Shopify is considered the best e-commerce platform for selling digital products online, but it may be restrictive for some, especially if it doesn’t align with your business goals. Here’s why you might need to consider Shopify alternatives:
- Its customization options are restrictive: While Shopify is easy to set up, it’s difficult to modify or present your store’s brand image beyond the stock templates.
- Managing a store can get costly: To efficiently manage a store, you need to pay subscription fees and extra add-on costs for third-party integrations and theme customization
- It is limited to certain types of products: The platform may lack specific features that digital creators need like managing SaaS subscriptions or in-app purchases.
In this blog, we will compare 7 Shopify alternatives and explore how these platforms address the above drawbacks of Shopify, starting from Fungies, a go-to platform for payment handling and storefronts for digital products:
1. Fungies.io
Best for: Selling digital products, SaaS subscriptions, and game assets
Fungies offers a complete solution for selling digital products, managing global tax compliance, and integrating in-app purchases (IAP). Supporting over 250+ payment methods, Fungies is designed to provide flexibility and ease of integration, making it ideal for digital creators, SaaS developers, and game makers looking to grow their businesses.
Compared to Shopify, Fungies is a more affordable alternative due to its lower transaction fees and advanced customization options to fully personalize your storefront.
As a Merchant of Record (MoR), Fungies manages payment processing, tax compliance, calculations, and invoicing on your behalf. Unlike Shopify, which has upfront costs and additional fees, Fungies charges only 5% + $0.50 per sale, with no other costs involved.
Everything else is free forever.
The following are key features of Fungies that make it the best alternative to Shopify:
No-Code Website Builder With Advanced Customization
If you’re looking for a highly advanced website builder with a drag-and-down interface, similar to Shopify, then you can try Fungies for free, along with its in-app purchase integration feature.
When choosing the right alternative, look for a website builder that offers high customization without needing coding skills or an external team to manage it. For example, if you want to create specific sections for your products, you don’t have to apply complex codes to change the UI design.
Fungies is an ideal choice for creators who want to build a storefront with personalized branding, print, UI + UX.
With a seamless dashboard and no-code website builder, you can easily browse and customize templates to fit your style. Adjust colors, themes, and logos through a simple drag-and-drop interface.
The platform includes customizable Product Pages where you can list your SaaS subscriptions, game assets, or digital downloads.
It comes with a Google-compliant rating system, product variants options, reviews, and a recommended products section, to help build credibility and increase customer buying.
Like any other proper website, you can add a header and footer with social media links and other important details as you like. For a more immersive experience, Fungies offers mobile view and tablet view adjustments, so your customers can surf through your website on their browsers.
Overall, it’s an all-inclusive no-code website builder that gives you a high level of customization with no additional costs or technicalities.
Global Payment Integration With Tax Compliance and No Upfront costs
Fungies simplifies payment processing for sellers, allowing you to focus on creating your products instead of managing billing and invoicing.
As a Merchant of Record (MoR) platform, Fungies automates tax collection, handling, and filing, especially for international orders. With built-in global tax compliance and 3D Secure technology, it ensures fraud prevention and automatically resolves payment failures.
Unlike Shopify, which relies on its own payment system, Fungies gives sellers the flexibility to choose from a wide range of payment gateways without imposing extra transaction fees. Sellers only pay a 5% + $0.50 per sale fee. This makes Fungies an ideal solution for creators looking for greater flexibility and lower costs.
The platform doesn’t ask for any credit card information, just connect your Stripe account and you’re ready to receive daily payouts.
Overlay Checkout
Fungies also includes an overlay checkout feature if you’re only looking for payment integration on your website to simplify the purchasing process.
It easily integrates into your site, offering a user-friendly checkout experience that keeps customers on your site without redirection, resulting in higher conversion rates and a seamless transaction flow.
IAP Integration and Subscription Plan Customization
The platform simplifies in-app purchases while ensuring you don’t lose revenue. The free Unity and Unreal SDKs allow developers to monetize their games directly through the platform, allowing players to buy virtual goods like currencies, chests, or digital assets directly within the game.
You can synchronize all in-game transactions with your own web store, managed through the Developer Dashboard. You can customize pricing, offer subscription models, or sell game assets and NFTs without paying high commissions to platforms like Steam.
