Shopify competitors worth knowing about. Shopify, despite being one of the most prominent eCommerce solutions on the market, is not the right fit for every business. Based on 300,000+ migrations processed by LitExtension, #1 Shopping Cart Migration Expert, Shopify captures 65.79% of all inbound migrations. That means a significant share of merchants are actively choosing alternatives. Whether you're evaluating Shopify before committing or looking to switch, here are the 10 strongest options on the market.
Here are the key Shopify competitors we'll cover:
- WooCommerce
- BigCommerce
- Wix
- Magento
- Squarespace
- Square Online
- Shift4Shop
- Shopware
- Big Cartel
- Webflow
Let's get in.
Best Shopify Competitors in 2026: Our Top Picks
The platforms below are ranked by migration volume and market weight: the ones merchants actually choose when they leave or bypass Shopify.
Platform | Key features | Best for |
WooCommerce | Open-source, full WordPress integration, 65,000+ plugins, no variant limits, complete backend control | Developers, WordPress users, content-heavy and SEO-driven stores |
BigCommerce | No platform transaction fee on embedded gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, Klarna, Worldpay and 15 others), native B2B tools, multi-storefront, advanced SEO controls | Growing businesses, B2B brands, multi-channel operations |
Wix | Drag-and-drop editor, AI site builder, native booking and event tools, no platform transaction fees | Beginners, small stores, creatives who want design freedom without coding |
Magento (Adobe Commerce) | Unlimited customization, multi-store and multi-language, PWA Studio, enterprise-grade B2B workflows | Large enterprises with dedicated development teams and complex requirements |
Squarespace | Award-winning templates, content-commerce integration, subscriptions and bookings built in | Creatives, service businesses, lifestyle brands with small catalogs |
Square Online | Seamless Square POS sync, free plan available, restaurant ordering and curbside pickup tools | Retailers and local businesses already using Square for in-person payments |
Shift4Shop | Free plan for US merchants on Shift4 Payments, built-in CRM and affiliate tools, advanced SEO controls | US-based small to mid-sized businesses wanting a free feature-rich platform |
Shopware | Open-source Community Edition, API-first and headless architecture, multi-currency and multi-language | European merchants, developer-led teams, complex B2B and B2C operations |
Big Cartel | Free plan for up to 5 products, no transaction fees, simple dashboard, mobile store management app | Artists, makers, and micro-sellers who want a simple low-cost storefront |
Webflow | Visual canvas with full layout control, CMS-driven product pages, clean HTML/CSS output | Design-focused agencies and brands where the visual experience drives conversion |
1. WooCommerce
Pricing: Free (plugin). Hosting typically $5 to $50/month. Premium plugins vary.
Best for: Brands with technical resources or developer access that want full ownership of their store on top of WordPress. Ideal for content-heavy businesses, SEO-driven strategies, and those who want to avoid SaaS platform limitations.
WooCommerce user ratings on G2: 4.4/5
WooCommerce is an open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress, and the most widely used Shopify alternative in the world. It charges no monthly platform fee. You own the code, the customer data, and every part of the store's infrastructure. That ownership is its core advantage and its main trade-off. You get complete freedom in exchange for taking on hosting, security, and technical maintenance.
In LitExtension's migration data, WooCommerce appears at both ends of the spectrum: as a common destination and as a common source. That duality is telling. WooCommerce is the right platform for developer-led teams and content-driven brands; once stores scale past the point where managing that infrastructure makes sense, some merchants move to more managed solutions.
Key features that make WooCommerce stand out among Shopify alternatives:
- No monthly platform fee. Ongoing costs are hosting and any paid plugins you choose
- Full WordPress integration for advanced content management and SEO
- 65,000+ plugins for virtually any functionality without Shopify's app pricing model
- Complete backend access with no checkout customization restrictions
- No variant limits. Shopify caps at 100 variants per product; WooCommerce does not.
