When thinking about an eCommerce platform, Shopify might be the first name. It is on the list of the most reputed eCommerce platforms, powering more than 4.5 million active stores.
However, Shopify is not the only solution for eCommerce enthusiasts. Shopify competitors are worth considering when evaluating eCommerce platforms to create websites and start selling on.
To help you better compare and make an accurate choice, here are the top 11+ eCommerce platforms that are similar to Shopify, including:
- BigCommerce
- WooCommerce
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Ecwid
- Shift4Shop
- Magento
- NetSuite
- Sellfy
- BigCartel
- OpenCart
- Volusion
Without further ado, let’s explore!
Grow Your Business with Shopify x Squarespace Selling
Top 11+ Shopify Competitors
From an expert’s point of view, this article will mention the top 11+ websites like Shopify. In each section, there will be detailed analysis and recommendations to help you figure out the best choice, whether you’re a Shopify user searching for alternatives or a newbie wandering to learn about eCommerce platforms.
1. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a powerful e-commerce platform built for businesses seeking scalability, advanced features, and flexibility. It rivals Shopify and serves both small businesses aiming to grow and large enterprises with varied requirements.
Pros:
- Quickly access APIs
- Rich built-in features from management and payment to marketing
- Advanced SEO features
- No hidden fees
Cons:
- Limited free themes
- Not 100% for Non-techies
Pricing
- Standard: $29/month
- Plus: $79/month
- Pro: $299/month
- Enterprise
The Verdict
Overall, BigCommerce is a strong alternative to Shopify. BigCommerce provides a 15-day free trial and excels in customization, apps, SEO, and transparent fees, often outperforming Shopify in these areas. It’s ideal for tech-savvy sellers focused on customization or expanding into new marketplaces.
2. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a Shopify open-source alternative or simply a WordPress eCommerce plugin. This savvy eCommerce plugin turns any WordPress site into a great online store, and it’s totally free to install.
Pros:
- Strong foundation for SEO.
- Easy install SEO plugins like Yoast SEO.
- Numerous payment gateways, such as PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
- No transaction fees, whereas Shopify claims to charge a lot on this.
- Larger selection of plugins with over 55,000 plugins available.
Cons:
- Require complex technical skills.
- Need a lot of apps.
Pricing
- Themes: $0 to $100/year.
- Hosting: $4.95 to $50/month.
- Domain name: $10 to $20/year.
The Verdict
WooCommerce is a better choice for merchants with technical expertise who prioritize SEO, need a broader range of payment options, and seek flexibility with plugins and integrations. In contrast, Shopify is ideal for sellers with limited technical skills.
3. Wix
Next on the list of Shopify competitors, Wix is a leader in website creation and a cloud-based eCommerce platform established in 2006. With Wix, everyone can design professional websites with ease that look amazing.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing plans start from only $27/month.
- Wide range of built-in marketing features, including email marketing, social media integration, and SEO tools.
- Great templates include 800+ visually stunning and customizable templates.
- Have Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) to support sellers.
Cons:
- Ads on Free Plan.
- Not completely mobile-friendly.
Pricing
- Free.
- Light: $17/month.
- Core: $29/month.
- Business: $36/month.
- Business Elite: $159/month.
The Verdict
Choose Wix for its ease of use, design flexibility, and suitability for small-scale eCommerce. Pick Shopify for scalable, robust eCommerce features and tools that support the efficient growth of a dedicated online store.
4. Squarespace
Being one of Shopify’s top competitors, Squarespace also allows creative minds to build stunning sites without coding knowledge. Initially, Squarespace is developed for designers, artists, photographers, and others in the creative space.
Pros:
- Excellent blogging features, including social media integration, commenting, and post-scheduling.
- A variety of templates that are easy to customize.
- Integrates with Square POS.
Cons:
- No free plan.
- Unavailable phone support.
Pricing
- Free.
- Basic: $16/month.
- Business: $23/month.
- Plus: $39/month.
- Advanced: $99/month.
The Verdict
Squarespace is a platform for sellers who prioritize blogging features and creative freedom in design. When it comes to building a visually appealing selling site, Squarespace’s templates offer greater customization compared to Shopify.
5. Ecwid
Last but not least, Ecwid is a promising platform among Shopify alternatives. It offers no additional transaction fees and includes a free plan. In addition to providing a unique website option, Ecwid is well-known for its reputation as a widget for existing websites
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use.
- Integrate with current sites, content management systems, and social media platforms.
- No transaction fees.
Cons:
- No product variations.
- SEO limited.
- Can not edit orders with Free and Venture plans.
Pricing
- Free.
- Venture: $21/month.
- Business: $39/month.
- Unlimited: $89/month.
The Verdict
Ecwid offers a convenient way for sellers to add eCommerce functionality to their existing websites. Its free plan is an excellent option for small businesses or individuals looking to start selling online.
