Top 15+ Shopify Alternatives That Are Best Kept Secret

Though Shopify is a one-of-a-kind eCommerce platform, it certainly isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. Whether you are encountering setbacks while scaling up your Shopify store or simply want to look at other Shopify alternatives, you have come to the right place. 

With years of enabling worldwide merchants to succeed in eCommerce, the eComStart team has wrapped up a list of 15+ all-time best Shopify alternatives for your sake! (many of which we bet you might not even hear yet). 

Amped up? Let’s dive in!

1. An overview of Shopify

If you are a newbie, let us get you ‘on board’ with foundational knowledge and insights into Shopify:

💡 What is Shopify?

Shopify is a hosted eCommerce platform. This means you pay Shopify a recurring licensing fee to host your website securely on the Shopify server without having to host a website on your own, like open-source platforms.  

Recommended reading:

• Shopify Pricing Plan: Pick the Best Plan for You
• Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Which is Your Perfect Match?
• Shopify 3 Months for $1: How to Claim The Deal & Start Selling Online

💡 How popular is Shopify?

It’s pretty popular. Over 4.6 million live eCommerce websites are using Shopify, making it one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world.

💡 Why is Shopify popular?

Many said Shopify is famous for its ease of use. However, from our view, that’s not the whole picture. Besides its beginner-friendly interface, brands trust Shopify because of its robust built-in eCommerce features and an extensive App Store of 8,000+ apps.

For those of you who have read our selling on Shopify review, you would know that Shopify might have some drawbacks despite its fantastic features. 

Therefore, aside from considering Shopify, it could be beneficial to explore additional options to broaden your choices. This way, you can make a more informed decision. While Shopify remains a viable choice, you may discover another platform that better aligns with your needs and preferences.

💡If you haven’t open your Shopify store, now is the best time! Shopify is offering Shopify $1 for 3 months program, a deal that allow you to enjoy 3 days free trial plus 3 months with $1/month.

2. A glance at the 15 best Shopify alternatives

No.	Platform	Rating on G2	Pricing per month	Full comparison
1	Wix	4.2 (1,652 reviews)	1 general website plan: $17/month 3 online store plans: $29 to $159/month	Shopify vs Wix
2	BigCommerce	4.2 (499 reviews)	3 online store plans: $39 – $399	Shopify vs BigCommerce
3	Squarespace	4.4 (1,055 reviews)	1 general website plan: $16 3 online store plans: $23 – $49	Shopify vs Squarespace
4	WordPress	4.4 (8,677 reviews)	Free to install Hosting, theme, and other costs: $10 – $300+	Shopify vs WordPress
5	Magento	4.0 (226 reviews)	Free to install Hosting, theme, and other costs: $1,000	Shopify vs Magento
6	OpenCart	4.3 (104 reviews)	Free to install Hosting, theme, and other costs: $10 – $150+	Shopify vs Opencart
7	Weebly	4.2 (459 reviews)	1 general website plan: $13 2 online store plans: $16 and $29	Shopify vs Weebly
8	Clickfunnels	4.6 (391 reviews)	3 online store plans: $147 – $297	Shopify vs Clickfunnels
9	Gumroad	4.1 (15 reviews)	10% transaction fee per sales	Shopify vs Gumroad
10	Odoo	4.1 (236 reviews)	3 online store plans: Free or $31.10 – $46.80	Shopify vs Odoo
11	Webflow	4.4 (559 reviews)	4 general website plans: Free or $14 – $39 3 online store plans: $42 – $235	Shopify vs Webflow
12	Ecwid	4.7 (392 reviews)	3 online store plans: $25 – $105	Shopify vs Ecwid
13	Big Cartel	4.2 (26 reviews)	3 online store plans: Free or $15 – $30	Shopify vs Big Cartel
14	PrestaShop	4.3 (151 reviews)	1 online store plan: €29 = around $32	Shopify vs PrestaShop
15	GoDaddy	3.9 (841 reviews)	2 general website plan: $10.99 and $14.99 1 online store plan: $20.99	Shopify vs GoDaddy
16	Volusion	3.2 (65 reviews)	4 online store plans: $35 – $299 or a custom plan	Shopify vs Volusion

3. Top 15 Shopify alternatives worth considering 

3.1. Wix

 

If you are looking for a user-friendly Shopify alternative, Wix is the first name we’d love to introduce to you in today’s list. Wix’s clean dashboard and intuitive drag-and-drop editor allow even newbies to build a website without the sweating part.

