If you’re running a WordPress store and feeling overwhelmed by WooCommerce, you’re not alone. While WooCommerce is a popular choice, it can be complex and may not fit every business’s needs. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives out there that might work better for you. In this article, we’ll explore the top WooCommerce alternatives for WordPress stores, helping you find a solution that suits your specific requirements.

Key Takeaways

• WooCommerce is popular but can be complex for some users.
• Alternatives like Easy Digital Downloads focus on digital products.
• SureCart offers a lightweight solution with essential features.
• Shopify and BigCommerce are robust hosted platforms for larger stores.
• MemberPress is great for membership sites and subscription services.

1. Easy Digital Downloads

Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is a solid option if you’re primarily selling digital products. It’s designed specifically for things like ebooks, software, and other downloadable files, making it a focused alternative to WooCommerce. It was created by Pippin Williamson and his company Sandhills Development, but was acquired by Awesome Motive in September 2021.

EDD has a free version, but to really unlock its potential, you’ll probably need one of their pro licenses. It’s worth noting that if you’re dealing with EU VAT on digital products, you might also need a plugin to handle that.

Here’s a quick rundown of what EDD brings to the table:

• A straightforward shopping cart system.
• Integration with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
• Options for creating discount codes.
• Ability to protect downloads.

EDD is a good choice if you want a simple way to sell digital products. It’s not as feature-packed as WooCommerce for physical goods, but it excels in its niche.

With Easy Digital Downloads, you can easily create an online store, manage customer accounts, and track orders. It also has built-in support for popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe to make accepting payments simple and safe. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more WordPress resources!

2. SureCart

Okay, so you’re looking for something different than WooCommerce? Let’s talk about SureCart. It’s designed to be a straightforward eCommerce solution for WordPress, aiming to simplify the process of selling stuff online. Think of it as a streamlined alternative, especially if you’re tired of juggling a bunch of WooCommerce extensions.

SureCart lets you sell physical products, digital downloads, subscriptions, and even accept donations. It’s got a focus on ease of use, which is a big plus if you’re not a tech whiz. Plus, they claim their support is pretty good, which is always reassuring.

I remember trying to set up a simple product page with WooCommerce once, and it turned into a whole afternoon project. By the time I was done, I felt like I needed a degree in eCommerce management. Something like SureCart sounds way less stressful, honestly.

Here’s a quick rundown of what SureCart brings to the table:

• Simplified Setup: They promise a much easier setup process compared to WooCommerce. That’s a big win for beginners.
• All-in-One Platform: Handles various product types, subscriptions, and donations.
• Secure Checkout: A secure and reliable checkout experience is crucial, and SureCart emphasizes this.

SureCart’s pricing structure is also worth noting. They have a free plan, which is great for testing the waters. The paid plans might even work out cheaper than WooCommerce, especially when you factor in the cost of all those extra plugins you often need. You can try SureCart to see if it works for your business.

3. Shopify

Shopify is a big name in e-commerce, and for good reason. It’s a fully hosted platform, meaning you don’t have to worry about the technical stuff like security, hosting, or updates. It’s designed to be user-friendly, especially for those who aren’t super tech-savvy. Over a million businesses use Shopify, making it a major player in the e-commerce world. In fact, Shopify is used on a large percentage of high-traffic e-commerce sites, rivaling WooCommerce.

Here’s a quick rundown of what makes Shopify stand out:

• Easy to use: Shopify is known for its simple interface, making it quick to set up and manage your store.
• All-in-one solution: It handles domain names, security, maintenance, and even marketing tools.
• Mobile-friendly: Shopify optimizes your store for mobile devices, ensuring a smooth shopping experience for your customers.

Shopify is a solid choice if you want a hassle-free e-commerce experience. It takes care of the technical details, so you can focus on selling your products. However, it might not offer as much customization as WooCommerce, so keep that in mind if you need a lot of control over your store’s design and functionality.

Shopify offers different plans to fit various needs:

• Basic: A good starting point for new businesses.
• Shopify: Includes more features for growing businesses.
• Advanced: Designed for larger businesses with complex needs.

4. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a platform that positions itself as a trustworthy commerce solution. It operates as a SaaS, which means when you link it to WordPress, it handles the backend stuff. Think product management, payments, and logistics. Meanwhile, WordPress manages what people see online. There’s even a plugin, BigCommerce for WordPress, to make the connection smoother.

What’s cool about BigCommerce?

• It has a drag-and-drop editor for creating pages without code.
• It offers customizable themes.
• It’s packed with built-in features for SEO and site speed.
• You can manage multiple stores from one place.
• There are no transaction fees.

BigCommerce can be a good choice if you’re looking for a platform that handles the technical side of things, letting you focus on the front-end experience.

BigCommerce offers different pricing plans, from $39 to $369 per month. However, each plan limits how much you can sell. For example, the Standard plan ($39/month) caps sales at $50,000 per year. To sell more, you’d need the Enterprise license. BigCommerce is designed for larger businesses with many products. It might not be the best fit for smaller operations. BigCommerce provides a wide array of features, an app store, 24/7 support, a page builder, and good bulk editors. It’s designed for bigger businesses. With all Bigcommerce packages, you get access to their 24/7 support network, which can be contacted via live chat, phone and email. There is also a community support forum that is frequented by many experts on the Bigcommerce platform.

5. Ecwid

Ecwid is interesting because it’s designed to let you add a store to an existing website super easily. It’s not just for WordPress; you can use it with pretty much any site builder. Think of it as a way to bolt on e-commerce functionality without a ton of hassle. It’s a hosted solution, meaning they handle the server stuff, security, and updates.

It’s a decent option if you want something quick and relatively painless, but it might not be the best if you need a ton of customization or have a huge product catalog.

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Easy Setup: They claim you can get a store up and running in minutes.
• Multi-Channel Selling: You can sell on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram directly from your Ecwid dashboard. This social media integration is a great way to reach more customers.
• Automatic Updates: Ecwid handles all the maintenance and updates for you, which is a big plus if you don’t want to deal with the technical side of things.

6. WP EasyCart

WP EasyCart is yet another WordPress plugin for e-commerce, but it takes a different approach compared to some others. Like WooCommerce, it’s hosted directly on your WordPress site, which has both advantages and disadvantages. It aims to be a simpler, all-in-one solution.

Even though WP EasyCart functions similarly to WooCommerce, it does bring some unique benefits to the table:

• It only needs one plugin, which means fewer updates to manage.
• All features are built right in, so you don’t need to hunt for extensions.
• Support is available if you opt for one of their paid versions.

It plays well with most themes, making it a solid choice for businesses seeking a more straightforward option without the commitment of a monthly subscription. However, WP EasyCart isn’t perfect. One of the main drawbacks is its ease of use; the layout and overall workflows aren’t quite as intuitive as WooCommerce.

WP EasyCart can be a good option if you’re looking for a less complex solution than WooCommerce and want to keep everything self-hosted. It’s worth exploring if you value simplicity and having all features included in a single plugin.

7. Cart66

Cart66 is another option that’s been around for a while, aiming to simplify selling online. It’s designed to be an all-in-one solution, handling everything from product display to secure checkout. It’s not as widely discussed as some of the other platforms, but it has a loyal following.

Cart66 focuses on providing a secure and straightforward experience for both the store owner and the customer. It’s built to be PCI compliant, which is a big deal when you’re handling sensitive payment information. This means you don’t have to worry as much about security breaches and compliance issues.

Here’s a quick rundown of what Cart66 offers:

• Security: PCI compliance is built-in, so you can handle payments with confidence.
• Simplicity: It aims to be easy to use, so you don’t need to be a tech expert to set up your store.
• All-in-one: It handles everything from product listings to order management.

Cart66 might be a good fit if you’re looking for a secure and simple way to sell online without a lot of extra bells and whistles. It’s not the flashiest platform, but it gets the job done.

I remember when I first started looking into e-commerce solutions, the sheer number of options was overwhelming. Cart66 stood out because it promised to handle the security aspects, which was a huge relief. It’s definitely worth considering if you value simplicity and security.

