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August 29, 2025If you’re running an online store or have plans to enter the eCommerce space, chances are you’ve heard of Shopify. It’s one of the go-to eCommerce platforms for South African businesses, catering to all sizes and budgets.
While Shopify may work for some, it’s not the only good option out there. This brings us to today’s topic: Shopify alternatives in South Africa. We’ll be comparing Shopify to some of the best eCommerce platforms that can help you run a successful online business.
Also read: Shopify payment gateways
Quick answer (who should pick what):
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WooCommerce: content-heavy sites, full control, low platform cost; needs hosting + plugins.
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Netcash Shop: fastest to launch, SA-first, includes Netcash Payment Gateway, no cart fees.
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Ecwid: add a store to any site/social; simple catalogue; limited blogging.
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Wix: easy site builder + store; strong templates; less flexible at scale.
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Shopstar: local, affordable starter stores; lightweight app ecosystem.
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Why you should consider alternatives to Shopify
Shopify, with all its benefits, might still not be the right fit for your business due to things like costs or lack of local customer support. If you’re unsure, have a look at the following reasons why you should consider an alternative to Shopify.
1. Costs can add up very quickly
While Shopify’s base pricing seems affordable and reasonable, you might have to start splurging on extras to scale and optimise. This includes spending on essential apps to improve your store, or upgrading plans to access vital features such as reports.
Other costs may arise to personalise your storefront with paid themes, enhance your store’s speed, or offer more payment options. You get the idea—essentially, as your store grows, so do the costs. In SA, third-party gateways also add per-transaction fees; factor these alongside required apps.
2. Limited scalability and customisation options
Shopify does have limited scalability without coding for more customised and complex store designs. While this won’t be an issue for simpler designs, for deep customisation, knowledge of Liquid (Shopify’s templating language), HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential.
You want your storefront to stand out and reflect your brand, but you’ve learned by now that doing so won’t be a walk in the park. In the end, if you’re after a more personalised look, you may need to hire a professional Shopify developer.
This allows for more customisation options, but it will cost you a pretty penny, especially for new Shopify store owners. Otherwise, you’ll have to learn Shopify’s coding language to do it yourself, which most won’t have time for.
3. Transaction fees can quickly add up
Shopify Payments is not available in South Africa. Therefore, in addition to the transaction fees you will pay to use a third-party payment gateway, Shopify will charge you an extra 0.6% - 2% per sale. So you can imagine how expensive it can become for stores based in South Africa.
Read more: Shopify Pricing
4. Platform lock-in and app dependency
Since Shopify is a hosted platform, you’re pretty much tied to their ecosystem. This means that when you’re ready to migrate to an alternative platform later on, you can run into a few challenges.
Not only that, but you might find yourself in an app dependency situation. Many advanced features and tools require third-party apps that can increase monthly expenses and complicate managing your online store. Relying on too many apps could also lead to performance issues or compatibility conflicts.
5. Has SEO limitations
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is vital for any online business as it helps drive traffic to your website. There are some SEO techniques you can implement yourself, such as adding targeted keywords into product descriptions. However, top eCommerce platforms should already have SEO elements built in.
While Shopify has decent SEO elements, users still have limited control over certain technical SEO elements. The platform also enforces a URL structure (e.g., /collections/, /products/) that you can't change, which isn’t ideal for SEO.
6. Does not offer email hosting
Shopify does not offer built-in email hosting, so you’ll have to rely on third-party services to enable email marketing campaigns. This means that if you don’t have the funds to invest in outside email marketing services, then you’ll miss out on a huge opportunity to reach larger audiences.
7. Limited content marketing tools
Even in our current AI revolution, content is still king. It’s the key to building a brand and online presence. Content is the foundation for attracting and engaging audiences, building loyalty, and boosting online visibility.
That said, Shopify’s built-in blogging feature may not be effective enough to drive content marketing efforts forward. It lacks essential features and flexibility, ranging from inflexible blog layouts to the absence of categories.
You’re also unable to embed products directly into blog posts, preventing you from seamlessly integrating product information into your content. Again, you’d have to turn to third-party apps or platforms for blogging solutions, adding to your costs and labour.
What to look for when choosing a Shopify alternative
Now that you are familiar with Shopify’s limitations and setbacks, consider what you need to look at when selecting an alternative platform.
1. Ease of use
The eCommerce platform you choose should be easy to navigate and beginner-friendly. Look for a drag-and-drop design and an intuitive dashboard, which simplifies the process of creating and customising a website. If coding skills are required to set up your storefront, then it may not be the best option for you.
2. Cost and pricing structure
Have a thorough look at the cost and pricing structure before choosing a host. What are the monthly costs? Are there any add-ons, plugins, or themes you need to consider? What about transaction fees or payment gateway charges?
3. Payment gateways
Next up, you need to look at the payment options supported by the platform. This will determine whether or not you can offer customers flexible payment options. Consider your target audience, and which payment options will suit them best to ensure they return to your site.
