Shopify is one of the largest ecommerce platforms on the market today, and thousands of businesses experience major success selling there. However, not everyone finds success at the same caliber, and many businesses are jumping ship and finding other platforms to run their online stores.
Fortunately, there are many competitors to Shopify that offer similar features, benefits, functionality, and pricing (if not better options!). If you’ve been feeling like you are trapped on Shopify and aren’t getting the results you want, keep reading.
In this post, we’ll cover a thorough Shopify competitor analysis so you can decide for yourself what the best ecommerce platform is for your business. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each platform and how it adds up against Shopify.
The Biggest Shopify Competitors in 2023
Shopify is a big fish, but it’s not the only one in the sea. We’ve rounded up some of Shopify’s biggest competitors and are breaking down how each stands out and can help propel your business into a
BigCommerce
For a simple, scalable ecommerce solution, many businesses are migrating from Shopify to BigCommerce.
Whether you’re just getting started or experiencing major growth, BigCommerce can be an effective platform to sell and grow. Most businesses that sell via other platforms, including social media or online marketplaces, see the most success with BigCommerce because of its powerful multichannel integrations.
Pros of BigCommerce
- More freedom to customize shop features
- No transaction fees
- 36 payment gateways
- Multichannel integrations across social media
- More
built-in sales tools than Shopify - Impressive SEO support
Cons of BigCommerce
- Some users say it can be difficult to launch; steep learning curve
- Not the best option for amateur sellers or
brand-new businesses
Ecwid
Ecwid is the
Our free plan is perfect for you if you’re selling less than 5 products. You can list your items for sale, offer customers discount codes, and much more within the free plan.
Ecwid also offers three paid plans ranging from $19 a month to $99 per month, which come with additional features like store integrations, tailored support from our Ecwid team, and much more.
Pros of Ecwid
Feature-rich website builder- Can sell in different languages and currencies
- Launch a site instantly with the “Instant Site” feature
- Design a storefront that integrates with your current website
- Sell digital downloads, subscriptions, services, and gift cards
- Sell your products from social media, WhatsApp, marketplaces, and physical locations
Cons of Ecwid
- Pricing limitations based on your region
If you have an existing website or want to start from scratch, Ecwid is a
GoDaddy
GoDaddy has long been touted as the leading website domain registrar, but the platform also has impressive ecommerce functionality.
GoDaddy is a great contender if you’re running a small business and looking to launch quickly and effectively. Using the platform’s ADI tool, you can have a website designed quickly and without much heavy lifting on your end.
Most new businesses need a platform that can help with their marketing goals, and GoDaddy does just this. From social and marketplace selling to expanding your reach and customer base, you’ll find some great features to market your business with ease.
Pros of GoDaddy
- Quickest platform to launch a new website
- Create a website using ADI (artificial design intelligence)
- Super affordable pricing model and a free plan
- Marketing tools help new businesses grow
- Website performance tracking and analytics
- 24/7 phone support
Cons of GoDaddy
- Minimal creativity for businesses with compelling branding
- Some selling features fall short
- Can’t integrate with
third-party apps
Squarespace
Creating a visually stunning website and storefront is high on the
Aside from building a creative website, Squarespace also offers impressive customer support, marketing features like social media and email campaigns, and
Pros of Squarespace
- Beautiful website designs
Drag-and-drop editor- Easy to create your own store
Mobile-optimized website templates- Helpful marketing features to promote your business
- Amazing customer support
Cons of Squarespace
- Fewer payment options than other platforms
- High transaction fees
Wix
Many businesses leave Shopify and head to Wix because of its ease of use, design capabilities, and features that make selling a breeze.
Wix offers a
Pros of Wix
- Great value for the cost
- Helpful sales tools and features
- 50 payment gateways
- Total creative control over your storefront
- 250 apps to boost your store functionality
- Easy to use for beginners
Built-in SEO tools to organically grow your business
Cons of Wix
- Steep transaction fees
- Creative freedom can take away from selling
WooCommerce
Last but not least is WooCommerce, another large contender in the ecommerce platform space.
WooCommerce is a popular competitor of Shopify because it offers much of the same in terms of features and functionality. Many businesses who opt for WooCommerce over Shopify have access to a web designer or developer because the platform is much more technical than Shopify.
For businesses who are trying to scale up quickly and already have a WordPress site, WooCommerce is your best bet against Shopify.
Pros of WooCommerce
- Pricing is
transaction-based; no monthly billing is required - Free to get started
- Hundreds of designs and templates that are
mobile-optimized - Freedom to create a custom layout
- Integrates with WordPress for great SEO functionality
Cons of WooCommerce
- Not as easy to set up and launch as other platforms
- Must complete integrations with other apps and sites yourself
- Support is lacking for some issues
The Shopify Biggest Competitor FAQ
Still not sure which Shopify competitor is the right choice for your business? We get it. Here are a few commonly asked questions that we’re covering that may help make your decision easier.
Is Shopify a competitor of Amazon?
Yes, Shopify and Amazon are competitors. They both exist to sell products to consumers, although their methods of selling are different.
Shopify is an ecommerce platform that allows businesses to create online storefronts and websites, upload inventory, and sell to their customers. Shopify offers other tools and features to create a rich shopping experience, including marketing tools, discount codes, and the freedom to utilize your branding as you please.
Amazon is an online marketplace where sellers compete amongst merchants who are selling similar (or the same) products. Amazon doesn’t offer a lot of room for marketing or branding, but instead, provides an easy way to set up shop quickly and start selling immediately.
The pricing comparison between Shopify and Amazon is fairly similar. What it really comes down to when choosing between these two is your business goals. If you want to create a brand and market your business online through various channels, Shopify is the way to go.
If you aren’t as focused on branding and marketing and just want to launch and start selling products, Amazon is a better choice.
What is each Shopify competitor’s market share?
Shopify has about 10.32 percent of the market share, while WooCommerce maintains around 64.79%. Other noteworthy competitors in the space include Magento, with 2.45%, and Ecwid, with 1.47% market share.
Why do businesses leave Shopify?
Every business has different methods, goals, and values. Shopify may align with some of these, while others feel that the platform falls short in a few ways. The most common reasons why businesses leave Shopify include the following:
- Just getting started. For beginners, selling online can be very overwhelming, and Shopify amplifies all the stressors associated with launching a store.
- Fees and pricing. Shopify is one of the most expensive ecommerce platforms. While you do get what you pay for, not all businesses can justify the hefty monthly price tag. Many opt to try more affordable or free platforms first and then migrate to the various paid platforms we listed above once they’ve found their footing.
- Poor user experience. While many businesses have great experiences using Shopify, others feel that the Support and UX could use some work.
- Marketing is your responsibility. While other marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon present consumers with your shop and products (and others in the space), Shopify requires sellers and businesses to spearhead their SEO practices, marketing, and organic growth. For small businesses and those who are just starting out, taking on a marketing strategy along with running a small shop is just too much to handle.
Let Ecwid Guide Your Small Business to Success Online
Selling products and services online is no walk in the park; it takes time, commitment, creativity, and passion for what you’re offering. If Shopify is no longer serving you, we’re here to offer our free ecommerce platform without any hoops to jump through. Effortlessly sell across your favorite sales channels without limitations. Get started today!