6. Shift4Shop
Shift4Shop is another free Shopify alternative that provides the best features for eCommerce starters, such as a drag-and-drop interface, social media integration, email tools, inventory management, API, and SSL certificate.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use.
- Integrate with current sites, content management systems, and social media platforms.
- No transaction fees.
Cons:
- No product variations.
- SEO limited.
- Can not edit orders with Free and Venture plans.
Pricing
- End-to-End eCommerce: Free
- Basic Store: $29/month.
- Plus Store: $79/month.
- Pro Store: $229/month.
The Verdict
For people who prioritize SEO and affordability, Shift4Shop, which is one of the top Shopify competitors, might be a better choice. The platform offers comprehensive SEO tools such as SEO-Friendly URLs, automated XML Sitemap, and customizable Meta Descriptions. Mentioned tools are helpful for sellers in improving their search engine rankings. Furthermore, the price to start selling on Shift4Shop is also more accessible for new sellers.
7. Magento
Magento is an open-source e-commerce platform currently supported by Adobe that provides businesses with the tools to create and manage online stores. It supports various product types, advanced SEO capabilities, and extensive integration options with third-party services. Additionally, this Shopify competitor allows for extensive customization to meet unique business requirements.
Pros:
- High flexibility and customization.
- Built-in functionalities for SEO, including changing URL structure.
- Can handle high volumes of traffic and transactions.
- Omnichannel support.
Cons:
- High technical barriers for beginners.
- Very high fees.
The Verdict
This Shopify alternative excels in flexibility, scalability, and community support. However, users should assess their technical skills and budget before adopting it. The platform is ideal for larger businesses or those requiring advanced customization but may not suit small businesses or those looking for a straightforward eCommerce solution.
8. GoDaddy
On the list of Shopify’s biggest competitors, GoDaddy is a user-friendly tool designed to help individuals and small businesses create professional, mobile-friendly websites without needing technical skills. Users can customize their sites effortlessly by dragging and dropping elements or choosing from hundreds of professionally designed templates tailored to various industries.
Pros:
- Free domain name registration.
- 24/7 customer support.
- Users friendly interface.
- Free professional email marketing send.
- Free SSL.
Cons:
- Slow customer support.
- Security tools cost extra.
Pricing
- Basic: $9.99/month.
- Plus: $14.99/month.
- Commerce: $20.99/month.
The Verdict
GoDaddy is ideal for first-time website builders, small websites, and businesses needing VPS hosting or e-commerce solutions. This tool is quite easy to use, has low introductory pricing, and includes many additional services like hosting or email.
9. Sellfy
Sellfy is an all-in-one eCommerce platform designed specifically for creators and online businesses. It enables creators to sell digital products, physical goods, subscriptions, and print-on-demand merchandise through customizable online stores. On Sellfy, you can create the layout you want to match your brand, link your existing domain to your Sellfy store, etc.
Pros:
- Support for multiple product types (digital, physical, subscriptions, print-on-demand).
- No need to spend money on merchandise you may not sell. Sellfy will print merchandise for you and ship it to your customer.
- Allows launching an affiliate program inside the app.
- Support built-in print-on-demand functionality.
Cons:
- Customization options are restricted.
- Limited integrations.
Pricing
- Starter: $22/month.
- Business: $59/month.
- Premium: $119/month.
The Verdict
Sellfy is designed for creators of digital products, such as ebooks, music, videos, and courses. Similar to sites like Shopify, it offers an intuitive interface, customizable storefronts, and print-on-demand services. Finally, this tool is a good choice for startups and small businesses.
10. BigCartel
Big Cartel is an e-commerce platform designed specifically for small businesses, artists, and creators to sell their products online. Launched in 2005, it provides a simple and user-friendly interface that allows users to set up an online store quickly. Additionally, users can easily integrate their stores with existing websites or social media platforms, and the platform is mobile-friendly for both sellers and customers.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Free plan and themes.
- Affordable price.
- No transaction fee.
Cons:
- Maximum of 500 products.
- Not scalable, only has basic features.
- Weak search engine optimization (SEO) features.
Pricing
- Gold: $0/month.
- Platinum: $15/month.
- Diamond: $30/month.
The Verdict
Big Cartel, one of the competitors of Shopify, is particularly well-suited for creators and small businesses due to its simplicity and user-friendly interface, allowing for quick store setups. Additionally, the platform offers built-in print-on-demand functionality.
11. OpenCart
OpenCart is a user-friendly and powerful open-source platform on the list of Shopify competitors for managing online stores. It allows you to manage multiple stores from a single backend, giving you complete control over the design and functionality. The platform is easy to customize, with an administrative area that simplifies tasks—just fill in forms and click “Save.” Additionally, it has numerous professionally developed extensions available to tailor the store to your specific needs.
