Shopify Alternative 2025: The best shop systems in comparison

Shopify is one of the most well-known e-commerce platforms in the world. Hundreds of thousands of retailers, from small startups to international brands, rely on it because it's easy to set up, scales quickly, and offers a massive app ecosystem.

Nevertheless, many companies eventually ask themselves the question: Is there a better Shopify alternative?

Perhaps because certain B2B features are needed, because internal developers want maximum freedom, or because another licensing model seems more attractive.

In this article, you'll get an overview of the most important Shopify alternatives in 2025. We compare the platforms based on their strengths, weaknesses, and target audiences, and show you in which scenarios Shopify often remains the better choice.

Decision criteria before choosing a shop system ::/H2

Before we examine the alternatives in detail, it's important to understand the criteria you should use to evaluate a platform. Choosing a e-commerce platform isn't just a technical question. It also influences your cost structure, your speed to market, and ultimately the success of your entire business model.

Many companies make two mistakes here: Either they chase after every single feature and get lost in detailed comparisons (“feature FOMO”), or they only look at the price and underestimate the ongoing effort.

It is better to prioritize clearly :

• What matters most to your business?
• Faster launch?
• International scaling?
• Complex B2B processes?

To help you make an informed decision, we'll look at the most important selection criteria step by step.

1. Implementation effort & time to market ::/H3

A key criterion is the speed with which you can actually go live. SaaS solutions like Shopify or BigCommerce have a clear advantage here: You can set up a functioning store, including checkout, payment methods, and basic design, in just a few weeks.

With open-source systems like Magento or PrestaShop, things are different. Here, you have to organize your own hosting, plan the architecture, select modules, develop a frontend, and set up security concepts. Such projects often take several months and require significantly more resources.

So the question is: How important is time to market to you? If you want to generate revenue quickly or test new markets, there's hardly any alternative to a SaaS approach. However, if you have a strong development team and very specific requirements, the increased effort can pay off in the long run.

2. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) ::/H3

At first glance, an open source system often seems cheaper. No monthly license fees, freedom of choice in hosting. That sounds tempting. But a realistic calculation over a 12 to 36-month period reveals a different picture.

Besides licenses, many other factors come into play: hosting, maintenance, security updates, integrations, plugins, app subscriptions, payment fees, and, last but not least, your team's time. With SaaS solutions like Shopify, many of these costs are already included, while with open source, they come on top.

That's why it's worth calculating a TCO scenario : How much will the platform cost you, including all additional costs, over three years? It often turns out that the supposedly more expensive SaaS models are ultimately cheaper and more predictable.

3. Scalability & Performance ::/H3

As your store grows, the platform needs to keep pace – and be stable and performant. SaaS systems like Shopify Plus or BigCommerce offer decisive advantages here: a global CDN, proven checkout processes, and the ability to perform reliably even during peak periods, such as Black Friday.

With modular systems like Wix or Jimdo, however, you quickly reach your limits when catalogs become larger or traffic peaks become more frequent. Open-source systems like Magento can process enormous amounts of data, but they require corresponding server capacity and an experienced DevOps team.

In short: If your business is designed for growth and you don't want to worry about server load and caching yourself, you're better off with Shopify in most cases.

4. B2B features & headless commerce ::/H3

B2B shops have different requirements than traditional B2C stores: customized price lists, role and permission concepts, approval processes, net prices, or quick orders. A standard checkout is often insufficient here.

Shopify Plus now offers many of these features directly with its B2B suite—including company profiles, customized catalogs, and B2B checkout. Alternatives like Shopware or Commercetools are also strong in this area, but usually require more implementation effort.

Headless commerce is a special case: The front end and back end are decoupled, allowing you to deploy your commerce logic across multiple touchpoints (website, app, kiosk). This offers maximum flexibility, but is also more technically demanding. It can be exciting for companies that want to serve multiple channels. However, for most retailers, Shopify's standard solution is sufficient.

5. Internationalization & Taxes ::/H3

Anyone who wants to sell in multiple countries has to worry not only about languages ​​and currencies, but also about taxes, customs duties, legal issues, and payment methods. This is where the wheat separates from the chaff.

With Shopify Markets, you get many of these features built in: country-specific domains, automatic tax calculations, price rounding, checkout taxes, and local payment methods. With open-source systems, you often have to integrate such features manually, which requires considerable additional effort.

For merchants looking to expand internationally quickly, Shopify is virtually unbeatable. Only those with extremely complex tax or customs regulations might benefit from a customized open source solution.

