Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Shopify · 🛒 commerce
Shopify vs Bagisto
A proper Laravel storefront and admin; the free bit ends where hosting and Laravel operations begin. Here is how Bagisto ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Shopify ($25/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Shopify vs Bagisto Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Shopify (Paid) | Bagisto (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $25 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $300 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $300) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,500 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,500) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,000 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,000) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source MIT |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hostedself-host, real ops |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 28k (active jul 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Shopify to Bagisto
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Bagisto lacks Shopify's managed checkout, hosting, app ecosystem, multichannel operations and support; Laravel operations become the merchant's job.
How to deploy Bagisto
Install with Composer/Git and run php artisan bagisto:install, or use the supplied Docker route
What it takes to run
The first obstacle is a Laravel stack: compatible PHP, Composer, Node build tools, database and web-server configuration
Where your data lives
Catalog, customers and orders in a MySQL-compatible database; media and generated assets in Laravel's server storage/public directories
Why fork Bagisto instead of vibe-coding a Shopify clone?
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.
Shopify vs Bagisto FAQ
Is Bagisto a good free alternative to Shopify?+
Yes. Bagisto is a verified open-source (MIT) replacement for Shopify. A proper Laravel storefront and admin; the free bit ends where hosting and Laravel operations begin.
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.
How much do you save switching from Shopify to Bagisto?+
Shopify costs $25/mo ($300/yr) per seat, whereas Bagisto is $0/mo. Switching saves $300/yr for a solo user, $1,500/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,000/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Bagisto instead of Shopify?+
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
