Dropshipping Without Shopify? 5 Free & Cheap Alternatives That Work
- Abhinand PS
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
💬 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:
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.
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