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We reviewed 12 e-commerce platforms using a detailed methodology to help you find these seven Shopify alternatives. Our ratings considered factors, such as the value each provider offers on both free and paid plans; what sort of features each plan comes with, such as inventory management and secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates; and a deep dive by our experts looking at customer experiences with each platform as noted on popular review sites. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
The Best Shopify Alternatives of 2025
Compare Shopify Competitors
| Platform | Starting Price | Drag and Drop | SSL Certificate Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $1 per month (for 3 months; then $5 per month) | Yes | Yes | E-commerce sellers |
| Shift4Shop | Free | Yes | Yes | Budgets |
| BigCommerce | $39 per month | Yes | Yes | Established businesses |
| Squarespace | $16 per month (annually) | Yes | Yes | Visual designers |
| Wix | $17 per month | Yes | Yes | DIY sellers |
| Ecwid | Free | Yes | Yes | Existing websites |
| WooCommerce | Free | No, need a separate plugin | No | WordPress users |
| Sellfy | $19 per month | Yes | Yes | POD |
Read More
Methodology
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is essential for any online business. There are several factors to consider, including cost, ease of use, features and customer support. To help you choose the right Shopify competitor for your business, we’ve evaluated the leading options based on 12 different characteristics.
Here are the categories we used to rank the providers that made the top of the list.
Pricing
Whether a Shopify alternative offered a free version was a key consideration. Additionally, we took a close look at the plans offered by each provider―both in regard to the cost of their plans and what upgrade each higher-tier plan offered. Those providers whose plans we considered to be in an easily affordable range fared better in our rankings. Pricing accounted for 20% of our weighted scoring.
Features
When it comes to features, there are a couple that we considered to be essential for small ecommerce retailers: having a drag-and-drop interface and providing SSL certificates. However, there were additional features we felt also were needed to help retailers succeed, including offering inventory management, social media integration, email tools and an application programming interface (API). We weighted these features at 40% of the total score.
Expert Score
We researched reviews from real users to gauge their opinion of each platform as part of our expert analysis. For this, we reviewed notable third-party review website, focusing on four specific criteria: ease of use, stand-out features, popularity and value for the money. This final analysis made up 40% of the total score.
How To Choose the Best Shopify Alternative
Pricing and Fees
The first thing to consider when choosing a Shopify alternative is price. While many of the platforms we’ve reviewed offer a free plan, they all have paid plans with varying price points. If you’re just getting started with your online store, you may want to start with a free plan to see how the platform works for you. However, if you’re serious about growing your business, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan eventually.
Another consideration is fees. Does the platform charge both a monthly fee as well as processing or transaction fees on each purchase? Do you have to use a separate payment gateway, or can you use the platform’s built-in payment processing? These are important questions to ask when evaluating pricing.
Hosting
Another important consideration is hosting. Some platforms, such as Shopify and Wix, include hosting as part of their monthly subscription fee. Others, such as Ecwid and WooCommerce, don’t include hosting but make it easy to set up your store on a hosting platform, such as WordPress.
If you’re not sure which option is right for you, think about how much control you want over your store’s hosting. If you want the platform to handle everything, then a hosted solution such as Shopify or Squarespace might be the right choice. But if you’re comfortable setting up your own hosting, then a self-hosted solution such as WooCommerce might be a better option.
Themes and Design Options
When you’re setting up your online store, you want it to look professional and branded. That means choosing a platform with a wide range of themes and design options. Some platforms, such as Shopify and Wix, offer hundreds of themes to choose from. Others, such as Ecwid and Squarespace, offer a smaller selection of themes but allow you to customize your store’s design more.
Think about how important design is to your business. If you want a wide selection of themes to choose from, then a customizable platform might be the right choice. And if you’re comfortable working with code and want more control over your store’s design, then a platform with open source or API might be the best option. With these types of platforms, you can often find platform-provided themes, hire a web designer or even buy a premade theme from a marketplace such as Etsy.
Ease of Use
Another important consideration is ease of use. You want a platform that’s easy to set up and use, especially if you’re new to e-commerce. Even if you’re not new to e-commerce, and you’re simply looking to migrate to a new platform, consider if there’s a migration service, or a step-by-step guide to transferring to your new platform. The last thing you want is a platform that’s so complex that it takes weeks or months to learn.
To evaluate ease of use, take advantage of free trials and demos offered by various platforms. Consider how long it takes to set up a basic store, how easy it is to add products and categories and how intuitive the platform’s interface is.
