You’ve got enough exciting stuff to worry about. Let us be the reliable platform you can depend on. Make an average $73* for every $1 you spend. So boring.
Start free
Cancel any time | No credit card required
Drive sales on autopilot with ecommerce-focused features
Many businesses prioritize beginner-friendly platforms with affordable pricing or customization when choosing the best Shopify alternatives.
Even though Shopify is a widely used ecommerce platform known for its extensive tools and easy setup, it may not fit every business’s needs. Its pricing structure, customization options, and scalability can be restrictive for some businesses, leading them to look for other alternatives that come with required features at better prices.
In this article, we‘ll discuss the best Shopify alternatives. We’ll compare their features and assess their scalability to help you choose the ideal ecommerce platform for you.
Connect your ecommerce platform with Omnisend with ease
For all of its benefits, some ecommerce store owners prefer the numerous alternatives to Shopify. Some of the most common reasons are:
High pricing
Shopify’s paid plans start at $39/month for Basic and go up as the plan scales. The Shopify plan is priced at $105/month and Advanced at $399/month. Ecommerce stores with complex needs can upgrade to Shopify Plus, which starts at $2,300/month on a three-year term.
Alternative solutions for businesses include the $5/month Starter plan, which allows selling through social media or a simple online store. The Starter plan does not include advanced staff features and inventory tracking.
For $89/month, the Retail plan provides in-person selling tools with inventory and loyalty features. An Enterprise commerce plan with custom pricing is also available upon request.
It’s important to note that Shopify does not provide a free plan. However, most plans offer a $1/month trial for the initial three months.
This trial period may be insufficient for startups to thoroughly explore all features and fully assess the platform before making a financial commitment.
Explore other Shopify alternatives that provide free plans for additional flexibility or a more extended trial. These Shopify alternatives will help you get started without incurring immediate costs.
Payment processing issues
Shopify’s plans include Shopify payments, a built-in payment processor. The good news is that Shopify charges no transaction fees if you use this processor, which can save considerable money.
However, it’s only available in around 20 countries. Depending on the plan, if you choose to use a different payment processor, you may incur a fee of up to 2% on Shopify.
Customization and design restrictions
Shopify provides a range of design options. However, the potential for enhanced customization increases significantly with technical expertise.
While the platform allows basic visual changes through its theme editor and website builder, more advanced modifications require HTML, CSS, and Liquid code knowledge.
This can be challenging for businesses looking for a fully unique design without relying on third-party developers. For users looking for more flexibility, various Shopify alternatives offer increased control over customization without requiring coding skills.
Limited control over SEO and marketing
Although Shopify provides some SEO tools, it limits customization in key areas, such as URL structure and metadata.
With limited built-in SEO features, Shopify relies on third-party apps like SEO Manager, Plug-In SEO, and Smart SEO to enhance its SEO capabilities. You can easily integrate these tools into the store, but they come with additional costs compared to platforms with more advanced built-in SEO features without overhead charges.
Scaling challenges for large stores
Shopify’s basic plans may not adequately manage large inventory or high order volume. You need to upgrade to higher-tier plans, which may not be cost-effective for growing businesses.
However, there are Shopify alternatives that offer greater flexibility and scalability.
Quick comparison of the best Shopify alternatives
Below is a comparison of the best alternatives to Shopify to help you choose the most suitable for your business needs:
WooCommerce is a free plugin that transforms any existing WordPress blog or website into an ecommerce store. It offers unparalleled flexibility and control for users familiar with WordPress.
WooCommerce is ideal for users who want to customize their online store, and Omnisend’s seamless integration with this platform allows for advanced marketing automation.
Omnisend simplifies email and SMS marketing and boosts customer engagement. This includes enhanced customer engagement through automated emails, SMS, and workflows.
Pros
Broad adaptability
Customizable with many plugins and WooCommerce themes
Free to use, with costs for premium plugins
Easy payment options with WooPayments
Dedicated support to help established merchants
Cons
Requires hosting and domain registration
Security is the store owner’s responsibility
Compatible with only WordPress
Steeper learning curve for beginners
Costs can add up with premium plugins and themes
Pricing
The plugin is free to use, but incurs extra costs for customizations and hosting
Get 30% OFF for 3 months + a $1,000 migration package at no extra charge
BigCommerce is a top ecommerce platform with high security and 99.99% uptime. It’s ideal for businesses looking for a reliable Shopify alternative.
Its drag-and-drop features simplify website customization, making it accessible for beginners and experienced users. Third-party payment services do not require additional transaction fees.
While BigCommerce has fewer add-ons than Shopify, it provides categorized options and numerous themes suitable for businesses at every growth stage.
