Best Shopify Alternatives & Competitors in 2026
10 alternatives to Shopify • Updated January 2026
Shopify is the easiest way to start selling online, but 'easy' has costs. Transaction fees eat into margins, app subscriptions add up, and customization hits walls. When you're scaling past $1M in sales, the percentage fees become significant. Here's when alternatives make financial sense—and when Shopify's convenience is still worth it.
10
Alternatives
6
Free Options
78
Top Score
2026
Updated
Why Stores Consider Leaving Shopify
Transaction Fees
2% fees on non-Shopify Payments, plus credit card processing, eat into margins. At scale, this becomes significant.
App Dependency Costs
Essential features require paid apps. $50-200/month in apps is common, sometimes more than Shopify itself.
Customization Limits
Themes constrain design. Liquid templating limits developers. True customization requires Shopify Plus.
Checkout Restrictions
Checkout customization is extremely limited without Shopify Plus. This matters for conversion optimization.
What Shopify Does Well
- +Easiest e-commerce platform to start with
- +Handles hosting, security, and reliability
- +Massive app ecosystem
- +Great checkout conversion rates
Common Pain Points
- -Transaction fees add up at scale
- -App costs can exceed platform costs
- -Limited customization without Plus
- -You don't own your store data/platform
What to Look For in a Shopify Alternative
Volume and Margins
Calculate your actual costs including transaction fees and apps. Compare total cost of ownership.
Technical Resources
Self-hosted alternatives require technical management. Do you have or want that capability?
Customization Needs
How important is design and checkout customization? Some alternatives offer more flexibility.
App Functionality
List your must-have apps. Verify alternatives have equivalent functionality.
Migration Considerations
Shopify migrations require careful planning for SEO (URL redirects), product data, customer accounts, and order history. Most platforms import Shopify data. Plan 4-8 weeks for migration and testing. Don't migrate during peak sales season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Shopify alternative?
Based on our analysis, Gumroad is currently the top-rated Shopify alternative with a score of 78/100. That said, the "best" alternative depends on your specific needs, budget, and use case. We recommend trying free trials before making a decision.
Is there a free alternative to Shopify?
Yes! Gumroad, Webflow, PayPal offer free or freemium pricing. Free alternatives often have limitations on features or usage, but they can be perfect for individuals or small teams.
How difficult is it to switch from Shopify?
Switching difficulty varies depending on how much data you have and how deeply integratedShopify is in your workflow. Most modern tools support data export/import in standard formats. Plan for a transition period where you might run both tools in parallel to ensure a smooth switch.