The 12 best Shopify alternatives for 2025 (free & affordable options)

Shopify is a titan in the e-commerce space, and for good reason. It’s powerful, reliable, and has a huge app store. But let’s be honest, it’s not for everyone. Maybe you’re just starting out and the monthly fees feel a little steep. Or maybe you’re just plain tired of transaction fees nibbling away at your profits, you crave more design freedom, or you’re looking for features that don’t require ten different paid apps.

If any of that rings a bell, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the 12 best Shopify alternatives for 2025, with a special focus on free and affordable options to help you launch or grow your online store without emptying your wallet.

So, why look for Shopify alternatives?

At its heart, an e-commerce platform is the command center for your online store. It hosts your website, helps you manage products and inventory, and handles the crucial job of processing payments. While Shopify does all this pretty well, a few common headaches send people looking for other options.

• The real cost: Shopify’s plans start at around $39 a month, but that’s rarely the final number. If you don’t use their in-house payment system, Shopify Payments, you’ll get hit with additional transaction fees on every single sale. For a new business, those costs add up fast.

• Creative constraints: Shopify’s theme editor is clean, but it can sometimes feel like you’re building with LEGOs when you want to use clay. If you want total control over your site’s look and feel without hiring a developer, you might find it a bit limiting.

• App overload: Need to offer subscriptions, set up special B2B pricing, or add some other advanced feature? There’s probably an app for that, and it probably costs money. Relying on a stack of third-party apps can bloat your monthly bill and sometimes even slow your site down.

• Content and SEO power: For brands that run on content like blogs or detailed guides, some Shopify alternatives just have better built-in tools for blogging and SEO. This gives you more organic marketing muscle without needing extra plugins.

How we picked the top Shopify alternatives

When we put this list together, we focused on what really matters to small and growing businesses. We weren’t just hunting for the cheapest price tag; we were looking for genuine value. Here’s what we paid attention to:

• Honest pricing: We gave top marks to platforms with clear, upfront pricing, affordable starter plans, and free options that you can actually use to run a business.

• User-friendliness: You shouldn’t need a degree in computer science to build your store. We looked for intuitive dashboards and drag-and-drop builders that feel welcoming to everyone, not just tech wizards.

• Built-in tools: A great platform should come with solid tools for inventory, payments, and marketing right out of the box, without making you lean on a dozen add-ons.

• Room to grow: Can the platform grow with you? We picked options that can take you from your first sale to your ten-thousandth without hitting a wall.

• Customer support readiness: Every business gets customer questions. We considered how each platform helps you help your customers, setting you up to manage inquiries without getting overwhelmed.

The best Shopify alternatives: a quick look

For those who just want the highlights, here’s a quick summary of our top picks.

Platform	Best For	Starting Price	Key Feature	Biggest Limitation
BigCommerce	Scaling & B2B Businesses	$29.95/mo	No transaction fees, native multichannel selling	Steeper learning curve
WooCommerce	WordPress Users & Full Control	Free (hosting costs apply)	Unlimited customization & plugin ecosystem	Requires technical maintenance
Wix	Beginners & Small Stores	$16/mo (Business Basic)	Intuitive drag-and-drop AI builder	Less scalable for large inventories
Squarespace	Creatives & Service-Based Businesses	$23/mo (Business)	Award-winning design templates & booking tools	Fewer e-commerce integrations
Square Online	Brick-and-Mortar & Restaurants	Free plan available	Seamless POS and online store sync	Limited design customization
Ecwid	Adding e-commerce to an existing site	Free plan available	Embeddable store widget	Less powerful as a standalone platform
Hostinger Builder	Budget-Conscious Solopreneurs	$2.99/mo	All-in-one AI tools on a budget	Light on advanced e-commerce features
Shift4Shop	SEO-focused stores	Free (with conditions)	Robust built-in SEO and marketing tools	Can have a clunky setup process
Adobe Commerce	Large Enterprises	Custom (starts ~$22k/year)	Enterprise-grade B2B & composable commerce	High cost and requires developers
PrestaShop	Global businesses on a budget	Free (hosting costs apply)	Strong multilingual and multi-currency support	Requires technical setup and paid support
Big Cartel	Artists & Creators	Free (up to 5 products)	Simple, artist-focused interface	Very limited features and scalability
Freewebstore	Completely Free Startups	Free forever	0% commission, unlimited products	Basic design and feature set

