Quick answer
- Need more built-in features & no transaction fees? BigCommerce.
- Already on WordPress or want full control? WooCommerce.
- Website first, shop second? Wix or Squarespace.
- Restaurant or local pickup? Square Online.
- Handmade, testing demand? Etsy. Digital downloads only? Gumroad.
- Still unsure? Shopify remains our #1 overall pick.
Why people look for Shopify alternatives
The common reasons are cost (monthly plan plus apps), transaction fees on third-party gateways, wanting more code control, or simply needing a website more than a store. Each is valid, but check whether the alternative actually solves your problem. Many "Shopify is expensive" concerns disappear once you compare real total costs.
The best Shopify alternatives, ranked
BigCommerce
Most Shopify-likeThe closest like-for-like alternative: hosted, scalable, and with more features built in. No transaction fees on any gateway. Best for large catalogs, B2B and brands that want their own payment processor.
Price: From about $29/mo billed yearly
Pros
- No transaction fees
- Strong native features
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Sales-based plan upgrades
Full comparison: Shopify vs BigCommerce →
WooCommerce
Best for controlFree, open-source ecommerce for WordPress. You own everything and can customize anything, but you also handle hosting, security and updates.
Price: Free plugin + hosting
Pros
- Total control
- Great for content-heavy sites
Cons
- Maintenance burden
- Extension costs add up
Full comparison: Shopify vs WooCommerce →
Wix
Best for design freedomA flexible website builder with solid ecommerce. Great for small catalogs and service businesses that also sell products.
Price: Store plans from about $29/mo
Pros
- Drag-and-drop freedom
- Easy all-in-one
Cons
- Weaker for scaling
- Fewer integrations
Full comparison: Shopify vs Wix →
Squarespace
Best templatesBeautiful templates and a polished editor. Ideal for creatives, studios and brands with a modest product range.
Price: Commerce plans from about $23/mo billed yearly
Pros
- Gorgeous design
- Simple to manage
Cons
- Limited extensions
- Fewer payment options
Full comparison: Shopify vs Squarespace →
Square Online
Best free for localFree online ordering connected to Square POS. Ideal for cafés, restaurants and local shops offering pickup or delivery.
Price: Free plan available
Pros
- Free to start
- Syncs with Square POS
Cons
- Basic online features
- Not built for brand growth
Full comparison: Shopify vs Square Online →
Etsy
Best marketplaceA marketplace with built-in shoppers for handmade, vintage and craft supplies. Great for validating products, costly at scale.
Price: Listing + 6.5% transaction fee + processing
Pros
- Built-in traffic
Cons
- Fees and competition
- No customer ownership
Full comparison: Shopify vs Etsy →
Gumroad
Best for simple digital salesThe simplest way for creators to sell a digital product with no monthly fee. You pay a percentage of each sale instead.
Price: No monthly fee; a percentage per sale
Pros
- No monthly cost
- Instant setup
Cons
- High per-sale fees at volume
- Limited branding
See the best platforms for digital products →
Marketplaces vs store builders
Amazon, eBay and Etsy bring shoppers but take a cut of every sale and control the customer relationship. Store builders like Shopify give you a brand, customer data and margins, but you bring the traffic. Many successful sellers do both. Compare Shopify vs Amazon and Shopify vs eBay.
All platform comparisons
- Shopify vs WooCommerce
- Shopify vs Wix
- Shopify vs BigCommerce
- Shopify vs Squarespace
- Shopify vs Etsy
- Shopify vs Amazon
- Shopify vs eBay
- Shopify vs Square Online
- Wix vs Squarespace
Our verdict
There are great Shopify alternatives for specific needs. But if your goal is to build a product brand that grows, Shopify is still the platform we'd choose. Try it before you rule it out.
Try Shopify free (opens in a new tab)Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to Shopify?
WooCommerce is the most capable free alternative, though you'll pay for hosting and possibly extensions. Square Online has a free plan suited to local businesses. See our cheapest ecommerce platform guide.
What is cheaper than Shopify?
Wix and Squarespace start slightly cheaper, and WooCommerce and Square Online can start free. Once you add apps, hosting and fees, total costs are often closer than they look.
Is BigCommerce better than Shopify?
For large catalogs and complex B2B, BigCommerce can be better. For most stores, Shopify is easier and has a stronger ecosystem. Read Shopify vs BigCommerce.