Pros
Comprehensive platform with hosting and security features
Built-in mobile responsiveness
Seamless WordPress connection
Multiple site management with multi-storefront
Built-in SEO and marketing tools
Cons
Requires a paid subscription
Fewer unique templates than Shopify
Complexity for beginners
Limited design customization
Annual sales limits on each pricing tier
Pricing
BigCommerce essentials for small business
Standard: $39/month
Plus: $105/month
Pro: $399/month
Enterprise Plan: Customized pricing for established businesses
Wix is renowned for its comprehensive and easy-to-use website builder, making it a strong competitor to Shopify. Multiple features may differ between Wix vs Shopify. However, Wix is easier to use.
Shopify’s focus on ecommerce provides more sophisticated functionality. Wix is more intuitive and user-friendly for the average store owner.
Wix’s AI-driven Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) tool sets it apart. It automatically creates a fully customized online store based on user preferences, making it incredibly accessible for beginners without design or technical skills.
Pros
Excellent design flexibility
14-day free trial
500+ free templates designed for ecommerce
User-friendly interface
Mobile-friendly templates
Cons
Inventory and product management features aren’t as advanced as Shopify’s
Ecommerce features aren’t the most advanced (e.g., product variants)
Ecwid distinguishes itself from other Shopify alternatives because it effortlessly integrates with any existing website, irrespective of the platform used.
You can easily integrate Ecwid as an ecommerce solution on WordPress, Wix, or custom-built sites without requiring a complete website rebuild.
Ecwid also has a built-in POS (point-of-sale) system, allowing businesses to manage their online and in-store sales from one platform. It provides a unified sales solution.
This flexibility makes it ideal for businesses looking to enhance their ecommerce capabilities.
Formerly known as Magento, Adobe Commerce is an advanced platform that offers features like multi-store management and integration with other Adobe products such as Analytics and Creative Cloud.
It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes, particularly those needing to manage multiple stores in different languages. With its freemium model and high uptime, Adobe Commerce provides a reliable, scalable solution for growing ecommerce businesses.
Adobe Commerce’s AI-powered personalization analyzes customers’ behavior and preferences to deliver customized shopping experiences. This helps boost conversion rates by offering personalized product recommendations and targeted promotions.
Pros
Powerful multi-store management features
Freemium business model
Strong security feature
Customizable user experience
Wide device compatibility
Cons
Seven out of 10 official themes require payment
Requires separate hosting
Lack of built-in dial-in service
Higher costs for larger teams
Buggy screen sharing
Pricing
Adobe Commerce offers customizable pricing based on business needs with Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services packages.
Shoplazza earns its spot on this list as the best Shopify alternative for international sellers due to its strong focus on cross-border commerce.
It’s tailored for businesses looking to expand globally, with standout features like multi-language and multi-currency support and built-in tools for handling international taxes, payments, and shipping.
Furthermore, Shoplazza allows for easy localization of online stores, enabling businesses to adapt their offerings to various regions and customer preferences. This makes it a highly effective solution for sellers targeting a diverse range of markets.
Pros
Supports multi-language and multi-currency transactions
Built-in cross-border selling tools for taxes, shipping, and payments
Seamless integration with popular marketplaces and apps
Offers AI-driven marketing features to boost sales
Affordable plans compared to other global ecommerce platforms
Cons
Limited design customization compared to competitors
Fewer third-party app integrations than Shopify
Lacks some advanced analytics tools
Customer support can be slow during peak times
Not ideal for businesses focused on local markets
Pricing
Shoplazza Online
Basic (individuals and small businesses): $39/month
Advanced (small to medium-sized companies): $105/month
Square Online is the best Shopify alternative for those seeking a simple and free ecommerce platform. It’s designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs and provides free access with no monthly fees.
Square Online is a comprehensive solution with swift operational readiness. The platform is ideal if you want to launch your store quickly.
It provides essential online store features, such as multi-location management, staff oversight, and offline and in-store customer data tracking. These features make Square Online an excellent choice for physical retailers looking to expand their online presence.
Pros
Free to use with no subscription fees
Includes hosting and domain name registration
Quick and straightforward setup process
Integrates seamlessly with Square’s POS systems
Offers built-in marketing and analytics tools
Cons
Limited features compared to Shopify and other advanced platforms
Higher transaction fees for significant sales volume
Minimal customization options for design
Limited scalability for rapidly growing businesses
Requires integration with other platforms for advanced functionalities
Pricing
Free plan with 2.9% + $0.3 per transaction
Plus: $29/month with 2.9% + $0.3 per transaction
Premium: $79/month with 2.6% + $0.3 per transaction
Shift4Shop, formerly 3dCart, is a feature-rich Shopify alternative that is a great choice for US-based businesses. It offers an enterprise-level plan without monthly fees if you use its payment processor.
