Curated List Of Top 9 Best Shopify Alternatives 2024

What are the best Shopify Alternatives?

While Shopify boasts popularity, seeking alternatives suggests specific limitations. Perhaps transaction fees eat into profits, or SEO strategies are hindered by proprietary code restrictions. Additionally, complex product catalogs may strain Shopify’s platform capabilities.

Despite powering over 2.75 million websites, Shopify may not offer a universal solution.

Fortunately, numerous alternatives exist in the market. This post explores top-reviewed ecommerce platforms tailored to diverse business needs.

Is Shopify Right for You?

Shopify is a popular ecommerce platform, especially for beginners. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some reasons why Shopify might not be the perfect fit for your business:

• Limited Customization: While Shopify offers a user-friendly interface, extensive customization can be challenging. You’re primarily limited to the platform’s features and apps in their store. This may restrict your ability to create a truly unique online experience.
• Transaction Fees: Shopify charges transaction fees when using certain payment methods. These fees can eat into your profits, especially for high-volume businesses.
• B2B Limitations: Shopify is primarily designed for B2C (business-to-consumer) transactions. If you run a B2B (business-to-business) operation, you might find it lacks the functionalities needed for complex B2B workflows.
• Product Limitations: Starter plans limit your product catalog to 100 SKUs (stock keeping units) with only three options per product. This can be restrictive for businesses with a wider variety of offerings.
• SEO Nuances: While Shopify offers good overall SEO performance, it may not provide the level of control needed for advanced SEO strategies. Customization options for highly targeted SEO tactics might be limited.

If these limitations give you pause, don’t worry! There are numerous ecommerce platforms available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.  Consider exploring alternatives that might better suit your specific business needs.

Top List 9 Best Shopify Alternatives

Let’s explore!

WooCommerce

WooCommerce stands out as a unique option in the ecommerce platform landscape. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Cost-Effective: WooCommerce itself is free to use, making it a budget-friendly option for businesses starting out.
• Highly Customizable: WooCommerce’s open-source nature allows for extensive customization. Developers can modify the code to tailor the platform to your specific needs.
• Plugin Power: A vast library of third-party plugins extends WooCommerce’s functionalities. You can find plugins for almost any feature imaginable.
• Active Community: A large and active community of developers and users provide ongoing support and updates for WooCommerce.
• Ecommerce Focus: Unlike Wix and Squarespace, WooCommerce is built specifically for ecommerce businesses, offering a comprehensive set of features designed to manage your online store effectively.

Considerations Before Choosing WooCommerce

• Technical Expertise: While user-friendly, WooCommerce requires some technical knowledge or a developer’s assistance to fully leverage its capabilities. This can be a hurdle for those with no prior experience.
• Ongoing Maintenance: WooCommerce doesn’t offer the “all-in-one” simplicity of hosted platforms like Shopify. You’ll need to manage your own web hosting, WordPress installation, and plugin updates.
• Premium Features: Many of the most powerful plugins carry a premium price tag, adding to the overall cost of ownership.

The Final Takeaway

Compared to Shopify’s user-friendly approach, WooCommerce offers a more technical and customizable environment.  

Choose WooCommerce if you prioritize deep control and have the technical resources to manage it effectively.  If ease of use and a comprehensive out-of-the-box solution are your priorities, Shopify might be a better fit.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce, a leading all-in-one ecommerce platform, offers a compelling alternative to Shopify.  Like Shopify, it’s a hosted solution, meaning you don’t need to worry about coding or server maintenance.

Here’s what BigCommerce excels at:

• Built for Growth: BigCommerce is a powerful platform designed to handle large catalogs, complex product variations, and high-volume sales.
• Superior Store Management: BigCommerce boasts robust features for managing products, orders, shipping (including ShipperHQ integration), and customer relationships (CRM included). This makes it a great choice for businesses that require a high level of organization and control.
• No Transaction Fees (mostly): Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce (on most plans) doesn’t charge additional transaction fees for using different payment gateways. This can translate to significant cost savings for high-volume businesses.
• Expanded Sales Channels: BigCommerce seamlessly integrates with popular marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook, allowing you to reach a wider audience and boost sales.
• WordPress Integration: For businesses already using WordPress, BigCommerce offers a seamless integration, allowing you to leverage the power of both platforms.
• Outstanding Support: BigCommerce provides 24/7 customer support and a wealth of helpful learning resources to ensure you get the most out of the platform.