For example, if your target audience consists mainly of young adults who often tend to look for more financially savvy payment options, then offer them Buy Now Pay Later. Prioritise platforms with an official Netcash plugin or easy API hookup.
4. Customisation options
Being able to customise your storefront should be one of the highest priorities when choosing a Shopify alternative. You’d want a platform that allows you to personalise your website to establish your brand and stand out from competitors.
Can I fully customise my storefront? Will I have access to the code if needed? And, does the platform provide pre-built themes and apps to extend functionality? These are all questions you need to ask yourself.
5. Shipping and order fulfilment
An eCommerce platform that can integrate with shipping carriers and apps like Bob Go will make running your online store 10 times easier. These apps can help you manage orders and track shipments for you and your customers from one dashboard. They also connect you to local carriers and offer real-time shipping rates.
6. Mobile optimisations
Most South Africans use their mobile devices to shop online. So, if your storefront is not optimised for mobile use, then you’re missing out on a large chunk of potential customers.
Therefore, if an eCommerce platform does not allow you to have a mobile-responsive storefront, consider an alternative.
7. SEO and marketing tools
You’ll want to look for a host that offers SEO-rich features and tools that are easily editable. Can you create custom URLs, add meta descriptions, or adjust alt text?
Also, consider if you can run email campaigns, connect to Google/Facebook ads, or blog effectively, which are all essential for growth on the internet. Check for editable URLs/titles/meta, blog features, redirects and structured data support.
8. Integration capabilities
It's best to look for a platform that can integrate seamlessly with other key business systems, apps, or platforms. These can include systems like accounting software, CRMs, or marketing tools. This will allow you to add extras to improve your website, such as payment gateways to offer more payment options.
9. Robust security
Prioritise platforms that offer top-notch security. Is it PCI-compliant and SSL-secured? Are there any uptime and backup policies in place? Strong security measures like data encryption and secure payment processing should be in place to protect customer information.
10. Scalability and flexibility
Opt for a platform that can grow with your business. As your online store scales, the platform should be able to handle increased traffic, orders, product inventory, and sales volume while maintaining fast load times. Besides support, it should adapt to your evolving business needs and market trends, such as new product offerings.
Do you need flat, simple pricing that adjusts as your volumes grow?
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5 best Shopify alternatives in South Africa
Here’s a quick comparison of the top Shopify alternatives in South Africa.
|
Shopify alternatives |
Best for (business types and sizes) |
Starting Price |
|
WooCommerce |
Ideal for SMBs like retailers or very niche stores. Generally considered scalable, allowing your business to grow steadily. |
Free |
|
Netcash Shop |
Caters to a broad spectrum of businesses, from solo entrepreneurs to medium-sized enterprises. It’s suitable for various business models and sizes |
R296/month ex VAT |
|
Ecwid |
Best for solo sellers, beginners, and small businesses with slow yet steady scaling. Think dropshipping stores, artisans, and niche sellers. |
R382 per month |
|
Wix |
Suitable for SMBs across a wide range of industries, from craft sellers to local brands. |
R528 for small businesses |
|
ShopStar |
Excellent for beginners and suitable for small local businesses that aren’t looking to scale much. |
R110.00 per month for a starter plan |
1. WooCommerce
- Starting price: Free
- Free trial: Yes
- Integration capabilities: Yes
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- Mobile app features: Yes
- Average user review: 4.4/5
WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that integrates with and supports your WordPress website. It has cost-effective features like order tracking, inventory management, and delivery status updates, which are enough for small and medium-sized businesses to operate seamlessly. WooCommerce is reliable and integrates effortlessly with WordPress, allowing you to get started far quicker and without any initial costs.
Key features
- Inventory and stock management
- SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) tracking
- Custom product attributes and tags
- Real-time shipping calculations via integrations (e.g., USPS, FedEx)
- Supports major payment gateways: PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.
- Built-in SEO features via WordPress
- Integration with email marketing tools and Google Analytics
- Product reviews and ratings
Pros
- Easy to install and manage via the WordPress dashboard
- Leverages WordPress's content management features
- Core plugin is free to use
- Complete ownership of your store and data
- Has thousands of themes and plugins available
- Provides a wide range of official and third-party add-ons
Cons
- WooCommerce core is free, but you’ll pay for hosting, premium themes, key extensions (shipping, SEO, backups) and developer time as you scale. These range from domain costs (R99/year), hosting costs (R56 to R188/month), and extras like themes, payment gateways, extensions, and plugins.
