Shopify dominates its market competitors with a 32% share in the US ecommerce industry.

But as it is so popular, it doesn’t mean it could be the right choice for everyone. Especially those who have small businesses or low budgets.

With its high transaction fees and few blogging features, things can get complicated and annoying over time.

So, what can we use instead of Shopify?

Many Shopify competitors offer alternative plans and features that might be better for certain business owners.

Without further ado, let’s check them out!

Reasons to switch to Shopify competitors

Shopify is a compact store builder with customizable themes, built-in analytics, app integrations, and multiple payment options.

However, some Shopify difficulties and added expenses can make you look for more affordable and simpler competitors.

Without industry experience, many businesses are not clear about what exactly Shopify can provide them.

Here are some difficulties of using Shopify.

1. Pricing

Shopify’s pricing can be a drawback for low-budget businesses. It offers several packages for basic to enterprise-level businesses.

However, even if you choose the basic plan because it seems affordable, the costs can increase quickly with these factors:

• Transaction fees: Additional transactional fees will be added for other payment gateways rather than the Shopify payment.
• Transaction fees: Additional transactional fees will be added for other payment gateways rather than the Shopify payment.
• App subscriptions: The basic plan is limited and will not allow you to install any apps that require an online store channel.
• Themes and design: Premium themes or custom designs can also raise your overall budget.

For businesses with high sales volumes, these costs might be manageable. But for smaller businesses, these can become a financial burden.

2. Difficulty with SEO

Shopify does offer some in-built SEO capabilities. However, they are not as comprehensive as specialized SEO plugins like Yoast SEO available on other platforms.

Furthermore, It has some technical SEO difficulties like:

• Restricted URL Structure: Unlike WordPress or Magento, Shopify’s URL structure is limited. This makes it harder to organize products and categories in a clear, hierarchical way.
• Sitemap Problems: Though Shopify does have its own sitemap functionality, it is not customizable and can sometimes cause fetch issues in the Google Search Console.
• Duplicated Content: Shopify creates multiple URLs for a single product, and while it should automatically set the canonical tag to address this, it can sometimes lead to duplicate content issues.

These challenges can impact your Google rankings and add extra hurdles to your SEO efforts.

3. Complex customization

Shopify’s pre-designed themes can be useful for getting started, especially with its drag-and-drop editor.

However, these layouts often lack exclusivity and require technical skills for advanced customization.

Without knowledge of Liquid, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, users might struggle with more complex customizations and may need to hire a developer. This can increase both the cost and complexity of managing a Shopify store.

4. Difficult exit

Since Shopify uses a proprietary system, moving your store to another platform can be very difficult. Transferring your data often requires manual export and adjustments. 

Also, the themes and apps from Shopify aren’t compatible with other sites. Consequently, you may need to redesign your website from scratch with new themes and apps.

Top 5 Shopify competitors for different business models

Now that we have already discussed several drawbacks of using Shopify. Let’s directly jump into the top 5 Shopify competitors. 

We’ll explore the features, pros, and cons of top Shopify competitors to help you find the best match and scale your business model.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a self-hosted plugin that can directly integrate ecommerce into your existing website. If you are already using WordPress or considering it, then WooCommerce can be a great option.

It allows more control and flexibility over your store’s customization that might not be found in Shopify. You can make it a mighty and unique online store with multiple WordPress plugins and themes.

However, finding the right combination of plugins and good hosting may need some extra amount of knowledge. 

Key features of WooCommerce

Here’s a list of key features of WooCommerce:

Pros

• Free features to build and manage your online store without hidden costs.
• Choose from thousands of WordPress themes to match your brand.
• Regular security updates and code reviews from a dedicated expert team ensure platform safety.
• Built on WordPress, WooCommerce uses its SEO-friendly framework and best web practices.
• Perfect for businesses wanting full control over their website because of advanced customization flexibility.