Considering the Downsides:

While BigCommerce offers undeniable strengths, it’s not without limitations:

• Theme Costs: BigCommerce themes tend to be more expensive compared to Shopify. Achieving a beautiful and unique website may require a larger investment.
• Customization: While offering some flexibility, BigCommerce’s customization options are not as extensive as Shopify’s. This may limit your ability to create a truly one-of-a-kind online store experience.
• Learning Curve: Compared to Shopify’s user-friendly interface, BigCommerce can have a slightly steeper learning curve, especially during the initial setup and design phase.

The Ideal Choice for Scalability

While Shopify is often recommended for beginners, BigCommerce shines for businesses with ambitious growth plans. Its robust features and scalability make it ideal for companies that anticipate expanding their product catalogs, teams, and customer base.

Magento

Magento establishes itself as the heavyweight champion in the world of ecommerce platforms.  

Here’s why it stands out and who should consider it!

• Scalability Champion: Magento is renowned for its ability to handle massive online stores with millions of products and complex functionalities. It caters to businesses with exponential growth aspirations.
• Complete Solution: Magento offers a comprehensive set of features for ecommerce businesses, encompassing everything from product management to marketing tools and analytics. It empowers you to build a fully customized online store experience.
• Open-Source Advantage: The free, open-source Magento Community Edition provides a powerful foundation for developers to build upon. This allows for extensive customization and integration with virtually any third-party tool.
• Widespread Adoption: Being a popular platform, Magento benefits from a large and active community of developers and users. Finding specialists and resources for support is easier compared to lesser-known platforms.

The Investment and Expertise Needed!

• Steep Learning Curve: Magento is known for its complexity. Setting up, managing, and customizing it requires significant technical expertise or a dedicated development team. This makes it a hurdle for beginners.
• Hosting Considerations: The free version necessitates self-managed web hosting, adding another layer of technical complexity for some users.
• Significant Costs: While the core platform is free, development, customization, and ongoing maintenance can be expensive, especially for enterprise-level implementations.

The Final Takeaway

Magento offers unparalleled power and flexibility for experienced ecommerce businesses.  However, its complexity and cost make it a poor fit for beginners.  

If you’re a seasoned entrepreneur with a scalable business model and the resources to invest, Magento can be a powerful tool for growth.  For those starting out or prioritizing ease of use, Shopify or other user-friendly platforms might be a better starting point.

Squarespace

Squarespace, a leading website builder, presents a strong alternative to Shopify, particularly for businesses that prioritize aesthetics and online marketing. 

Here’s a closer look at Squarespace’s strengths and weaknesses as an ecommerce platform:

Strengths

• All-Inclusive Solution: Similar to Shopify and Wix, Squarespace offers a fully hosted platform, eliminating the need to manage your own domain, server, or website maintenance.
• Stunning Design: Squarespace boasts a collection of well-designed, professional website templates that are easy to customize, allowing you to create a visually appealing online store.
• Marketing Powerhouse: Squarespace excels in online marketing tools. It integrates seamlessly with various platforms like social media, email marketing services, and analytics tools, making it easy to promote your store and track results.
• Zero Transaction Fees: A significant advantage: Squarespace doesn’t charge additional transaction fees on top of your chosen payment gateway fees.
• Scalability: Squarespace offers unlimited product catalogs, making it suitable for businesses with a vast inventory.
• Cost-Effective Option: Squarespace’s pricing can be more affordable compared to Shopify’s basic plan.

Weaknesses

• Ecommerce Focus: Squarespace, like Wix, is a general website builder with ecommerce functionalities added on. It may not provide the depth of ecommerce-specific features found on Shopify.
• Limited Support Options: Squarespace primarily offers email and chat support, lacking a phone support option for those who require immediate assistance.
• Design Complexity: Squarespace’s design tools, while powerful, can be overwhelming for new users. The learning curve might be steeper compared to Shopify’s user-friendly interface.

The Final Decision

While Squarespace offers a compelling solution,  remember that Shopify remains the specialist when it comes to dedicated ecommerce features and functionalities.  Choose Squarespace if design and marketing are central to your strategy, but if in-depth product management and a robust ecommerce environment are crucial, Shopify might be a better fit.