But what we like most about Wix is that the platform is quite affordable compared to Shopify. Wix only costs you $17/month for personal websites and $29 for a lightweight eCommerce store. The platform also doesn’t charge you extra third-party transaction fees like Shopify does.

💡 Pricing: Wix has flexible pricing plans for various website types

1. 1 general website plan: $17/month
2. 3 online store plans: $29, $36, and $159/month

Pros

• It’s easy-peasy to build and customize a website with Wix
• Wix’s pricing plans are competitive 
• You won’t be charged third-party transaction fees

Cons

• Its sales & marketing features can be limited compared to Shopify
• You can’t switch to a new Wix theme
  
• Wix’s integration isn’t extensive

3.2. BigCommerce

 

Whether you are searching for Shopify alternatives for drop shipping or conventional eCommerce alike, BigCommerce is a contender that deserves attention. Built for growth-minded businesses, BigCommerce offers a suite of native tools ideal for stores that have outgrown simpler platforms.

The platform stands out for its enterprise-grade features available even on lower-tier plans, without the need for numerous additional apps. Plus, BigCommerce supports a wide array of sales channels, including social media and various marketplaces, providing a truly omnichannel experience.

💡 Pricing: As the best Shopify alternative, BigCommerce’s pricing plans are familiar with Shopify.

1. Standard: $39/month
2. Plus: $105/month
3. Pro: $399/month

Pros

• Extensive built-in features, reducing the dependency on third-party apps.
• Zero transaction fees across all plans
• Scalable and robust enough to accommodate high-volume businesses.

Cons

• The complexity of features might overwhelm beginners
• Customization of themes may require developer skills
• BigCommerce App Store only has 1,000+ apps. This number is far behind Shopify

 

3.3. Squarespace

 

Did you know it only takes your potential customers a millisecond to form their opinion of your website? Thus, if you want to craft a website that catches your target audience’s attention, Squarespace is a top-tier alternative for Shopify of all time.

With various responsive templates and advanced design capacity,  Squarespace should be a go-to choice for bloggers, artists, or any who want to build a visual-oriented website. You can adjust your typography, product display, page animations, etc., easily using Squarespace’s built-in drag-and-drop editor.

💡 Pricing: 

1. 1 general website plan: $25/month
2. 3 online store plans: $36, $40, and $72

Pros

• Superior template designs with a strong aesthetic appeal
• No transaction fees for sales
• Intuitive interface for non-technical users
• Strong focus on visual content, beneficial for portfolios and blogs

Cons

• Squarespace’s eCommerce features are not as extensive as Shopify
• Limited third-party app marketplace
• Potentially less scalable for large eCommerce operations

3.4. WordPress

 

There is no way we miss WordPress when it comes to Shopify alternatives open source. However, it should be noted that WordPress doesn’t offer any sales features. Instead, you must install the WooCommerce plug-in in order to enable eCommerce functionality for your WordPress site.

WordPress with WooCommerce is particularly effective for those who already have a website on WordPress and want to add an online selling component. It’s also a cost-effective solution since WooCommerce is free to use, though you might incur costs for additional plugins and themes to extend your store’s functionality. 

💡 Pricing: As one of the best free Shopify alternatives, WordPress and WooCommerce cost you nothing to install. However, you might need to pay $15 – $300+ per month for hosting costs, buying an SSL certificate, template, plug-ins, etc. 

Pros

• The best platform for SEO and blogging features
• Due to its open-source nature, WordPress gives you full website customization control
• WordPress Plugin Directory and WooCommerce Marketplace give you thousands of plug-ins to choose from

Cons

• The learning curve is steeper with WordPress
• You have to manually update your website and adopt security practices
• It takes more time since you will have to take care of hosting a website yourself

3.5. Magento

 

A ‘big fish’ encountering the limits of Shopify while scaling up your online store? Then you might be looking for a platform that offers flexibility and advanced eCommerce functionality. If that’s the case, Magento is the way to go.