Cons

• You can only use WooCommerce with a WordPress website, not by itself.
• You have to install, set up, and configure it manually, which can be hard for beginners.
• Hosting isn’t included, so you need to find and pay for your own.
• While WooCommerce is free, many key features need paid plugins (like advanced shipping and payment options).
• There’s no mobile app to manage your store, unlike Shopify or BigCommerce.

Pricing:

Free Plan: $0 (Core plugin + basic setup)

Pro Plan: $300–$1000+ per year (with premium themes, extensions, and hosting)

Costs vary based on added features.

Verdict: Highly customizable and perfect for those already familiar with WordPress, but requires technical know-how and self-hosting.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a flexible open-source platform specifically for all sizes of ecommerce businesses. Its advanced features and tools are specially designed to enhance scalability and sales.

One of its most popular features is the abandoned cart saver. It automatically sends reminders to customers who added products to the cart and encourages them to complete their purchases. This ability can recover a large portion of your lost sales.

To enhance your customer relationship management, BigCommerce integrates with popular CRMs like HubSpot. This allows you to streamline your sales and marketing efforts.

However, BigCommerce has a small user base and a limited app store compared to Shopify. It’s still a feature-rich platform with good capabilities that doesn’t require additional app purchases.

Key features of BigCommerce

Here’s a list of key features of BigCommerce:

Pros

• BigCommerce is compact with built-in tools like SEO, product filtering, and multi-channel selling without needing apps.
• Multiple payment options and shipping carrier integration without any extra transaction fees.
• Customized URLs and supports AMP to improve your search engine rankings.
• PCI compliance and fraud prevention tools protect your store from security threats.
• Provides advanced features like customer groups and customizable checkout options.
• Perfect for businesses needing advanced SEO tools, in-depth reporting, or large inventory systems.

Cons

• Limited control over hosting and server configuration as it’s a hosted solution.
• Advanced customizations may require developer expertise and additional costs.
• Too many themes and plugins can sometimes lead to compatibility issues.
• Multi-store features can be overwhelming and may require significant setup.
• Customizable checkout can be complex and may require additional development.

Pricing:

Free Plan:  No free plan available.

Pro Plan: $39 – $399 per year (custom enterprise deals available)

Costs vary by plan, but there are no additional transaction fees.

Verdict: Ideal for larger businesses that need built-in features and scalability without relying heavily on third-party apps.

Squarespace

Squarespace is a dedicated website builder that also provides online store plans. It offers a wide range of dynamic templates, display options, and editing tools to make your ecommerce website more creative and attractive. 

While it may not offer all the kinds of store features and facilities that other ecommerce sites have, if you are an individual artist or a blogger or selling creative appliances, it can be a great choice to create a visually stunning site to connect with your audience.

Key features of Squarespace

Here’s a list of key features of Squarespace:

Pros

• All-in-one platform simplifies setup, offering hosting, design, and ecommerce in one place.
• Integrated cart recovery helps recover abandoned sales and boost revenue.
• Built-in payment gateways make accepting credit cards and other payment methods easy.
• Built-in SEO tools help optimize content for search engines without needing third-party plugins.
• Drag-and-drop functionality enables quick changes without needing coding knowledge.

Cons

• Lacks the flexibility of open-source platforms for highly custom ecommerce needs.
• Customization options are limited compared to competitors like WordPress or BigCommerce.
• Does not offer advanced inventory features like bulk editing or multi-warehouse management.
• Fewer payment gateway options compared to platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify.
• Limited customer account features may not be ideal for stores with frequent repeat buyers.

Pricing:

Free Plan:  No free plan available.

Pro Plan: $25 – $72 per month (No transaction fees for higher-tier plans)

Additional costs may apply for custom design features or advanced email campaigns.

Verdict: Best for creatives or small businesses that prioritize design simplicity over complex eCommerce functionality.

Wix

Wix is a budget-friendly website builder with ecommerce facilities. It may not offer extensive features like Shopify. But if you are looking to build a rich, engaging site with little to no web knowledge. Then, Wix makes a good choice. 