6. Integrations & Ecosystem ::/H3

Hardly any shop runs in isolation. You need connections to ERP, PIM, CRM, accounting, fulfillment providers, or marketing tools. The question is: Are there ready-made interfaces for this, or do you have to build everything yourself?

Shopify has a decisive advantage here: The app store offers thousands of extensions, which can often be integrated with just a few clicks. While Magento or Commercetools offer maximum freedom, they also require significantly more development effort.

It's important that your setup remains scalable. Too many small plugins quickly make the system unstable and expensive. A clearly structured app ecosystem like Shopify's provides more predictability.

7. Support, Community & Partner Network ::/H3

Even the best e-commerce system is of little use if you're left alone to deal with problems. That's why you should always consider support and the community.

Shopify scores highly here with a huge partner network, an active community, and official 24/7 support. Whether you're looking for a freelancer for a small project or a specialized agency for an enterprise setup, the likelihood of finding the right experts is extremely high.

For systems like Commercetools or Spryker, the network is significantly smaller and more focused on enterprise customers. Modular solutions like Jimdo or Wix offer support, but hardly any specialized agencies.

If you don't want to be dependent on a single agency but value a broad selection of partners, Shopify has a clear advantage in this regard.

The Shopify alternatives at a glance ::/H2

1. WooCommerce, the WordPress extension ::/H3

WooCommerce isn't a standalone eCommerce system, but rather a WordPress plugin. It transforms your existing website into a fully-fledged online store and is particularly interesting for retailers who already use WordPress or who value flexibility and control.

The great advantage of WooCommerce lies in its openness: The plugin is free, open source, and can be extended with thousands of themes and plugins. Whether product filters, subscriptions, memberships, or bookings, there's an add-on for almost every feature. This allows you to put together a store that's a perfect fit for your business model.

However, this freedom also brings with it responsibility. Unlike Shopify, with WooCommerce you have to take care of hosting, updates, backups, and security yourself. For smaller teams without technical expertise, this can quickly become a burden. Performance and scalability also depend heavily on your hosting setup. A weak server will be immediately noticeable.

Another issue is legal compliance in the German market. While Shopify meets many requirements out of the box, WooCommerce usually requires plugins like " Germanize " or " German Market " to comply with GDPR and other legal requirements.

WooCommerce vs. Shopify: ::/H4

If you already have a WordPress site and are looking for maximum customization, WooCommerce is an exciting option. You have the freedom to choose your host and payment providers, and theoretically, you can scale almost infinitely.

That's assuming you invest in a strong development setup. Shopify, on the other hand, takes care of many tasks for you: hosting, security, and updates are automated, and the app store offers tested extensions without major integration hurdles.

In short : WooCommerce is ideal for experienced WordPress users and hobbyists who want complete control. Shopify is the better choice if you're looking for a stable, low-maintenance solution with clearly predictable costs—and that's precisely what's crucial for most retailers in the long run.

2. Magento / Adobe Commerce – the enterprise powerhouse ::/H3

Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce , is one of the most powerful e-commerce systems on the market. The platform is particularly attractive to large companies with highly customized requirements and willing to invest heavily in development and operations.

Magento's biggest advantage is its enormous flexibility. Almost everything can be customized, from catalog management and complex pricing rules to multi-store setups that allow you to manage multiple brands or countries in a single backend. This is a decisive advantage for corporations that want to manage multiple business models in parallel.

But this freedom comes at a price. Magento is complex to set up and requires a strong development team. Updates, security patches, and integrations must be deployed regularly, which is anything but trivial. Don't underestimate the infrastructure either. For Magento to run smoothly, you need powerful servers or a dedicated cloud environment.

Especially in German-speaking countries, there are specialized agencies that implement Magento projects. However, the costs rise rapidly. In addition to licensing and hosting expenses, there are also high development costs. For smaller companies, this expense is generally not worthwhile.

Magento vs. Shopify: ::/H4

Magento excels when it comes to extreme customization, complex B2B processes, or international multi-store strategies. Shopify, on the other hand, focuses on standardization and user-friendliness.

Instead of developing each component individually, Shopify provides you with a stable framework with a vast app ecosystem. This means less development effort, faster project turnarounds, and lower operational risks.

In short , Magento is the right choice for businesses that need maximum customizability and have the resources to manage this complexity. For the majority of merchants seeking a predictable and future-proof solution, Shopify Plus is the more pragmatic option.

