Looking for Shopify alternatives? You’re not alone. As the eCommerce space grows more diverse and specialized, many merchants are exploring alternatives to Shopify that possibly offer other benefits.
In my experience, while a large segment of DTC brand owners opt for Shopify, there are segments of ecommerce businesses that are looking for Shopify alternatives that better align with their unique needs.
With a growing list of capable Shopify competitors on the market, this guide showcases the best Shopify alternatives available today. Read on and find a platform that works for you.
What are the Best Shopify Alternatives for DTC Brands?
For Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands, having a flexible, scalable, and brand-friendly eCommerce platform is critical. While Shopify is a go-to solution, it's not always the right fit, especially for those who need hyper-customization, more favorable pricing, or region-specific capabilities. Here’s a hand-picked list of the top Shopify alternatives:
1. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a WordPress-based plugin that stands out as one of the most flexible Shopify alternatives. It’s ideal for content-driven DTC brands that want full control over their site architecture, hosting, and feature set.
WooCommerce Features
Designed specifically for WordPress, leveraging its extensive ecosystem.
Offers a mobile-friendly design for an optimized shopping experience across all devices.
Grants users full control over customer and business data with no third-party access.
Being open source, it allows full customization of the entire store.
Pros:
Is free and open source, providing extensive customization options.
Is ideal for adding e-commerce functionality to an existing WordPress site.
Provides basic e-commerce functionality without requiring additional plug-ins.
Cons:
Is exclusively for WordPress users.
Additional plug-ins and hosting costs can accumulate significantly.
Offers limited customer support, primarily relying on community resources.
WooCommerce Pricing
Core WooCommerce Platform: Free.
Hosting: $3.99 to $5,000+ per month (wide range depending on needs).
Domain: Around $15 per year (can be much higher for premium domains).
Themes (Optional): $20 to $100 per year.
Extensions (Optional): Typically $79 to $249 per year per extension.
Payment Processing: Variable (e.g., WooPayments: 2.9% + $0.30 per US transaction).
Other Costs: Marketing, security, development (if needed).
Estimated Basic Annual Cost: Around $135+.
WooCommerce is one of the best Shopify alternatives in many countries. Do note that its total costs vary depending on custom features and growth plans.
All-in-one e-commerce platform for businesses of all sizes.
Cost
Free plugin; costs for hosting ($3.99 to $5,000+ per month), themes, and extensions
$39/month (Basic Shopify) + transaction fees without Shopify Payments
Customization Level
Very High - Fully open-source; extensive plugin/theme access
Moderate - Limited unless using custom code
Ease of Setup
Moderate to Difficult - Requires WordPress and some technical setup
Easy - Especially for basic product stores
G2 Rating
4.4/5
4.4/5
Scalability
Excellent - Scales well with hosting, extensions, caching strategies
Scalable, but higher costs as usage increases
SEO Features
Advanced - Full plugin support (Yoast, RankMath, etc.) for on-page SEO and schema
Good - SEO works well, but some aspects like URL structure are less flexible
Multi-Store Support
Yes (with plugins) - WordPress Multisite or plugins enable multi-store
Shopify Plus required
Control & Ownership
Full control - Self-hosted; full access to code and data
Shopify owns infrastructure and data storage
2. Wix
Wix is a top choice among free Shopify alternatives, especially for solo founders or small DTC startups looking to launch quickly. With a drag-and-drop builder, AI-powered store setup, and strong native marketing tools, it enables a seamless start for non-technical entrepreneurs.
Wix Features:
Provides a highly user-friendly interface for building online stores.
Offers a wide range of templates for site customization.
Facilitates integrations for selling on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and eBay.
Includes a free SSL certificate to secure customer data and transactions.
Features SEO-optimized product pages to enhance search visibility.
Enables importing product details through CSV file uploads.
Pros:
Is easy to use, with flexible design options.
Provides a large selection of professionally crafted templates tailored for different industries.
Provides various plans, including a free option for those with limited budgets.
Cons:
Offers basic inventory management, with limited features like low-stock notifications.
Does not allow users to transfer content between templates.
The free plan includes Wix ads and domain, requiring paid upgrades to remove them.
