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Dropshipping Without Shopify? 5 Free & Cheap Alternatives That Work

💬 Why Skip Shopify?

Shopify is amazing, but let’s be real—$39/month (plus app fees) can scare off beginners. If you're starting on a budget or want to explore new tools, you're in the right place.

In this post, you’ll discover:



Smiling woman with laptop gives thumbs up. Text: "Shopify Alternatives for Dropshipping" with logos: Wix, Woo, others on beige background.

  • 5 solid alternatives to Shopify

  • Pros & cons of each platform

  • Who each platform is best for

  • How to start selling with no upfront cost

Keywords: dropshipping without Shopify, Shopify alternatives 2025, free dropshipping platforms

📊 Quick Comparison: Shopify vs Alternatives

Platform

Starting Cost

Free Plan?

Ease of Use

Best For

Shopify

$39/month

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Scaling stores

WooCommerce

Free (hosting extra)

⭐⭐⭐

WordPress users

Ecwid

Free up to 5 products

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Small catalogs

Big Cartel

Free up to 5 products

⭐⭐⭐

Artists & creators

Sell The Trend Stores

Included in plan

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fast product imports

Wix eCommerce

$17/month

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beginners needing drag-drop

🔧 1. WooCommerce (Free Plugin for WordPress)

Why it’s a great Shopify alternative:

  • Free plugin for WordPress

  • Full control over your store

  • Tons of extensions (many free)

Downside:

  • More technical setup (hosting, themes, plugins)

  • Slower learning curve for beginners

Best For: Bloggers and content creators who already use WordPress

Keywords: WooCommerce dropshipping, WordPress ecommerce, free Shopify alternative

🛍️ 2. Ecwid (Start for Free)

Why it works:

  • Instantly add a store to any site (WordPress, Wix, etc.)

  • Free plan supports up to 5 products

  • Simple dashboard & Facebook Shop sync

Downside:

  • Limited features on the free tier

  • Not ideal for large stores

Best For: Hobbyists or side hustlers testing waters

Keywords: Ecwid free plan, embed ecommerce, Shopify alternative for beginners

🎨 3. Big Cartel (For Creators & Artists)

Why it works:

  • Free plan for up to 5 products

  • Designed for indie creators and makers

  • Clean, minimalistic store themes

Downside:

  • Limited product features

  • Less flexibility for scaling

Best For: Creators selling handmade or digital items

Keywords: Big Cartel vs Shopify, artist ecommerce platforms, free dropshipping website

⚡ 4. Sell The Trend Stores (Built-in Store Builder)

Why it’s unique:

  • Comes bundled with Sell The Trend

  • 1-click product import and fulfillment

  • Pre-built templates optimized for dropshipping

Downside:

  • No free plan (starts at $39/month but replaces need for Shopify + apps)

  • Limited design customization compared to Shopify/Wix

Best For: Dropshippers who want all-in-one tools (product finder + store builder + supplier links)

Bonus: You can launch a store and find winning products in under 1 hour.

Keywords: Sell The Trend store builder, all-in-one dropshipping, Shopify alternative with suppliers

🧱 5. Wix eCommerce

Why it works:

  • Drag-and-drop builder with clean templates

  • Affordable at $17/month

  • Native dropshipping integrations like Modalyst & Printful

Downside:

  • Slightly less optimized for large product catalogs

  • Learning curve for design settings

Best For: Small business owners or creatives who want design flexibility

🔗 Try Wix eCommerce

Keywords: Wix dropshipping, eCommerce without Shopify, design-friendly platforms

🛠️ Tips for Dropshipping Without Shopify

  • Pick a platform that supports plugins like Sell The Trend to make product research easier

  • Use free themes and apps first—scale later

  • Validate your product idea before paying for premium tools

🧰 Tool Suggestion:Use Sell The Trend to handle product research, store building, and fulfillment—even without Shopify.

🧠 FAQ: Dropshipping Without Shopify

Q1: Can I dropship completely for free?A: Yes! Platforms like Big Cartel and Ecwid offer limited but usable free plans. Combine with free suppliers and Sell The Trend trials to start lean.

Q2: Is Shopify really worth the cost?A: It’s fantastic for scaling and ease of use. But for early-stage testing, one of these cheaper options may make more sense.

Q3: Which platform is best for mobile-friendly stores?A: Wix and Sell The Trend stores both have solid mobile templates right out of the box.

🔗 Additional Resources

 
 
 

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