3. Shopware: Strong in the DACH region ::/H3

Shopware is a German e-commerce platform that has established itself in recent years, particularly in German-speaking countries. Many medium-sized companies value its clear user interface, large community, and close alignment with the requirements of the local market.

A special highlight of Shopware is its so-called Experience Worlds . This feature allows you to create appealing landing pages and shopping worlds using drag-and-drop without having to involve a development team. This is a real advantage for brands that prioritize storytelling in their online shop.

Shopware also offers its own B2B suite , specifically designed for business customers. Features such as customized pricing, budget management, and approval processes make the platform attractive for companies selling in the B2B sector.

However, there are also downsides. In an international context, Shopware is less well positioned than Shopify. While Shopify Markets enables global expansion with taxes, currencies, and localization out of the box, Shopware often requires additional modules or development work for the same features.

The partner network is also smaller than Shopify and more focused on the DACH region.

Shopware vs. Shopify: ::/H4

Shopware is a great choice for companies focused on German-speaking countries and value creative content creation. However, those looking to expand internationally or seeking a solution with a global infrastructure will be better served with Shopify in the long run. In addition, Shopify's app ecosystem is significantly larger and broader, giving you more flexibility when it comes to integrations and extensions.

In short : Shopware shines with local strength and B2B features, while Shopify is the all-rounder that scales internationally and is ahead in terms of usability, ecosystem, and speed.

4. BigCommerce – SaaS competitor from the USA ::/H3

BigCommerce, like Shopify, is a cloud-based e-commerce platform. This means you don't have to worry about hosting or security; instead, you get a ready-made SaaS solution that's primarily aimed at growing businesses. BigCommerce is particularly popular in the American market, where it's considered one of Shopify's direct competitors.

One advantage of BigCommerce is that many marketing and sales features are already included as standard. For example, there are integrated abandoned cart emails, Google AMP pages, and native multi-channel connections to Amazon, eBay, and social media.

The freedom to choose payment providers is also an argument that many merchants value: Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce does not charge additional fees if you use external gateways.

On the other hand, BigCommerce has a pricing model that can quickly become expensive. Monthly fees increase with your sales. So, as you grow, you automatically pay more. This can make the calculations difficult, especially for rapidly scaling retailers.

In addition, the selection of templates and apps is significantly smaller compared to Shopify, so you'll quickly reach your limits if you're looking for specific extensions.

BigCommerce vs. Shopify: ::/H4

The two platforms are similar in many ways. Both are user-friendly, scalable, and SaaS-based. However, Shopify scores with a significantly larger app ecosystem, a stronger global community, and more flexible options for international expansion. With Shopify Markets, in particular, you can sell worldwide without having to deal with complicated setups.

In short , BigCommerce is a solid alternative for companies that primarily serve the US market and value integrated features. However, for those with an international outlook, wanting to leverage a broad partner network, and valuing a particularly dynamic ecosystem, Shopify is a better long-term option.

5. Commercetools – the API-first solution ::/H3

Commercetools is one of the most modern e-commerce platforms on the market. The Munich-based solution follows a consistent API-first approach and is completely cloud-based. This makes it ideal for medium-sized to large companies that need an extremely flexible, future-proof e-commerce platform – and have the necessary development resources to take advantage of this freedom.

The greatest advantage of Commercetools is its modular architecture . Instead of a monolithic system, you work with individual microservices that you can combine as needed. Whether product management, shopping cart, checkout, or promotions, each function can be controlled and expanded separately.

This makes Commercetools particularly suitable for complex setups that need to cover multiple touchpoints, such as web shops, mobile apps, marketplace integrations, or IoT devices.

At the same time, this also means that Commercetools is almost impossible to manage without a strong IT team. While the platform provides you with a stable backend, you have to develop or connect the frontend yourself. Integrations with ERP, PIM, or CRM also require more effort than with traditional SaaS solutions.

Commercetools vs. Shopify: ::/H4

When it comes to maximum flexibility and enterprise architectures, Commercetools is hard to beat. Companies with large development teams can implement customized commerce strategies tailored precisely to their processes.

Shopify takes a different approach : a standardized, user-friendly system that you can quickly launch and flexibly expand with apps and API extensions. Shopify Headless now also offers an option for decoupled frontends, albeit with significantly less setup effort than Commercetools.

In short : Commercetools is ideal for enterprises with complex IT landscapes and a high need for customization. Shopify, on the other hand, is the pragmatic standard: faster, cheaper, and with less risk during ongoing operations, making it the better choice for the majority of retailers.