It offers drag-and-drop editing of hundreds of industry-relevant themes, which you can then easily customize to put your own visual creativity on your web presence. Much like Squarespace, Wix is also good for content creators looking to showcase portfolios of their work.

Key features of Wix

Here’s a list of key features of Wix:

Pros

• Easy setup and integration allow for quick deployment across multiple channels.
• Fully customizable store design enables brands to maintain their unique identity.
• Supports unlimited products, making it scalable for growing businesses.
• Real-time analytics provide insights into sales and customer behavior for informed decisions.
• Multi-channel selling allows integration with existing websites and platforms like WordPress and Wix.

Cons

• Limited customization for advanced users compared to fully open-source solutions.
• Advanced inventory management features may require third-party integrations.
• Certain payment gateways may incur additional fees, affecting overall costs.
• Multi-store management is available but can be complex for larger operations.
• Users have limited control over some security settings since Ecwid manages the platform.

Pricing:

Free Plan: $0 (Basic website builder)

Pro Plan: $17 – $159 per month (1 year free domain)

Costs can rise with additional apps, advanced features, or third-party integrations.

Verdict: Suited for small businesses looking for a quick setup and ease of use with limited advanced eCommerce needs.

Ecwid

Ecwid offers a quick, easy, and flexible online store in terms of start-up and design. You can integrate it directly with your existing website or build one from scratch. 

Additionally, Ecwid is compatible with most CMS platforms, like WordPress. This means you can easily adapt your site to serve purposes beyond just eCommerce.

Key features of Ecwid

Here’s a list of key features of Ecwid:

Pros

• Supports unlimited products that makes it scalable for growing businesses.
• Multi-channel selling allows integration with existing websites and platforms like WordPress and Wix.
• Easy setup and integration allows for quick deployment across multiple channels.
• Automated invoicing and order tracking simplify back-end operations.
• PCI compliance and SSL support ensure secure transactions and data protection.

Cons

• Limited customization for advanced users compared to fully open-source solutions.
• Some users may find the design options less flexible than competitors like Shopify
• Basic marketing tools may require external integrations for more advanced campaigns.
• Some features may require higher-tier plans, which can increase overall expenses.
• Certain payment gateways may incur additional fees, affecting overall costs.

Pricing:

Free Plan: $0 (Basic plan for up to 10 products)

Pro Plan: $25 – 105 per month (Transaction fees depend on payment gateways)

Costs increase with higher-tier plans or additional features like custom themes or advanced integrations.

Verdict: Perfect for small businesses because of its easy setup and multiple selling platforms. But it doesn’t have all the advanced features of larger eCommerce solutions.

Wrapping up

Shopify is often seen as the go-to platform for running an online store because of its dedicated and advanced store features.

However, when exploring Shopify competitors, it’s important to consider your current and future business needs. Are you just looking for a versatile website builder to attract traffic? Or, are you a creative person who wants to showcase a blog or visual content?

Maybe you’re already using a high-traffic sales model or a WordPress site. No matter your situation, one of the platforms we’ve listed here can support your business journey.

The post Top 5 Shopify Competitors for Different Business Models 2025 appeared first on Fluent Support.

So, whether you have a small business or a major one, to bring your business to the cloud, you must know the differences, pros, and cons between its various service models first. This will help you learn, compare, and decide the one that supports your requirements.

In this blog, we’ll clarify to you the differences between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS, their pros, cons, examples, use cases, and more. 

Cloud Service Models: IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS – basic differences

According to Azure, the term ‘Cloud’ refers to “a vast network of servers, each serving a specific purpose. It is a massive global network of remote servers connected and designed to function as a single ecosystem, not a physical entity.”  In other words, Cloud Computing uses a server network that hosts, manages, and processes data online in ‘the Cloud’.

In terms of Cloud Service Models, generally, there are three main categories. 1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 2. Platform as a Service (PaaS), and 3. Software as a Service (SaaS). They all deal with the various ways that you can use the cloud for your business. 