Pros:
- Free to download and install.
- Easily manage multiple stores from one admin interface.
- Support 50+ payment gateways.
- Support Chrome extensions.
- Wide range of themes and plugins available.
- Compatible with mobile and tablet.
Cons:
- Low loading speed.
- Difficult to import inventory list.
Pricing
- Hosting fees: $300 – $1,200/year.
- Domain name: $10/year.
- SSL certificate: $10 – $200/year.
- Theme costs: $0 – $100 for a one-time purchase.
- Additional extensions/plugins: $0 – $500/year.
The Verdict
OpenCart is a good choice for those who are tech-savvy and comfortable with coding and server management. Additionally, this Shopify competitor supports managing multiple storefronts, making it ideal for businesses with multiple brands, product lines, or regional variations.
12. Volusion
Volusion is an eCommerce platform that provides software and services for online businesses. With Volusion, you can create, design, and customize a website and then start selling through it. This tool helps create stunning storefronts with responsive themes and a comprehensive site builder.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface and easy setup for storefronts.
- Good speed and performance.
- Support built-in SEO management, newsletters, a CRM system, and more.
- Has a mobile app for you to manage your online store.
Cons:
- No blogging functionality.
- Limited customization options.
Pricing
- Personal: $35/month.
- Professional: $79/month.
- Businesse: $299/month.
- Prime: Contact sales.
The Verdict
Volusion is considered best for businesses with time and technical expertise looking to set up a comprehensive, scalable online store, among Shopify competitors. In contrast, it’s not ideal for beginners, those on a tight budget, or businesses needing extensive customization options. Additionally, this tool is particularly strong for those who prioritize inventory management and analytics.
How Do You Choose a Shopify Alternative?
Reasonable prices with built-in features
Pricing is an essential factor to consider when looking for a site like Shopify. It is suggested that sellers should pick a platform that offers reasonable pricing plans that suit the budgets while also having essential built-in features.
If you don’t want to spend much money on Shopify monthly subscriptions and third-party applications, some free Shopify alternatives like WooCommerce or Shift4Shop can be significant.
Customization
Mentioning other criteria to choose a platform of many Shopify competitors, sellers also need to pay attention to the customization ability of the platform. Customization can help sellers to reflect the brand’s unique identity and add more favorable features.
The platforms might offer customizable templates and give merchants access to underlying code like APIs to configure their stores. You should consider BigCommerce or WooCommerce if you are a tech-savvy seller and want to modify your store.
Advanced SEO features
SEO plays a vital role in driving traffic and in building a successful online store. A lucrative platform might provide many SEO features to help sellers implement appropriate promoting strategies such as customizable URL structures, meta tags, and sitemap generation.
By implementing sufficient SEO strategies, your store will be optimized for search engines so you can approach more buyers. The Shopify alternatives with advanced SEO features that you should consider are BigCommerce, Wix, and Shift4Shop.
Sell Smarter with LitCommerce! LitCommerce supports you in easily connecting various sales channels and managing them in one dashboard. All your order and inventory data are synced, eliminating inaccurate data across channels. |
Shopify Competitors – FAQs
- Which is better than Shopify?
The top 6 Shopify competitors are BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, Shift4Shop, and Ecwid. In general, these sites like Shopify have several features that can cover the disadvantages of Shopify, such as hidden fees, limited SEO abilities, or low customization.
- What companies are top Shopify competitors?
Despite its great popularity, Shopify is not the only solution for eCommerce enthusiasts. There are enormous options to choose from if you search for Shopify alternatives. Here are the top 6 sites like Shopify that you can take a look at:
- BigCommerce;
- WooCommerce;
- Wix;
- Squarespace;
- Ecwid;
- Shift4Shop.
- What are the disadvantages of Shopify?
Shopify’s reputation has been ubiquitous as a SaaS that allows businesses of all sizes to start selling online. However, the platform is not always perfect for every seller. There are several drawbacks or limitations that might be the main obstacle for Shopify sellers to sell their products successfully, including:
- Extra and hidden fees;
- No advanced SEO functions;
- Low customization and scalability.
Final Words
In the rising era of eCommerce, choosing the right platform may help sellers hit all the right spots to become a 6-figure business. In general, Shopify may not be the only choice for every merchant. There are numerous Shopify competitors that can satisfy your needs with some unique features.
We hope this article can help you come up with a fine decision on choosing where to sell. Additionally, we also provide more eCommerce information, insights, sharing, and tips that might be helpful for you on this competitive journey. Take a look at LitCommerce retailers’ blog!
Last but not least, with an appropriate multichannel selling strategy, you can even grow beyond a site like Shopify. Drop us a message to figure out how you can expand your selling site into top eCommerce marketplaces at a glance with LitCommerce. Happy selling!