Wix Pricing:
Free plan available
Business Elite: $159/month
Business: $36/month
Core: $29/month
Light: $17/month
Wix vs Shopify
Feature
Wix
Shopify
Business Model Fit
Small DTC startups, creators
Flexible for various business sizes
Cost
Free plan available; business plans start at $17/month with no extra transaction fees
$39/month (Basic Shopify) + transaction fees without Shopify Payments
Customization Level
High - Drag-and-drop with advanced visual editing
Moderate - Theme-based with limited customization without code
Ease of Setup
Very Easy
Easy
G2 Rating
4.2/5
4.4/5
Scalability
Limited - Ideal for small catalogs and early-stage brands
Good - Scales well with cost escalation
SEO Features
Basic - Allows custom meta tags and URLs but offers limited advanced SEO control
Good - Solid SEO features but structured data requires effort
Multi-Store Support
No - Single store only
Shopify Plus required for multi-store
Control & Ownership
Wix hosts and manages store infrastructure
Shopify retains backend and hosting control
3. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is one of the most powerful hosted alternatives to Shopify, built for fast-growing brands that need robust out-of-the-box functionality. It’s designed for scalability, making it an excellent choice for DTC businesses with large catalogs, advanced SEO needs, or ambitions to go omnichannel.
BigCommerce Features:
Includes a visual editor for drag-and-drop customization.
Allows themes to be extensively tailored using HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
Offers advanced checkout customization through API and SDK.
Supports popular digital wallets like Amazon Pay and Apple Pay.
Provides native multicurrency and multilingual support for global sales.
Pros:
Includes many premium features at potentially lower initial price points.
Supports over 65 payment providers, serving 230 countries and more than 140 currencies.
Provides round-the-clock phone and live chat support on all plans.
Provides real-time shipping quotes available on all plans.
Cons:
The setup process may not be as user-friendly as that of some competing platforms.
Has limited website design customization, particularly concerning content placement.
Features automatic revenue-based plan upgrades when sales exceed certain thresholds.
Offers only 12 free themes.
BigCommerce Pricing:
Standard: $29.95/month
Plus: $79.95/month
Pro: $299.95/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
BigCommerce vs Shopify
Feature
BigCommerce
Shopify
Business Model Fit
Mid to large DTC brands
All-in-one e-commerce platform for businesses of all sizes
Cost
$29.95/month (Standard Plan)
$39/month (Basic Shopify) + transaction fees without Shopify Payments
Customization Level
High - API access and flexible themes
Limited without custom development
Ease of Setup
Moderate
Easy for basic stores
G2 Rating
4.2/5
4.4/5
Scalability
Excellent - Built to support large catalogs, API scaling, and omnichannel
Requires Shopify Plus for advanced scaling
SEO Features
Advanced - URL structure, metadata, structured data
Good - SEO-friendly, but some limitations in URL customization
Multi-Store Support
Yes - Supports B2B, multi-region storefronts
Limited without Shopify Plus
Control & Ownership
Merchant-controlled data, APIs, and infrastructure
Shopify hosts and controls platform.
4. Squarespace
Squarespace is an elegant, brand-first platform and one of the best alternatives to Shopify for DTC businesses that prioritize design and content. If your brand thrives on aesthetics, storytelling, and a strong visual identity, Squarespace’s beautifully crafted templates and built-in marketing tools will be a great match.
Squarespace Features:
Offers a drag-and-drop builder with a variety of templates and starter layouts.
Provides responsive designs that automatically adjust to different screen sizes and devices.
Includes custom WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editing capabilities for various content types.
Supports unlimited product listings.
Features integrated automated post-purchase email sequences.
Pros:
Comes with built-in e-commerce functionalities for online stores.
Offers strong security features, including SSL encryption.
Enables users to achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort.
Comes with a mobile app that lets you manage your site from anywhere.
Provides reliable customer support.
Cons:
Has fewer third-party extensions compared to other platforms.
Its basic SEO tools might not be sufficient for advanced users.
Limits overall control and flexibility for deep customization
Squarespace Pricing:
Free 14 Day Trial Available
Personal: $16/month
Business: $23/month
Basic Commerce: $28/month
Advanced Commerce: $52/month
Squarespace vs Shopify
Feature
Squarespace
Shopify
Business Model Fit
Design-first DTC brands
Broad-use eCommerce
Cost
Personal plans start at $16/month; includes video hosting and SEO features
$39/month (Basic Shopify) + transaction fees without Shopify Payments
Moderate - Requires Liquid code for deeper customization
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
G2 Rating
4.4/5
4.4/5
Scalability
Moderate - Best for niche brands with manageable catalogs
Good - Requires app integrations or Plus for serious growth
SEO Features
Good - Offers clean code structure, support for image alt text, and control over URLs
Good - SEO tools are solid, but canonical URL control is limited
Multi-Store Support
No - Designed for single storefronts
Limited without Shopify Plus
Control & Ownership
Squarespace controls hosting and backend
Shopify retains infrastructure control
5. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a powerful open-source eCommerce platform ideal for DTC brands that need complete control over their online store. With its high level of customization and flexibility, it’s a strong choice for founders who want to build a storefront tailored to their brand, manage operations independently, and scale without being locked into a proprietary system.