Although these categories share common grounds, they are not competitive. Most companies, at least to some extent, use all three of them.

Let’s briefly weigh on the definitions of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS:

• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – The IaaS cloud computing model enables businesses to manage their resources, such as servers, data storage, networks, etc., on the cloud. Examples: AWS, Google Compute Engine, DigitalOcean, etc. 

• PaaS (Platform as a Service) – The PaaS model allows developers to host, deploy, and create apps for end users. Examples: Google App Engine, Heroku, Windows Azure, etc. 

• SaaS (Software as a Service) – SaaS is the most popular cloud service model that lets end users or businesses use software online. It doesn’t require you to download or install the software.  Example: Google Workspace, Slack, etc.

When planning your journey to the cloud service, the important choices you make depend on how much management you need to do by yourself and how much you get from your service provider. 

Here are two images illustrating what each category requires you to manage and what your service provider will handle.

Worldwide Public Cloud Service Revenues from PaaS, SaaS, and IaaS Forecast (Billions of U.S Dollars)

According to a survey by Gartner in 2019, the SaaS industry was the largest, with businesses spending more than $182 billion on cloud services, with SaaS services accounting for 43% of that total market spend.

Though in terms of total spending, SaaS still holds the largest cloud service position. However, IaaS is currently the fastest-growing cloud service.

Common examples of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS

On-premises software

On-premises software requires you to buy a license to install it into your business’s hardware. On the other hand, you need to pay subscription fees for cloud services.

Almost all software and platform providers now run on a cloud-computing model. However, you can still buy a license in CD-ROM format for software like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop Elements, etc. 

What is IaaS?

If you can imagine these three cloud service models as layers of a pyramid, Infrastructure as a Service, aka IaaS, will lie at the bottom. IaaS delivers computing as an on-demand service. Thus, companies can build and maintain servers, networks, operating systems, and data storage without purchasing expensive hardware using IaaS tools.

As a customer, you can control your business’s infrastructure and store data on the servers of your IaaS service provider. You will have an API or a dashboard to access and manage the resources. IaaS is also known as Cloud System Infrastructure Service.

What does IaaS deliver? 

To businesses, IaaS provides servers, networking, storage, and an overall visualization (dashboard or API) to manage and control your business infrastructure smoothly. Some providers even go beyond that and offer services like message queuing, databases, etc. 

Unlike SaaS or PaaS, IaaS clients manage applications, runtime, operating systems, middleware, and data. 

Characteristics of IaaS

Features of IaaS include:

• Available resources.
• Various pricing for different service levels.  
• Businesses control their own infrastructure.
• Multiple users on a single hardware.
• Flexible and dynamic scaling.
• Platform virtualization technology.  
• Access through GUI and API.

IaaS examples 

Some of the most popular IaaS examples are

• Magento 1 Enterprise Edition
• Microsoft Azure
• DigitalOcean
• Alibaba Elastic Compute Service 
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• IBM® Cloud Infrastructure Center
• Linode
• Rackspace
• Cisco Metacloud
• Google Compute Engine (GCE)

What are the pros of IaaS?

Here are some advantages of IaaS:

• Super easy to automate various deployments.
• Highly flexible and easily scalable.
• Only pay for the resources you use for your business.
• Businesses have complete control over their infrastructure. 
• No need to purchase and maintain a physical server.

What are the cons of IaaS?

Some disadvantages of IaaS are

• You’re mostly responsible for being technologically secure.
• You have to ensure that your apps and operating systems are running properly.
• As you have most of its control, you must also configure most of it.
• Before migrating any legacy application to the cloud, you must review it for compatibility.
• Your business must ensure that VMs (Virtual Machines) are adequately isolated within the multi-tenant cloud architecture.
• You need to provide additional training and resources to make your users comfortable with the new system and its intricacies. 

When to use IaaS?

Not every business needs IaaS. There are specific situations when you might need it. Here are the types of companies that need Infrastructure as a Service.