Pros | Cons |
- Open-source flexibility allowing you to modify every part of your store - Flexible payment scheme with no monthly subscription fee - Powerful SEO capabilities - Extensive plugin ecosystem | - Requires technical knowledge to set up and maintain your store - Potential conflicts among multiple third-party extensions - Longer launch time since setup takes more steps compared to plug-and-play platforms |
For more information, check out our WooCommerce review.
Migrating to WooCommerce?
LitExtension transfers your products, customers, orders, and more. Your live store stays online throughout.
2. BigCommerce
Pricing: $39 to $399/month. Custom plan available for Enterprise.
Best for: Mid-sized to large businesses, B2B brands, and fast-scaling operations that need advanced eCommerce tools out of the box and want to avoid transaction fees.
BigCommerce user ratings on G2: 4.2/5
BigCommerce is the most direct SaaS competitor to Shopify in the mid-market. As of June 1, 2026, BigCommerce restructured its plans and introduced an Open Payment Provider Fee for merchants using non-embedded gateways: 2% on Core (formerly Standard), 1% on Growth (formerly Plus), and 0.6% on Scale (formerly Pro). Embedded providers including Stripe, PayPal/Braintree, Adyen, and Checkout.com are exempt.
For merchants using an embedded gateway, BigCommerce still charges no platform transaction fee. For those using a third-party processor not on the embedded list, the cost picture has changed significantly and needs a direct comparison against Shopify's fees for your specific setup.
Beyond fees, BigCommerce bundles features that Shopify reserves for paid apps or higher-tier plans. B2B customer groups, quote management, multi-storefront support, and advanced SEO controls are all native. shopify competitors Key features that BigCommerce outshines Shopify:
- No transaction fees when using embedded gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, Checkout.com and others). A new Open Payment Provider Fee of 2% (Core), 1% (Growth), or 0.6% (Scale) applies to non-embedded gateways from June 2026. See our BigCommerce pricing guide for full details.
- Native B2B tools (custom pricing tiers, company accounts, quote management) without paid apps
- Multi-storefront support under one account with separate domains, catalogs, and currencies
- Greater URL and metadata control for SEO than Shopify's fixed structure allows
Pros | Cons |
- No transaction fees on all plans - Stronger B2B capabilities, ideal for brands with complex pricing models - Full control over URLs, microdata, and server-side rendering - Support for multi-storefronts ((with different domains, currencies, or catalogs) under one account) | - Steeper learning curve, especially for non-technical users. - Fewer theme selections than Shopify - Limitation on sales volume per plan (which means you need to upgrade if exceeding the sales quota) |
Moving from Shopify to BigCommerce?
LitExtension handles the full data transfer: products, customers, orders, SEO URLs, and more.
3. Wix
Pricing:
- Free plan available. Light: $17/month. Core (eCommerce): $29/month. Business: $39/month. Business Elite: $159/month (all billed annually).
- $19 to $159/month (Wix Studio)
Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses, artists, freelancers, and creators who want a professional online store with full visual control and no technical overhead.
Wix users' rating: 4.2/5 on G2
Wix is the most beginner-accessible Shopify competitor. Its drag-and-drop editor and AI-assisted site builder give more design freedom than Shopify at the entry level, without touching code or hiring a developer. The eCommerce minimum is the Core plan at $29/month. The Light plan and free plan support websites only, not online stores.
Wix charges no platform transaction fees on any eCommerce plan. The Business plan ($39/month) adds abandoned cart recovery, automated sales tax, and multi-currency selling. It is worth the upgrade for stores doing consistent volume.
One important caveat: Wix has real scalability limits. Large catalogs, complex B2B pricing, or deep API integrations will push past what Wix can support. It's an excellent platform for small stores; it's not a growth platform for high-volume operations.
Key features that make Wix stand out among the best Shopify competitors:
- More visual design freedom than Shopify without Liquid templating or developer access
- Lower eCommerce entry price. Core is $29/month vs. Shopify Basic at $36/month on monthly billing.
