarespace are ideal for small businesses, while WooCommerce is perfect for WordPress users.
- Etsy provides an integrated solution for niche markets, while Dukaan offers easy scalability at affordable prices.
BigCommerce – The Direct Competitor
BigCommerce stands tall as one of the Shopify competitors, offering similar features and pricing while outshining the giant with more selling features “out of the box” and no transaction fees. This popular ecommerce platform provides extensive capabilities, such as multi-channel selling, product filtering, and abandoned cart recovery.
Additionally, BigCommerce stands out for its ability to establish a user-friendly ecommerce store, circumventing the additional transaction fees charged by Shopify. The pricing range for BigCommerce varies from $39/mo to $399/mo, making it a viable alternative for businesses seeking a comprehensive ecommerce solution.
BigCommerce, with its robust features and competitive pricing, significantly impacts the ecommerce platform market.
Wix – Ideal for Small Businesses
Wix, a popular website builder, doubles up as an ecommerce software solution catering specifically to small businesses. It offers a simple and intuitive approach to creating a store with minimal technical expertise needed, and features a wide range of themes to help you get started. Furthermore, it is a violation. Wix is more cost-effective than Shopify, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.
Although Shopify offers more sophisticated ecommerce features, such as selling in multiple currencies, Wix still provides enough tools to set up and manage a successful ecommerce store. With over 280+ apps available in the Wix app store, users can easily integrate the following into their online business:
- Social media
- Live chat
- Payment gateways
- Coupons
- And more
Squarespace – For Creatives and Bloggers
Squarespace is a versatile website builder with impressive ecommerce features, making it an excellent choice for creatives and bloggers. It offers a range of plans, with the basic plan starting at $26/mo, including:
- Unlimited pages
- Galleries
- Blogs
- Bandwidth
- Storage
- Contributors
- Checkout
- Free domain
- SSL security
One limitation of Squarespace, though, is its exclusive acceptance of online payments through PayPal and Stripe, which could potentially hinder its international sales reach.
Despite these limitations, Squarespace has a lot to offer, such as:
- A cover-page builder
- G-Suite integration
- Getty image installation
- A superior blogging tool compared to most Shopify alternatives
The platform’s focus on design and content gives creatives the perfect environment to showcase and sell their work while maintaining a strong online presence.
WooCommerce – Best for WordPress Users
For WordPress users, WooCommerce is the go-to ecommerce platform, offering extensive customization options and seamless integration with the popular CMS. As an open-source plugin, WooCommerce gives users full control over their online store, with freedom of migration and scalability.
While the WooCommerce plugin itself is free, users need to account for hosting costs and any additional premium add-ons they might require. The platform’s comprehensive customization experience allows users to tailor every aspect of their WordPress online store, with the flexibility to add extra features through CSS, HTML, and plugins.
However, keep in mind that WooCommerce might necessitate technical skills for setup and maintenance, so it tends to be a better fit for users with some coding knowledge.
Ecwid – Ecommerce Solution for Existing Sites
Ecwid is an ecommerce plugin that transforms any existing website into an online store, providing a free plan with limited functionality and competitive pricing for its premium plans. This solution is ideal for entrepreneurs who have already established their own website and wish to enhance its sales and ecommerce capabilities without starting from scratch.
The Ecwid free plan allows users to sell up to 5 products exclusively through their online storefront. However, it does not permit sales on other platforms, such as Facebook or Amazon.
Despite these limitations, Ecwid’s premium plans offer a range of POS tools, payment gateway options, and the capability to sell digital products, making it an attractive option for those looking to expand their existing website’s functionality.
Weebly (Square Online) – User-Friendly Choice
Weebly, now known as Square Online, is a user-friendly platform that offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for users to create and manage their online store. However, its ecommerce features are less powerful compared to dedicated platforms like Shopify, making it better suited for small businesses with simpler needs.
The platform focuses on providing a seamless experience for restaurant owners, offering a range of features designed to make their operations more efficient, such as table management, tipping, and loyalty card functionality. While Weebly may not be the most feature-rich ecommerce platform, its ease of use and focus on the restaurant industry make it a popular choice for small business owners looking to establish an online presence.
PrestaShop – Popular European Platform
PrestaShop is a PHP-based open-source platform popular in Europe, offering personal paid support and good community resources. It’s a powerful platform, but may require technical expertise to fully utilize its capabilities. PrestaShop provides support for up to 25 languages and multiple currencies, making it a popular choice for businesses looking to cater to a global audience.
