7 Best WooCommerce Alternatives for WordPress in 2024 – A Comparative Guide

Are you tired of WooCommerce limiting your store’s potential? Maybe it’s time to explore a new platform. Fortunately, the market is booming with fantastic alternatives to help your WordPress eCommerce store flourish. 

Read on to find the best seven alternatives to WooCommerce from super beginner-friendly options to feature-packed powerhouses! Our comparative guide will break down each platform to help you find the perfect one to launch and grow your business online.

Let’s get started! 

Choosing the Right WooCommerce Alternative

Not all eCommerce platforms are created equal! While WooCommerce offers a solid foundation, it might not fit everyone perfectly. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the best WooCommerce alternative for your WordPress store –

Product Types 

The type of products you’re selling will significantly influence your platform choice. Here’s a breakdown of the different platforms based on products – 

• Physical Products: If you’re selling tangible goods like clothing, electronics, or homeware, look for platforms that excel in inventory management, shipping integrations, and real-time stock tracking. 

• Digital Products: For selling ebooks, software, or downloadable courses, features like secure file delivery, content protection, and recurring payments for subscriptions are essential. 

• Memberships: If you’re creating exclusive content communities or offering subscription programs, look for features like membership levels, content dripping (releasing content over time), and forum or course creation tools. 

Technical Expertise

Not everyone is a coding whiz. Consider your comfort level with technical aspects –

• Beginner-friendly: Some platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces with intuitive design tools and pre-built templates. Look for features like visual product editors, built-in SEO optimization tools, and clear documentation to lessen the technical difficulty. 

• Developer-focused: If you’re comfortable with coding, you can get platforms with greater customization options. These platforms give more control over design and functions using open-source code access or API integrations. 

Scalability

If your business is booming, your platform should be equipped to handle it. Look for a platform that accommodates growth – 

• Product Capacity: Pick the platform that can handle your current product volume and expand comfortably as your inventory grows.

• Traffic & Orders: Choose a platform that can manage increasing website traffic and order volume without performance lags. 

• Integrations & Add-Ons: Consider if the platform offers a wide range of integrations and add-ons to cater to your ever-changing needs. 

Pricing

Pricing models are different across platforms. Here’s a breakdown of areas to consider in terms of costs – 

• Free vs. Paid Plans: Some platforms have a free tier with basic features, while others require a paid subscription.

• Transaction Fees: Remember to check the transaction fees added to each sale. Some platforms charge a percentage per transaction, while others might offer a flat monthly fee.

Features

Be mindful of the features your shop requires, when picking the platform. Here are some essential functions you need to prioritize – 

• Inventory Management: Look for features like product variants (e.g., size, color), stock tracking, low-stock notifications, and the ability to manage product availability across multiple sales channels.

• Shipping Options: Consider platforms that integrate with popular shipping carriers for real-time rates and automated shipping calculations.

• Marketing Tools: Prioritize platforms that offer email marketing tools, discount coupon codes, and social media integration to reach a wider audience.

Feature	Ecwid LightSpeed	SureCart	EasyCart	Easy Digital Downloads	Freemius	MemberPress	Paid Membership Pro
Product Types	Physical & Digital (Limited)	Physical & Digital	Physical	Digital	Digital	Digital & Memberships	Memberships
Technical Expertise	Beginner-Friendly	Moderate	Beginner-Friendly	Beginner-Friendly	Moderate	Moderate	Beginner-Friendly
Scalability	Moderate	High	Moderate	Moderate	Low-Moderate	High	High
Pricing	Free (Limited), Paid Plans	Free (Limited), Paid Plans	Free (Limited), Paid Plans	Starts at $199/year	Freemium (Limited), Paid Plans	Starts at $179/year	Free (Limited), Paid Plans
Inventory Management	Basic (Free Plan), Advanced (Paid)	Advanced	Basic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Shipping Options	Limited (Free Plan), Integrations (Paid)	Advanced Integrations	Built-in Shipping Rates	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Marketing Tools	Basic (Free Plan), Integrations (Paid)	Built-in Tools & Integrations	Basic	Limited	Freemium (Limited), Paid Plans (Variable)	Built-in Tools & Integrations	Built-in Tools & Integrations
Security	SSL included	PCI Compliance	SSL included	SSL included	Freemium (Limited), Paid Plans (Variable)	Secure Logins & Data Encryption	Secure Logins & Data Encryption
Customer Support	24/7 Live Chat & Email (Paid)	Email & Phone	Email & Phone	Email & Ticket System	Email & Support Forum	Email & Ticket System	Email & Ticket System

Top 7 Alternatives to WooCommerce for WordPress

Here are the seven best alternative platforms you can use instead of WooCommerce, categorized by the product type you are selling – 

For Selling Physical Products 

Find platforms designed to streamline the management of physical inventory, shipping, and order fulfillment. Here are the best WooCommerce alternatives WordPress for physical products – 

1. Ecwid by Lightspeed 

Ecwid by Lightspeed is known for its user-friendly interface, which makes setting up and managing online stores a breeze, even for those with limited technical experience. This ease of use is a major plus for entrepreneurs who want to focus on their products and sales rather than getting bogged down in complex technical configurations.