It also allows you to offer flexible subscription plans with billing cycles like monthly, yearly, or even usage-based options on Fungies. The platform serves as a comprehensive SaaS subscription management system to meet both your business and customer needs.
Furthermore, Fungies automates the recurring billing process, which is particularly beneficial for creators who manage multiple subscription types collectively.
Complete Control Over Storefront with Analytics Dashboard
Fungies gives sellers full control over their storefronts, allowing you to personalize every aspect. The reporting dashboard has a dedicated section to view user data, sales analytics, and other performance metrics to help you grow.
You can analyze customer behavior, track revenue, and identify trends to help make informed business decisions and improve marketing strategies. The analytics are updated in real-time, providing you with the latest data such as payouts, views, sales numbers, conversion rates, and more.
Fungies also integrates Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to help sellers build strong customer relationships for long-term business success.
With access to detailed customer insights, you can create targeted campaigns, recommend products, and offer personalized promotions based on customer behavior.
Altogether, the above-mentioned features ensure that Fungies not only meets but exceeds the needs of digital creators and developers, providing a comprehensive suite of tools with global standards.
Fungies Pricing
Fungies’ simple and transparent pricing model with no upfront costs makes it an affordable alternative to Shopify. Instead of high subscription fees, Fungies charges only a 5% + $0.50 commission per sale, allowing you to keep 90% of your revenue.
Fungies Pros
- Daily payouts
- No upfront costs
- Low transaction fee
- Advanced customization
- In-app purchase support
- Easy API integration
- Full customer data control
- Flexible subscription management
Fungies Cons
- Newer platform
Customer Reviews
Review #1:
“Our game’s development was intense, and we needed a streamlined, cost-effective solution to showcase it. Fungies was the answer. Not only could we mold our game’s site to perfection, but the ease of payment integrations and direct Steam game sales made our lives simpler. The best part? An outstanding team backing a top-tier free platform. It’s a win-win!” — Wes Abrams, Founder of Abrams Studio
Review #2:
“We developed our game and wanted a quick and cheap solution to build our own customizable storefront. Fungies did just that.” – James, Founder of MagicCraft
2. Shift4Shop (Formerly 3DCart)
Best for: physical and digital product sellers
If you want a simple e-commerce platform to sell digital and physical products, Shift4Shop is a great choice. It offers businesses tools to create and manage online stores with customizable templates, integrated payment processing, and various features such as SEO tools, product management, and marketing integrations.
With no monthly fees when using Shift4’s payment processing, it’s an affordable solution for small to medium-sized businesses who are looking for a Shopify alternative.
Shift4Shop Pros
- No monthly fees
- Customizable templates
- Advanced e-commerce features
Shift4Shop Cons
- Limited third-party integrations
- Less user-friendly
- Support quality varies
- Fewer app options
Customer Reviews
“The Shift4Shop E-commerce company is wonderful performances. I would really enjoy Shift4Shop E-commerce company for use to work. all I do is Shift4Shop what I need and it writes everything for me.” – Shamim K.
Rating:
- 3.9 stars on G2 (37 reviews)
- 4.1 stars on Capterra (129 reviews)
3. Sellfy
Best for: Creators who want ease of use
Sellfy is a great alternative to Shopify as it is built for creators to sell digital products, physical items, and print-on-demand merchandise. It is a user-friendly e-commerce platform that provides a simple and easy setup with customizable options for storefronts.
Users pay a recurring monthly or yearly subscription fee based on the chosen plan, and there are no additional transaction fees from Sellfy itself, in contrast to Spotify. However, payment processors like PayPal and Stripe do charge their own transaction fees for each sale.
Sellfy Pros
- User-friendly interface
- No transaction fees
- Integrated print-on-demand
- Quick setup process
- Built-in marketing tools
Sellfy Cons
- Limited customization options
- Fewer integration options
- Basic inventory management
- Fewer payment gateways
- No multi-channel selling
Customer Reviews
“Sellfy’s customer support is top-notch and they make you feel right at home. You get a fully customisable personal storefront and the option to have your custom domain. The dashboard UI is very well thought out and super intuitive. Create as many pages and embed custom code as you like. Built-in Email marketing campaign tool to send out customised plain text/html emails.” – Shubh J.
Rating
- 3.9 stars on G2 (53 reviews)
- 4.5 stars on Capterra (31 reviews)
4. WooCommerce
Best for: businesses or creators who already have a WordPress website
Another alternative to consider is WooCommerce, an open-source eCommerce plugin on WordPress, designed for digital creators to create and manage online stores. It is quite similar to Shopify and is a good alternative for business owners who are looking to customize their websites with e-commerce tools.
