Shopify alternatives: 6 open-source picks
Shopify costs $25/mo — $300 a year. These 6 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Medusa, Bagisto and Magento Open Source. All 6 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
Headless commerce framework in Node.js — carts, orders, payments, fully customizable.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
A proper Laravel storefront and admin; the free bit ends where hosting and Laravel operations begin.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installInstall with Composer/Git and run php artisan bagisto:install, or use the supplied Docker route
dataCatalog, customers and orders in a MySQL-compatible database; media and generated assets in Laravel's server storage/public directories
the catch vs ShopifyBagisto lacks Shopify's managed checkout, hosting, app ecosystem, multichannel operations and support; Laravel operations become the merchant's job.
setupThe first obstacle is a Laravel stack: compatible PHP, Composer, Node build tools, database and web-server configuration
facts verified 2026-08-10
A vast store engine for anyone who thought running WooCommerce did not involve enough infrastructure.
Old-school PHP commerce that still does the whole job instead of selling you ten add-ons first.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installUpload a stable PHP release to hosting, create a database, then complete the browser installer
dataCatalog, customers and orders in a SQL database; images, downloads and application storage in server directories
the catch vs ShopifyOpenCart's themes, admin, integrations and multichannel operations are much less refined, and the merchant owns the server.
setupPHP hosting, database and permissions work come first, followed by payment, shipping, mail and extension configuration
facts verified 2026-08-10
A serious modern store; free licence, expensive appetite for RAM and competent administration.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
installUse Shopware's official Docker/CLI setup or its web installer on a supported server
dataCommerce records in a MySQL-compatible database; media and cache on the filesystem or configured S3-compatible storage
the catch vs ShopifyShopware Community Edition demands far more infrastructure and administration and has a smaller plug-and-play ecosystem than Shopify.
setupThe Docker route asks for roughly 8 GB minimum and 16 GB recommended RAM, plus competent server administration
facts verified 2026-08-10
A visual CMS and complete shop in one PHP install; obscure, capable and still your server.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour server
installDownload and upload the PHP release, open the site URL, and complete the browser installer
dataContent, products, orders and settings in MySQL/MariaDB, SQLite or PostgreSQL; media and downloadable files on the server filesystem
the catch vs ShopifyVvveb cannot match Shopify's app ecosystem, multichannel operations, managed checkout reliability or support.
setupPHP hosting, a database, writable files, mail and payment configuration, plus ongoing server updates
facts verified 2026-08-10
What each one is, in full: Medusa
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
the usual suspects · recommended everywhere, rejected here
MedusaPopular answer, wrong audience: a headless commerce development platform, not a store a non-builder installs.
nopCommerceCalls itself open source, but its custom NPL is not OSI-approved and requires a powered-by link on every interface screen.
how to choose a Shopify alternative
Most proven
Medusa, with 30,000 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 6, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Needs real ops to self-host
Bagisto, Magento Open Source, OpenCart, Shopware Community Edition and Vvveb are capable but expect someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing one.
what you give up by leaving Shopify
- trusted checkout
- payment risk
- app marketplace
- themes
- shipping/tax integrations
- POS
- support
- scale
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Shopify alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medusa | MIT | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 30,000 | 2026-08 |
| Bagisto | MIT | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 27,900 | 2026-07 |
| Magento Open Source | open source | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 12,200 | 2026-08 |
| OpenCart | GPL-3.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 8,174 | 2026-08 |
| Shopware Community Edition | MIT | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 3,399 | 2026-08 |
| Vvveb | AGPL-3.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 1,200 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Shopify
They pay because ecommerce failures cost real revenue and trust. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $300 a year.
questions about switching from Shopify
Is there an open-source alternative to Shopify?
Yes: Medusa, Bagisto, Magento Open Source and 3 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Shopify?
Our verdict is YES. Medusa (30k stars), Bagisto (28k stars), Magento Open Source (12k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Shopify — self-host with docker and stop paying $25/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/shopify.
What is the most popular open-source Shopify alternative?
By GitHub stars, Medusa (30,000). Bagisto is next with 27,900.