10 Best Shopify Alternatives

Shopify is a powerhouse in the e-commerce world, celebrated for its simplicity and a wide array of features that empower entrepreneurs and businesses alike.

But does it fit snugly with the unique requirements of your business?

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by Shopify's limited customization or blindsided by unexpected costs, you're not alone. Many business owners find themselves searching for alternatives that align more closely with their specific needs.

We know the one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for everyone, which is why we've rounded up some of the best Shopify alternatives out there. Each platform we've picked out shines in areas like flexibility, cost efficiency, and overall functionality—key factors that make a big difference in day-to-day operations.

Check out these alternatives to find an e-commerce solution that not only meets your needs but also elevates your customer connections online.

What to Look for in Your E-commerce Platform

Selecting the ideal e-commerce platform is a critical decision for your business. It's not just about picking software; it's about choosing a partner that will support your business's growth and adapt to its changing needs. Here’s what you need to look for:

Scalability: Thinking Ahead

Consider where you see your business in the next five years. Will your platform be able to handle the growth? It’s vital to choose a platform that not only fits your current needs but also scales smoothly as your business expands—adding more products, handling more transactions, and supporting more customers. Without the hitches and the headaches.

Integration Capabilities: Creating a Cohesive System

Does the platform play well with the tools you already use? Whether it's CRM systems, email marketing, or analytics tools, the ability to integrate seamlessly is crucial. A platform that syncs well with your existing software simplifies workflows and enhances data consistency, helping you make smarter business decisions.

User Experience (UX): Essential for Success

How does the platform serve you and your customers? A great UX means a straightforward, pleasant shopping experience for your customers, boosting satisfaction and sales. For your team, it means a user-friendly administrative interface that reduces the learning curve and increases productivity.

Customization Capabilities: Showcasing Your Brand

Your platform should let your brand’s personality shine through. Customization is key, from the storefront’s look to the functionality of the backend. The more you can tailor the platform to your brand, the more you’ll stand out from the competition.

Support and Community: Don't Go It Alone

What happens when you hit a snag? Access to a responsive support team and an active community can be game-changers, providing quick troubleshooting help, best practices, and innovative ideas from other users.

Security Features: Safeguarding Your Business

With online threats more prevalent than ever, robust security features are non-negotiable. Look for platforms that offer SSL certificates, data encryption, and compliance with international security standards to keep your customer data safe.

Pricing Structure: Understanding the Costs

Finally, consider the total cost of ownership. Beyond subscription fees, think about potential transaction fees, add-ons, and third-party apps. A platform with transparent pricing helps avoid surprises and ensures you get value from your investment.

By carefully considering each of these factors, you can select an e-commerce platform that not only meets your needs today but supports your growth long into the future. Now, let’s look at the list of top competitors we’ve compiled…

Top 10 Best Shopify Alternatives

1. Bitrix24 - Best for Comprehensive Business Management

Bitrix24 is more than just an e-commerce platform; it's a comprehensive tool that integrates your business's sales, marketing, and project management into one robust system. This makes it an excellent alternative for those who find Shopify's platform limiting, especially in terms of customization and advanced business functionalities.

Key Features

• Advanced CRM System: At the heart of Bitrix24 is a powerful CRM system that tracks interactions with potential leads and customers across multiple channels. It helps you manage customer relationships more effectively than traditional e-commerce platforms.
• Project and Task Management: Bitrix24 includes extensive project management features, such as task scheduling, time tracking, and workload management, which are crucial for aligning e-commerce activities with broader business objectives.
• Real-time Communication Tools: With features like video calls, chat, and email integrated directly into the platform, you can streamline communication within your team and with your clients, enhancing collaboration and responsiveness.
• Marketing Automation: Automate your marketing campaigns with tools designed to manage email marketing, social media posts, and targeted advertising, all within the same platform. This integration ensures your marketing efforts are consistent and efficient.
• Customizable Online Store Builder: Utilize the intuitive block-based website builder to create custom online stores and landing pages that are automatically integrated with the CRM and marketing tools, ensuring a cohesive workflow from website visitor to customer conversion.
• Scalability: Designed to grow with your business, Bitrix24 supports an increasing number of users, products, and complex processes without compromising performance.
• Enhanced Security: Features robust security measures including advanced data encryption and secure hosting to protect your business and customer data from online threats.