• Fast-growing companies – As IaaS provides greater flexibility and scalability, companies experiencing rapid growth can easily change or add specific hardware and software as they evolve.
• Small companies and startups – To avoid purchasing expensive hardware or creating software that will require a lot of time and effort to complete, small companies and startups can prefer IaaS. Tip: you can also outsource the technical support for your company to avoid more expenses.
• Large Companies – Large businesses may prefer to buy just what they consume or need from an IaaS provider to maintain full control over their apps and infrastructure. For example, an enterprise might choose to run their IT infrastructure on AWS and outsource maintainance of the cloud infrastructure to an IT partner.

What is PaaS?

The layer PaaS lies at the middle of the Cloud Computing Services pyramid. PaaS, or Platform as a Service, offers cloud components to various software and is primarily used for building applications. 

In other words, PaaS provides a framework or a platform for developers to build custom online software and applications. The SaaS applications we see online are built on PaaS platforms. PaaS is also known as Cloud Application Infrastructure Service.   

What does PaaS deliver?

PaaS delivers a secure platform for developers to create software and apps for consumers to use. Developers access its tools via the web. Thus, it enables businesses to design and develop applications integrated into the PaaS via special software components. These apps are sometimes referred to as middleware. 

The developers using PaaS don’t have to worry about storage, networking, management, runtime, middleware, O/S, server, etc. They only need to focus on creating their software or applications.

Characteristics of PaaS

Features of PaaS include:

• Builds on virtualization technology.
• Highly flexible and scalable.
• Integrates databases and web services.
• Simple to use, even without a deep understanding of the system architecture.
• Offers a range of services for app development, testing, and deployment.
• Multiple users can access the same development application.

PaaS examples 

Popular PaaS examples are

• Heroku
• Google App Engine
• AWS Elastic Beanstalk
• OpenShift
• Windows Azure
• Force.com
• SAP Cloud
• Oracle Cloud Platform
• IBM Cloud Foundry
• AWS Lambda 
• Pivotal Cloud Foundry

What are the Pros of PaaS?

Some advantages of PaaS are

• Availability and scalability.
• Developers don’t have to worry about maintaining the software.
• Easy to customize applications.
• Easy migration to the hybrid model.
• Cost-effective for development and deployment.
• You’ll need less code to complete the tasks.
• Business policy automation.
• Developers can collaborate easily with other developers within a single app.

What are the Cons of PaaS?

Here are some disadvantages of PaaS:

• You only have control over the codes of the application you’re building.
• As the PaaS provider stores your data, it can pose a security risk to your app users.
• You have to go by the terms and conditions of your PaaS provider; this can cause limitations to your customization possibilities.
• You may need to customize and make changes in the configuration for legacy systems to work with the PaaS.
• PaaS solutions may not be optimized for your preferred language and framework.
• Developers need to utilize additional security measures, such as the Cloud-Native Application Platform, to protect the applications they use in their cloud environment.

When to use PaaS?

Just like IaaS, not every business requires PaaS too. There are some particular circumstances when you might need it.

• Small and medium-sized business – Using PaaS as a small or medium-sized business for building customized apps can be very beneficial. It can efficiently streamline workflows when multiple developers work on the same development project. 

Moreover, PaaS greatly helps to reduce the overall project cost. Also, it simplifies some of the challenges you might face while developing an application. 

What is SaaS?

The pyramid’s top tier is Software as a Service, aka SaaS. It refers to cloud-based software hosted online by businesses that provide clients with various services. Some offer services that may be purchased, while others depend on subscriptions.

Most SaaS applications run directly through your web browser, so no downloads or installations are mandatory on the client side. This is also known as the Cloud Application Service. 

What does SaaS deliver?

SaaS provides specific products to end users via the Internet. The users can access the product or service through the web or download and install it on the device.

When it comes to management, the vendors of SaaS take the responsibility. They deal with all the potential technical issues, data, middleware, storage, and servers, resulting in streamlined business support and maintenance.