As one of the best Shopify alternatives, Magento offers robust SEO capabilities and extensive customization options via HTML/CSS editing, giving you total control over the design and feel of your store.

💡 Pricing: Magento is free to install. However, the cost of hiring experts, website development, and agencies can add up to $1,000+ per month.

Pros

• Magento’s customization options are endless as long as you are comfortable with coding 
• The platform comes with tons of advanced personalization features
• Magento’s localization and B2B features are top in the market

Cons

• While the open-source version is free, the overall costs of development, hosting, and maintenance can be high
• Most customization and maintenance tasks require professional developers
• Magento isn’t suitable for small brand or non-techie merchants

3.6. OpenCart

 

Like WordPress and Magento, OpenCart is another open-source platform we brought to today’s list. 

OpenCart stands out with features like multi-store management from a single admin panel, various shipping provider integrations, guest and registered user checkouts, recurring payments, and comprehensive SEO tools.

💡 Pricing: Same with WordPress. But the cost of managing an OpenCart website is a bit more affordable at $10 to $150 per month.

Pros

• Completely free to download and use
• Extensive customization options due to open-source nature
• OpenCart offers 500+ sleek themes

Cons

• OpenCart requires coding skills for setup and customization
• Limited customer support options, relying mainly on community-based support​ 

3.7. Weebly

 

Are you striving for an affordable, easy-to-use eCommerce platform? If that’s the case, Weebly is one of the best Shopify alternatives you shouldn’t miss out on. 

Weebly boasts a straightforward, drag-and-drop interface that makes site creation accessible for even beginners. Besides, Weebly’s affordability is also a plus, with free themes and modestly priced plans with its lowest plan only costing you $16/month.

And for those of you who don’t know it yet, Weebly’s eCommerce features are powered by Square. This includes inventory management, an automatic tax calculator, and integrated shipping tools. 

Of course, compared to Shopify, Weebly is behind in terms of sales & marketing features. But if you want to easily build a website with adequate eCommerce features, Weebly is nothing but the right choice.

💡 Pricing: Weebly costs you $13/month to build a personal website and $16 or $29 to build an eCommerce website.

Pros

• Building and customizing a site with Weebly is smooth
• The platform’s pricing is budget-friendly and perfect for small businesses
• You won’t incur additional transaction fees for sales
• Weebly’s integration with Square enriches its eCommerce

Cons

• eCommerce and marketing tools are more basic than Shopify’s, which might limit growth for expanding businesses
• Weebly’s customization depth may fall short for those with more advanced needs, lacking Shopify’s extensive options
• Themes and customization options are more limited compared to Shopify

3.8. Clickfunnels

 

Clickfunnels is another worth-considering option when comparing Shopify vs competitors.  With a starting price of $147 per month, Clickfunnels offers a variety of pre-built funnel templates to suit your different needs and wants.

The platform is especially effective for marketers of digital products, memberships, or services, offering robust features for one-click upsells and comprehensive marketing sequences. 

Pricing: Clickfunnels has three pricing plans: 

1. Basic: $147/month
2. Pro: $197/month
3. Funnel Hacker: $297/month

Pros

• ClickFunnels excels at optimizing sales funnels for better conversion rates
• It provides customizable templates to help increase sales
• Features for upselling and email automation enhance marketing efforts
• A/B testing functionality allows for strategy refinement

Cons

• ClickFunnels focuses less on e-commerce capabilities
• Its starting price is generally higher than Shopify’s
• The platform offers a more limited selection of themes
• Integrations available are not as extensive as those on Shopify

3.9. Gumroad

 

If you are planning to sell digital products like eBooks, downloads, online courses, et,c. instead of physical ones,  Gumroad would be one of the top-notch Shopify alternatives. 

With features designed for memberships and subscriptions, plus the ability to accept multiple currencies, Gumroad is a compelling platform for digital creators.

💡 Pricing: Gumroad charges you a 10% transaction fee for each sale you make.

