Craft Commerce will be one of the best Shopify alternatives in 2025. It offers multi-store management, unlimited products, and complete customization control under one system. While it requires professional implementation, this robust solution delivers long-term value for businesses serious about creating unique, scalable eCommerce experiences without recurring platform fees.

If you're running a typical SaaS online store, you've likely faced these headaches, among others:

rigid templates that limit your brand identity

transaction fees eating into your margins and

complex multi-store management that requires multiple subscriptions.

You're probably even more frustrated with paying for additional features and plugins to get basic functionality.

The eCommerce landscape in 2025 offers a wide range of solutions for businesses at different stages. SaaS platforms like Shopify remain excellent for startups and smaller businesses looking for quick, straightforward setups. However, as companies grow and require greater flexibility, advanced customization, and scalability, SaaS may no longer be the ideal fit. For those outgrowing these platforms, more robust solutions are tailored to meet the complex demands of evolving eCommerce operations without compromising control or functionality.

That's where Craft Commerce comes in. In this blog, we will show you why it has become the go-to, best Shopify alternative for businesses that want full control of their eCommerce presence.

What is Craft Commerce?

Craft Commerce is a powerful eCommerce platform built on Craft CMS, designed to give merchants full control and flexibility. Unlike other platforms that rely heavily on paid add-ons, Craft Commerce delivers everything you need right out of the box—no hidden costs or surprises. Think of it as WordPress + WooCommerce, but without the limitations, security concerns, or performance issues that often come with WordPress.

Craft Commerce lets you create unlimited products and variants with no restrictions or tiered pricing based on catalog size. Whether you’re selling ten products or ten thousand, it’s built to scale seamlessly alongside your business.

1. Multi-store Management

The platform's standout feature lets you run up to five* distinct stores within one system, each with its own base currency. This means you can target different markets without the complexity of managing multiple platform subscriptions.

Monitor and manage inventory across five locations, ensuring optimal stock levels and efficient distribution.

*More with custom arrangement

2. Product Management

Product management is simple and intuitive, with built-in drafts, autosaving, and versioning. No more lost work or complicated product updates. Plus, the new variant index system makes managing product options more efficient than ever.

Products now feature an embedded variant index, making it simple for customers to view and choose different options without leaving the product page.

3. Payment Solutions

For payments, Craft Commerce offers seamless integration with industry leaders: Stripe (native plugin), PayPal, Mollie and others. Each payment gateway is supported through first-party integrations, ensuring reliable and secure transactions.

With Craft's robust plugin ecosystem, you can even build custom payment solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Why is Craft Commerce One of the Best Shopify Alternatives?

Below is a direct comparison between Craft Commerce and Shopify, highlighting key differences that matter for your business:

FEATURE	CRAFT COMMERCE	SHOPIFY
Multi-store	Up to 5 stores in one system	Separate subscription needed
Customization	Full custom fields and flexibility	Limited customization options
Themes	Complete development control	Limited free themes
Product Management	Built-in drafts, versioning, unlimited variants	Basic product management
Hidden Costs	All features included. Expand further with plugins.	Additional fees and paid add-ons

Understanding the Investment

While Craft Commerce offers powerful capabilities, it's essential to understand what makes it different:

1. Professional Solution, Not a Template

In Shopify, you start with pre-built templates and limited customization options. But with Craft Commerce, you get a blank canvas for complete brand alignment. While this requires skilled development, your store won't look like thousands of others—perfect for brands serious about standing out.

2. Strategic Investment

Craft Commerce requires an initial investment: a one-time license fee and professional setup. However, consider this against Shopify's growing costs: monthly subscriptions, transaction fees, paid add-ons, and multiple store fees.

For scaling businesses, Craft Commerce often proves more cost-effective long-term, especially with its unlimited flexibility to adapt as your business grows.

Breaking Down the Key Differences:

1. Multi-store Management & Cost Savings

In Shopify, you need separate subscriptions to manage multiple stores, significantly increasing costs as you expand.

Meanwhile, Craft Commerce offers five (5) stores under one system, each with its own currency and inventory control. So, why pay for multiple subscriptions when you can consolidate everything on one platform?

2. Customization & Development

In Shopify, you're trapped within templates and section elements, restricting your brand's unique vision.

In contrast, Craft Commerce empowers you with complete control through custom fields and flexible architecture—why limit your creativity with template restrictions?

3. Product Management

In Shopify, you must pay for add-ons to access advanced product features.

But with Craft Commerce, you get unlimited products, built-in drafts, versioning, and efficient variant management—why spend more on features that should come standard?

4. Transparent Pricing

In Shopify, you face hidden fees, paid add-ons, and limited free themes.

Consider Craft Commerce instead: everything you need without hidden costs—why deal with surprise fees when you can have everything included from the start?

So, if you've read this far, you know the stark contrast. On one side, Shopify's world of separate subscriptions, template restrictions, hidden fees, and constant add-on purchases.

On the other hand, Craft Commerce's unified solution. Imagine running up to 5 stores in one system, with unlimited products, complete customization control, and zero hidden fees. This isn't just a possibility—it's what Craft Commerce delivers today.

Ready to Break Free from SaaS Platform Limitations?

As a Commerce and Enterprise Verified Craft CMS Partner, Convergine brings deep expertise in building scalable eCommerce solutions. Our team specializes in transforming businesses through Craft Commerce implementations, ensuring you get the most out of this powerful platform.