Shopify costs $25/mo.
These cost $0.
5 free alternatives to Shopify, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Shopify vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $25/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bagisto | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 28k | Shopify vs Bagisto → |
| Magento Open Source | open source | — | — | ★ 12k | Shopify vs Magento Open Source → |
| OpenCart | open source | GPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 8.2k | Shopify vs OpenCart → |
| Shopware Community Edition | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 3.4k | Shopify vs Shopware Community Edition → |
| Vvveb | open source | AGPL-3.0+ | Self-host | ★ 1.2k | Shopify vs Vvveb → |
The picks
5 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Bagisto
open sourceMITSelf-host28kjul 2026A proper Laravel storefront and admin; the free bit ends where hosting and Laravel operations begin.
The catch vs ShopifyBagisto lacks Shopify's managed checkout, hosting, app ecosystem, multichannel operations and support; Laravel operations become the merchant's job.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Install with Composer/Git and run php artisan bagisto:install, or use the supplied Docker route
- setup
- The first obstacle is a Laravel stack: compatible PHP, Composer, Node build tools, database and web-server configuration
- your data
- Catalog, customers and orders in a MySQL-compatible database; media and generated assets in Laravel's server storage/public directories
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Magento Open Source
open source12kaug 2026A vast store engine for anyone who thought running WooCommerce did not involve enough infrastructure.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- 03
OpenCart
open sourceGPL-3.0Self-host8.2kaug 2026Old-school PHP commerce that still does the whole job instead of selling you ten add-ons first.
The catch vs ShopifyOpenCart's themes, admin, integrations and multichannel operations are much less refined, and the merchant owns the server.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Upload a stable PHP release to hosting, create a database, then complete the browser installer
- setup
- PHP hosting, database and permissions work come first, followed by payment, shipping, mail and extension configuration
- your data
- Catalog, customers and orders in a SQL database; images, downloads and application storage in server directories
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 04
Shopware Community Edition
open sourceMITSelf-host3.4kaug 2026A serious modern store; free licence, expensive appetite for RAM and competent administration.
The catch vs ShopifyShopware Community Edition demands far more infrastructure and administration and has a smaller plug-and-play ecosystem than Shopify.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Use Shopware's official Docker/CLI setup or its web installer on a supported server
- setup
- The Docker route asks for roughly 8 GB minimum and 16 GB recommended RAM, plus competent server administration
- your data
- Commerce records in a MySQL-compatible database; media and cache on the filesystem or configured S3-compatible storage
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 05
Vvveb
open sourceAGPL-3.0+Self-host1.2kaug 2026A visual CMS and complete shop in one PHP install; obscure, capable and still your server.
The catch vs ShopifyVvveb cannot match Shopify's app ecosystem, multichannel operations, managed checkout reliability or support.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Download and upload the PHP release, open the site URL, and complete the browser installer
- setup
- PHP hosting, a database, writable files, mail and payment configuration, plus ongoing server updates
- your data
- Content, products, orders and settings in MySQL/MariaDB, SQLite or PostgreSQL; media and downloadable files on the server filesystem
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Shopify open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Shopify?+
The top free alternative to Shopify is Bagisto (open source, MIT). A proper Laravel storefront and admin; the free bit ends where hosting and Laravel operations begin. Other popular Shopify replacements include Magento Open Source, OpenCart, Shopware Community Edition.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Shopify?+
Yes. Of the 5 free alternatives to Shopify, 5 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Bagisto (MIT), Magento Open Source (free), OpenCart (GPL-3.0), Shopware Community Edition (MIT), Vvveb (AGPL-3.0+).
How much does switching from Shopify to a free alternative save?+
Shopify starts at $25/month per seat ($300/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Bagisto saves $1,500 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Shopify clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Shopify is NOT REALLY (use a free alternative, save the tokens). You can build a small store, but Shopify's product is hosted checkout, payments, tax/shipping integrations, app marketplace, fraud/risk tooling, and merchant operations.
What is the catch when switching from Shopify to Bagisto?+
Bagisto lacks Shopify's managed checkout, hosting, app ecosystem, multichannel operations and support; Laravel operations become the merchant's job.