Why This Guide Is Worth Reading

Over the past few years, I’ve built online stores using almost every platform mentioned in this post. From Shopify to WooCommerce, from Sellfy to Webflow—I’ve seen where they shine and where they fall short.

This guide isn’t just a list—it’s a practical breakdown based on real experience. I’ve worked with creators, coaches, DTC brands, and solo founders to pick the right stack depending on what they sell—digital or physical.

If you're looking for honest takes and clear direction, you're in the right place.

TL;DR: Quick Comparison Table

Ask This First: What Do You Want to Sell?

Before picking a Shopify alternative, answer this:

• Are you selling digital products (courses, ebooks, software)?

• Are you selling physical products (t-shirts, skincare, hardware)?

• Do you need subscriptions, memberships, or one-time sales?

• Do you need global shipping or only digital delivery?

The answers shape everything. Some tools are made for creators. Others are built for retailers.

My Honest Opinion: Shopify Still Leads the Pack

Having personally used most of the platforms in this list, here's my take:

• Shopify is still the best all-round ecommerce platform—especially if you're selling physical products.

• It's stable, scalable, easy to use, and offers hundreds of apps for every use case.

• You’ll run into fewer limitations as you scale.

That said:

• If you're selling digital products, Shopify may not be the most cost-effective option.

• For digital-only creators, Gumroad is the easiest way to get started.

• If you want to sell digital products from your own branded website, try a template from creatorsuite.co—built for coaches, creators, and solopreneurs.

Platform Deep Dive

1. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress, offering full control over your store. It's ideal if you're already using WordPress or want deep customization with complete ownership.

• Works for both digital and physical products

• Huge library of plugins for shipping, marketing, subscriptions, etc.

• No monthly fees, but hosting and setup are your responsibility

• Can scale well if paired with good hosting and dev support

Best for: WordPress users who want flexibility and control

2. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is designed for growing brands, especially those focused on physical goods. It handles SEO, shipping, and omnichannel selling out of the box.

• Native support for selling across Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

• Great product filtering, variant control, and inventory management

• No transaction fees—even with third-party payment gateways

• Slight learning curve but worth it for scale

Best for: Product-heavy businesses scaling fast

3. Wix

Wix is the easiest option for someone building their first online store. The drag-and-drop builder makes it simple to design and launch without tech skills.

• Works well for simple physical or digital stores

• Templates are decent, and the app market extends functionality

• Free plan is great for testing, though limited for ecommerce

• Not suitable for large or complex catalogs

Best for: Beginners and side hustlers

4. Squarespace

Squarespace is a go-to platform for creatives—photographers, writers, designers—who want a professional online store with minimal effort.

• Stunning design templates and intuitive page builder

• Built-in tools for email marketing, analytics, and blogging

• Supports digital product sales like downloads and courses

• Ecommerce is streamlined but less flexible for advanced users

Best for: Creators who prioritize design and ease

5. Sellfy

Sellfy is purpose-built for digital creators. You can sell PDFs, videos, templates, music, and even subscriptions with no coding required.

• Extremely fast setup—go live in minutes

• Built-in marketing tools like discount codes and email blasts

• Great for selling one-off digital products or memberships

• Not ideal for managing inventory or shipping logistics

Best for: Digital-first creators and solopreneurs

6. Webflow

Webflow offers pixel-perfect control over your site’s layout and behavior. It’s loved by designers and freelancers who want both beauty and functionality.

• Visual builder that outputs clean code

• Ecommerce features like carts, checkout, and CMS integration

• High learning curve but great for creative freedom

• Limited third-party plugins compared to Shopify or WordPress

Best for: Designers or creative teams with technical confidence

7. Shift4Shop

Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) is a lesser-known platform that offers a ton of features—free—for US-based merchants who use their payment processor.

• Advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, reviews, gift registries

• Free hosting, SSL, and unlimited product listings

• Interface is clunky but functional

• Best suited for cost-conscious sellers in the US

Best for: US-based brands on a tight budget

8. Magento

Magento is a heavy-duty ecommerce solution built for serious businesses. It’s open-source and offers complete flexibility—if you have the team to manage it.

• Enterprise-grade tools for internationalization, security, and integrations

• Extremely scalable for large inventories and traffic

• High dev cost and steep learning curve

• Adobe Commerce (paid version) offers enterprise support

Best for: Large teams with complex ecommerce needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should I not use Shopify?

• Monthly fees add up quickly, especially with apps

• You pay additional transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments

• Limited control over URL structures and checkout customization

• May not be cost-efficient for digital-only product sellers

Q: What is the easiest Shopify alternative for beginners?

• Wix: intuitive interface, drag-and-drop builder

• Sellfy: ideal if you're selling digital downloads

Q: Which platforms support both digital and physical products?

• WooCommerce

• Wix

• Squarespace

• Webflow

• Shopify (best for physical, okay for digital)

Q: Can I migrate from Shopify to these alternatives?

Yes. Most platforms support CSV imports or have migration tools:

• WooCommerce importers

• BigCommerce & Squarespace migration tools

Q: What if I want to sell subscriptions?

• WooCommerce with plugins

• Sellfy has native subscription features

• BigCommerce supports subscriptions via integrations

Q: Are there free Shopify alternatives?

Yes:

• WooCommerce (free plugin, hosting separate)

• Shift4Shop (free for US)

• Wix (free tier available)

• Sellfy (limited free tier)

Q: What’s best for international shipping?

• BigCommerce (robust shipping integrations)

• WooCommerce (extend via plugins like ShipStation)

• Shopify (great carrier partnerships globally)

Final Word

• Choose Shopify if you're selling physical products—it remains the most robust solution.

• For digital product sellers, start with Gumroad or use a custom-branded site with creatorsuite.co.

• Most Shopify alternatives have specific strengths, but all come with trade-offs.

Pick what matches your goals. Start simple. Scale when needed.