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Cheaper alternatives to Shopify
Updated September 30, 2026 · Researched by the SaveStack team
On this page: Shortlist · Quick comparison · FAQ
The shortlist
Ecwid
By Lightspeed. Embeds a store into any existing website or social profile. Starter plan at $5/month with $0 transaction fees.
- $0 platform transaction fees on all plans
- No annual-billing requirement for Starter price
- Social selling on Instagram/Facebook
- Only 10 products on Starter
- Custom domain needs Venture ($35/mo)
- No free plan since 2026
Square OnlineBest valueFree plan
Square's website builder with a genuinely free online store plan: unlimited products, payment processing, and POS sync. You pay only per-transaction fees.
- Free plan with unlimited products
- Syncs with Square POS seamlessly
- No monthly fee, ever
- Free plan uses a Square subdomain
- Limited design flexibility
- Transaction fees on every sale (2.9% + 30¢)
Big Cartel
Simple hosted storefront for artists, musicians, and makers. Gold plan is free indefinitely for up to 5 products, with $0 transaction fees.
- Free forever for 5 products
- $0 transaction fees
- Attractive free themes, custom domain included
- 500 product cap even on Diamond
- No blog, one currency only
- Weak analytics vs Shopify
Quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | You save | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify (the expensive one) | $29/month (Basic, billed annually) | — | — | Teams that need every bell and whistle |
| Ecwid | $5/month (Starter) | — | Save $288/year | Adding a small store to an existing site. |
| Square Online | Free plan ($0) | Yes | Save $348/year | Local businesses already using Square POS. |
| Big Cartel | Free plan (Gold, $0) | Yes | Save $348/year | Indie creators selling a few products. |
Pricing sources: each vendor's official pricing page, last checked September 30, 2026.
FAQ
Why switch away from Shopify? It usually comes down to price. Most teams use a fraction of what Shopify offers, so the full subscription is hard to justify. For Shopify specifically, switching to Square Online saves $348/year versus Shopify's sticker price.
Are cheaper tools worse? Rarely, for the basics. The cheaper tools on this page handle the same day-to-day workflow — what you lose is usually the enterprise layer: SSO, audit logs, or white-glove support. The trade-offs are listed under each alternative.
Can I switch back later? Absolutely. Nearly every alternative here offers a free plan or trial, so you can run it alongside Shopify before cancelling.
Prices checked September 30, 2026 and may have changed. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page.