The platform is free to use but requires users to cover hosting and security expenses. PrestaShop also has partnerships with Azure, WebHostingHub, and 1&1, offering users various hosting options. With over 250,000 stores in Italy and Spain using PrestaShop, it’s evident that this popular European platform has made a significant impact on the ecommerce landscape.
Adobe Commerce (Magento) – For Established Stores
Adobe Commerce (Magento) is a CMS platform focused on letting you sell products, tailored for established stores. It offers two primary options: Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services. This platform is best suited for well-established businesses seeking full control of their store functions and security, and willing to invest in it.
Although Adobe Commerce is a powerful platform with extensive capabilities, it may not be suitable for those with limited technical knowledge. Users must be prepared to invest time and resources into learning the platform, making it more suitable for experienced developers or businesses with dedicated technical teams.
Volusion – Veteran Ecommerce Provider
Volusion is a long-standing ecommerce provider with a wealth of experience in the industry. However, ease of use and design options may not be its strong suit compared to newer platforms. Volusion offers plans starting at approximately $35 per month, which include features like generating an “Add to Cart” link, gift certificates, and setting categories and subcategories for items in your shop.
Despite its industry longevity, Volusion’s platform suffers from slower loading speeds and its sites often appear outdated. Additionally, it does not offer up/cross-selling features, making it less competitive when compared to platforms like Shopify.
Volusion is a solid ecommerce provider, but businesses may find better options in newer platforms with more modern features and designs.
Big Cartel – For Artists and Creators
Big Cartel is a Shopify alternative tailored specifically for artists, artisans, and creators with a DIY aesthetic. This platform focuses on providing a space for creators to sell their work with a unique focus on the creative community. Big Cartel offers a free plan for up to 5 products, with paid plans ranging from $9.99 to $29.99 per month.
The platform provides:
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Inventory tracking
- HTML and CSS customization
- Essential features for artists and creators
Big Cartel is an ideal choice for those who wish to build their own online store that showcases their art and caters specifically to the creative community.
PinnacleCart – Perpetual License Option
PinnacleCart offers an ecommerce solution with hosting and a perpetual license, featuring responsive templates and various payment gateways. This platform allows users to choose their own hosting services, presenting a more flexible solution for businesses with specific requirements.
PinnacleCart does not have any transaction fees associated with their plans. This means that all plans are available at a fixed price. Yet, future alterations to the platform could prove challenging, so users must be ready to devote time and resources to learn and maintain the platform.
Despite these potential drawbacks, PinnacleCart’s perpetual license option and flexible hosting choices make it an interesting alternative to consider.
Simvoly – Conversion-Focused Start-Up
Simvoly is an up-and-coming start-up with a unique focus on conversion rate optimization. It offers ecommerce options with room for improvement, but shows promising potential for businesses looking to optimize their sales. Although Simvoly’s editor has yet to implement several integrations, its conversion-focused approach makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to boost their online sales.
Although Simvoly offers various funnel optimization options, its ecommerce features might lag behind Shopify’s, especially in areas like shipping, taxation, and payment methods. However, for businesses seeking a platform with a strong focus on conversion optimization and performance, Simvoly is worth considering as a Shopify alternative.
Sellfy – Best Free Plan
Sellfy is a free Shopify alternative that offers:
- A basic website builder
- Email marketing
- Analytics
- SEO options
Its free plan makes it a budget-friendly choice for small businesses looking to establish an online presence without investing in a premium platform. The platform is focused on selling digital downloads, making it an ideal solution for businesses selling digital products.
Despite its constraints, Sellfy’s free plan equips businesses with the crucial tools to construct and oversee a successful online store. With a focus on simplicity and ease of use, Sellfy is a great option for small businesses looking for a cost-effective way to enter the world of ecommerce.
Shift4Shop – Amazon’s Preferred Platform
Shift4Shop offers a free plan with access to all features, including:
- CRM
- Product reviews
- Automations
- An affiliate program
It was Amazon’s preferred ecommerce platform, highlighting its reliability and robustness as an ecommerce solution.
The platform provides a variety of marketing features, including:
- Basic SEO tools
- Abandoned cart email
- Coupons
- Subscriptions
- Personalized products
- Drop shipping
- Tracking
- Facebook sync
With its comprehensive set of features and Amazon’s endorsement, Shift4Shop presents itself as a strong Shopify alternative for businesses looking to build a powerful online store.
Hostinger Website Builder – Budget-Friendly Newcomer
Hostinger Website Builder is a new, affordable alternative to Shopify with the following features:
- Few templates but beautiful designs
- Clean backend
- Basic ecommerce features
- Suitable for small businesses with simple needs
Despite its limited template selection, Hostinger’s designs and overall user experience make it an attractive option for businesses on a tight budget.