- Native tools for bookings, events, restaurants, and multilingual sites without extra apps
- No platform transaction fees on any eCommerce plan
Pros | Cons |
- More design freedom without coding - More affordable for small businesses and startups - Support for digital product selling and multilingual websites without extensions - Larger Theme library at no cost | - Less suitable for large or complex eCommerce operations - Limited access to backend code for custom development - Smaller app ecosystem than Shopify - Performance may vary if the design is overloaded |
For a detailed comparison, check out our Wix vs Shopify review.
4. Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Pricing: Magento Open Source is free. Adobe Commerce estimated at $12,000 to $45,000+/year depending on GMV and deployment model.
Best for: Enterprises, wholesalers, and large brands with custom requirements, dedicated technical resources, and the need for complete control over their eCommerce infrastructure.
Magento user ratings on G2: 4/5
Magento, now Adobe Commerce, operates in a different category from most Shopify competitors. It's not a platform you configure; it's a platform you build on. The total cost of ownership includes licensing, hosting, developer time, ongoing security maintenance, and integrations. For businesses that need it, that investment unlocks capabilities no SaaS platform can match: unlimited customization, complex multi-store setups, sophisticated B2B workflows, and complete data control.
For anyone without a development team and a clear enterprise use case, Magento is the wrong choice. Meaningful implementation takes months and significant budget. This is a platform for businesses that have outgrown what hosted platforms can deliver.
Key eCommerce features that Magento offers:
- Open-source framework with full backend control. No platform restrictions on checkout or workflows.
- Advanced product management, rule-based promotions, and customer segmentation
- Multi-storefront and multi-language support without add-on costs
- Built-in PWA Studio for mobile-first shopping experiences
Pros | Cons |
- Unlimited customization that offers complete control over store data and design - Scalable architecture, designed for high-traffic, high-volume businesses - Multi-store and international support - Strong developer community with thousands of Magento-certified developers and extensions | - High developement cost - Longer time to set up and launce - Ongoing maintenance with regular updates, hosting management, and security patching needed - Steep learning curve |
Read our Magento 2 review for a full capability breakdown.
5. Squarespace
Pricing: Basic $16/month, Core $23/month, Plus $39/month, Advanced $99/month (all billed annually). Monthly billing runs 25 to 40% higher.
Best for: Creatives, service-based businesses, and lifestyle brands that prioritize polished design and a content-integrated store experience over scalability.
Squarespace user ratings on G2: 4.4/5
Squarespace rebranded its plans to Basic, Core, Plus, and Advanced in late 2025. The key pricing note: Basic includes a 2% transaction fee on top of payment processor fees. Core and above drop that to 0% on physical products. Core ($23/month annually) is the practical minimum for any store doing real volume.
Squarespace is not a scalability platform. It doesn't support large catalogs, complex inventory logic, or advanced B2B workflows. What it does well is make a small, design-forward store look exceptional without developer help. Tightly integrated content and commerce, award-winning templates, and an intuitive editor make it the clearest choice for aesthetic-first brands.
Key features that Squarespace offers:
- Award-winning templates optimized for desktop and mobile. See our picks for best Squarespace templates
- Built-in tools for digital and physical product sales
- Support for services, memberships, and appointment booking
- 0% transaction fees from Core plan upward
Pros | Cons |
- Stunning design templates available for free with no extra cost - Simple and intuitive editor even for non-technical users - Affordable pricing for basic selling needs - Good for content-driven sites | - Not suitable for large catalogs or growing and complex operations - Smaller extension ecosystem than Shopify - Lacks advanced features like multi-currency, B2B selling, and custom checkout |
6. Square Online
Pricing: Free plan available. Plus: $49/month. Premium: $149/month (billed annually).
Best for: Retailers, restaurants, and local businesses that already use Square for in-person payments and want a quick, low-friction way to sell online with unified inventory.