WooCommerce integrates with WordPress providing features such as built-in payment processing, inventory management, and customizable shipping options. It also supports various payment gateways. The platform fits businesses looking to scale their online presence with complete control over their store’s design and functionality.
WooCommerce Pros
- Highly customizable platform
- No monthly fees
- SEO-friendly features
- Wide range of plugins
- Full ownership control
WooCommerce Cons
- Requires WordPress website
- Hosting setup needed
- Variable support quality
- Potential security risks
Customer Reviews
“Our experience and mine overall are great. There are hundreds of third-party integrations running efficiently along with this platform, which makes managing an e-commerce very simple out of the box. It is easy to add many products variations, different kind of inventories, pricing features, and so other.” – Evelyn F.
Rating
- 4.4 stars on G2 (1157 reviews)
- 4.5 stars on Capterra (981 reviews)
5. Ecwid
Best for: businesses needing multi-platform integration
If you’re looking for centralized inventory management, flexible payment options, or want to build an e-commerce website, Ecwid has the right tools for you. It is a cloud-based platform where you can add online stores to your existing website, social media pages, or marketplaces.
With a quick setup and integration across multiple platforms like WordPress, Instagram, and Facebook, you can manage all your tasks from a centralized dashboard.
Ecwid Pros
- Easy integration
- Centralized management
- Multi-platform selling
- Free plan available
- Quick setup
Ecwid Cons
- Limited customization features
- Basic inventory management
- Less robust POS
- Fewer app integrations
- Limited product organization
Customer Reviews
“Overall my experience with Ecwid has been a favorable one. The software has allowed me to integrate the platform into WordPress themes and social media pages, giving me a well rounded solution for my e-commerce needs.” – Ricky R.
Rating
- 4.7 stars on G2 (399 reviews)
- 4.6 stars on Capterra (577 reviews)
6. Squarespace
Best for: visual designers
Squarespace is an all-in-one website-building platform where creators can create stunning websites using its drag-and-drop interface and customizable templates.
Known for its design-focused approach, it has e-commerce features, blogging tools, and built-in SEO optimization. Squarespace is ideal for creators and businesses who want to build professional websites, online stores, or portfolios.
Squarespace Pros
- Visually-pleasing design templates
- Easy-to-use interface
- E-commerce features
- 24/7 customer support
Squarespace Cons
- Higher pricing
- Limited customization options
- Fewer third-party integrations
Customer Reviews
“I like best about Squarespace is its user-friendly interface combined with powerful design flexibility. It offers beautifully crafted templates, seamless integrations, and built-in SEO tools that make website creation both intuitive and efficient. The platform empowers users to build professional sites without needing extensive coding knowledge, perfect for any business.” – Walid H.
Rating
- 4.4 stars on G2 (1072 reviews)
- 4.6 stars on Capterra (3096 reviews)
7. Etsy
Best for: artisans, crafters, and digital creators
Etsy, a good competitor of Shopify, is also an e-commerce marketplace for selling handmade physical stuff and digital products like art, printables, and design templates without needing to build a full website.
Unlike Shopify, which requires building and managing a storefront from scratch, Etsy handles much of the setup, making it easier for creators to start selling. It empowers individual entrepreneurs by providing established high traffic but limits sellers’ ability to build direct customer relationships.
Etsy Pros
- Built-in audience
- Easy to set up
- Low upfront costs
- Community-driven marketplace
Etsy Cons
- No website builder options
- Limited customization options
- Listing and transaction fees
Customer Reviews:
“I love Etsy! I love to buy personalized gifts on here. I have bought everything from gifts, chicken eggs, home decor and decorations for my own wedding! It is easy to purchase and the shipping is always good.” – Courtney
Comparison Table
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
| Fungies | No-code customizable storefronts, 250+ global payment methods, daily payouts, automated tax compliance, low transaction fee (5% + $0.50), ideal for digital creators and game developers | Newer platform, limited brand recognition |
| Shift4Shop | No monthly fees (with Shift4 Payments), customizable templates, advanced e-commerce features, supports physical and digital products | Limited third-party integrations, less user-friendly, support quality varies |
| Sellfy | User-friendly, no transaction fees on paid plans, quick setup, integrated print-on-demand, built-in marketing tools | Limited customization, fewer integration options, basic inventory management |
| WooCommerce | Highly customizable, integrates with WordPress, no monthly fees, SEO-friendly, wide range of plugins | Requires a WordPress website, hosting setup needed, variable support quality |
| Ecwid | Easy multi-platform integration, centralized management, free plan available, quick setup | Limited customization, basic inventory management, fewer app integrations |
| Squarespace | Visually-pleasing design templates, easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, integrated e-commerce features, 24/7 support | Higher pricing tiers, limited customization options, fewer third-party integrations |
| Etsy | Built-in audience, low upfront costs, easy to set up, community-driven marketplace | Limited customization, listing and transaction fees, no full website builder option |
What’s the Best Shopify Alternative For You?