6. PrestaShop – the open source option ::/H3

PrestaShop is an open-source e-commerce platform with a long tradition, especially in Europe. The platform is free to use and can be expanded with a variety of modules and themes. This makes it particularly attractive for small to medium-sized retailers who want to start as inexpensively as possible while retaining a high level of control over their system.

The biggest advantage : The basic version is free. Anyone with their own hosting can set up PrestaShop and expand it individually without license costs. Thousands of modules are available in the official marketplace, from payment and shipping to SEO optimization. This creates a certain flexibility reminiscent of WooCommerce, but without the detour via WordPress.

On the other hand, PrestaShop presents some challenges. Even installation and configuration require basic technical knowledge, and updates and security patches must be installed regularly.

In addition, many extensions are paid, which can quickly add up the total costs. Anyone running a growing business will eventually reach the limits of the platform. Scalability and performance are highly dependent on the hosting environment.

PrestaShop vs. Shopify: ::/H4

PrestaShop is attractive if you want to start with a small budget and have the resources to handle hosting, maintenance, and legal adjustments yourself. Shopify takes a completely different approach: You pay a monthly fee, but in return you get a stable SaaS system that does the work for you, including hosting, security, updates, and a huge selection of apps.

In short , PrestaShop is an option for hobbyists and tech-savvy merchants seeking maximum cost control. However, for most businesses that value predictability, support, and scalability, Shopify is a far less stressful alternative .

7. Niche and modular solutions ::/H3

In addition to the major platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, and Commercetools, there are a number of smaller providers, often referred to as "website builders." These systems combine simple website creation with basic e-commerce features. They are primarily aimed at beginners, freelancers, and creative professionals who want to start a shop without much prior experience.

Wix ::/H4

Wix is ​​primarily a website builder with e-commerce features. With an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can create a beautiful website and start selling products in no time.

Wix is ​​certainly attractive for small shops or hybrid projects (a website plus a shop). However, when it comes to scaling, internationalization, or complex processes, the platform quickly reaches its limits.

Squarespace ::/H4

Squarespace follows a similar concept to Wix, but places a strong emphasis on design and blogging functionality. For creatives who want to combine their website and store into one elegant setup, Squarespace is a great option.

However, for growing retailers, there is a lack of flexibility and integrations that go beyond the basic offering.

Jimdo & Weebly ::/H4

Both platforms are classic modular systems. They are extremely easy to use and allow even complete beginners to set up a shop online in just a few hours.

However, the functions are very limited:

• complex shipping rules,

• B2B features or

• Headless approaches are nowhere to be found here.

These systems are not suitable for ambitious e-commerce projects.

Ecwid ::/H4

Ecwid differs from most e-commerce builders because it's not a complete e-commerce system, but rather a kind of extension for existing websites, whether WordPress, Joomla, or static.

Ecwid integrates a small shop directly. This is a quick solution for very small retailers with a few products. However, as soon as you plan to create a full-fledged online store with growth potential, Ecwid reaches its limits.

Big Cartel ::/H4

Big Cartel is aimed specifically at artists and creatives. The platform emphasizes ease of use and aesthetic designs, but its functionality is very limited. It's impossible to meaningfully display more than a few hundred products.

Big Cartel is interesting for a side income or a portfolio with a shop function, but not for professional trading.

Simvoly & PinnacleCart ::/H4

Simvoly combines a shop and funnel builder into one system, making it particularly suitable for small retailers that rely heavily on upselling and marketing. PinnacleCart is an on-premise solution that scores highly for its independence, but has high system requirements and is more of a niche solution.

Modular solutions vs. Shopify: ::/H4

All of the systems mentioned have their place – especially as a low-cost, easy entry point into online retail. They make sense if you offer a few products, have little prior technical knowledge, and require neither internationalization nor B2B functionality.

However, as soon as you want to grow, regularly need new features, or target international markets, you will quickly reach the limits of these kits.

This is where the difference lies : Shopify is just as quick and easy to set up, but scales with you . From your first product to a global D2C brand, it offers you the flexibility that builders simply can't deliver.

