Shopify works, but in India it gets expensive fast: there’s no native GST invoicing, Shopify Payments isn’t available, and you end up bolting on five to ten paid apps for shipping, WhatsApp and SMS. The real bill lands around ₹8,000–15,000/month. If that’s the problem you’re hitting, here are the alternatives worth knowing in 2026 — and who each one is for.
The shortlist at a glance
| Platform | Best for | GST / UPI / WhatsApp built in | Starting cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuicShop | India-first D2C, with essential B2B building blocks | ✓ All native | ₹2,999/mo |
| Dukaan | Very small or just-starting stores | Basic | Low / freemium |
| WooCommerce | Teams with a developer | Plugins | Free software + hosting |
| Instamojo | Simple payment-link selling | Basic | Low |
| Shopify | Global, multi-country brands | Paid apps | ₹1,994/mo + apps |
QuicShop — built for Indian commerce
QuicShop includes the India-critical stack natively: GST invoicing with HSN codes, UPI via Razorpay, WhatsApp order updates, and Shiprocket/Delhivery shipping — plus an AI-native seller app and essential B2B building blocks (tier pricing, quotes, credit) when you’re ready to add wholesale. One subscription from ₹2,999/month, with input tax credit for registered sellers. It’s the strongest fit if your customers are in India and you want everything in one bill instead of ten. See the full breakdown in QuicShop vs Shopify.
Dukaan — fine until you scale
Dukaan is quick to start and good for a first store or a side hustle. The limits show as you grow: thinner GST and B2B support, fewer shipping options, and no AI operating layer. Many sellers start here and move on once order volume climbs — see QuicShop vs Dukaan.
WooCommerce — powerful, but you maintain it
WooCommerce gives you full control and a huge plugin library. The catch is ownership: you pay for hosting, security, updates and a developer, and you stitch together separate plugins for GST, payments and shipping that you then keep in sync. Great if you have technical help; heavy if you don’t.
Instamojo — payment-first, store-light
Instamojo is built around payment links and works well for simple, low-catalogue selling. As a full storefront with inventory, GST and shipping depth, it’s more limited than a dedicated commerce platform.
Shopify — still the global leader
We’ll be fair: if most of your revenue is outside India, you need deep multi-currency tooling, or you depend on a specific Shopify-only app, Shopify is hard to beat. For an India-focused store, the app stack is what makes it costly.
How to choose
- Selling mostly in India, want it all included? QuicShop.
- Tiny store, testing the idea? Dukaan or Instamojo.
- Have a developer and want full control? WooCommerce.
- Global, multi-country brand? Shopify.
If India is your market, the cheapest path is usually the one where GST, UPI, WhatsApp and shipping aren’t add-ons. Compare the math in how much you save vs Shopify + apps, or pick a plan and launch in about 60 minutes.
Frequently asked
What is the best Shopify alternative in India?
For sellers whose customers are in India and pay by UPI, QuicShop is usually the best fit because GST, UPI, WhatsApp and Shiprocket are built in — no paid apps. Dukaan suits very small stores, and WooCommerce suits teams with a developer.
Is there a free alternative to Shopify in India?
WooCommerce is free as software, but you pay for hosting, a developer and India plugins for GST and shipping — so it's rarely free in practice. Most sellers find an all-inclusive subscription cheaper once they add up the parts.
Can I move my store off Shopify easily?
Yes. Export your catalogue and bulk-import it via CSV — including SKUs, HSN codes and GST rates — then connect your payment gateway and couriers and point your domain.