The 12 best Shopify alternatives for 2025 in detail

Alright, let’s get into the specifics of what makes each of these platforms a worthy Shopify alternative.

1. BigCommerce

What it is: BigCommerce is a powerhouse built for businesses that are serious about growth, especially those selling B2B or across multiple channels. It’s packed with built-in features, meaning less reliance on third-party apps.

Pricing: Starts at $29.95/month.

Best for: Businesses that want strong built-in tools, multi-channel selling, and no transaction fees.

Pros:

– No transaction fees

– Easy to sell on Amazon, eBay, and social media

– Many features built in

– Strong B2B capabilities

– Excellent scalability

Cons:

– Limited free theme options

– Automatic plan upgrades as sales grow

– Steeper learning curve than some alternatives

Bottom line: BigCommerce is ideal for growing businesses that want enterprise-level features without the enterprise price tag, especially if you’re selling B2B or across multiple channels.

2. WooCommerce

What it is: If you’re already using WordPress, WooCommerce is a no-brainer. It’s an open-source plugin that turns your website into a full-blown e-commerce store. The main draw is the complete control it gives you.

Pricing: Free plugin, but hosting costs $10-$30/month plus any paid extensions.

Best for: WordPress users who want maximum customization and control over their store.

Pros:

– Complete design freedom

– Massive library of extensions

– No monthly platform fees

– Full ownership of your data

– Highly scalable

Cons:

– Requires technical maintenance

– Need to manage hosting and security

– Learning curve for non-technical users

– Can become expensive with premium extensions

Bottom line: WooCommerce is perfect for WordPress users who want unlimited customization and don’t mind handling the technical aspects themselves.

3. Wix

What it is: Known for its super intuitive drag-and-drop editor and AI site generator, Wix makes building a beautiful store feel almost effortless. This makes it perfect for beginners and small businesses.

Pricing: E-commerce plans start at $16/month.

Best for: Beginners and small businesses who want an easy-to-use platform with beautiful templates.

Pros:

– Super intuitive drag-and-drop editor

– Over 900 beautiful templates

– AI site generator

– Solid built-in marketing tools

– Great for beginners

Cons:

– Not ideal for massive product catalogs

– Limited back-end management depth

– Less scalable than dedicated e-commerce platforms

Bottom line: Wix is the go-to choice for beginners who want to create a beautiful store without any technical knowledge.

4. Squarespace

What it is: Squarespace is the king of stunning, design-forward templates. It’s the ideal choice for creatives, artists, and service-based businesses who sell things like digital products or appointments.

Pricing: Plans with e-commerce features start at $23/month.

Best for: Creatives, artists, and service-based businesses who prioritize design and need booking tools.

Pros:

– Award-winning design templates

– Built-in scheduling and booking tools

– Excellent blogging features

– Perfect for content-heavy brands

– Professional appearance

Cons:

– Fewer payment gateway options

– Smaller app marketplace

– Less flexible than some alternatives

– Higher starting price

Bottom line: Squarespace is ideal for businesses where design and aesthetics are crucial, especially those selling services or digital products.

Pro Tip: Handle customer support like a pro on any platform

Here’s the thing: no matter which platform you pick, you’re going to get customer questions. Answering the same queries about order status, shipping policies, and product details can quickly bog down a small team. An AI support tool like eesel AI connects to your e-commerce platform and help desk (like Zendesk or Gorgias) to handle these repetitive questions for you. Its AI Chatbot can even learn your product catalog to answer pre-sale questions 24/7, helping turn more visitors into customers.