Square Online user ratings on G2: 4.2/5
Square Online's core value is tight integration with Square POS. If your business already runs on Square (a cafe, boutique, or service provider), Square Online syncs inventory and orders across in-person and online channels automatically. That eliminates a real operational headache that most other platforms don't solve as cleanly.
The free plan exists but includes Square branding and transaction fees. For any store doing consistent online volume, the Plus plan ($49/month) is the realistic starting point.
Key eCommerce features that Square Online offers:
- Seamless integration with Square POS for unified inventory and order sync
- Free plan available for testing before committing to a paid tier
- Built-in tools for restaurant ordering, curbside pickup, and appointment booking
Pros | Cons |
- Ideal for brick-and-mortar stores wanting to expand online - Free plan available - Unified inventory management for online and offline sales - Competitive transaction fee through Square Payments | - Limited design flexibility with fewer customization options than Shopify - Less scalable for large or complex stores - Smaller app ecosystem than Shopify - Missing advanced tools like international selling or advanced discount rules |
For more information, read our Square Online review.
7. Shift4Shop
Pricing: $29 to $299/month. Free plan available for US merchants processing $1,000+/month through Shift4 Payments.
Best for: US-based small to mid-sized businesses looking for a feature-rich eCommerce platform at zero monthly platform cost.
Shift4Shop user ratings on G2: 3.9/5
Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) has an unusually compelling offer for the right merchant: if you're a US business processing at least $1,000/month through Shift4 Payments, you get access to the full platform at no monthly fee. That includes built-in SEO tools, a CRM, an affiliate program, blog, and API access. No equivalent offer exists from Shopify.
The trade-off is real. The admin interface is not as polished as Shopify's, the free plan is US-only, and processor lock-in means you can't switch payment providers without leaving the free tier.
Key eCommerce features that Shift4Shop offers:
- Free eCommerce plan for US businesses meeting the Shift4 Payments processing threshold
- Built-in blog, CRM, and affiliate program tools. No paid apps needed.
- Advanced SEO customization: custom URLs, meta tags, schema markup
- API access for custom development and integrations
Pros | Cons |
- No monthly fee if you use Shift4 Payments - Greater flexibility over URLs and metadata - Support for complex product configurations and product management - No transaction fee | - Free plan only available to U.S. merchants using Shift4 - Admin dashboard isn’t as user-friendly as Shopify - Less support and third-party content compared to Shopify |
Our Shift4Shop review covers features and limitations in detail.
8. Shopware
Pricing: Community Edition free (self-hosted). Cloud plans from $600 to $2,400/month. Custom enterprise plans available.
Best for: Mid-sized to enterprise businesses, particularly in Europe, that need a flexible, developer-friendly eCommerce platform with strong international selling capabilities and agency or in-house technical support.
Shopware is the dominant Shopify alternative in the European market and a credible enterprise option globally. Its Community Edition is open-source with full backend access. The platform supports API-first and headless commerce architectures, making it a natural fit for teams building custom storefronts or integrating complex backend systems.
Shopware's strength is also its barrier: meaningful implementation requires technical expertise or agency support. It is not a platform you configure in a weekend.
Key eCommerce features that Shopware offers:
- Open-source Community Edition and cloud-hosted commercial editions available
- API-first architecture and headless commerce support
- Advanced multi-currency and multi-language capabilities for international selling
- Extensive plugin marketplace and third-party integrations
Pros | Cons |
- Full access to backend and frontend for complete customization - Build custom storefronts across different channels - Built-in tools for multilingual and multi-currency selling - API-first, Symfony framework, and modular structure | - Requires technical expertise, not ideal for beginners without developer support - Longer launch time with complex customization and setup - Smaller global community |
Read our Shopware review for a full breakdown.
9. Big Cartel
Pricing: Free (up to 5 products). $15/month (50 products). $30/month (500 products).
Best for: Creators, artists, and small-scale sellers who want a clean, minimal online store without the complexity or cost of a full eCommerce platform.
