Best Shopify Alternatives in 2026
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Shopify is the default choice for online stores, and for most sellers it earns that position. But its monthly fee, transaction fees on outside gateways and app costs add up — and if you want to own your stack outright, there are genuinely better fits.
Why people look for a Shopify alternative
The three reasons sellers leave Shopify are cost stacking (plan plus apps plus transaction fees), wanting full control over code and data, and outgrowing what a hosted platform allows for complex or B2B catalogues.
Where Shopify falls short
- Monthly fee plus transaction fees off Shopify Payments
- Advanced customization needs Liquid or apps
Shopify vs the alternatives
| Platform | BP Score | From | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify (current) | 4.4 | From ~$29/mo, 3-day free trial then $1/mo intro | Anyone launching or scaling a serious online store | |
| WooCommerce | 4.2 | Free core plugin; pay for hosting and extensions | WordPress users who want full control and no platform fees | Visit |
| BigCommerce | 4.2 | From ~$39/mo, 15-day free trial | Mid-market and B2B merchants with complex catalogs | Visit |
| Squarespace | 3.8 | From ~$16/mo (billed annually), 14-day free trial | Designers, creators and premium brands that value polished aesthetics | Visit |
The best alternatives, ranked
The natural switch if you want to stop paying platform fees. Free, open-source and fully yours — you take on hosting and updates in exchange for total control.
The like-for-like hosted alternative with no transaction fees on any plan and stronger native B2B features, so you rely on fewer paid apps.
A cheaper, simpler option if your catalogue is small and design matters more than scale.
Stay on Shopify if launch speed, reliability and the app ecosystem matter more than platform fees. For most sellers doing solid revenue, the fee is cheaper than the developer time an alternative demands.
FAQ
What is the best Shopify alternative?
WooCommerce if you want no platform fees and full control; BigCommerce if you want a hosted platform with no transaction fees and native B2B features.
Is WooCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
Often, yes — the plugin is free and you only pay hosting and extensions. But costs converge once you add premium extensions and better hosting, and you take on maintenance.
Can I migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce?
Yes. Products, customers and orders can be exported and imported, though URLs, design and apps need rebuilding. Plan for real migration work, not a one-click move.
Read our full Shopify review or browse all e-commerce platforms.