Pros

• Gumroad is great for selling digital products
• It enables creators to easily set up subscriptions and memberships
• The platform supports transactions in multiple currencies for global sales

Cons

• If you want to sell physical products, Gumroad isn’t a great choice
• The 10% transaction fee can be costly for high-volume stores
• Gumroad lacks the comprehensive marketing and SEO tools available on Shopify

3.10. Odoo

 

Though not as popular as big names like BigCommerce, WooCommerce, or Wix, Odoo is still a top Shopify alternative we’d love to bring to the table.

Unlike typical eCommerce platforms, Odoo wraps eCommerce, CRM, and ERP into one seamless package, making it a standout for businesses seeking depth in their operational tools. 

Odoo has a free forever plan to let you test out one of its apps for free. To unlock a full suite, you’d need to be on a paid plan: $31.1 or $46.8/month. Though it sounds cheaper than Shopify at first, it’s the pricing per user.

💡 Pricing: Odoo has one free plan for you to test out one app’s functionalities. To unlock all apps in Odoo ‘ecosystem’, you have to subscribe to one of their paid plans:

1. Standard: $31.10/user/month
2. Custom: $46.80/user/month

Pros

• Odoo offers a comprehensive suite of eCommerce, CRM, ERP
• The platform is highly customizable due to its open-source nature
• Odoo supports extensive integration capabilities

Cons

• Can be complex to set up and customize without technical expertise
• May present a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features and business management tools
• The cost of implementation and customization can be higher, especially if you need to add more users

3. 11. Webflow

 

If you are after a visual-first platform that empowers you to turn your store into a piece of artwork, Webflow is the ultimate solution we pick for you. 

With over 2,000 well-responsive templates and extensive web design functionality, Webflow gives you granular control over how your web store should look and work. For instance, you can add eye-catching animations, hover effects, etc., and adjust an element to pixel precision like Figma or Adobe Photoshop. 

💡 Pricing: Webflow’s pricing structure is a bit complex. 

1. For general websites, Webflow offers 1 free plan and 3 paid plans starting from $14 – $39
2. For eCommerce sites, Webflow lets you choose from 3 plans, ranging from $42 – $235

Pros

• Over 2,000 website templates for various website types
• You have complete control over your website’s design
• Integrated CMS for content-rich sites, making it easier to manage blogs or portfolios

Cons

• eCommerce features may not be as extensive as Shopify’s
• Webflow’s user interface isn’t intuitive 
• Customizing your website with Webflow will require some coding know-how

3.12. Ecwid

 

If you are hosting a website with Wix, Weebly, Jumla, or Squarespace and now want to enable eCommerce features on your website, we couldn’t think of a better name than Ecwid.

The name ‘Ecwid’ is actually a combination of ‘eCommerce’ and ‘widget.’ Simply put, if the idea of migrating your website to another purposely built eCommerce platform freaks you out, Ecwid is a life-saver. 

For example, if you want to add lightweight eCommerce functionality to your blog site, you can add an eCommerce widget to your site with Ecwid. Afterward, you can add products, accept payments, manage orders, etc. 

The awesome thing about Ecwid is that it works for all websites, unlike WooCommerce– which only works for WordPress websites.

💡 Pricing: Ecwid has one free plan that lets you add 5 products and basic eCommerce features. For more advanced needs and products, you’d have to be on Ecwid’s paid plans:

1. Venture: $25/month (100 products)
2. Business: $45/month (2,500 products)
3. Unlimited: $105/month (unlimited products)

Pros

• Ecwid works with lots of platforms, not just WordPress
• The platform is lightweight and easy to manage
• Ecwid has a forever-free plan with basic eCommerce features, making it accessible for small startups

Cons

• It might not suit very large businesses or those with complex eCommerce needs 
• Fewer customization options and themes compared to Shopify’s extensive library

3.13. Big Cartel

 

Are you an artist, freelancer, or independent creator who wants a simplified platform to manage your online store? If so, Big Cartel is among the superb Shopify alternatives we’d love to suggest to you.

Big Cartel is designed with simplicity in mind, enabling you to set up a store quickly without overwhelming features. And though Big Cartel doesn’t offer as many eCommerce features as Shopify, the platform’s affordable pricing plan makes it a solid choice for those on a budget.

