Online business is booming, and to succeed in this field, it is important to choose the e-commerce platform that will best suit your needs. Shopify is definitely one of the market leaders, but there are other free Shopify alternatives that are worth exploring. We’ve even written a full review of Shopify that you can check out.
In this article, we will present you the 7 best free Shopify alternatives in 2024. So, without further ado, check out our selection of the best free Shopify alternatives in 2024.
Why do we use Shopify?
Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows you to create, manage and grow an online store. It is valued for its simplicity of use, its robust functionality and its application ecosystem. It’s a virtually turnkey solution. However, Shopify has drawbacks, including its cost, which may cause some entrepreneurs to seek free Shopify alternatives.
Through our collaboration with Shopify, you can use the e-commerce platform for 90 days for only $1.
Create your Shopify store for only $1 during 90 days
Why look for alternatives to Shopify?
Free Shopify alternatives can offer many advantages, such as lower costs, niche-specific features, or greater flexibility.
Despite its benefits, Shopify can be expensive, especially for small businesses or startups. Monthly fees and transaction costs can quickly add up, which can be a financial burden for new entrepreneurs.
In addition, some users may be dissatisfied with the customization limitations of their online store, which may not meet their specific needs. In this case, it would be more interesting to turn to other websites like Shopify.
Top 7 free Shopify alternatives
In this section, we will present you the 7 best free Shopify alternatives in 2024. We’ll describe each platform, their main features, and their pros and cons.
WooCommerce : The power of WordPress for your online store
WooCommerce is an open source e-commerce solution based on WordPress, the most widely used content management system (CRM) in the world. This free alternative to Shopify makes it easy to turn a WordPress site into a functional online store. Thanks to its flexibility and personalization, WooCommerce is ideal for entrepreneurs who are looking for an adaptable e-commerce solution and who already have experience with WordPress.
The main features:
- Perfect integration with WordPress
- Wide variety of themes and extensions
- Complete product, inventory, and order management
- Integrated marketing and SEO tools
- Active developer community
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
- Extensive extension ecosystem
- Almost unlimited customization (thousands of templates available)
- Feature rich
- Flexible platform
Disadvantages
- Hosting and domain name at the user’s expense
- Knowledge of WordPress required
- Premium extensions costs
Our rating on Woocommerce
Discover our evaluation on Woocommerce. It is based on all the parameters we have analyzed throughout the article.
4.1/5
BigCartel : The ideal platform for artists and craftsmen
BigCartel is an e-commerce platform specifically designed for artists and artisans who want to sell their creations online. It is the best alternative to Shopify that offers simplified features and themes tailored to the needs of creators, allowing easy management of their online store.
While not as advanced as some other alternatives, BigCartel is a great option for small stores and independent designers.
The main features:
- Themes adapted to artists and craftsmen
- Simplified inventory and order management
- Integration with social networks
- Sales promotion and tracking tools
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
- Specialized platform for artists
- Intuitive interface
- Free plans
- A support dedicated to creators
Disadvantages
- Limited functionality
- Not very suitable for large stores
- Limited customization
Our rating on BigCartel
Discover our evaluation on BigCartel. It is based on all the parameters we have analyzed throughout the article.
3.7/5
Adobe Commerce (Magento): Flexibility and scalability for businesses
As one of the best Shopify alternatives, Adobe Commerce, formerly Magento, is a powerful and flexible e-commerce platform, ideal for businesses looking to develop their online store. It allows users to create custom e-commerce sites and manage large quantities of products and customers. Its open-source model allows for extensive customization and offers a wide range of integrations with third-party applications.
The main features:
- Extensive customization through programming
- Advanced product and inventory management
- Integrated marketing and SEO tools
- Integrations with many third-party applications
- Active developer community
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
- High flexibility
- Many features
- Suitable for large stores
- Has a large ecosystem of online software
Disadvantages
- Complex use
- Difficult to handle
Our rating on Adobe Commerce
Discover our evaluation on Adobe Commerce. It is based on all the parameters we have analyzed throughout the article.
3.7/5
Wix : Create easily your online store with a drag and drop editor
Wix is a website creation platform that also offers e-commerce features for those who want to sell online. With its intuitive visual editor and a wide selection of templates, Wix makes it easy to create attractive online stores without advanced technical skills.
However, its e-commerce features are less advanced than other free Shopify alternatives, which may limit its use for larger stores.