- You may need coding skills or a developer for advanced customisations or troubleshooting
- You have to manage or hire a developer for updates, security, backups, and performance optimisation
- Conflicts between plugins or themes can hinder functionality
- Requires regular testing and updates
Also read: WooCommerce vs Shopify
2. Ecwid
- Starting price: $21 (R382) per month
- Free trial: Yes
- Integration capabilities: Yes
- Mobile app features: Yes
- Average user review: 4.7/5
Ecwid is a great alternative because it has a store builder, making it a standalone eCommerce platform. It’s compatible with WordPress themes and supports more than 40 payment gateways, including Netcash and Payfast. Ecwid allows you to sell on various social media platforms and marketplaces, like Google Shopping, Amazon, and eBay.
Key features
- Integrates with UPS, FedEx, and local couriers like Bob Go
- Offers a basic subscription that supports up to 100 products
- Lets you send gift cards and discount coupons to customers via email
- Offers 24/7 customer support, depending on the plan you choose
- Manage your store on the go with the Ecwid mobile app for iOS and Android
- Offers advanced SEO tools
Pros
- No setup charges and no extra transaction fees
- Allows you to track abandoned carts
- Allows customers to edit order details
- Has 3D security and PCI compliance to reduce fraud and the chances of chargebacks on card transactions
- Easy to use, no coding skills required
- Responsive international support.
Cons
- Has limited scaling and customisation options
- Ecwid’s free version has limited SEO features
- Does not support blogs or content focussed businesses within its platform, though features like the ‘Buy Button’ can be used on a blog to link back to your store.
3. Wix
- Starting price: $29 (R528) for small businesses
- Free trial: Yes
- Integration capabilities: Yes
- Mobile app features: Yes
- Average user review: 4.2/5
Wix is another popular eCommerce platform that can be used as an alternative to WooCommerce. It lets you build a store from scratch with over 900 templates to choose from and without requiring prior development skills. This plugin integrates seamlessly with WordPress and other eCommerce platforms, with quality built-in SEO tools and business features.
Key features
- Offers plenty of free and aesthetic templates for your online store
- Has a built-in app store called AppMarket, which offers hundreds of apps, allowing you to add more features and tools to your website.
- Has an Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) tool, which creates a professional website for you in minutes without needing you to write content.
- Has a built-in email marketing suite that allows you to set up automation, view analytics, and customise templates.
- Wix Editor has apps and features allowing you to customise any element you’d like
Pros
- Start for free without requiring credit card details
- Allows you to build a mobile-friendly store
- Has a drag-and-drop interface that's intuitive
- Wix offers continuous and direct customer support.
- It’s user-friendly and offers attractive templates
- You can easily edit your online store with Wix Editor.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility as other platforms
- Has limited monetisation options
- Templates aren’t interchangeable
- Has slower loading times compared to platforms that use custom code to create websites.
- The URL structure and SEO tools are less customisable or advanced
- High starting costs
4. Netcash Shop
- Starting price: R296 per month ex VAT
- Free trial: Yes, 30-day trial
- Integration capabilities: Yes
- Mobile app features: Yes
- Average user review: 4.0/5
Netcash Shop is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that easily integrates with WordPress, Wix, custom sites, and social media platforms. This plugin offers a Buy Now button that allows you to sell anywhere. You can also create a LinkUp profile with Netcash Shop and add a link to any website or social media platform, allowing customers to browse and checkout without leaving the platform they’re on.
Key features
- All plans include the Netcash Payment Gateway (cards, Instant EFT, QR, BNPL Payflex)
- Local SA support; ZAR settlement; no extra cart fees
- Includes SSL and unlimited bandwidth, and backups
- Get real-time shipping rates for nationwide delivery with local courier integrations
- SEO capabilities allow you to optimise your store
- Provides a Buy Now Button to sell anywhere online
Pros
- It’s beginner-friendly, and no coding skills are required to build your website.
- Customers can check out securely with the built-in Netcash Payment Gateway.
- No cart fees
- Simplifies creating advertising campaigns for social media
- Can help you boost your rankings on Google through SEO features
- Integrates with multiple sites or sales channels
- Local support via email and phone
- Built-in Buy Button + LinkUp to sell on socials and external sites.
Cons
- Users are limited to the Netcash Payment Gateway
Frequently Asked Questions
Best alternatives to Shopify: Final verdict
There you have it: some of the top alternatives to Shopify. And these are alternatives specifically for small-to-medium-sized eCommerce businesses in South Africa. Besides analysing each Shopify competitor in depth, we’ve also looked at how Shopify falls short and what to consider when looking for other options.
Now, the choice should be much easier for you. So, don’t hold back and get started on your eCommerce journey.
Need more information about the Netcash Payment Gateway?
Speak to a Payments Advisor today and see how we can help you with your online venture.
Author:
Candice Sergeant
Product Manager
Stay in Touch
Candice Sergeant is a digital dynamo at Netcash, where she’s on a mission to help South African businesses level up their online game. As an eCommerce Product Owner, she’s got her finger on the pulse of the latest trends and technologies, constantly seeking out ways to boost sales and streamline operations. With a knack for spotting opportunities and a passion for innovation, Candice is your go-to guide for taking your e-commerce business to the next level.
