Shopify is excellent at ecommerce, but it is a lot of platform (and a lot of paid apps) if you only sell a few things. These builders cover a business site plus a simpler shop.
Sign up free: 3 template sites on a we.inc address. AI building from $20/mo.
If you sell a small range of products or services and care about the website as much as the shop, Squarespace (Core, $23/mo, no store fee) or Wix (Core, $29/mo) are the closest like-for-like swaps.
On a tight budget, WordPress.com and Hostinger cost less per month. If you would rather describe your site and have it built, We.Inc takes payments through your own Stripe with no extra fee; free for 3 template sites, AI from $20/mo.
Stay on Shopify if you run a large catalogue, sell in person, or rely on its app store for inventory and shipping.
| Free plan | Cheapest plan that sells | Extra platform fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify (for reference) | No; 3-day trial, then $1/mo for 3 months | Basic $19/mo ($25 billed monthly) | 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow), 0.6% (Advanced) extra if you skip Shopify Payments |
| We.Inc | Yes: 3 template sites, we.inc address, no AI | $20/mo Starter (250 AI credits) | None; your own Stripe |
| Wix | Yes, with Wix ads and a wixsite.com address | Core $29/mo | No Wix fee |
| Squarespace | No, 14-day free trial only | Basic $16/mo (2% fee) or Core $23/mo | 2% store fee on Basic, 0% on Core and up |
| WordPress.com | Yes, on a wordpress.com address | Commerce $45/mo | No extra fee on Commerce |
| Hostinger Website Builder | No, paid plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee | Premium $2.69/mo intro on a long term, renews at $10.99/mo | No Hostinger fee |
Prices checked September 2026, in US dollars per month on annual billing unless noted. Vendors change prices often, so confirm on their pricing page before you buy.
Best for: People who want to describe a site or web app in plain English and have AI build it
Price: Free plan: up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address, no AI. AI building from $20/mo (Starter, 250 credits). Pro $50/mo, Unlimited $99/mo.
Pros: Describe what you want in chat and AI builds a full, editable site or app; Edit by clicking on the page, by asking in chat, or in a real code editor; Export the React and TypeScript code to GitHub, so you are never locked in; Unlimited sites on paid plans, custom domains from Starter
Cons: The free plan is templates only; AI building needs a paid plan; Newer platform with a smaller app marketplace than the big names; Store features are simpler than a dedicated ecommerce platform
Best for: Businesses that want a flexible site with a small store and bookings
Price: Light $17, Core $29, Business $39, Business Elite $159 per month
Pros: Free plan to build and test; Store, bookings and events apps; No Wix transaction fee; Drag-and-drop freedom
Cons: Selling needs Core ($29/mo) or higher; Fewer ecommerce tools than Shopify; No code export; Template locked after launch
Best for: Design-led brands with a modest catalogue
Price: Basic $16, Core $23, Plus $39, Advanced $99 per month (monthly billing costs more)
Pros: Beautiful product pages; No store fee from Core; Digital products and memberships; Nothing to maintain
Cons: 2% fee on Basic; No free plan; Fewer store apps than Shopify; No code export
Best for: Content-heavy stores that want plugins and ownership
Price: Personal $4, Premium $8, Business $25, Commerce $45 per month (monthly billing $9 to $70)
Pros: WooCommerce plugin ecosystem; Strong blogging; Move your site anywhere; Free plan to start
Cons: Selling needs the $45/mo Commerce plan; More to learn; Plugin costs add up; More setup than Shopify
Best for: Very small shops on a tight first-year budget
Price: Premium $2.69 and Business $3.59 per month intro on multi-year terms; renew at $10.99 and $16.99
Pros: Lowest first-term price here; AI tools to draft a site; Hosting and email bundled; Online store features available
Cons: Intro prices need a long upfront term; Renewals cost several times more; Simpler design options; Limited apps
In the first term, Hostinger Website Builder (from $2.69/mo on a long prepaid term, renewing at $10.99/mo). For a free way to publish a site, We.Inc lets you publish up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address, though selling and AI need a paid plan.
Shopify Basic is $19/mo on annual billing versus $29/mo for Wix Core. Shopify can cost more in practice because of paid apps and fees for non-Shopify payment providers.
No. You connect your own Stripe account and pay only Stripe's normal processing fees.
Yes. Shopify exports products as a CSV file, which Wix, Squarespace and WooCommerce can import. Page designs need to be rebuilt.
If you have hundreds of products, sell in person with point of sale, need complex shipping or rely on specific Shopify apps, it remains the stronger choice.
No. Free covers up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address. AI building starts on Starter at $20/mo with 250 credits.
Sign up free and publish your first site today.
We.Inc is an AI-powered website builder you can resell under your own brand. Launch a branded client dashboard, bill on Stripe Connect, and deliver AI-generated websites in minutes. White-label plans are custom priced, with no per-site fees.