PrestaShop Features:
Over 600 built-in features
Multi-language and multi-currency support
Advanced stock management
Customizable themes and modules
SEO-friendly URL structure
Pros:
Open-source and flexible
No product or catalog limitations
Built-in analytics and reporting tools
Works with international payment gateways
Cons:
Hosting must be purchased separately
SSL certificate is not bundled
Doesn’t include built-in blogging
No built-in fraud prevention tools
PrestaShop Pricing:
1. Classic: Free (Associated costs (hosting, domain name, etc.) are not included.)
2. Hosted: From €24/month excl. VAT
3. Enterprise: Custom Pricing
PrestaShop vs Shopify
Feature
PrestaShop
Shopify
Business Model Fit
Medium-sized businesses with dev resources
Global DTC and B2B sellers
Cost
Free core; costs for hosting, themes, modules
$39/month (Basic Shopify) + transaction fees without Shopify Payments
Customization Level
High - Fully customizable with modules/themes
Moderate - Liquid themes and apps
Ease of Setup
Moderate - Setup requires some technical skill
Very easy, managed platform
G2 Rating
4.3/5
4.4/5
Scalability
Good - Suitable for growing brands
Excellent - Designed to scale rapidly
SEO Features
Good - SEO URLs, metadata, modules
Good - SEO-friendly out of the box
Multi-Store Support
Yes
Yes, via Shopify Plus
Control & Ownership
Full control - self-hosted
Limited - Shopify manages the backend
6. Ecwid
Ecwid is a lightweight yet powerful eCommerce platform that works as a plugin on any website or as a standalone storefront. It’s one of the most popular free Shopify alternatives, ideal for small DTC brands or those selling through blogs or landing pages.
Ecwid Features:
Easily embed store on WordPress, Weebly, Wix, etc.
Free plan for up to 10 products
Social selling via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
Multi-language, multi-currency support
Integrated shipping calculators and digital downloads
Pros:
Basic SEO tools included
Basic blog included via Instant Site
Mobile POS available on top plans
Abandoned cart recovery emails with coupon offers on paid plans.
Cons:
Blog features are limited unless paired with another platform
Limited design flexibility
Free tier has tight product limits
Retail POS integration limited to highest-tier plan
Ecwid Pricing:
If Paid Monthly -
Starter: $5/month
Venture: $30/month
Business: $55/month
Unlimited: $130/month
Ecwid vs Shopify
Feature
Ecwid
Shopify
Business Model Fit
Small DTC businesses, embedded store model
Full-fledged eCommerce brands
Cost
Paid from $5/month
$39/month (Basic Shopify) + transaction fees without Shopify Payments
Customization Level
Low to Moderate - Based on embeddable widgets
Moderate - Theme control with some custom code
Ease of Setup
Very Easy
Easy
G2 Rating
4.6/5
4.4/5
Scalability
Limited - Ideal for small catalogs
Excellent - Strong infrastructure and support for scaling
SEO Features
Basic - Limited structured data and schema control
Good - Custom meta fields and on-page SEO features
Multi-Store Support
No - Designed to embed into a single site
Shopify Plus allows for multiple storefronts
Control & Ownership
Controlled through Ecwid’s dashboard; limited export and backend control
Shopify maintains control over core hosting and overall platform infrastructure
7. OpenCart
OpenCart is a free, open-source Shopify alternative well-suited for small to mid-sized DTC brands. It offers a simple setup, full control over your store, and access to thousands of extensions and themes. As one of the more affordable and flexible Shopify competitors, it’s ideal for businesses that want to customize their storefront without high platform fees or technical complexity.
OpenCart Features:
Unlimited products and categories
Allows management of multiple stores from one admin panel, with individual themes and settings for each.
Set advanced user privileges and separate access for different user groups.
Built-in affiliate system allowing affiliates to promote products and earn commissions.
Built-in SEO features to enhance your store's visibility on search engines.