Volusion

Volusion is an all-in-one ecommerce platform like Shopify. So you don’t have to download or install anything to start building your online store. All you need to do is sign up and pick your template.

It covers all the features you need to launch your ecommerce business and sell products online. Including order fulfillment, search function, text-rich product pages, SEO tools, marketplace integrations (Amazon, Facebook, eBay, etc.), and more.

Volusion lets you fit more products in your catalog and satisfies those business owners who need more advanced features—making it a great choice to start and grow your store.

Pros

• It is fully hosted—no need to pay for any other service.
• Customer support is available 24/7.
• The platform is fully customizable and user-friendly.
• Offers many high-quality templates.
• Great product management tools like its top-notch inventory integration.
• Includes marketing features for SEO, social media, and marketplace selling.
• Allows for a more extensive and more diverse catalog than Shopify.

Cons

• Has a complicated fee structure for fees and secondary costs like bandwidth usage. Making it a more expensive choice than you’d think.
• Forces you to pay for your SSL certificate and integrate it into your site. Which adds to the additional costs of using the platform.
• Despite having beautiful templates. Premium templates cost hundreds of dollars if you want to change your theme.

Conclusion

Volusion offers a powerful and feature-rich solution for ecommerce businesses.  However, its pricing complexity and additional costs might not be ideal for budget-conscious businesses.  

If you prioritize affordability and a straightforward pricing structure, Shopify might be a better fit. However, for businesses with a vast product catalog and long-term growth plans, Volusion is a compelling alternative.

OpenCart

OpenCart presents another strong alternative in the open-source ecommerce platform arena. 

Let’s explore its key features and considerations:

Open-Source Benefits

• Free to Use: Similar to WooCommerce, OpenCart is free to download and use, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious businesses.
• Highly Customizable: OpenCart offers extensive customization possibilities. Its open-source nature allows developers to modify the core code to create a truly unique online store experience.
• Third-Party Integrations: An extensive library of third-party extensions expands OpenCart’s functionalities, allowing you to add features like SEO tools, blogging platforms, and marketing integrations.
• Scalability: OpenCart is designed to handle large product catalogs, multiple languages, and various currencies, making it suitable for businesses with significant growth potential.

The Technical Side of OpenCart

• Technical Knowledge Required: While OpenCart offers some user-friendliness, it requires a higher level of technical expertise compared to Shopify. Setting it up, maintaining it, and customizing it often involve developer assistance.
• Web Hosting Management: Unlike Shopify’s hosted solution, you’ll need to manage your own web hosting service and ensure it meets specific technical requirements.
• SEO Considerations: OpenCart isn’t inherently SEO-friendly. Optimizing your store for search engines might require additional plugins and configurations.
• Marketing Limitations: OpenCart lacks built-in marketing functionalities like social media integration, blogging tools, and analytics. You’ll need to rely on third-party solutions.
• Performance Optimization: OpenCart can be slower than some competing platforms. Optimizing its performance might require additional development effort.

The Final Word

OpenCart offers immense customization freedom, but it comes with a steeper technical learning curve compared to Shopify.  If you have the in-house development expertise or are comfortable managing a self-hosted platform, OpenCart can be a powerful and cost-effective solution.  

For those who prioritize ease of use and a comprehensive out-of-the-box experience, Shopify might be a better fit.

Wix

Wix is a user-friendly website builder that caters to a broad audience, including those with no coding experience. 

Here’s a breakdown of Wix’s strengths and weaknesses as an ecommerce platform compared to Shopify!

Strengths

• Unmatched Design Flexibility: Wix’s drag-and-drop website editor and extensive template library offer unparalleled design control. You can truly customize every aspect of your online store’s look and feel.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Wix offers a free plan and generally has lower pricing options compared to Shopify. This can be attractive for budget-conscious businesses.
• All-Inclusive Solution: Wix takes care of hosting and backend maintenance, eliminating the need for separate domain registration and hosting services.
• Multiple Payment Options: Wix supports various payment gateways without charging additional transaction fees.

Weaknesses

• Ecommerce Focus: Wix isn’t built specifically for ecommerce. Its product management features, like handling complex product variations, may not be as robust as Shopify’s.
• B2B Limitations: Similar to Shopify, Wix may not be ideal for B2B businesses that require functionalities tailored to complex B2B workflows.
• Design Overwhelm: The sheer number of templates and design options available on Wix can be overwhelming for some users. Choosing and customizing a design might require more effort compared to Shopify.