User ratings on G2: 4.2/5
Big Cartel doesn't compete with Shopify on features or scale. That's by design. It carves out a niche for micro-businesses (artists selling prints, makers selling handmade goods, musicians selling merch) who need a simple, low-overhead way to sell online without paying for infrastructure they'll never use. No transaction fees, a permanent free plan for up to 5 products, and a clean dashboard make the decision simple for this audience.
Key eCommerce features that Big Cartel offers:
- Free plan for up to 5 products with basic features included
- Easy-to-use dashboard with no coding required
- Supports physical, digital, and service-based products
- Mobile app for store management on the go
Pros | Cons |
- Free forever plan, great for testing or selling a small number of items - No platform transaction fees - Clean and minimal templates - Tailored for artists and creators | - Limited scalability, not suitable for growing catalogs or larger businesses - Basic feature set with limited support for advanced eCommerce tools - Smaller app ecosystem and fewer integrations compared to Shopify |
Read our in-depth Big Cartel review and Big Cartel vs Shopify comparison for a full feature walkthrough.
10. Webflow
Pricing: Site plans from $14/month. eCommerce: Standard $29/month, Plus $74/month, Advanced $212/month (billed annually). Free plan available for design and development.
Best for: Design-focused brands, agencies, and professionals who want total creative control over their storefront's structure, layout, and visual experience. They should be comfortable working within Webflow's design environment.
User ratings on G2: 4.4/5
Webflow is not a conventional eCommerce platform. It's a visual development tool with a capable commerce layer. Every layout, animation, and interaction is customizable through a visual canvas that generates clean HTML and CSS. No other template-based platform matches this level of design freedom.
The trade-offs are real: Webflow's Standard plan charges a 2% transaction fee. Large catalogs and complex inventory aren't supported. Payment gateway options are limited compared to Shopify. This is the right platform for stores where the visual experience itself drives conversion: high-design, low-SKU storefronts where looking exceptional matters.
Key eCommerce features that Webflow offers:
- CMS integration for dynamic content and product management
- Clean HTML/CSS output, good for SEO and performance optimization
- Fully customizable cart and checkout experience
- Visual canvas for building any layout or animation without theme constraints
Pros | Cons |
- Unmatched design freedom, allowing users to build any layout or animation without theme constraints - CMS-driven, ideal for content-rich stores or custom product pages - Custom checkout and cart styling - Clean code output, great for SEO and performance optimization | - Not built for large catalogs or complex inventory needs - Support fewer payment options - Steeper learning curve, requiring some understanding of design principles and Webflow's logic |
Read our Webflow review and Webflow vs Shopify comparison for a full breakdown.
Why Should You Consider Shopify Alternatives?
Shopify is a strong platform, but four specific pain points consistently push merchants to explore alternatives:
Transaction fees on third-party gateways. Shopify charges 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, and 0.5% on Advanced when you use a payment processor other than Shopify Payments. In most markets outside the US, UK, Canada, and a handful of others, Shopify Payments isn't available, meaning merchants pay those fees on every sale with no way to eliminate them without switching platforms.
Cumulative app costs. Features that BigCommerce or WooCommerce bundle natively (abandoned cart recovery, B2B pricing, subscription billing, advanced shipping rules) require paid Shopify apps. A fully functional Shopify store often carries $200 to $500/month in app subscriptions above the platform fee.
Checkout customization restrictions. Full checkout customization requires Shopify Plus at $2,300/month. Brands that need checkout A/B testing, custom upsells at checkout, or deep UX changes below that tier hit a hard ceiling.
Design limits without developer access. Shopify's Liquid templating language constrains what non-developers can customize. Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow all offer more visual freedom for merchants without coding resources.
How to Choose the Right Shopify Alternative
The right platform depends on what Shopify's limitations are actually costing you.
1. If the problem is transaction fees
BigCommerce eliminates them on all plans, including third-party gateways. That's the clearest financial argument for switching. For international merchants where Shopify Payments isn't available, the savings compound with every sale.
