If you are looking for alternatives to Shopify to set up your online store, you need to know this: Shopify checkout pages load in an average of 0.22 seconds, six times faster than the WooCommerce checkout (1.32 seconds), and that difference is directly noticed in sales that are not lost on the last click.
I've been setting up stores for myself and clients for years, so in this article I am going to fairly compare the main ones alternatives to Shopify (WooCommerce, Wix, PrestaShop, Squarespace, and BigCommerce) and then I'll tell you, no fluff, why for most people starting with dropshipping with Shopify is still my recommendation.
Why it makes sense to look at alternatives to Shopify
Shopify is very popular, but it's not the only way to know how to create an online store. Each project has different needs for budget, technical control, and product type. Some want maximum customization, others want to pay the minimum, and others simply want to make money online without fighting with servers. That's why it's healthy to compare before deciding.
Comparison of the main Shopify alternatives
Aquí tienes la tabla honesta que prometí, con los cuatro puntos que más importan: precio, facilidad de uso, escalabilidad y pagos. Los precios están en euros y son aproximados.
| Platform | Approx. Price | Ease | Scalability | Payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | From ~1€/month the first 3 months, then from ~27€/month | Very high | Excellent | Shopify Payments + 100 gateways |
| WooCommerce | “Gratis” + hosting desde ~8€/mes y plugins | Average | High (depends on hosting) | WooPayments, Stripe, PayPal |
| Wix | From ~17€/month | Very high | Average | Wix Payments, Stripe, PayPal |
| PrestaShop | “Gratis” + hosting y módulos de pago | Low | High (technical) | Own modules + gateways |
| Squarespace | From ~23€/month | High | Average | Stripe, PayPal, Square |
| BigCommerce | From ~27€/month | Average | Very high | +65 gateways without extra commission |
WooCommerce: the most flexible Shopify alternative
WooCommerce es el plugin de tienda para WordPress y la alternativa más famosa cuando alguien busca control total. Es de código abierto, así que tocas lo que quieras. El “problema” es que esa libertad viene con responsabilidad: tienes que contratar el best WordPress hosting you can afford, keep up with updates, and fix glitches yourself.
If you have a technical soul or a good developer, WooCommerce is brutal. If you are seriously comparing options, I recommend reading my full analysis of Shopify vs WooCommerce, because I go into hidden costs there.
Wix: the easiest Shopify alternative to get started
Wix is the visual editor par excellence. You drag, drop, and you have a pretty website in an afternoon, ideal if you've never touched anything technical. It works for small stores, but when the catalog grows or you want to automate, Wix falls a bit short on advanced tools.
PrestaShop: powerful but demanding
PrestaShop es otra alternativa a Shopify muy usada en España, especialmente entre tiendas más establecidas. Es gratis de descargar y muy potente. El “pero” es grande: necesitas hosting, conocimientos técnicos y muchos módulos clave son de pago. La curva de aprendizaje es real.
Squarespace: careful design above all
Squarespace stands out for its elegant templates. If you sell products where aesthetics rule (fashion, art, decoration), it catches the eye. Its store works well for medium catalogs, but the extension ecosystem is more limited than Shopify's.
BigCommerce: designed to scale
BigCommerce is the Shopify alternative most oriented to large businesses. It brings many native functions without the need to install apps. Its great advantage is that it does not charge extra transaction fees no matter which gateway you use. The downside is that its panel is more complex for someone starting out.
How to create an online store without getting lost among so many options
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Knowing how to create an online store is not just about choosing a platform, it's about choosing the one that fits your level and your time. If you love tinkering, WooCommerce or PrestaShop will give you room to play. If you want to launch quickly and focus on selling and finding dropshipping winning products, a hosted solution saves you headaches. This is where Shopify stands proud.
And an extra tip: also think about the administrative side. To collect payments properly, it is best to look at the best neobanks 2026 to separate your finances, and if you are serious, even consider opening a tax structure with an LLC creation service.
Why, from my experience, I still choose Shopify
After testing practically all these Shopify alternatives by setting up real stores, my conclusion is simple: for beginners, Shopify removes problems instead of adding them. You don't have to worry about hosting, security, backups, or crashes in the middle of a sales campaign.
The ecosystem of the best Shopify apps also makes a difference. You find tools for almost everything: upsells, reviews, supplier automation and connection with print on demand Spain in a few clicks.
Para la mayoría de gente que arranca, el tiempo que ahorras con Shopify vale más que los euros que “ahorras” con WooCommerce o PrestaShop.
If you want to go step by step, my complete guide to start dropshipping with Shopify is the best starting point. And if your idea is a textile brand? Then, in addition to the store, you benefit from good production behind it: you can request a clothing manufacturing quote and combine it with your Shopify store.
Shopify vs WooCommerce, the most searched duel
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- Control: WooCommerce wins, you touch all the code.
- Ease: Shopify wins hands down for beginners.
- Real costs: WooCommerce adds hosting, plugins and maintenance.
- Speed and stability: Shopify performs better without you touching a thing.
- Dropshipping winning products: both can, but app integration in Shopify makes it faster.
If you want all the details with numbers, review my guide dedicated to Shopify vs WooCommerce before deciding.
Conclusion: which of these Shopify alternatives suits you best
Entre todas las alternativas a Shopify que hemos visto, no existe una “mejor” universal: existe la mejor para ti. WooCommerce y PrestaShop son geniales si eres técnico, Wix y Squarespace brillan en webs sencillas y bonitas, y BigCommerce apunta a negocios grandes. Pero si me preguntas por la mayoría de quien empieza, mi respuesta sigue siendo Shopify.
You can start by trying Shopify for free and, once you have it clear, set up your project following the guide to understand the business model well.
👉 Try Shopify today
Start with 3 days free and then pay only €1/month for the first 3 months. Plenty of time to set up your store and validate your products.
Affiliate notice: if you sign up through this link I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I use and trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alternative to Shopify in 2026?
It depends on your profile. WooCommerce is the most flexible if you are technical, while Wix is the easiest for absolute beginners. For most people starting out, Shopify continues to offer the best balance between ease, speed, and scalability.
Is WooCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
On paper yes, because the plugin is free, but in practice you add the best WordPress hosting, the domain, paid plugins and maintenance. With all real costs, the difference is considerably reduced.
Can I do dropshipping with Shopify and its alternatives?
Yes, you can do dropshipping with Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix or BigCommerce. The difference lies in the quantity and quality of automation apps, and there Shopify has the advantage.
How do I create an online store if I have no technical knowledge?
The easiest way is to use a hosted platform like Shopify or Wix. You can start with Shopify for free for a few days and follow a step-by-step guide to set everything up.
Is it worth paying for Shopify when there are free options?
En mi experiencia, sí, sobre todo al principio. El tiempo y los problemas técnicos que te ahorras suelen valer más que lo que “ahorras” con una opción gratuita.
¿Y si te saltas la parte técnica?
Si has llegado hasta aquí comparando plataformas, probablemente lo que quieres no es elegir una: es tener la tienda funcionando. Te la dejo montada en Shopify con dos productos de tu nicho ya elegidos en Ready-Made Dropshipping Store.
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