What We Like About Ecwid

• Easy Setup and Management: Ecwid’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up an online store even for those with limited technical experience. 
• Flexibility and Scalability: Ecwid integrates with various platforms like websites, social media, and marketplaces to help you sell across multiple channels without managing separate inventories.
• Mobile-Responsive Design: Your Ecwid store will automatically adapt to any device which makes for a smooth shopping experience for your customers on the go.

What We Don’t Like About Ecwid

• Limited Customization: Compared to WooCommerce’s extensive plugin library, Ecwid offers fewer customization options for the look and feel of your store.
• App Dependence for Advanced Features: Certain functions like abandoned cart recovery or advanced marketing tools require installing additional apps. 

Pricing Plans

Ecwid has a free plan that lets you sell up to 10 products. Paid plans start at $25/month and $252/year. Remember to be mindful of transactional costs.

2. SureCart

SureCart is a compelling option for WooCommerce users looking for a user-friendly platform that comes with comprehensive features, especially for small businesses with a focus on subscriptions. 

What We Like About SureCart

• Feature-Rich: SureCart offers a comprehensive set of features that allows you to sell physical products, digital downloads, subscriptions, and even accept donations.
• Flexible Pricing: SureCart’s unique approach to product pricing lets you set multiple prices, subscriptions, installment plans, and more. 
• Easy Subscription Management: SureCart handles subscriptions directly by removing the need for third-party plugins and Stripe fees.

What We Don’t Like About SureCart

• Limited Bulk Editing: SureCart currently lacks bulk editing tools for products, especially physical ones with inventory management. 
• Higher Overall Costs: SureCart pricing plans might be higher than some competitors, especially for larger stores.

Pricing Plans 

SureCart offers tiered pricing plans for different types of enterprises. Their pricing model starts from $39/month and yearly plans start from $19/month.  

3. WP EasyCart

WP EasyCart is a strong contender for users new to eCommerce or those who prioritize a user-friendly experience. The free version has a surprising amount of functions that make it a good option for testing the waters of online sales.

What We Like About WP EasyCart

• Ease of Use: EasyCart lives up to its name by offering a streamlined and user-friendly shopping experience. Even with the free version, you get a surprising number of features without needing to install additional plugins. 

• Clean  Interface: EasyCart’s backend interface is well-organized and easy to navigate, which is a major plus for users who may be intimidated by more complex eCommerce platforms.

• Built-in Marketing Tools: EasyCart has built-in marketing tools, including coupon codes, abandoned cart recovery, and basic email marketing functionalities (in the paid versions).

What We Don’t Like About WP EasyCart

• Fewer Integrations: Compared to WooCommerce, EasyCart has a smaller selection of third-party integrations, which can limit your options to expand in the future. 

• Limited Scalability: EasyCart might not be the ideal solution for very large stores with a vast product catalog or complex business needs.

Pricing Plans 

EasyCart has a tiered pricing structure which includes the professional package worth $69/year, and the premium model starting from $89/year.

For Selling Digital Products 

These WooCommerce alternatives WordPress excel at securely delivering ebooks, software, courses, music, and more. Here are the best WooCommerce alternatives WordPress for digital products – 

4. Easy Digital Downloads 

Easy Digital Downloads is an excellent choice for creators and businesses selling digital products. It streamlines the process for selling digital goods which makes it a favorite among creators and vendors of downloadable content.

What We Like About Easy Digital Downloads

• Lightweight and Focused: EDD has a much lighter footprint compared to WooCommerce, which translates to a faster-loading website and a smoother user experience. 

• Content Protection: EDD has powerful content protection features to keep your digital files safe. You can control download limits, restrict access based on user logins, and even disable direct download links.

• Extensive Add-on Library: The core EDD plugin offers a solid foundation alongside a vast ecosystem of extensions that lets you expand functionalities like payment gateways, add email marketing features, etc. 

What We Don’t Like About Easy Digital Downloads

• Coding for Customization: Some level of coding knowledge may be needed for advanced customizations, especially compared to the vast theme selection available for WooCommerce.

• Focus on Single Site: The free version is limited to a single site. You need to upgrade to a paid plan to run multiple websites. 

