can i fork it?
🛒 commerce

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.

See the 5 picks ↓

Shopify vs Free Alternatives Matrix

Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $25/mo

AlternativeTypeLicenseWhere It RunsStarsHead-to-Head
Bagistoopen sourceMITSelf-host★ 28kShopify vs Bagisto →
Magento Open Sourceopen source——★ 12kShopify vs Magento Open Source →
OpenCartopen sourceGPL-3.0Self-host★ 8.2kShopify vs OpenCart →
Shopware Community Editionopen sourceMITSelf-host★ 3.4kShopify vs Shopware Community Edition →
Vvvebopen sourceAGPL-3.0+Self-host★ 1.2kShopify vs Vvveb →

The picks

5 open source · ranked by fit

  1. 01

    Bagisto

    open sourceMITSelf-host
    28kjul 2026

    A proper Laravel storefront and admin; the free bit ends where hosting and Laravel operations begin.

    The catch vs Shopify

    Bagisto 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
    Visit bagisto.com ↗SourceCompare vs Shopify →
  2. 02

    Magento Open Source

    open source
    12kaug 2026

    A vast store engine for anyone who thought running WooCommerce did not involve enough infrastructure.

    Install, platforms & data +
    platforms
    webself-hostedself-host, real ops
    Visit business.adobe.com ↗SourceCompare vs Shopify →
  3. 03

    OpenCart

    open sourceGPL-3.0Self-host
    8.2kaug 2026

    Old-school PHP commerce that still does the whole job instead of selling you ten add-ons first.

    The catch vs Shopify

    OpenCart'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
    Visit opencart.com ↗SourceCompare vs Shopify →also replaces 1 other app →
  4. 04

    Shopware Community Edition

    open sourceMITSelf-host
    3.4kaug 2026

    A serious modern store; free licence, expensive appetite for RAM and competent administration.

    The catch vs Shopify

    Shopware 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
    Visit shopware.com ↗SourceCompare vs Shopify →
  5. 05

    Vvveb

    open sourceAGPL-3.0+Self-host
    1.2kaug 2026

    A visual CMS and complete shop in one PHP install; obscure, capable and still your server.

    The catch vs Shopify

    Vvveb 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
    Visit vvveb.com ↗SourceCompare vs Shopify →also replaces 9 other apps →

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.

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