Shopify lets you create your own online store for a monthly fee. But its platform doesn’t offer many search engine optimization tools and it isn’t fully customizable. These three Shopify competitors give it a run for its money.
Shopify’s robust platform and a rich library of integrations make it an industry leader. But there are other contenders chomping at the bit. These are our top e-commerce platform alternatives to Shopify.
BigCommerce
Like Shopify, BigCommerce also offers free themes to get your website up and running quickly. But BigCommerce has better options for SEO performance, making it a better choice if you want web traffic.
Pros- SEO advantages
- No transaction fees
- Staff accounts
Cons- Sales threshold
- Limited integrations
- Abandoned cart saver
| Products | Payment processing, Website builder, Inventory tracking, Shopping cart software, Shipping software |
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| Solutions | In-store, Mobile, Online |
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| Monthly fees start at | $29.95/month |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction |
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| Cancellation fee | None |
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| Hosting | Hosted |
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| Monthly fees start at | $29.95/month |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction |
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Wix
Like Shopify, Wix has a store manager, product pages, discount codes and shipping tools. But Wix makes e-commerce less intimidating with its premium designs and intuitive customization options, making it more suitable for a small business that's just getting off the ground.
Pros- Drag-and-drop editor
- Compatible with various payment gateways
- Competitive pricing
Cons- Limited customer support
- Storage caps
- Third-party point-of-sale (POS) system
| Products | Website builder, Inventory tracking |
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| Solutions | Online |
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| Monthly fees start at | $14/month |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.9% plus 0.3% per transaction – For US sales |
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| Cancellation fee | None |
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| Hosting | Hosted |
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| Monthly fees start at | $14/month |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.9% plus 0.3% per transaction – For US sales |
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WooCommerce
Like Shopify, WooCommerce offers all the features you'd expect from an e-commerce provider, including accepting secure payments, managing orders and viewing sales reports. And while Shopify boasts the ability to sell on multiple sales channels, WooCommerce covers that too with its extensions. It edges out the competition with its ability to customize a website.
Pros- Free
- Easy to get started
- Developer tools
Cons- Must use WordPress
- Limited tech support
- Find your own host
| Products | Website builder, Inventory tracking |
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| Solutions | Online |
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| Monthly fees start at | Free |
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| Processing fees start at | None |
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| Cancellation fee | None |
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| Hosting | Self-hosted |
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| Monthly fees start at | Free |
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| Processing fees start at | None |
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These Shopify alternatives help you set up your online store and accept digital payments. But if you’re in the market for something else, compare a few other e-commerce platforms.
Do I need a merchant account to use BigCommerce?
You can use a merchant account or one of BigCommerce’s payment providers, such as PayPal or Square.
What plan do I need to add my own domain name to my Wix site?
You must have a Wix Premium Plan.
How do I use WooCommerce to sell on social media?
Connect your social media accounts through WooCommerce’s extensions. You can showcase your products and redirect your audience from your social media account to your product page