With hosting, SSL, and a free domain included, Shift4Shop is a cost-effective solution for merchants seeking powerful tools like SEO optimization, dropshipping support, and fraud protection.
Shift4Shop has impressive features, including dynamic Facebook ads, a reward program, store credits, support for dropshipping, an affiliate program, CRM, and SEO tools.
Pros
Extensive features, including fraud protection
US-based users can assess the enterprise-level plan for free
Over 100 free themes
Includes hosting, SSL certificates, and a free domain name
Supports advanced ecommerce tools
Cons
The free plan isn’t available to users outside of the US
Website builder isn’t as intuitive as other Shopify alternatives
Limited integrations
Customer support can be inconsistent for non-US merchants
Advanced features require a learning curve for beginners
Pricing
Shift4Shop offers a $0/month plan for businesses processing at least $1,000/month through Shift4 Payments.
Squarespace is a worthy Shopify alternative for businesses prioritizing visual storytelling and content-driven marketing.
Squarespace is known for its sleek, professional templates. The platform is perfect for artists, bloggers, and small brands looking to combine ecommerce functionality with beautifully designed websites.
Squarespace offers a domain name availability checker with an AI-powered domain search tool. Businesses setting up an online store can easily find a domain name.
This Shopify alternative provides intuitive tools for creating content, galleries, and blogs. These features make it ideal for creative entrepreneurs looking to showcase their products and stories.
Pros
29 high-quality, visually appealing templates optimized for content creators
Includes built-in blogging, SEO, and marketing tools
Comprehensive platform with hosting, domain registration, and ecommerce features
Offers tools for selling both physical and digital products
Integrates with social media and email marketing platforms seamlessly
Cons
Limited ecommerce features compared to Shopify
Transaction fees apply unless using its payment processor
Fewer third-party app integrations
Higher compared to some alternatives that offer ecommerce-specific features
Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
PrestaShop is a fully customizable ecommerce platform for businesses seeking open-source customization and control. Designed for tech-savvy entrepreneurs or businesses with access to developers, it provides unparalleled flexibility in building and managing online stores.
With no subscription fees and an extensive library of modules and themes, it’s great for scaling businesses that want to tailor their ecommerce platform to their exact needs.
Pros
Built-in SEO tools for better search engine rankings
Free to use, with optional paid modules for added functionality
Supports multiple languages and currencies for global selling
Support from 250+ experts and one million community members
Compatible with a wide range of payment gateways
Cons
Requires technical knowledge or developer assistance for setup and maintenance
Hosting, domain, and security are not included in the overall cost
Limited built-in features
Set up and optimizing can be time-consuming
Reliance on third-party modules can lead to compatibility issues
Pricing
Classic: Free download
Hosted: $30.69/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Best free Shopify alternatives
Several free alternatives to Shopify offer unique advantages for different types of sellers.
WooCommerce is an excellent choice for those with WordPress websites. It offers lots of customization options and allows you to use the best WordPress plugins. While it’s free to use, you’ll need to factor in costs for hosting, domain, and premium themes. WooCommerce is a good match for businesses already familiar with WordPress.
Similarly, PrestaShop offers unmatched flexibility for tech-savvy users. Its open-source nature allows complete customization, and it’s free to download. However, hosting, domain, and additional modules can increase costs. The platform is perfect for businesses seeking complete control over their store’s functionality.
Ecwid’s free plan, on the other hand, is straightforward and easy to set up, making it a solid choice for small businesses or entrepreneurs just starting out in business.
It offers various features, including multi-channel selling on social media and marketplaces. While it lacks the extensive customization of WooCommerce or PrestaShop, its simplicity and accessibility make it a solid choice for minimalists.
What’s great is that Omnisend also seamlessly integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Bigcommerce, and other ecommerce platforms.
These Shopify alternatives cater to different needs, so make sure to evaluate which one suits your business best.
Best Shopify alternatives: Wrap up
Shopify remains a leading choice for building ecommerce stores thanks to its easy-to-understand features and user-friendly interface. However, there are Shopify alternatives that cater to various needs and budgets.
Whether you’re looking for a free alternative to Shopify like WooCommerce or PrestaShop or a more customizable solution like BigCommerce or Shift4Shop, many options integrate seamlessly with Omnisend to boost your marketing efforts.
Drive sales on any ecommerce site, Shopify or its alternative, with Omnisend’s email + SMS automation
Richard is a Content Marketing Manager at Omnisend. An avid writer, he's said to have been born holding a pencil. Fascinated by all things handmade, if he's not reading or writing he can often be found practicing leathercraft.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subscribe and don’t miss any updates!
No fluff, no spam, no corporate filler. Just a friendly letter, twice a month.
Omnisend AI
OFFER
