In just fifteen short years, Shopify has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the fastest-growing eCommerce platforms online. The Shopify eCommerce solution is perhaps best suited to users who desire an easy, flexible and affordable starter solution for their online store. The provider now has upwards of 820,000 stores accounting for 20% of the total market share. However, the continued success of any company in the dynamic digital market is never guaranteed.
Competitor | Description | Key Insights | Competitive Overlap | Differentiation |
---|---|---|---|---|
WooCommerce | A free and open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress, allowing users to build online stores. WooCommerce competes with Shopify in the e-commerce platform market. | WooCommerce enables users to add e-commerce functionality to their WordPress websites, including online stores and product management. | Both offer e-commerce solutions, but WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin for self-hosted websites. | WooCommerce’s integration with WordPress and open-source nature. |
BigCommerce | A e-commerce platform that provides a range of tools for online store creation and management. BigCommerce competes with Shopify in the e-commerce platform market. | BigCommerce offers e-commerce features, including customizable storefronts, payment processing, and inventory management. | Both provide e-commerce platforms, but BigCommerce focuses on scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes. | BigCommerce’s focus on scalability and enterprise-level features. |
Magento | An open-source e-commerce platform that offers customizable solutions for online store development. Magento competes with Shopify in the e-commerce platform market. | Magento provides an open-source platform for building customized online stores with features like product catalog management and shopping cart functionality. | Both offer e-commerce platforms, but Magento is known for its high customization capabilities and self-hosted solutions. | Magento’s flexibility and customization options for complex online stores. |
Squarespace | A website builder platform that includes e-commerce features, allowing users to create online stores. Squarespace competes with Shopify in the website and online store creation market. | Squarespace offers website building and e-commerce tools, making it possible for users to create online stores with templates and drag-and-drop functionality. | Both provide website and e-commerce solutions, but Squarespace is a website builder with integrated e-commerce features. | Squarespace’s focus on simplicity and aesthetics in website design. |
Volusion | An e-commerce platform that provides tools for online store creation, product management, and marketing. Volusion competes with Shopify in the e-commerce platform market. | Volusion offers e-commerce solutions with features like customizable storefronts, payment processing, and SEO tools. | Both offer e-commerce platforms, but Volusion emphasizes its all-in-one approach to e-commerce. | Volusion’s all-in-one e-commerce platform and built-in marketing tools. |
Wix | A website builder platform that includes e-commerce capabilities, allowing users to create online stores. Wix competes with Shopify in the website and online store creation market. | Wix offers website building and e-commerce features with a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface. | Both provide website and e-commerce solutions, but Wix is primarily a website builder with integrated e-commerce features. | Wix’s user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder and design flexibility. |
3dcart | An e-commerce platform that offers a range of features for online store development and management. 3dcart competes with Shopify in the e-commerce platform market. | 3dcart provides e-commerce solutions with features like customizable storefronts, payment processing, and SEO tools. | Both offer e-commerce platforms, but 3dcart focuses on customizable features and support for various industries. | 3dcart’s customization options and industry-specific solutions. |
OpenCart | An open-source e-commerce platform that allows users to create online stores with customizable features and themes. OpenCart competes with Shopify in the e-commerce platform market. | OpenCart offers an open-source platform for building online stores with features like product management and payment processing. | Both provide e-commerce platforms, but OpenCart is open-source and suitable for users seeking customization. | OpenCart’s open-source nature and customizable options. |
PrestaShop | An open-source e-commerce platform that offers tools for online store creation, customization, and management. PrestaShop competes with Shopify in the e-commerce platform market. | PrestaShop provides an open-source platform for building and customizing online stores with features like product catalog management. | Both offer e-commerce platforms, but PrestaShop is open-source and allows for high customization. | PrestaShop’s open-source flexibility and extensive module marketplace. |
Shopware | An open-source e-commerce platform known for its scalability and flexibility in creating online stores. Shopware competes with Shopify in the e-commerce platform market. | Shopware offers an open-source platform for building and scaling online stores with features like content management and storefront customization. | Both provide e-commerce platforms, but Shopware is open-source and emphasizes scalability and flexibility. | Shopware’s focus on scalability, flexibility, and support for complex e-commerce projects. |
WooCommerce
There is only one platform that is more popular than Shopify, and that is WooCommerce.
