Shopify alternatives
5 ecommerce platform tools people switch to from Shopify, with free plans and starting prices checked 2026-11-06.
Short answer
WooCommerce and Ecwid are the two best Shopify alternatives for cost control. WooCommerce core software is free to download with no monthly platform fee, and Ecwid charges no transaction fees on any plan, with paid plans from $5/mo for up to 10 products.
Shopify alternatives compared
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | merchants who want to own their hosting and code | Yes, core software is free to download; you pay for hosting, domain and extensions | See pricing |
| Ecwid | adding a store to an existing site | See pricing | $5/mo (Starter, up to 10 products); Venture $29/mo billed annually, up to 100 products |
| Wix | small stores built with a drag-and-drop editor | No, paid Business plans only; 14-day money-back refund window | $29.77/mo (Core), paid as a yearly subscription; USD shown for reference only |
| Squarespace | design-led stores with few products | No, 14-day free trial with no credit card required | See pricing |
| BigCommerce | growing stores with large catalogs | See pricing | See pricing |
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1. WooCommerce
The product page states no monthly platform fees and no limits, and the core plugin is free to download. It runs on WordPress, so you manage hosting, updates and security yourself. Payment processor fees still apply and depend on the gateway you choose.
2. Ecwid
States it charges no setup or transaction fees on any plan. Business is $49/mo billed annually for up to 2,500 products and Unlimited is $119/mo billed annually. Payment processor fees are separate and not covered on the pricing page.
3. Wix
Core is $29.77/mo, Business $39.77/mo and Business Elite $159.77/mo on yearly billing. Core includes 50 GB storage and 5 site collaborators, Business 100 GB and 10. Transaction fees were not stated on the pricing page.
4. Squarespace
Its Basic commerce plan charges a 2% online store fee, while the next two plans charge 0%. Product count is unlimited on all three plans. Digital content and memberships fees are 7% on Basic, 5% on the middle plan and 0% on Advanced.
5. BigCommerce
A hosted platform like Shopify, with plan limits tied to online sales volume. Check the current pricing page for the tier that fits your revenue before comparing against Shopify's fees.
Why people look for a Shopify alternative
- Using a payment provider other than Shopify Payments adds a transaction fee of 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow and 0.6% on Advanced
- Shopify Payments is available only in certain countries, so merchants elsewhere pay the third-party fee on every sale
- Extra staff accounts are not included on Basic, and Grow includes 5 and Advanced includes 15
- There is no permanent free plan, only a 3-day free trial before billing starts
Who should stay on Shopify
Stay if you sell through Shopify Payments in a supported country, use the app store daily, and your monthly fees are small next to your sales. Replatforming a working store risks SEO and checkout disruption.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a free Shopify alternative?
WooCommerce core software is free to download, though you pay for hosting, a domain and extensions. Ecwid and Wix list paid plans on their pricing pages, and Ecwid's cheapest is $5/mo.
What does Shopify charge for third-party payment gateways?
A transaction fee of 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, 0.6% on Advanced and 0.2% on Plus, on top of the gateway's own fees. Shopify Payments has no extra Shopify transaction fee.
Does Shopify have a free trial?
Yes. Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, then a discounted first 3 months before standard billing. The discount amount varies by country.
Which Shopify alternative has no transaction fees?
Ecwid states it charges no setup or transaction fees on any plan. Squarespace charges 0% online store fees on its two higher commerce plans and 2% on Basic.