Pricing:

Bitrix24 offers a unique pricing structure that includes the industry’s most generous free plan, with paid plans (starting at $49/month) that add more advanced features and increase data limits.

Special Features:

Unlike many platforms, Bitrix24 provides a unified business environment. Its capability to manage documents, provide a virtual telephone calling system, and support extensive customization options sets it apart from typical e-commerce platforms- and ideal for businesses looking to manage all aspects of their operations in a single, integrated platform.

Want to see the difference it can make for yourself? Start for free today.

2. BigCommerce - Best for Multi-channel Selling

BigCommerce is a popular choice for businesses that prioritize multi-channel selling, providing extensive features without the need for extensive customization or third-party apps.

Key Features

• Omnichannel sales capabilities (e.g., eBay, Amazon, Facebook)
• Built-in SEO tools
• Advanced security features

Pricing:

Pricing is not available; contact Sales Team for custom price.

Pros

• Supports selling across multiple platforms directly from the dashboard.
• Offers a wide range of built-in features reducing the dependency on external apps.

Cons

• BigCommerce's pricing can be prohibitive for startups due to its reliance on higher-tier plans for essential features like abandoned cart recovery and advanced segmentation, which are crucial as a business scales.

3. Wix eCommerce - Best for Creative Control

Ideal for creatives looking to showcase their brand, Wix eCommerce offers flexibility in design with an intuitive setup that appeals to newcomers and seasoned designers alike.

Key Features

• Drag-and-drop store builder
• Over 500 designer-made templates
• Extensive app market for adding extra functionalities

Pricing:

Starting at $17 per month, with higher plans offering more storage and marketing features.

Pros

• High degree of customization allows for unique brand expressions.
• User-friendly interface suitable for non-technical users.

Cons

• While Wix offers an intuitive drag-and-drop builder, its customization is constrained by the limitations of predefined templates and widgets, which may not suffice for brands seeking highly unique storefronts.

4. Adobe Commerce - Best for Large Enterprises

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is renowned for its robustness and scalability, making it well-suited for businesses that need a comprehensive e-commerce solution.

Key Features

• Highly customizable platform
• Strong inventory management systems
• Extensive community and expert support

Pricing:

Adobe Commerce pricing is custom based on the business needs, typically starting in the thousands per month for enterprise solutions.

Pros

• Scalability makes it suitable for high-volume stores and complex business models.
• Extensive third-party integrations and APIs.

Cons

• Adobe Commerce requires a considerable investment in both time and resources for setup and customization. Its complexity demands specialized developer skills, which can significantly increase the total cost of ownership and extend deployment timelines.

5. Squarespace Commerce - Best for Aesthetics

Squarespace Commerce is known for its sleek, visually appealing templates that cater to artists, photographers, and designers looking to create a stylish online presence.

Key Features

• Beautiful, award-winning template designs
• Integrated blogging platform to enhance content marketing
• Built-in analytics to track performance

Pricing:

Starts at $28/month for the Basic Commerce plan, with more advanced features available in the Commerce Advanced plan for $52/month.

Pros

• Exceptionally aesthetic templates enhance brand visual identity.
• Comprehensive set of marketing tools integrated directly into the platform.

Cons

• While Squarespace offers beautiful design templates, its e-commerce functionalities can feel limited for advanced sellers. Features such as API access for deeper integrations and advanced logistics support are lacking, which may hinder scaling efforts for growing businesses.

6. Volusion - Best for Data-Driven Businesses

Volusion shines for businesses that rely heavily on data analytics to drive decisions, offering robust reporting features that are accessible directly through its dashboard.

Key Features

• Comprehensive reporting tools
• Simple inventory management
• Responsive website themes

Pricing:

Basic plans start at $35 per month, with more advanced functionality available in higher tiers.