Access to over 13,000 modules and themes to customize and enhance your store's functionality.
Pros:
Free to use with no monthly fees
User-friendly interface
Large community support
Lightweight and fast
Cons:
Requires technical knowledge for advanced customization
Limited scalability for large enterprises
Some extensions may lack quality control
OpenCart Pricing:
Core Software: Free and open-source. Download and use without licensing fees.
OpenCart Cloud Hosting Plans:
Bronze: $99/month - Suitable for small businesses.
Silver: $149/month - Designed for medium-sized businesses.
Gold: $229/month - Ideal for large enterprises.
OpenCart vs Shopify
Feature
OpenCart
Shopify
Business Model Fit
Budget-conscious small to mid-sized businesses
Global DTC and B2B sellers
Cost
Free (self-hosted); add-on costs for themes, extensions, and hosting
$39/month (Basic Shopify) + transaction fees without Shopify Payments
Customization Level
Moderate - Template-based with PHP/HTML access
Moderate - Custom Liquid themes
Ease of Setup
Easy, especially with managed hosting
Very easy, fully managed
G2 Rating
4.3/5
4.4/5
Scalability
Good - Can handle moderate traffic
Excellent, especially with Shopify Plus
SEO Features
Good - SEO URLs, meta, redirects
Good - Meta fields, tags, clean URLs
Multi-Store Support
Yes
Yes, via Shopify Plus
Control & Ownership
Full - You host and manage everything
Shopify controls infrastructure
8. Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Adobe Commerce is a leading Shopify alternative for established DTC brands that need advanced customization and enterprise-level scalability. As one of the top Shopifycompetitors, it offers full control, multi-store support, and powerful features for brands looking to grow and differentiate in a competitive market.
Adobe Commerce Features:
Built on a native AI platform to support both B2B and B2C commerce with scalable infrastructure.
Flexible deployment options including fully managed PaaS and SaaS cloud services.
Advanced B2B functionality such as company accounts, quoting tools, purchase orders, credit lines, and shared catalogs.
Centralized control for managing multiple storefronts, with support for regional branding and localization.
Pros:
Scales efficiently for high-traffic environments and peak periods.
Provides extensive customization options to create personalized B2B and B2C shopping experiences.
Packed with built-in features to improve conversion and support business growth.
Simplifies international expansion through multi-site and localization capabilities.
Cons:
Targeted mainly at enterprise-level businesses; may be excessive for smaller operations.
Requires skilled technical resources for setup, customization, and maintenance.
Initial learning curve can be steep for new users and teams.
High total cost of ownership; pricing is custom and depends on business size and usage.
Adobe Commerce Pricing:
Not Publicly Listed - Contact Adobe Commerce for a quote
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify
Feature
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Shopify
Business Model Fit
Large enterprises, B2B, highly complex stores
DTC and B2B sellers of all sizes
Cost
Pricing varies as per Plans
$39/month (Basic Shopify) + transaction fees without Shopify Payments
Customization Level
Very High - Full backend flexibility
Moderate - Custom themes + apps
Ease of Setup
Complex - Developer required
Very easy - Drag-and-drop builder
G2 Rating
4/5
4.4/5
Scalability
Excellent - Built for high-traffic volumes
Excellent - Especially with Shopify Plus
SEO Features
Excellent - Full control over SEO structure
Good - Mostly automated
Multi-Store Support
Yes - Natively supported
Yes, via Shopify Plus
Control & Ownership
Full - Self-hosted or Adobe Cloud
Limited - Hosted by Shopify
Why Store Owners Look for Shopify Alternatives
Shopify’s all-in-one platform is undoubtedly powerful, but it does come with certain limitations. As the eCommerce space becomes more competitive and fragmented, a growing number of merchants are actively evaluating alternatives to Shopify that better reflect their operational realities and customer expectations. Here's why:
1. Cost Concerns
Between monthly subscription fees, third-party app charges, premium themes, and transaction fees (especially for those not using Shopify Payments), the total cost of running a Shopify store can escalate quickly. For small or growing businesses, free Shopify alternativesoffer a much more manageable entry point.
2. Customization Limitations
While Shopify is easy to use, its flexibility ends where its templating engine (Liquid) begins. Advanced customizations often require hiring developers or subscribing to expensive apps. Many of the best Shopify alternatives allow for deeper front-end and back-end customization without locking users into proprietary ecosystems.
