Magento is not without alternative. Find out about the 5 best Magento alternatives in this article.
Rolled out in 2007, Magento (now Adobe Commerce) is an open-source ecommerce platform that allows businesses to create and manage online stores. As of October 2022, according to BuiltWith, there were more than 150,000 active ecommerce sites powered by Magento 1 and almost 100,000 powered by Magento 2.
Why make the switch from Magento?
After Magento 1’s end of life announcement, time is running out. This means that Magento stopped developing the technology for scale and will no longer fix any security vulnerabilities. In order to use payment services, stay compliant and protect data, you may be considering migrating from Magento to a new platform before it’s too late. Migration can seem like a daunting task, however, for some online shops migrating from Magento may be a business necessity.
There are risk areas that need to be considered before you migrate from Magento; data migrations bring up questions around your customers, products, orders, and integrations. Ecommerce platforms like Shopware offer some great tools to assist in your migration process and reduce risk. This Migration from Magento solution page goes in depth about the different tools available for a smooth migration.
Whether you’re considering Magento as your first ecommerce platform, or you’re making a switch away from Magento; here are some reasons why Magento may not be your best option.
Cost: Magento's licensing and hosting fees can be expensive for small businesses.
Complexity: Magento is a complex platform that requires technical expertise to set up and manage.
Slow performance: Magento can be slow, especially if the website has a lot of traffic.
Security issues: Magento has a history of security vulnerabilities, which can make it a liability for businesses.
Lack of support: Magento's community edition does not provide official support, which can be a challenge for businesses that need assistance.
Limited scalability: Magento may not be the best choice for businesses that are looking to scale quickly or have high traffic volume.
Top 5 open-source Magento alternatives to consider
Let’s take a look at 5 different alternatives to Magento, these options include both open source and SaaS ecommerce platforms.
Shopware
Shopware is based on open source technology, making it easy to customize and integrate with other systems, Shopware’s open source technology also means you have 100% visibility into your code. Shopware offers a comprehensive and flexible platform. The platform offers a range of features like customizable templates, a powerful product catalog, multi-language support, and integrated payment gateways.
Shopware is particularly popular with former users of Magento 1 and Magento 2. Thousands of Magento 1 users have migrated to Shopware in the past years using the robust Magento migration tool.
Pros: The best total cost of ownership for most mid-market sized businesses. Very strong B2B capabilities.
Cons: Not the right solution for businesses that only sell a handful of products.
WooCommerce
Built on WordPress, WooCommerce is a free and open-source ecommerce platform with a vast range of plugins and customizations available. WooCommerce allows you to turn your WordPress website into a fully functioning online store, they provide a number of features and extensions to customize your store.
Pros: Easy to use; with a large community of users and developers– can be integrated with a variety of third-party tools.
Cons: WooCommerce is an extension of WordPress, you must use WordPress in order to use WooCommerce.
BigCommerce
A SaaS ecommerce platform, BigCommerce offers a user-friendly interface, robust features, and scalability for growing businesses. Being a SaaS platform they provide their solution through monthly fees.
Pros: Easy to start selling, easy-to-use– offer great 24/7 customer support for their customers.
Cons: Far fewer customization options than other open source platforms, the free themes and typefaces offered are very limited.
Read on for an in-depth analysis of all BigCommerce alternatives.
Shopify
One of the most popular ecommerce platforms in the market, Shopify provides an easy-to-use website builder and secure payment gateways. Like BigCommerce, Shopify is a SaaS ecommerce platform– Shopify caters to small and midsize businesses.
Pros: Start selling quickly. Offers free of charge customer support for every merchant.
Cons: Being a SaaS platform there are limited customization options. Shopify charges transaction fees for certain payment options.
OpenCart
A free and open-source ecommerce platform, OpenCart provides a simple and powerful solution for small and medium-sized businesses. For anyone looking to make a switch from Magento, OpenCart has many similarities which will make for a less painful transition.
Pros: Supports multilingual, and multiple currencies for a global market presence.
Cons: Customization and adding plug-ins will cost you. Businesses with large inventories can expect slow checkout times for their customers.
So, which platform is right for you when you look for a Magento alternative?
Here is a brief summary of the 5 different ecommerce platforms we’ve discussed.
Shopware ––Although best suited for medium to large-sized businesses, Shopware is a good choice for any sized business. The open source platform allows for maximum backend visibility and storefront customization. Shopware, with its extensive backend visibility and customization options, makes an excellent b2b ecommerce software solution for businesses of any size.
WooCommerce ––Offering a relatively simple set up and use, WooCommerce can be ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Keep in mind that to get the full use of WooCommerce, it will require significant investment in additional plugins and extensions.
BigCommerce ––BigCommerce can be a good option for medium to large-sized businesses. The comprehensive features offered by BigCommerce will require a bigger investment compared to a solution like Shopware.
Shopify ––Shopify can be a great choice for small businesses looking to start selling quickly, but being a SaaS platform it hinders your ability to customize and have complete control over your storefront.
OpenCart ––A relatively easy to set up open source ecommerce platform, OpenCart offers more customization options than a platform like Shopify. However, to maximize control and customization, you will need to invest in additional extensions to get their full range of features.
Migrating from Magento to a new platform is not easy. The right ecommerce platform will vary depending on your specific business needs. However, there are some key items you should consider:
Open source vs. SaaS
Scalability
Price point & budget
Integrations
Technical support
With Shopware’s proven migration tools, we’re here to help assist you in a painless transition. If you’d like to learn more about Shopware, contact us today or request a personal product demo and get to know us inside and out.
FAQ - Alternatives to Magento
What is Magento?
Magento is an open-source ecommerce platform that enables businesses to build and manage online stores.
Why would I need a Magento 2 alternative?
While Magento 2 is a popular ecommerce platform, it may not be the best fit for all businesses. Some businesses may require a more cost-effective solution, a simpler user interface, or different features than what Magento 2 offers. For those seeking an alternative, exploring a digital sales room platform could provide the tailored solution they need.
What are some Magento 1 and Magento 2 alternatives?
Some popular Magento 1 and Magento 2 alternatives include Shopware, Shopify for very small businesses, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and OpenCart.
Is it easy to switch from Magento to a different ecommerce platform?
Switching from Magento to a different ecommerce platform can be a complex process, as it involves migrating data, integrating new software, and ensuring that the website remains functional. However, many ecommerce platforms offer migration tools and services to help businesses transition from Magento to their platform.
Do Magento alternatives offer similar features to Magento?
While there may be some differences in the features offered by different ecommerce platforms, many Magento alternatives offer similar functionalities, such as product management, order management, and payment processing.
Are Magento alternatives more cost-effective than Magento?
The cost of using an ecommerce platform depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the business, the number of products sold, and the level of customization required. Some Magento alternatives may be more cost-effective than Magento for certain businesses, while others may be more expensive.
Can I customize a Magento alternative to meet the specific needs of my business?
Many ecommerce platforms, including Magento alternatives, offer customization options that enable businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs. However, the level of customization available may vary depending on the platform.
Is support available for Magento alternatives?
Many ecommerce platforms offer support options, such as documentation, online forums, and customer service. The level and quality of support may vary depending on the platform.
Can I integrate a Magento alternative with other software?
Many ecommerce platforms, including Magento alternatives, offer integrations with other software, such as accounting software, shipping software, and marketing automation tools. This compatibility with various systems makes them ideal for implementing ecommerce automation, enhancing efficiency across all aspects of online business operations. The level and ease of integration may vary depending on the platform.
