Why look at alternatives? Shopify’s transaction fees, app costs, and premium themes can double effective monthly spend. These alternatives offer lower TCO or better fit specific use cases.
We rate Shopify 91/100. Read our full Shopify review →
Quick Comparison: Best Shopify Alternatives
| Alternative | Best For | Free Plan | Paid From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WooCommerce | Best free option | Free (plugin) | Hosting only (~$10/mo) | 85/100 |
| 2. BigCommerce | Best for high volume | 15-day trial | $39/mo | 86/100 |
| 3. Squarespace Commerce | Best for design-focused brands | 14-day trial | $28/mo | 80/100 |
| 4. Wix eCommerce | Best for beginners | Free (with branding) | $29/mo | 79/100 |
| 5. Gumroad | Best for digital products | Free (10% fee) | $0 (fee-based) | 78/100 |
Detailed Breakdown: Top Shopify Alternatives
#1 WooCommerce
85/100
Best free option
- ✓ Completely free plugin
- ✓ No transaction fees
- ✓ Maximum flexibility
- ✓ Huge extension ecosystem
- ✗ Requires WordPress
- ✗ More technical setup
- ✗ You manage hosting/security
#2 BigCommerce
86/100
Best for high volume
- ✓ No transaction fees ever
- ✓ More built-in features
- ✓ Better multi-currency
- ✓ Strong SEO
- ✗ Annual sales caps trigger upgrades
- ✗ Smaller app ecosystem
#3 Squarespace Commerce
80/100
Best for design-focused brands
- ✓ Beautiful templates
- ✓ Simpler than Shopify
- ✓ No transaction fees on Commerce
- ✗ Less powerful at scale
- ✗ Limited app integrations
#4 Wix eCommerce
79/100
Best for beginners
- ✓ Very beginner friendly
- ✓ Drag-and-drop
- ✓ AI website creation
- ✗ Not for large catalogs
- ✗ Limited inventory management
#5 Gumroad
78/100
Best for digital products
- ✓ Zero monthly fee
- ✓ Great for digital products
- ✓ Simple setup
- ✗ 10% fee per sale
- ✗ Limited for physical products
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free Shopify alternative?
WooCommerce is the best free alternative — the plugin is free, you only pay hosting ($5–$25/month), and there are no transaction fees.
Is BigCommerce or Shopify better?
BigCommerce has no transaction fees and more built-in features. Shopify has a larger app ecosystem and is easier to use. For stores doing over $100k/year, BigCommerce typically saves money.
What is the cheapest way to sell online?
Gumroad charges no monthly fee (10% per sale) for digital products. WooCommerce on shared hosting costs $3–$10/month with no transaction fees for physical products.