Shopify is a powerhouse in the eCommerce world, known for its sleek templates, powerful features, and vast app store. But its monthly subscription costs (starting at $39/month) and transaction fees can be a barrier for beginners or small sellers. Fortunately, there are several free Shopify alternatives—some open-source, some freemium, and some completely free to use—that allow you to build and run online stores with zero or minimal cost.
Whether you’re selling digital products, handmade crafts, dropshipping, or services, these platforms offer flexibility without the Shopify price tag.
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1. WooCommerce (WordPress Plugin)
WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns any WordPress site into a full-featured online store. You can sell physical or digital products, manage inventory, set up payment gateways, and customize the layout completely.
While hosting and premium extensions may add cost, the base software is 100% free and open-source.
Best for: WordPress users or anyone who wants complete control over their store.
2. Ecwid (Free Plan)
Ecwid is a beginner-friendly eCommerce tool that can be added to any website (including Wix, WordPress, and even social media). The free plan supports up to 5 products, mobile-friendly shopping, and payment gateway integrations.
You can also sell directly on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms.
Best for: Small catalogs or businesses wanting to sell from an existing site.
3. Square Online
Square Online offers a completely free store builder that connects directly to your Square POS. It includes unlimited products, SEO tools, and payment processing through Square.
You only pay transaction fees when you sell—making it ideal for startups and local businesses.
Best for: Restaurants, retail shops, and sellers already using Square POS.
4. Big Cartel (Free Plan)
Big Cartel offers a free plan for up to 5 products and includes essential features like mobile-friendly themes, custom domains, and inventory tracking. It’s geared toward artists, makers, and indie sellers.
The setup is quick, and the interface is simple to use.
Best for: Creators selling a small number of products with minimal setup.
5. Wix eCommerce (Free with Limitations)
Wix allows you to build a free website and experiment with eCommerce features. However, to accept online payments, you’ll eventually need to upgrade. Still, you can design your store, upload products, and showcase them for free.
It’s a good way to start building and testing your store before committing to a paid plan.
Best for: Users who want full visual control and drag-and-drop site building.
6. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a free open-source eCommerce platform that gives you complete ownership of your store. It supports multiple payment gateways, shipping options, and product types.
You’ll need to handle your own hosting and setup, but it’s highly customizable and feature-rich.
Best for: Tech-savvy users wanting a scalable, self-hosted store.
7. Sellfy (Free Trial & Pay-as-You-Go)
Sellfy allows you to sell digital products, subscriptions, and physical goods with no upfront cost—you pay only a small percentage when you sell. It’s beginner-friendly, mobile-optimized, and great for creators.
The free trial allows testing before choosing a plan or selling.
Best for: Digital product sellers and creators wanting zero upfront cost.
8. Gumroad (Free with Transaction Fees)
Gumroad is a simple platform for selling digital downloads, memberships, and subscriptions. There are no monthly fees—Gumroad takes a small transaction cut (starting at ~10%).
It’s perfect for creators, writers, and indie developers.
Best for: Solopreneurs and creatives selling digital content and memberships.
9. Weebly by Square (Free Plan)
Weebly, owned by Square, provides a free eCommerce site builder with drag-and-drop tools, inventory management, and Square payment integration. The free plan includes SSL, product pages, and basic SEO.
You’ll only need to upgrade if you want a custom domain or advanced analytics.
Best for: Small businesses and side hustlers who want simple setup and zero cost.
10. Shift4Shop (Free with Credit Card Processing)
Shift4Shop offers a fully free eCommerce plan if you use their payment processing. You get unlimited products, zero monthly fees, free hosting, and all core features.
It’s one of the few professional-grade platforms offering a truly free full store—with the catch being payment processing through Shift4.
Best for: Sellers looking for a robust, zero-cost Shopify replacement.
Choosing the Best Free Shopify Alternative
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Want complete control? → Go with WooCommerce or PrestaShop.
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Need a quick, hosted solution? → Try Square Online, Ecwid, or Big Cartel.
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Selling digital products? → Choose Gumroad, Sellfy, or EmailOctopus.
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Prefer zero monthly fees with pay-as-you-sell models? → Try Shift4Shop or Gumroad.