Pricing Plans 

Easy Digital Downloads ONLY has a premium pricing structure. Their yearly models cost $199 for personal, $399 for extended, and $599 for the professional package. They also have an all-access pass available for $999.

5. Freemius 

Freemius isn’t your typical shopping cart solution like WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads. Instead, it is a complete monetization platform specifically designed for WordPress developers selling plugins, themes, or SaaS applications.

What We Like About Freemius

• Subscription Management: Freemius has powerful subscription management features to create recurring billing models and offer different subscription tiers for your product.
• Software Licensing: Freemius provides secure software licensing abilities to protect your product and maintain authorized use.
• Actionable Analytics: Track activation, deactivation, and usage data to make data-driven decisions and improve your product with Freemius’s built-in analytics. 

What We Don’t Like About Freemius

• Plugins Required: Freemius requires you to integrate an SDK with your WordPress product, which might involve some development work.
• Focus on Developers: Freemius is geared towards developers with some technical knowledge.

Pricing Plans 

Freemius offers a unique pay-as-you-go pricing model that depends on the success of your WordPress business. There are no setup, monthly, or hidden fees. Instead, Freemius charges a percentage of your revenue plus gateway fees. 

WordPress Membership Plugins 

Membership plugins turn your WordPress site into a members-only club with exclusive content, subscriptions, and community features. Here are the best WooCommerce alternatives WordPress for membership-based shops – 

6. MemberPress

MemberPress is a premium WordPress plugin designed specifically to create and manage membership websites. It allows you to restrict access to content, sell subscriptions, and deliver exclusive benefits to paying members.

MemberPress is the perfect choice for creators, course providers, and businesses with gated content strategies.

What We Like About MemberPress

• Content Dripping: MemberPress lets you control how members access content. You can schedule posts, pages, or even entire courses to be released over time.
• Content Protection: Easily restrict access to pages, posts, custom post types, categories, tags, and even files based on membership levels with MemberPress.
• User Management and Reporting: Access tools to manage your member base, track subscriptions, and generate reports on member activity.

What We Don’t Like About MemberPress

• Limited Free Version: There’s no free version of MemberPress. Aside from the demo, you must purchase a plan to experience the full functionality.
• Limited Integrations: Unlike WooCommerce, MemberPress only has a small selection of third-party integrations.

Pricing Plans 

MemberPress’s pricing structure includes three packages: the basic package at $359/year, the plus package at $299/year, and the pro package at $399/year.

Looking for WooCommerce alternatives outside WordPress? Check out our other blog where we covered WooCommerce alternatives outside WordPress too – The 10 WooCommerce Alternatives (Compared)

7. Paid Membership Pro 

Paid Memberships Pro is an excellent choice for businesses, course creators, and communities that want to build feature-rich membership websites and monetize exclusive content. Its detailed content control and developer-friendly nature make it a powerful platform for complex membership models. 

What We Like About Paid Membership Pro

• Flexible Membership Levels: Create multiple membership levels with varying pricing structures, access rules, and benefits to cater to different customer segments.
• Drip Content Delivery: Keep members engaged with drip content features by scheduling posts, pages, or entire courses to offer a steady stream of valuable content. 
• Developer Friendly: Paid Membership Pro is built with developers in mind and uses open-source code, extensive action hooks, and filters for customization.

What We Don’t Like About Paid Membership Pro

• Learning Curve: While Paid Membership Pro offers a user-friendly interface, the sheer range of features might present a learning curve for beginners.
• Limited Free Features: The free version lacks some crucial features like content dripping, coupon codes, and advanced reporting.

Pricing Plans 

Paid Memberships Pro’s standard package is priced at $347/year, the plus package at $597/ year, and the enterprise package at $5,000/year.

Wrapping Up 

The world of eCommerce and membership platforms for WordPress is vast and ever-evolving. This list provides a springboard to explore some of the top WooCommerce alternatives for WordPress in 2024. 

Remember to consider your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise as you evaluate these options. Break free from the limits of WooCommerce and grow your business to your standards! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Q. Why do I need an alternative to WooCommerce?

The major challenge with WooCommerce is handling your security, backups, hosting, and updates independently, compared to other alternatives. 

Q. What is better than WooCommerce? 

WordPress has alternatives for WooCommerce like Ecwid, Easy Digital Downloads (digital products), and MemberPress (memberships).

Q. Can you sell on WordPress? 

Yes! While WordPress isn’t an eCommerce platform itself, plugins like Ecwid, Easy Digital Downloads, and MemberPress let you add online sales features.

Q. Can I create a membership website with WordPress?

Absolutely! Paid Memberships Pro and MemberPress are both excellent options for creating membership tiers, restricting content, and managing subscriptions.