Who Should Choose Wix?

Wix is an excellent option for you if you prioritize complete creative control over your online store’s design and user experience. Or you’re looking for a cost-effective solution and the free plan appeals to you. 

Plus, You prefer a user-friendly platform with minimal learning curve, even if it means sacrificing some ecommerce-specific features.

Remember:  While Wix offers ecommerce functionalities, it’s not as specialized as Shopify.  If robust product management, B2B features, and a dedicated ecommerce environment are crucial for your business, Shopify might be a better fit.

Big Cartel

Big Cartel stands out as a unique option tailored for a specific niche. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Low Barrier to Entry: Big Cartel offers a user-friendly interface that allows anyone to set up an online store quickly and easily. There’s minimal learning curve involved, making it ideal for beginners.
• Affordable Pricing: Big Cartel features a free plan and generally has lower pricing options compared to other platforms. This is attractive for businesses on a tight budget.
• Visually Appealing Designs: Despite its simplicity, Big Cartel offers a collection of modern and engaging website templates for a professional look.
• Customization for Developers: Big Cartel allows code-savvy users to edit HTML, CSS, and Javascript, enabling further customization beyond the theme options.

Limitations for Growth!

• Limited Features: While easy to use, Big Cartel lacks advanced features needed by fast-growing businesses. Inventory management, marketing tools, and complex product variations might be limited.
• Functionality Gaps: Basic functionalities like a built-in search bar are missing, making Big Cartel less suitable for stores with extensive product catalogs.
• Limited Payment Options: Big Cartel integrates with only Stripe and Paypal for payment processing, offering fewer choices compared to other platforms.

The Final Thought

Big Cartel offers a user-friendly and affordable solution for creative businesses with a limited product range. If you prioritize ease of use, a beautiful storefront, and a budget-friendly option, Big Cartel is worth considering.  

However, for businesses seeking advanced functionalities and scalability, Shopify might be a better fit.

3DCart 

3DCart positions itself as a robust platform for experienced online sellers.  

Here’s a closer look at its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you:

Feature Powerhouse

• Comprehensive Functionality: 3DCart offers a comprehensive suite of features for managing and marketing your online store. This includes multi-channel selling, marketplace integrations, SEO tools, customer reviews, and more.
• Scalability Champion: 3DCart excels at handling large product catalogs, complex product variations, and high-volume sales. It provides features for upsells, cross-sells, and unlimited product listings, making it suitable for businesses with significant growth potential.
• Superior Support: 3DCart boasts 24/7 chat and phone support, ensuring you have access to help whenever needed.
• Multiple Payment Options: 3DCart offers a variety of payment gateways and flexible checkout options, catering to diverse customer preferences. It also avoids transaction fees, a cost-saving benefit.

The Learning Curve

• Steeper Learning Curve: Compared to user-friendly platforms like Shopify, 3DCart has a steeper learning curve. Its advanced features might require more time and effort to master, especially for beginners.
• Template Limitations: While 3DCart offers themes, the free options might not be as visually appealing as Shopify’s. Achieving a premium design might involve investing in paid templates.
• Pricing Considerations: 3DCart’s base price might seem attractive, but additional features often come with extra costs. Carefully evaluate your needs and factor in potential add-on costs before making a decision.

The Final Word

3DCart offers a powerful set of tools for established ecommerce businesses.  However, its learning curve and potential for additional costs might be hurdles for beginners.  

If you’re a seasoned seller seeking advanced functionalities and comprehensive support, 3DCart is a compelling option.  For those starting out or prioritizing ease of use, Shopify might be a better fit.

Conclusion

Finding the right ecommerce platform is paramount for the success of your business! It’s the very foundation upon which your operations rely. While Shopify enjoys widespread usage, it’s important to acknowledge that it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

Every alternative to Shopify has its strengths and weaknesses, each designed to address the gaps left by Shopify’s offerings. With nine compelling alternatives at your disposal, each tailored to different needs and preferences, the odds are in your favor of finding a platform that perfectly aligns with your business requirements.

By asking yourself these questions and exploring your options, you’ll discover the perfect ecommerce platform to propel your business to new heights.