Pros

• Strong focus on analytics helps optimize performance.
• Tailored solutions for small to medium-sized businesses.

Cons

• Volusion’s bandwidth limitations can pose a challenge for stores with high traffic volumes or large inventories, potentially leading to additional charges if the set limits are exceeded. This can make budgeting unpredictable as your store grows.

7. Shift4Shop - Best for Payment Flexibility

Recently rebranded to Shift4Shop (from 3dcart), this platform offers comprehensive e-commerce solutions with a particular strength in offering a wide range of payment gateways.

Key Features

• Over 200 built-in features
• More than 100 payment processors
• SEO optimization tools

Pricing:

Free startup plan available; more advanced features require higher-tier plans starting at $39 per month.

Pros

• Extensive payment options cater to a global customer base.
• Strong SEO tools to boost online visibility.

Cons

• While Shift4Shop provides a comprehensive set of e-commerce tools, the platform's interface can feel outdated and less intuitive compared to more modern solutions. This may result in a steeper learning curve for new users and potentially slow down day-to-day management.

8. PrestaShop - Best for Customization

PrestaShop is a solid choice for businesses that require high customization, offering powerful tools and freedom to modify nearly every aspect of their e-commerce store.

Key Features

• Open-source and fully customizable
• Large community of developers and users
• Extensive marketplace for modules and themes

Pricing:

The Classic plan is free to download, but costs can accumulate with needed add-ons and custom development. The Hosted plan costs $26/month (VAT excl.) to download, while the Enterprise plan comes with a custom quote.

Pros

• High degree of customization possibilities.
• Strong community support for troubleshooting and enhancements.

Cons

• PrestaShop, being an open-source platform, requires users to handle hosting, security, and updates on their own. This can add a layer of complexity and additional costs for businesses without technical expertise.

9. OpenCart - Best for Multi-store Management

OpenCart is ideal for businesses managing multiple online stores from a single dashboard, providing the tools necessary to streamline operations across various fronts.

Key Features

• Multi-store management from one interface
• Free downloads and updates
• Wide range of extensions and modules

Pricing:

Free core software; additional costs for hosting, extensions, and customization.

Pros

• Effective management of multiple stores with centralized control.
• Open-source with a large selection of extensions.

Cons

• OpenCart offers flexibility through extensions, but the quality and security of these third-party add-ons can be inconsistent. Dependence on extensions for essential features might expose your store to security vulnerabilities and stability issues.

10. Ecwid - Best for Integrating with Existing Websites

Ecwid stands out for its ability to seamlessly integrate e-commerce functionality into an existing website or platform, making it a good choice for those looking to add shopping capabilities without a complete overhaul.

Key Features

• Easy integration with existing websites or social media platforms
• Mobile responsive design
• Automatic updates

Pricing:

Venture plan at $25/month, unlimited plan at $105/month.

Pros

• Quick and easy to integrate into any existing site.
• No need to rebuild a website to start selling.

Cons

• While Ecwid is excellent for integrating e-commerce into existing websites, its features can be too basic for complex e-commerce operations. It lacks advanced customization and reporting capabilities, which may be a deal-breaker for businesses looking to scale or needing detailed insights into their sales data.

The Final Decision

Finding the right e-commerce platform isn’t just about selling products—it’s about managing your entire business efficiently. While many platforms focus solely on storefronts, Bitrix24 does more. It integrates e-commerce with powerful CRM, automation, and team collaboration tools, giving you full control over sales, customer relationships, and operations—all in one place.

Unlike Shopify and other alternatives, Bitrix24 offers deep customization, built-in scalability, and enterprise-grade security without forcing you to rely on third-party apps or expensive upgrades.

Whether you're launching a new store or scaling an existing one, it grows with you—without added complexity or cost creep.

If you're looking for an e-commerce solution that does more than just process transactions, Bitrix24 is built for you. Get started today and take control of every aspect of your business with one seamless platform. You’ll wonder how you ever got by without us!