2. If the problem is overall cost
WooCommerce removes the monthly platform fee entirely. You pay hosting instead. For US merchants meeting the volume threshold, Shift4Shop's free plan is worth a direct evaluation. For small stores, Wix Core ($29/month) and Squarespace Basic ($16/month) are meaningfully cheaper than Shopify at entry level.
3. If the problem is design flexibility
Wix and Squarespace give more creative control without coding. Webflow goes furthest, but requires comfort with its visual development environment. Shopware and WooCommerce go furthest of all, but require developer resources.
4. If the problem is scaling complexity
BigCommerce for SaaS with enterprise features built in. Magento for complete infrastructure control with a dedicated development team. Both handle multi-store, multi-currency, and B2B use cases that Shopify gates behind Plus pricing.
5. If you're a POS-first business
Square Online integrates cleanest with Square's point-of-sale system. If your primary channel is in-person and you want to expand online without rebuilding your operational stack, this is the most frictionless path.
One factor cuts across all of these: data portability. Before choosing any platform, confirm you can migrate your products, customer records, and order history cleanly, without downtime. LitExtension supports migrations between all platforms listed above, with a Free Demo Migration that lets you verify the transfer before committing.
Shopify competitors: FAQs
What is the biggest competitor to Shopify?
WooCommerce is the most widely used Shopify alternative globally, powering a large share of all eCommerce stores through its open-source WordPress plugin. BigCommerce is the strongest direct competitor for growing mid-market businesses, while Wix leads among beginners and small stores. For enterprises, Magento (Adobe Commerce) is the primary alternative.
Is anything better than Shopify?
It depends on what Shopify's limitations are costing you. If transaction fees are the problem, BigCommerce eliminates them on all plans. If design flexibility matters more, Squarespace and Wix offer more creative freedom out of the box. If you need full control without monthly fees, WooCommerce is the stronger option. Shopify remains the best all-around platform for scaling DTC and B2C stores that want a managed, hosted environment.
Which platform is cheaper than Shopify?
Wix (from $29/month for eCommerce), Squarespace (from $16/month), Square Online (free plan available), and Big Cartel (free for up to 5 products) are all cheaper than Shopify at entry level. WooCommerce has no monthly platform fee, though hosting and plugin costs add up. The real comparison is total cost of ownership, not just the subscription price.
What are the main drawbacks of Shopify?
Shopify's main drawbacks are transaction fees on third-party payment gateways (0.5 to 2% depending on plan), reliance on paid apps for features that competitors bundle natively, limited design customization without coding knowledge, and a 100 product variant cap. For international merchants where Shopify Payments is not available, the transaction fee issue is especially significant.
Can I switch from Shopify to another platform without losing data?
Yes. LitExtension supports migrations from Shopify to 140+ platforms, including WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, Wix, and Squarespace. The Free Demo Migration lets you test the transfer of 20 items before committing. Products, customers, orders, categories, and reviews can all be migrated. Your Shopify store remains live throughout the process.
Is WooCommerce better than Shopify?
WooCommerce is better than Shopify if you need full ownership of your store's code and data, a deeply integrated content and SEO strategy through WordPress, or the ability to avoid monthly platform fees. Shopify is better if you want a fully managed, hosted environment with predictable scaling, a stronger native app ecosystem, and less technical overhead.
Final thoughts
Shopify is a capable platform, but the best Shopify competitor is the one that solves the specific problem Shopify creates for your business. If transaction fees are the issue, BigCommerce solves it. If cost and ownership matter most, WooCommerce does. If simplicity for a small store is the priority, Wix or Squarespace. If you need enterprise-grade infrastructure, Magento.
Whatever platform you land on, the migration itself doesn't have to be risky. LitExtension has handled 300,000+ store migrations across 140+ platforms, with a Free Demo Migration so you can verify your data transfers correctly before committing. If you need more guidance, the LitExtension blog covers every platform in depth. Join our eCommerce Community for advice from thousands of store owners worldwide.