Characteristics of SaaS

Some of the most common characteristics of SaaS include the following:

• Hosted on a remote or central server.
• Access via the Internet.
• Mostly subscription-based.  
• The service provider manages its hardware and software updates.
• Downloading or installing the software is not mandatory.
• Services are managed from a central location.

SaaS examples 

Here are some well-known examples of SaaS solutions:

• GoToMeeting
• DocuSign
• Netflix
• Slack
• Dropbox
• SAP Concur
• Google Workspace
• Trello
• Figma
• Zoom

What are the pros of SaaS?

Some pros of SaaS are

• It’s cost-effective. 
• It helps you save time on installing, upgrading, and managing software. 
• It won’t use any of your local resources.
• Easy to find, access, and purchase SaaS products.  

What are the cons of SaaS?

Let’s look at some of the disadvantages of SaaS:

• You have no control over the cloud-based infrastructure it runs on.
• SaaS tools may be incompatible with other tools you use for your business.
• You are dependent on the provider’s security measures. 
• If there’s any leak in security measures, you may face a data breach.

When to use SaaS? 

Unlike IaaS and PaaS, you can utilize SaaS in many different situations. 

• Small companies and startups – Companies that don’t have that much money and time to build an eCommerce, don’t have time for server issues or software can use SaaS for a quick start.  
• Short-term projects – You can use SaaS for projects that require faster, easier, and more affordable collaborations. 
• Big teams or companies – Giant companies like Google even use Asana, a SaaS platform for project management.  

Currently, there are over 30,000 SaaS businesses with billions of clients globally, and the platforms or products offered by these businesses tend to be highly diverse from one another in terms of their use cases.

IaaS vs PaaS

While PaaS enables you to create unique applications without hosting them on-premises, IaaS gives you more control over your operating systems. PaaS, therefore, has less control on your end but gives you more flexibility than IaaS. However, which one you choose depends on your business’s requirements.

For example, you can host a website and its applications through an IaaS provider like AWS or Microsoft Azure to launch a website. On the contrary, go with a PaaS like Google App Engine (serverless platform) if you want to build and host web applications at scale.

SaaS vs IaaS

With a SaaS solution, you will receive the best software management and maintenance from your provider. On the other hand, with IaaS, the provider provides and maintains only the elements like servers or storage.

IaaS is the ideal choice if you require the most control possible within the cloud environment and want to prevent issues with external management data that can jeopardize the operation or security of your data. However, switching to a modest SaaS solution is better if you require little flexibility and prioritize usability.

SaaS vs PaaS

Building new products on top of your current network is possible using PaaS. But SaaS, however, goes one step further. The vendor fully manages SaaS solutions, which are available to your employees.

For example, PaaS gives you all the resources you need to succeed if you want to design payroll software that is specific to your HR requirements. When your product is complete, it can be categorized as SaaS. The best choice will be a payroll program like Quickbooks if you like out-of-the-box functionality.

Rise of Everything as a Service (XaaS)

Everything as a Service, aka XaaS, is the one phrase you probably hear more often nowadays. It is an essential tool for autonomous digital enterprises.

The term ‘XaaS’ stands for highly customized, adaptable, data-driven products and services that are completely controlled by customers. Also, it includes the information customers provide via common IoT-enabled sources like thermostats and cell phones.

Businesses use cloud-generated data to deepen customer relationships, innovate faster, and extend sales beyond the initial product purchase.

Wrapping up

Along with IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and even the currently trending XaaS, there are other developing cloud computing models, like Monitoring as a Service (MaaS), Function as a Service (FaaS), and Communication as a Service (CaaS). Each of them is intended for companies looking for particular services to stay competitive in a market that is dominated by the cloud.

Businesses find these simple and convenient to use, enabling them to manage their business’s technical infrastructure, access tools virtually, and create apps without purchasing or maintaining a physical server. These services can improve your company’s overall growth and efficiency.

The post IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS: Differences, Pros, Cons, Examples, Uses Cases appeared first on Fluent Support.