5. Square Online

What it is: From the company that created the little white card readers you see everywhere, Square Online is built to perfectly sync your in-person and online sales. All your inventory, orders, and customer data live together in one place.

Pricing: Generous free plan available, with paid plans starting at $29/month.

Best for: Brick-and-mortar businesses and restaurants that want seamless online/offline integration.

Pros:

– Perfect POS and online store sync

– Unified inventory management

– Generous free plan

– Seamless customer data integration

– Great for physical retail

Cons:

– Basic design customization options

– Limited advanced e-commerce features

– Higher processing fees on free plan

– Less suitable for online-only businesses

Bottom line: Square Online is perfect for businesses with physical locations that want to expand online without managing separate systems.

6. Ecwid

What it is: Ecwid isn’t really a full site builder; it’s more of an embeddable shopping cart. You can drop it onto almost any existing site—WordPress, Wix, a custom-coded page—or even a social media profile and start selling right away.

Pricing: Free plan for up to 5 products, paid plans starting at $19/month.

Best for: Adding e-commerce to an existing website or social media presence.

Pros:

– Easy to embed anywhere

– Works with existing sites

– Free plan available

– Quick setup

– Social media integration

Cons:

– Limited as a standalone platform

– Basic features compared to full platforms

– Not ideal for complex stores

– Limited customization options

Bottom line: Ecwid is perfect for adding a shopping cart to an existing website without rebuilding everything.

7. Hostinger Website Builder

What it is: This is an incredibly affordable all-in-one package for solopreneurs and new businesses on a tight budget. For one low monthly price, you get hosting, a domain, and a simple builder that even includes AI tools.

Pricing: Plans start at just $2.99/month.

Best for: Budget-conscious solopreneurs and new businesses who want an all-in-one solution.

Pros:

– Extremely affordable

– All-in-one package (hosting + domain + builder)

– Includes AI tools

– No transaction fees

– Simple setup

Cons:

– Basic e-commerce features

– Limited scalability

– Not suitable for complex stores

– Limited advanced tools

Bottom line: Hostinger is the ultimate budget option for getting a simple store online quickly without breaking the bank.

8. Shift4Shop

What it is: This platform has a pretty unique deal: a completely free plan for U.S. merchants who use its in-house payment processor. It comes loaded with strong, built-in marketing and SEO tools.

Pricing: Free for U.S. merchants using their payment processor, $29/month for others.

Best for: U.S.-based businesses that want strong SEO and marketing tools without platform fees.

Pros:

– Completely free for U.S. merchants

– Strong built-in SEO tools

– Built-in marketing features

– No platform fees

– Unlimited products on free plan

Cons:

– Must use their payment processor for free plan

– Dated interface

– Limited to U.S. merchants for free plan

– Setup can be clunky

Bottom line: Shift4Shop is a great free option for U.S. businesses that want strong SEO tools and don’t mind using their payment processor.

9. Adobe Commerce (Magento)

What it is: This is the heavyweight champion for massive companies with complex needs and deep pockets. If you need intense customization, complicated B2B workflows, and the ability to handle huge sales volume, Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is the go-to.

Pricing: Custom licensing starts around $22,000 per year.

Best for: Large enterprises with complex B2B needs and deep technical resources.

Pros:

– Nearly unlimited customization

– Enterprise-grade B2B features

– Handles massive sales volume

– Composable commerce architecture

– Industry-leading flexibility

Cons:

– Extremely expensive

– Requires development team

– Complex setup and maintenance

– Overkill for small businesses

Bottom line: Adobe Commerce is the enterprise solution for companies that need maximum flexibility and have the budget and technical resources to support it.