💡 Pricing: Big Cartel has a free plan that enables you to add 5 products and accept online payments. To add more products and unlock more sales features, it has 2 paid plans:

1. Platinum: $15/month (50 products)
2. Diamond: $30/month (500 products)

Pros

• Ideal for small sellers and artists with its user-friendly interface
• Offers a free plan for up to five products
• Focused on independent creators and small businesses

Cons

• Even the highest plan of Big Cartel supports 500 products
• Limited scalability compared to Shopify
• Fewer features and integrations available
• Not as robust for larger eCommerce operations

3.14. PrestaShop

 

PrestaShop is a standout choice for stores aiming to create a unique online store. With a wealth of themes and modules, the open-source platform enables you to precisely build an eCommerce site the way you visualize it.

However, be alert that this customization comes at a cost. Unlike Shopify, setting up and customizing PrestaShop requires a certain level of technical expertise. While the software itself is free, operating costs can accumulate, especially when investing in premium features or professional hosting services.

💡 Pricing: The PrestaShop software is available for download at €29/month, which is equivalent to  around $32/month. However, this cost doesn’t include important fees like hosting, SSL certificate, theme, etc.

Pros

• Highly customizable, offering extensive control over the store’s appearance and functionality
• No subscription fees, making it a cost-effective option for businesses willing to handle their own hosting
• A large community of developers and users for support and module development

Cons

• Requires technical skill for setup and customization, which may not be ideal for beginners
• Potential for higher operational costs through the need for paid modules, themes, and hosting
• More complex to manage than Shopify, especially for those without web development experience

3.15. GoDaddy

 

Let’s continue our list of the best Shopify alternatives by examining a ‘rising star’ in the SaaS eCommerce industry. Yup, it is GoDaddy we are talking about.

Known primarily for domain registration and web hosting, GoDaddy has recently expanded its services to include a website builder and robust eCommerce platform. Though GoDaddy is considered a newbie, its built-in sales features are quite diverse and quality.

For instance, at $20.99/month, you can set up email campaigns, add discount codes, and sync your products to Facebook Shop, Instagram Shopping, Etsy, eBay, etc. 

💡 Pricing: GoDaddy lets you build a non-eCommerce website at $10.99/month or $14.99/month. To enable eCommerce functionalities, GoDaddy costs you $20.99. 

Pros

• User-friendly platform suitable for beginners
• Adequate sales and marketing features
• Reliable 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Limited customization options compared to Shopify
• GoDaddy’s SEO features are very basic
• May not scale as well for larger or more complex eCommerce operations

3.16. Volusion

 

And last but not least, Volusion is a prominent name people usually mention when it comes to Shopify alternatives. 

At its core, Volusion provides a user-friendly platform that simplifies the creation and management of online stores. With a robust inventory management system, Volusion allows you to track and manage your products, inventory, etc., without the sweating part.

Plus, if you’re a merchant with a data-driven mindset, you’d love Volusion’s in-depth analytics. The platform offers comprehensive tools to help you understand customer behavior, track sales trends, and optimize your stores for conversions.

💡 Pricing: Volusion lets you manage an online store on its platform from $35 – $299 per month:

1. Personal: $35/month ($50K GMV*/year)
2. Professional: $79/month ($100K GMV/year)
3. Business: $299/month ($400K GMV/year)
4. And if your annual GMV exceeds $400K, you have to move to its custom plan.

*Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) represents the total sales value of merchandise for a period of time. For instance, if you sell 10,000 shirts in 2023, each priced at $50, your 2023 GMV would be $500K. 

Pros

• Volusion offers a straightforward dashboard and setup process
• It provides comprehensive analytics and reporting features
• The platform shines with its inventory management system

Cons

• There is a GMV cap for each pricing tier
• Compared to Shopify, Volusion offers fewer free themes
• Volusion has a smaller app marketplace compared to Shopify

4. Conclusion

All in all, while Shopify hits all the right notes– powerful eCommerce features, an intuitive dashboard, and great customer support, it isn’t built for everyone. Hence, if you aren’t sure Shopify is the right choice for you yet, we highly advise you to look around for more options.

eComStart hopes our list of the best Shopify alternatives will give you a broader understanding of popular eCommerce platforms so you can pick the most suitable one.

Don’t forget to check out eComStart.io and explore our eCommerce platform comparison articles if you are interested in blogs like this one.

5. Frequently Asked Questions