The main features:
- Intuitive drag and drop visual editor
- Wide selection of design models
- Inventory and order management
- Marketing and SEO tools included
- Integrations with third-party applications
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
- Ease of use
- Customizable design
- Responsive customer support
- Free options
Disadvantages
- Difficult platform migration
- Additional costs for certain features
Our rating on Wix
Discover our evaluation on Wix. It is based on all the parameters we have analyzed throughout the article.
4/5
Shift4Shop : A complete and free platform for all sizes of stores
Shift4Shop is an all-in-one e-commerce solution that offers a free plan with many features. It is suitable for small and large businesses, offering a user-friendly interface and a wide range of customization options.
Its free plan, in partnership with Shift4Payments, provides access to a full set of e-commerce features, including inventory and order management, marketing tools and integrations with third-party applications.
Key features:
- Wide range of e-commerce features
- Customizable and responsive themes
- Inventory, order, and customer management
- Integrated marketing and SEO tools
- Integrations with third-party applications
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
- Complete free plan
- Suitable for all store sizes
- Wide range of integrations
- Advanced customization
Disadvantages
- Need to use Shift4Payments
- Limited customer support (on the free plan)
- Difficult platform migration
Our rating on Shift4Shop
Discover our evaluation on Shift4Shop. It is based on all the parameters we have analyzed throughout the article.
4.1/5
PrestaShop : The French open source e-commerce solution
PrestaShop is a French open source e-commerce platform that offers great flexibility and a wide range of features. Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, it allows for advanced customization thanks to its open source model and numerous available modules.
Although it requires a bit more technical skill than some free Shopify alternatives, PrestaShop is supported by an active community and offers a solid e-commerce solution.
The main features:
- Open source model for extensive customization
- Complete product, inventory, and order management
- Integrated marketing and SEO tools
- Integrations with many third-party applications
- Active community and multilingual support
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
- High flexibility
- Wide range of modules
- Suitable for small and medium-sized stores
- Effective support
- Active community
Disadvantages
- Accommodation costs to be expected
- Difficult to handle
- Maintenance and update of the platform to follow
- Technical skills required
Our rating on PrestaShop
Discover our evaluation on PrestaShop. It is based on all the parameters we have analyzed throughout the article.
3.9/5
Square Online : An integrated e-commerce platform with point-of-sale tools
Square Online is an e-commerce platform developed by Square, a company specializing in payment solutions for merchants. It offers simple tools to create and manage an online store, as well as integrations with Square’s point-of-sale systems.
While not as advanced as some free Shopify alternatives in terms of features, Square Online is a great option for merchants who already use Square’s services.
The main features:
- Simplified online store creation
- Integration with Square’s point-of-sale systems
- Inventory and order management
- Basic marketing and SEO tools
- Integrations with third-party applications
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
- Integration with Square services
- Centralized sales management
- Easy to use
- Integrated point-of-sale tools
Disadvantages
- Limited customization
- Transaction fees on the free plan
- Limited integrations with third-party tools
Our rating on Square Online
Discover our evaluation on Square Online. It is based on all the parameters we have analyzed throughout the article.
3.7/5
Comparison table of the 7 free Shopify alternatives
| Platform | Ease of use | Features | Getting started | Customer support | Extensions | Customization | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4.1 |
| BigCartel | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3.7 |
| Adobe Commerce | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3.7 |
| Wix | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Shift4Shop | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4.1 |
| PrestaShop | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.9 |
| Square Online | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.7 |
Conclusion
There are several free Shopify alternatives that offer various features and benefits. Choosing the best platform will depend on your needs, budget and technical skills. We hope our selection of the 7 best free Shopify alternatives in 2024 will help you find the e-commerce solution that best suits your project.
Feel free to explore these free Shopify alternatives and check out reviews from other users to help you decide.
FAQ
Are there any free Shopify stores?
No, Shopify does not offer free stores. However, they do offer a free 3-day trial to test the platform, and you can also enjoy the platform for $1/month for 3 months.
What is better than Shopify?
There are many platforms similar to Shopify, but is there anything better than Shopify? There are no tools that are universally better than Shopify, as each platform has its pros and cons. The choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
What are the alternatives to Shopify?
Some free Shopify alternatives include WooCommerce, BigCartel, Adobe Commerce (Magento), Wix, Shift4Shop, PrestaShop and Square Online.
Who is Shopify's biggest competitor?
WooCommerce is one of Shopify’s biggest competitors because of its popularity, flexibility, and integration with WordPress.