The best Shopify alternative for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and the type of business you’re running. Here are some criteria of how you can pick what’s best for your business:
Plans and Pricing
The first and foremost is to compare pricing models of all platforms, including monthly fees and transaction costs. Shopify has a tiered pricing structure starting from $39 per month for the basic plan, along with a 0.5% to 2% transaction fee, depending on the plan, and a 2.9% + 30¢ fee for online credit card rates in the U.S. only.
You need to see which platforms cost less and give maximum benefits and features. For example, Fungies only takes a 5% + $0.50 commission on every sale, with no upfront costs or hidden fees on any of its features including customizable storefronts, global payment options, and automated tax compliance. This is ideal for creators who are looking for cheaper alternatives.
Another platform, Sellfy, requires a monthly subscription starting from $22/month but does not charge transaction fees on its paid plans. Shift4Shop offers a free plan for U.S. citizens only, which can be more budget-friendly compared to Shopify’s subscription fees.
So before you set up your store, decide whether you want a monthly subscription plan or commission-based charges.
Payment Getaways and Processing
When setting up an online store, you need platforms that offer many payment getaways, billing and invoicing, and tax-handling compliance. When making a decision, choose the one that gives you and your customers more payment options.
Fungies is an MoR platform, meaning it handles all payment processing, billing, and tax collection for sellers. It integrates 250+ global payment methods and doesn’t require your credit card to earn. You simply link your Stripe and earn daily payouts.
On the other hand, Ecwid has over 70 payment options and supports custom payment gateway integrations for users needing specific solutions.
Product Type
Identify what kind of digital products you’re selling. Although every platform is great for digital product sellers, they cater to specific business needs.
Squarespace is fit for designers who want to sell design-related digital products. Fungies is suitable for SaaS subscriptions, game assets, and various digital products because its features align with creator goals.
Customization Options
You need to look for flexibility in design and functionality that meets your aesthetics. It should offer a range of features such as design templates, drag-and-drop interface, etc. Think of what you really want your website to look like.
Whether you’re looking for a unique branding image, need a simple layout, or want to enhance your already-established website. Platforms like WooCommerce let you customize your website through its plugin feature.
If you need advanced customization but have no coding experience, Fungies is a perfect fit with its no-code setup. On the other hand, Etsy is a great choice for a simple storefront in a ready-made marketplace.
Marketing and Analytics
It’s important to evaluate which platforms have built-in marketing tools and a reporting dashboard to analyze customer behavior, sales analytics, real-time trends, and other important information to help you make informed decisions.
Platforms like Sellfy, Shift4Shop, and Fungies provide a range of tools including email marketing, upselling and cross-selling features, affiliate marketing, and SEO optimization to help businesses drive sales and improve visibility.
Customer Support
Customer support is crucial when choosing a platform. When setting up a shop, many technical issues happen, and only the platform’s customer support can resolve these. Look for features like 24/7 support, community support, or live chat, when making a choice. Etsy has great community support, while others may offer dedicated customer service teams.
Fungies.io: The Top Choice for Shopify Alternative in 2025
Overall, Fungies fits all the criteria for the best Shopify alternative for digital creators and SaaS businesses. Its no-code customizable storefronts, automated tax compliance, quick customer support, and reporting dashboard make it a powerful and cost-effective platform.
With no upfront costs and a simple 5% + $0.50 commission per sale, Fungies offers more flexibility and savings compared to Shopify’s subscription and transaction fees.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform with advanced customization and daily payouts, Fungies is a better choice for maximizing your business potential.