Comparison table: Shopify alternative ::/H2

platform	implementation	TCO (3 years)	Scalability	B2B functions	internationalization	Ecosystem & Support	Expense
Shopify / Plus	Very quick setup, launch possible in just a few weeks	Predictable costs, hosting & updates included	High stability even with high traffic	Good B2B suite (Shopify Plus)	Strong internationalization with Shopify Markets	Very large partner network, 24/7 support	Low – much is automated
WooCommerce	Quick to implement with WordPress experience	Basic free, but hosting & plugins add up	Medium, highly dependent on hosting	Many plugins, but often a patchwork	Possible, but requires a lot of manual effort	Large community, less structured support	Medium – Maintenance, updates and plugins require ongoing work
Magento / Adobe Commerce	Complex, projects often take several months	Very high development and hosting costs	Extremely scalable for enterprise	Very strong in enterprise B2B	Multi-store capable, but complex	Strong but expensive agency network	Very high – requires development team and long-term support
Shopware	Moderate setup effort	Modular costs, additional plugins required	Easily scalable, especially in the DACH region	Good B2B suite available	Internationalization possible, but less convenient	Good DACH community, weaker internationally	Medium to high – technical know-how or agency recommended
BigCommerce	Quick start, similar to Shopify	Monthly fees increase with sales	Solid scalability, even during peaks	B2B only limited	Multi-channel & multi-currency possible	Smaller ecosystem than Shopify	Low to medium – easy to get started, but fewer apps than Shopify
Commerce tools	High implementation effort due to API-first approach	High integration and operating costs	Maximum flexibility and scalability	Very strong, individually depictable	Good internationalization, but only with custom setup	Smaller enterprise community, less breadth	Very high – heavily developer-driven, hardly feasible without an IT team
PrestaShop	Medium effort, technical know-how required	Basic free, modules chargeable	Limited scalability, hosting dependent	B2B via plugins, often limited	Possible, but a lot of manual work	Community exists, but smaller	Medium – favorable start, but ongoing need for adjustment
Website builders (Wix, Jimdo, Squarespace, etc.)	Very easy to get started, shops online in days	Cheap subscriptions, but limited functionality	Hardly scalable, only for small shops	Unsuitable for B2B	Hardly any options for international shops

Decision matrix according to use case ::/H2

Use case / scenario	Suitable platforms	Evaluation & Justification
Beginners / small shops (under 50 products)	Shopify, Wix, Jimdo, Squarespace	While builders are inexpensive and easy, they quickly reach their limits. Shopify is just as easy to set up but offers more stability and growth options right from the start.
Small to medium-sized businesses with an existing WordPress website	WooCommerce, Shopify	WooCommerce is a good fit if you're already using WordPress and have an in-house team handling the technology. However, if you're looking for a hassle-free SaaS solution, Shopify offers a faster, less risky start.
Medium-sized companies in the DACH region with a focus on B2B	Shopware, Shopify Plus	Shopware impresses with its B2B suite and strong community in Germany. Shopify Plus is catching up and now also offers solid B2B features—plus global growth potential.
Large companies / enterprises with complex processes	Magento / Adobe Commerce, Commercetools, Shopify Plus	Magento and Commercetools are extremely flexible but very resource-intensive. Shopify Plus offers a balanced solution: enterprise features, but faster and more cost-effective to run.
Fast-growing D2C brand with an international focus	Shopify / Shopify Plus, BigCommerce	Both SaaS platforms are scalable, but Shopify's Markets feature makes internationalization easier and offers a larger partner network.
Artists, creatives, niche shops	Big Cartel, Wix, Squarespace	These tools are sufficient for small, design-oriented projects. However, if you plan to grow later, you should consider switching to Shopify early on.
Technology-driven companies (headless / API-first)	Commercetools, Spryker, Shopify Headless	Commercetools and Spryker offer maximum customization but require a large development team. Shopify Headless is the leaner alternative if you want to combine flexibility with easy scalability.

Conclusion: Shopify alternative or the classic? ::/H3

There are many e-commerce systems that seem appealing at first glance: WooCommerce for WordPress fans, Magento for enterprise giants, Shopware for the DACH region, or builders like Wix for absolute beginners. Each of these systems has its merits, depending on budget, use case, and internal resources.

But when we consider all the factors, a clear picture emerges : For most retailers, Shopify is the most future-proof choice . The platform is quick to get up and running, grows with your business, and offers an unparalleled ecosystem. With Shopify Plus, you get additional enterprise features that even support complex B2B or international setups.

This means that anyone who wants to be successful in e-commerce in the long term can hardly avoid Shopify.

Your next step with Datora ::/H4

If you're currently deciding which shop system is best for your business, it's worth consulting with experts. At Datora , we help companies find the right solution and set up Shopify Plus shops that are not only technically sound but also focus on conversion and growth.