Let's talk about something I'm passionate about: finding the perfect e-commerce platform for your unique business. While Shopify has earned its spot as an industry leader (and I love many things about it), I've learned that sometimes the best solution might be hiding in plain sight among Shopify's competitors.

Finding Your Perfect Platform Match: What Really Matters

Here's the thing about Shopify—it's like that one-size-fits-most t-shirt. It works great for many businesses, but depending on your needs, you might find better fit elsewhere. Before we dive into the top Shopify competitors, let's get clear on what you should consider:

Your technical comfort level (Shopify sets a good baseline here)
Monthly budget (remember to factor in app costs, which can add up quickly on Shopify)
Must-have features (and whether you need to pay extra for them on Shopify)

WooCommerce: The Customization King

Think of WooCommerce as the build-your-own-adventure version of e-commerce stores. While Shopify gives you a beautiful pre-furnished house, WooCommerce hands you the blueprints and lets you build exactly what you want. This Shopify competitor stands out for it’s flexibility but is not built for beginners.

Compared to Shopify:

More flexible customization options without monthly platform fees
Lower starting costs but potentially higher development needs
Better for businesses that want total control over their hosting and data
Steeper learning curve but more room for unique solutions

Perfect for: A specialty food market that needs unique product variables beyond what Shopify offers out of the box—think custom gift baskets with complex pricing rules.

BigCommerce: When You're Ready to Play in the Big Leagues

BigCommerce is like Shopify's more feature-packed cousin. While Shopify might charge extra for certain enterprise features through apps, BigCommerce tends to include them in their core offering. It’s possibly the most robust Shopify competitor but lacks the expansive app marketplace that Shopify offers.

Compared to Shopify:

More built-in features without requiring additional apps
Similar pricing but potentially lower total cost due to included features
No transaction fees on external payment gateways (unlike Shopify)
Less extensive app marketplace but more robust native capabilities

Perfect for: A growing fashion brand that needs features like faceted search and customer group pricing without wanting to pay for additional apps.

Magento: The Enterprise Powerhouse

If Shopify is a high-end sedan, Magento is a custom-built race car. It's not for everyone, but when you need that level of power, nothing else comes close.

Compared to Shopify:

Significantly more complex but also more powerful
Higher initial investment but more control over ongoing costs
Better suited for large catalogs and complex operations
Steeper learning curve but unlimited customization potential

Perfect for: A multi-brand retailer managing 50,000+ SKUs with complex B2B and B2C requirements that would strain Shopify's capabilities.

Wix: The Beginner's Best Friend

Think of Wix as Shopify's more approachable sibling. While Shopify caters to serious e-commerce businesses, Wix makes selling online feel less intimidating. It’s one of the best Shopify competitors for beginners but it lacks a lot of the eCommerce-specific features that Shopify has. If you plan on growing your business, this could be a good place to start but you will likely outgrow this platform quickly and need to migrate your store in the future.

Compared to Shopify:

Easier learning curve for complete beginners
Lower starting costs but fewer advanced features
Better website building tools for content-heavy sites
Less powerful e-commerce features but simpler setup

Perfect for: An artist selling prints who needs a beautiful portfolio site with simple e-commerce capabilities.

Volusion: The Marketing Maven

Volusion competes with Shopify by focusing on built-in marketing tools rather than requiring multiple apps.

Compared to Shopify:

More built-in marketing features
Similar price point but different feature distribution
Better native analytics
Smaller app marketplace but stronger core marketing tools

Perfect for: A direct-to-consumer brand that wants robust marketing tools without subscribing to multiple third-party services.

Squarespace: The Designer's Dream

While Shopify wins on pure e-commerce functionality, Squarespace leads in design simplicity and content integration.

Compared to Shopify:

More elegant templates out of the box
Better for content-driven commerce
Lower complexity but fewer advanced features
Stronger blogging and portfolio features

Perfect for: A lifestyle brand where content marketing and visual storytelling drive sales as much as product listings do.

Making Your Final Choice

Here's what I always tell entrepreneurs: Shopify is excellent, but it's not the only path to e-commerce success. Think of choosing an e-commerce platform like choosing a business partner—you need one that aligns with your vision and can grow with you.

Consider starting with:

Wix or Squarespace if you're prioritizing ease of use and design (especially if you have digital products)
WooCommerce if you want maximum control and customization
BigCommerce if you need Shopify-like features but want more included in your base price
Magento if you're enterprise-level and need unlimited scalability

Remember, the best choice among Shopify competitors isn't always the most popular option—it's the one that aligns with your business goals and capabilities. Look at your business model, growth plans, and technical resources, then select the platform that best supports your vision.

What features matter most to your business? Understanding your priorities is the first step to choosing between Shopify and its competitors.

Still on the fence? Here’s my two cents: Try Shopify for $1/month for 3 months

As a designer who specializes in Shopify, you probably can already guess what I’m going to say here. I love Shopify and think its a powerhouse platform suitable for all levels of business. If you’re still unsure about the right fit for you, give Shopify a try for $1/month for 3 months using my affiliate code. You can also download my free Launch Checklist when you subscribe below! If it’s not right for you, cancel and try another platform.

If you want some hands-on help, send me DM on Instagram and I’ll help you choose a platform!