3. Control & Ownership
With Shopify, you’re operating in a closed environment. If Shopify makes a change - such as modifying its checkout or app policies, your store has to adapt. By contrast, several Shopify competitors give users full ownership over data, hosting, and customer relationships, making them ideal for brands prioritizing long-term control.
4. Scaling Challenges
While Shopify Plus offers enterprise features, it's priced at a premium and may not be the most cost-effective solution for high-growth businesses. Many alternatives to Shopify now offer scalable, API-first solutions with multi-store and localization capabilities at a fraction of the cost.
5. Global Reach & Localization
International selling on Shopify can involve extra apps and workarounds. Some of the best Shopify alternatives, like Shopygo and BigCommerce, come with built-in features for multi-language, multi-currency, and region-specific experiences, crucial for cross-border brands.
In short, the search for Shopify alternatives is not just about dissatisfaction, it's about finding a better fit. Whether you're a DTC startup exploring free Shopify alternatives or an enterprise wholesaler comparing Shopify competitors, the landscape today offers more choice than ever before.
What to Look for When Evaluating Shopify Competitors
When you're comparing alternatives to Shopify, it's critical to go beyond just feature checklists or brand popularity. With the eCommerce space rapidly evolving, today's store owners need to evaluate Shopify competitors based on how well they align with their specific business needs, goals, and long-term vision.
Here are the essential factors to evaluate when exploring Shopify alternatives for your online store:
1. Pricing Structure
Not all platforms are priced the same. Some Shopify competitors offer flat monthly fees, while others operate on a percentage-based model or offer freemium plans. Make sure to evaluate:
Monthly subscription cost
Transaction fees
Hidden charges for add-ons or premium apps
Understanding the complete cost of ownership is essential when choosing between various alternatives to Shopify - especially for startups operating on tight budgets.
2. Customization Freedom
A major limitation of Shopify is its dependence on the Liquid templating language. Ask yourself:
Can I fully customize the checkout flow?
Is the platform API-friendly?
How much front-end control do I have?
Many Shopify alternatives like WooCommerce offer deeper customization out of the box, making them ideal for brands with unique workflows or design requirements.
3. Ecosystem of Tools
Evaluate whether your platform of choice has an ecosystem that supports your business as it grows. Leading Shopify competitors often feature:
App marketplaces
Built-in SEO and marketing tools
Integrations with CRMs, payment gateways, and ERPs
While Shopify's app store is extensive, many alternatives to Shopify now offer native functionality that reduces dependency on third-party plugins.
4. Platform Lock-In and Data Ownership
Data portability is often overlooked. If your store scales or your needs change, you might want to switch platforms. Consider:
How easily can I export my data?
Will I lose key functionality during migration?
Some Shopify alternatives offer full control over hosting and backend systems, making it easier to maintain continuity without vendor lock-in.
5. Localization and Scalability
If you plan to expand globally, make sure the platform supports:
Multi-language and multi-currency features
Regional tax and shipping rules
Multi-store capabilities
Many Shopify competitors like BigCommerce are specifically built for international scaling, whereas Shopify often requires additional apps to match the same functionality.
Conclusion
Merchants today have access to a wide range of powerful Shopify alternatives that cater to diverse business needs. Whether you're a startup exploring free Shopify alternatives or an established brand seeking more control, platforms like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, PrestaShop, and others offer flexible pricing, customization, and scalability. These Shopify competitors enable better ownership of your store’s infrastructure, improved localization, and reduced dependency on third-party apps. Choosing the best Shopify alternative comes down to finding the right balance between features, cost, and long-term growth potential.
Hurrify customers to buy within a given timeframe with a sales countdown timer & improve conversions
Another popular Shopify checkout app is Checkout Promotions. The app comes with the ability to leverage a collection of highly robust visibility rules that help show customers one-click post purchase upsell promotions after an order payment has been made. Some of its key features include:
Features
AI recommended and manual recommendations for upselling.
Complete branding control.
Checkout Upsell for increasing AOV.
AI recommended and manual recommendations for upselling.
Pricing
Development
Free
Monthly Plan
$99/ month
Plus Plan
$99/ month
Plus Plan
$99/ month
FAQs on Shopify Alternatives
What’s a better alternative to Shopify?
Who is Shopify’s biggest competitor?
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Neetika M
Neetika is the founder of Skai Lama. Passionate about building SaaS, Product Development, and Marketing, she talks about eCommerce Growth, Product Bundling, Gifting, Retention, and Shopify.
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