8. MemberPress

MemberPress is a solid option if you’re primarily focused on building a membership site. It’s designed to handle subscriptions, manage members, and restrict content based on membership levels. It’s not really built for selling physical products like WooCommerce is, but it shines when it comes to digital content and online courses.

Think of it this way:

• You want to create a site where people pay a monthly fee to access exclusive articles, videos, or courses.
• You need a way to easily manage different membership tiers with varying levels of access.
• You want to drip content over time, so members don’t get everything at once.

If those sound like your goals, MemberPress could be a great fit. It integrates with various payment gateways and offers features like coupon codes and affiliate programs. It even has some LMS (Learning Management System) features, so you can manage educational content. You can fine-tune access rules to your articles and other content.

MemberPress is a good choice if your main goal is to create a membership site with protected content. It’s less ideal if you need a full-fledged e-commerce platform for selling a wide range of products.

While it’s not free, it’s a dedicated membership plugin, so you’re paying for a focused set of features. If you’re looking to configure subscription payments and build a thriving membership community, it’s worth considering.

9. Selz

I remember when Selz was all the rage. It was supposed to be this super easy way to sell stuff online, especially if you weren’t super tech-savvy. It’s kind of faded from the spotlight a bit, but it’s still around and worth considering, especially if you’re looking for something straightforward.

Selz is designed to let you create a store, manage products, and process payments without needing a ton of technical knowledge. It’s got a drag-and-drop interface, which is nice, and it handles things like inventory management and order tracking. It’s not as feature-rich as some of the bigger platforms, but that simplicity can be a real advantage if you just want to get your products online quickly.

Selz is a decent option if you’re just starting out and want something simple, but if you anticipate needing more advanced features down the road, you might want to consider something else.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the things Selz does well:

• Easy setup and use
• Integrated payment processing
• Mobile-friendly design
• Social media integration

It’s not perfect, of course. Some users have complained about limited customization options and occasional glitches, but overall, it’s a solid choice for basic e-commerce needs. If you’re looking for a no-fuss way to sell online, Selz is worth a look.

10. Gumroad

Gumroad is an interesting option if you’re primarily focused on selling digital products. Think ebooks, online courses, music, software – that kind of thing. It’s designed to be super straightforward, letting creators sell directly to their audience. It’s kind of like Easy Digital Downloads, but it exists as its own platform, not just a WordPress plugin.

What’s cool about Gumroad is that you can either use it to create a whole online store, or you can use its payment platform and integrate it into an existing website. Plus, it handles subscriptions, which is a big deal if you’re offering ongoing content or services.

Gumroad can be a solid choice if you want a simple, no-fuss way to sell digital goods without getting bogged down in the complexities of a full-blown e-commerce platform. It’s especially good for creators who want to focus on their product, not on managing a store.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you have it! If WooCommerce isn’t quite fitting your needs, there are plenty of other options out there. Each alternative has its own strengths, whether you’re selling digital downloads, subscriptions, or physical products. It really comes down to what works best for your specific situation. Take your time to explore these options, and don’t hesitate to try a few out. You might find that a different plugin suits your style and business model better. Happy selling!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some good alternatives to WooCommerce for WordPress?

Some popular alternatives include Easy Digital Downloads, SureCart, Shopify, BigCommerce, Ecwid, WP EasyCart, Cart66, MemberPress, Selz, and Gumroad.

Is Easy Digital Downloads better than WooCommerce?

Easy Digital Downloads is great for selling digital products like eBooks and software, while WooCommerce is more focused on physical goods. If you sell digital items, EDD might be a better choice.

Can I use Shopify with WordPress?

Yes, you can integrate Shopify with WordPress to sell products. This can be a good option if you want to use Shopify’s features while keeping your WordPress site.

Are there any free WooCommerce alternatives?

Yes, many alternatives like SureCart and WP EasyCart offer free versions, which can be a good starting point for small businesses.

What should I consider when choosing an eCommerce plugin?

Think about what you are selling, the features you need, ease of use, and your budget. Some plugins are better for digital products, while others work well for physical goods.

Is it hard to switch from WooCommerce to another platform?

Switching can be tricky, especially if you have a lot of products and data. It’s important to plan carefully and backup your information before making a change.