Security
When you’re running an online store, security is always a top concern. You want to make sure your customers’ data is safe and secure, and that your store is protected from hackers. To evaluate security, look for a platform that offers features such as SSL encryption and PCI compliance. SSL encryption is important for protecting your customers’ data, while PCI compliance ensures that your store is secure from hackers.
You should also look for a platform that is regularly updated with the latest security patches. This helps to ensure that your store is always protected from the latest threats.
Payment Processing Options
We touched on payment gateways under our pricing and fees section but it’s worth mentioning again. You’ll want to make sure that the platform you choose offers a wide range of payment processing options. This includes credit and debit cards, as well as popular payment providers such as PayPal, Stripe or Apple Pay.
You should also consider whether the platform offers any additional features, such as the ability to set up subscription-based payments or recurring orders. These features can be very valuable for businesses that sell products or services on a recurring basis.
SEO Features
If you want your store to be successful, you need to make sure it’s visible to potential customers. That means optimizing your site for search engines such as Google. To evaluate a platform’s SEO features, look for features such as a built-in blog, customizable URLs, meta tags and social sharing buttons. These features will help you to optimize your site for search engines and drive traffic to your store.
You should also consider whether the platform offers any additional features that can help with SEO, such as the ability to create custom pages or add structured data. These features can help you improve your site’s ranking in the search results and get more traffic to your store.
Customer Support
Finally, you’ll want to consider customer support when choosing an e-commerce platform. Things will inevitably go wrong from time to time, and you’ll need to be able to rely on your platform’s customer support team to help you resolve any issues.
To evaluate customer support, look for features such as 24/7 support, live chat, community support group, email support and a knowledge base. These features will help you to get the help you need when you need it. You should also consider the quality of the customer support team. Look for reviews from other users to see what their experiences have been like. Do their marketing promises live up to the hype?
Other Online Retail Options
In addition to Shopify, there are other online retail options available. These include:
- Amazon: Amazon is the largest online retailer in the world, and it offers a platform for businesses to sell their products. Amazon has a wide range of features, including a marketplace, fulfillment services and marketing tools. Learn more about Shopify vs Amazon.
- eBay: Another popular online marketplace that offers a platform for businesses to sell their products is eBay. It has a wide range of features, including auction-style listings, buyer protection and payment options.
- Etsy: This is a popular platform for businesses that sell handmade or vintage items. With Etsy, customize your shop, manage orders and listings and promote your shop with marketing tools. Get more information on Shopify vs Etsy.
- Faire: A platform designed specifically for businesses that sell wholesale products. With Faire, businesses can manage orders, connect with buyers and get access to financing.
- Walmart: A popular retail store that also offers an online platform for businesses to sell their products. Features include product listings, order management and shipping options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best e-commerce platform?
The best e-commerce platform is the one that’s best for your business, which may not be the same as what’s best for other businesses. To find the best platform for your business, consider your budget, the size of your inventory and whether you need features, such as POS or multichannel selling. Our top-rated e-commerce platforms include Squarespace, Square and Ecwid.
What is the most affordable Shopify alternative?
There are many affordable Shopify alternatives, including Shift4Shop, Sellfy, WooCommerce and Ecwid. Each of these has a completely free option, although there are some limitations, such as limited storage space, transaction fees or a lack of certain features.
What is the best Shopify alternative for dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a way for a customer to place an order from a business and have it shipped directly to them from the supplier. This cuts out the go-between, which can save time and money. Both WooCommerce and BigCommerce are viable Shopify alternatives for dropshipping. BigCommerce has a few more features specifically for dropshippers, such as inventory management and order tracking.
Are there any free alternatives to Shopify?
There are several free alternatives to Shopify. However, some have restrictions you need to consider. For example, Ecwid offers a free plan, but it’s suited best for small stores because you can only have up to 10 products. Shift4Shop is another top Shopify competitor with fewer restrictions, provided you use its payment processor.
How do I know which Shopify alternative is right for me?
The best Shopify alternative for you will depend on your unique website needs. The key is to find an alternative that offers the features you need, from e-commerce-specific features, such as unlimited product listings, inventory management or shipping calculators to a user-friendly site builder and a price tag that fits your budget.
Why would I need an alternative to Shopify?
Shopify isn’t the only e-commerce website builder on the market, nor is it the best fit for every online store. For example, it’s not the most beginner-friendly nor is it the most affordable option. Learn more about the best e-commerce platforms.