While Hostinger may not offer the most advanced features or extensive template library, its affordability and ease of use make it a viable option for businesses looking to establish an online presence with web hosting without breaking the bank. As a newcomer in the market, Hostinger has the potential to grow and improve its offerings in the future.
Square Online Store – For Restaurant Owners
Square Online Store is a free Shopify alternative focused on catering to the needs of restaurant owners. It provides a POS solution without monthly fees, making it an affordable option for businesses in the food industry. However, it lacks international selling tools and advanced features, which may limit its appeal to larger businesses or those with more complex needs.
Despite these limitations, Square Online Store’s focus on restaurant owners and its range of features tailored to their needs make it a popular choice for small businesses in the food industry. Its free plan and POS solution provide an accessible entry point for those looking to establish an online presence for their restaurant.
Webflow – For Design Enthusiasts
Webflow offers ecommerce plans starting at $29/month, with limits on items sold, payment gateways, and requiring coding knowledge. This platform is better suited for design enthusiasts who want to create a unique online store with advanced customization options. Webflow’s focus on design and aesthetics sets it apart from other platforms, making it an attractive alternative for those with a keen eye for detail and design.
Although Webflow might necessitate some coding knowledge for full feature utilization, the platform provides a host of tools and resources that assist users in creating visually appealing online stores. Some key features of Webflow include:
- A wide range of design templates and customization options
- Responsive design capabilities
- Built-in SEO optimization tools
- Integration with popular payment gateways
- Advanced analytics and reporting features
While Webflow’s ecommerce plans may not be the most affordable or feature-rich, its emphasis on design and customization make it a popular choice for design enthusiasts.
Etsy – Niche Marketplace Solution
Etsy is an online marketplace catering to a niche audience interested in handcrafted or vintage goods. This platform offers a dedicated app for building standalone stores, but may be less scalable than other platforms due to its focus on niche products and unique audience. Etsy’s ‘Pattern’ store builder is a cost-effective ecommerce solution that integrates seamlessly with Etsy, although it may lack the scalability and sophistication of Shopify.
For businesses selling handcrafted or vintage goods, Etsy provides a unique marketplace solution with a dedicated and engaged audience. The platform’s focus on the creative community and niche products sets it apart from other ecommerce platforms, making it an appealing choice for artists, artisans, and creators looking to sell their work in a specialized marketplace.
GoDaddy Website Builder – Basic Ecommerce Features
GoDaddy Website Builder is a popular alternative to Shopify that offers basic ecommerce features, making it suitable for small businesses with simple needs. GoDaddy’s platform provides a user-friendly experience and a range of essential tools for building and managing an online store. However, some reviews suggest that GoDaddy’s ecommerce tools might be elementary and missing specific features.
Despite these limitations, GoDaddy Website Builder is a viable option for businesses looking for a straightforward and easy-to-use platform to establish an online presence. Its affordability and basic ecommerce features make it an attractive alternative for small businesses looking to test the waters of online selling without committing to a more advanced platform.
Dukaan – Easy-to-Use SaaS Platform
Dukaan is a SaaS platform that offers an easy-to-use and highly scalable eCommerce solution with the following features:
- No learning curve or coding skills required
- Free themes
- Mobile-responsiveness
- Built-in business tools
This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking for a simple yet effective eCommerce solution.
Dukaan’s complimentary plan and paid plans commencing at $9/month make it an affordable option for businesses of all sizes. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive set of features, Dukaan is an excellent choice for businesses seeking an easy-to-use and scalable eCommerce platform.
Summary
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing the perfect ecommerce platform for your business. It’s essential to evaluate your specific needs, budget, and target audience when selecting the right platform. The 20 Shopify alternatives listed in this article offer a diverse range of options catering to businesses of all sizes and industries. By examining each platform’s unique features, pricing, and target audience, you can make an informed decision and choose the best possible ecommerce solution for your business’s success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I use instead of Shopify?
For 2023, some of the best Shopify alternatives are Shift4Shop, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Ecwid, WooCommerce, and Sellfy, which each offer unique advantages for different types of sellers.
Who is Shopify biggest competitor?
Shopify’s four biggest competitors are WooCommerce, Wix, SquareSpace, and Ecwid.
Is there a free alternative to Shopify?
OpenCart is a free, open-source Shopify alternative that can be used to manage multiple stores from a single backend.
A hosting service is needed and extensions are available for purchase.
Is shopify open source?
No, Shopify is not open source.
Which platform is best for artists and creators?
Big Cartel is the ideal platform for artists and creators, offering a range of DIY tools that are easy to use.