10. PrestaShop

What it is: PrestaShop is another open-source platform that’s free to download and install. Its biggest strength is its localization features, making it an excellent choice for selling to a global audience with multiple languages and currencies.

Pricing: Free software, but hosting costs and paid support plans apply.

Best for: Global businesses that need strong multilingual and multi-currency support.

Pros:

– Free open-source software

– Excellent localization features

– Multi-language and multi-currency support

– Strong community

– Good for global businesses

Cons:

– Requires technical setup

– Need to manage hosting and maintenance

– Paid support plans required

– Learning curve for non-developers

Bottom line: PrestaShop is ideal for businesses selling internationally who have technical expertise and want a free, powerful platform.

11. Big Cartel

What it is: Big Cartel is a beautifully simple platform built from the ground up for artists, makers, and other creatives. It cuts out all the complex features you don’t need to help you sell your work online easily.

Pricing: Free plan for up to 5 products, paid plans starting at $9.99/month.

Best for: Artists, makers, and creatives who want a simple, focused platform.

Pros:

– Beautifully simple interface

– Built specifically for creatives

– Free plan available

– User-friendly design

– No overwhelming features

Cons:

– Very limited features

– Not built to scale

– Basic design options

– Limited payment options

Bottom line: Big Cartel is perfect for artists and creators who want a simple, beautiful platform to sell their work without any complexity.

12. Freewebstore

What it is: This UK-based platform lives up to its name with a genuinely free-for-life plan. That includes unlimited products and, most importantly, a 0% commission rate.

Pricing: Free forever plan available, with paid upgrades for additional features.

Best for: Startups with absolutely no budget who need to get online immediately.

Pros:

– Completely free forever

– Unlimited products on free plan

– 0% commission rate

– No hidden fees

– Quick setup

Cons:

– Very basic features

– Limited design options

– Not suitable for scaling

– Basic tools only

Bottom line: Freewebstore is the ultimate free option for anyone who needs to start selling online immediately with zero budget, though you’ll sacrifice features and design flexibility.

How to choose the right Shopify alternatives for you

Feeling a little dizzy from all the options? Don’t sweat it. Here’s a simple way to figure out the right fit.

Think about what you’re actually selling

What’s in your store? If you sell services or digital courses, a platform like Squarespace with built-in booking just makes sense. If you have a physical shop, Square Online’s amazing POS integration is hard to ignore. The product dictates the platform.

Be honest about your tech skills

Do you want a simple, visual builder that you can figure out in an afternoon? Then you’ll love platforms like Wix or Hostinger. If you’re comfortable tinkering with code, managing your own hosting, and getting your hands dirty, the power and flexibility of WooCommerce or PrestaShop will feel liberating.

Look at your real budget

Don’t just look at the monthly sticker price. Think about the total cost. BigCommerce might have a higher monthly fee, but its zero transaction fees could save you a ton of money down the road. Square Online has a free plan, but you’ll pay a bit more in processing fees on every sale.

Plan for growth and customer support

Your platform should help you grow, not hold you back. Something like BigCommerce is built to scale with you. But just as important is how you’ll support your growing base of customers. A flood of support tickets can crush a small team. Thinking about an AI solution like eesel AI early on can automate those repetitive questions, saving you time and keeping customers happy, no matter which platform you’re on.

Shopify alternatives: Find your fit and get ready to grow

There’s no single "best" Shopify alternative. The right choice really comes down to your specific business, your budget, and how comfortable you are with technology. The good news is, there is a right answer for you. Use this guide to narrow down the list and give a few free trials a spin.

Picking your platform is a huge first step. The next is delivering a great customer experience that turns shoppers into fans. As your store grows, so will the support tickets. Don’t let your team get buried answering the same questions day in and day out.

eesel AI works with all major e-commerce help desks to give your customers instant, accurate answers, 24/7. Start your free trial today or book a demo and see how our AI Agent can automate up to 70% of your customer questions, freeing you up to focus on growing your business.