The platform is a best-seller primarily because it is based on the similarly popular WordPress content management system. Users who run WordPress can easily install the WooCommerce plugin for free. Happily, there are no transaction fees either.
A key difference between Shopify and WooCommerce is that the latter requires the user to be responsible for site hosting, PCI compliance, and security. This makes it more suited to those who are prepared to hire developers to build or maintain their store.
Squarespace
Squarespace is quite similar to Shopify in the sense that both offer a hosted solution that is accessible to all – regardless of technical skill level.
Indeed, the Squarespace interface is sleek and minimalist and features drag-and-drop sections to get the look that users desire.
Originally, Squarespace entered the market as a website builder for creatives and other small business owners. Many of these individuals have stuck with the company while it has added increased functionality to its content management system.
The company also employs an aggressive marketing strategy, partnering with influencers and Squarespace advocates to offer promotional discounts on its plans.
Volusion
Founded in 1999, Volusion has enjoyed a long and successful presence in eCommerce as a leading solution for small and medium businesses.
Volusion cannot compete with Shopify for the number of installations, nor does it have as large a community. However, it is a robust hosted solution backed by regular maintenance and a widely-lauded customer support team. The company also guarantees that the check-out system is secure and safe.
The Volusion platform can also compete with Shopify on customization, offering a range of eye-catching themes to attract and convert customers.
BigCommerce
At the larger end of the market, BigCommerce is a significant Shopify competitor. It is a complete solution that is more feature-rich than the Shopify offering – especially where B2B eCommerce is concerned.
BigCommerce helps users build their store and get their products listed on popular networks such as Amazon, eBay, and Facebook. The company has also released a WordPress plugin, allowing merchants to sell their products with a focus on content. Importantly, this gives BigCommerce access to the highly popular WordPress CMS.
While it has not yet attained the popularity of Shopify or Shopify Plus, BigCommerce has grown rapidly in recent years and has attracted a significant amount of funding.
Magento 2
Magento was the popular choice in eCommerce platforms before Shopify and BigCommerce even existed.
It is a cloud-based, open-source platform with an impressive list of capabilities. Magento is fully integrated with Adobe Experience Cloud, enabling simpler content creation and analytics management.
The company also caters to the needs of B2B eCommerce, incorporating features such as large order requisition lists, company account access sharing, quote requesting, and quick ordering.
A key strength of Magento 2 is that it is underpinned by a loyal and devoted following of developers. This makes it ideal for businesses who have unique or unusual content-driven commerce needs.
Key takeaways:
- Although Shopify enjoys significant market share, it is nonetheless part of a dynamic industry full of worthy and emerging competitors.
- Leveraging the immense popularity of WordPress, WooCommerce is the preferred interface of choice for store owners who want a reasonable level of control.
- BigCommerce is also a more feature-rich offering than Shopify that leverages the power of B2B commerce. In recent years it has been funded to grow rapidly.
Key Highlights of Shopify’s Competitors:
- WooCommerce:
- More popular than Shopify, based on WordPress.
- Plugin for WordPress with no transaction fees.
- Requires users to handle hosting, compliance, and security.
- Squarespace:
- Offers a hosted solution like Shopify.
- Sleek interface with drag-and-drop features.
- Originally aimed at creatives and small business owners.
- Uses influencer partnerships for promotional discounts.
- Volusion:
- Established since 1999, focused on small and medium businesses.
- Robust hosted solution with strong customer support.
- Competes with Shopify on customization and themes.
- Highlights secure checkout system.
- BigCommerce:
- Feature-rich competitor, especially in B2B eCommerce.
- Helps list products on Amazon, eBay, and Facebook.
- Offers WordPress plugin for content-focused sales.
- Grows rapidly and attracts funding.
- Magento 2:
Read Also: Shopify Business Model, Subscription Business Models, E-Commerce Business Models.
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