RocketMVPRocketMVP
Inspired by Shopify

Build a Shopify Alternative MVP

Create an e-commerce platform for merchants who need more control or specific features.

5-8 months
Development Time
$40,000 - $80,000
Estimated Cost

Problem Solved

E-commerce platform tailored for specific markets, product types, or business models that Shopify underserves.

Target Audience

Merchants in underserved regions
Specific product verticals
B2B commerce needs
Merchants wanting lower fees

Core MVP Features

1
Store builder with themes
2
Product catalog management
3
Shopping cart and checkout
4
Payment processing
5
Order management
6
Inventory tracking
7
Shipping integration
8
Basic analytics

How to Differentiate

  • Regional payment methods
  • Vertical-specific features
  • Lower transaction fees
  • Better B2B support
  • Specific integration ecosystem

Revenue Models

Monthly subscription tiersTransaction fees (lower than Shopify)Premium themes and appsPayment processing markupEnterprise custom pricing

Technical Requirements

Headless commerce architecture
Theme engine
Payment gateway integrations
Shipping API integrations
Inventory sync
CDN for assets

Key Success Metrics

Stores createdGMV (Gross Merchandise Value)Merchant retentionAverage revenue per merchantStore success rate

Success Stories

BigCommerce

Enterprise-focused Shopify alternative

Public company

Jumia

E-commerce for African markets

Public company

Saleor

Open-source headless commerce

$10M raised

Frequently Asked Questions

Why compete with Shopify?

Dont compete head-on. Find niches: specific regions, verticals, B2B, multi-vendor, or merchants needing features Shopify lacks.

Build or use headless commerce platforms?

For MVP, consider starting with Medusa, Saleor, or similar. Going fully custom only makes sense for very specific requirements.

How do you handle themes?

Start with a few solid themes, not a marketplace. Use Liquid-like templating or React components. Theme flexibility can come later.

Ready to Build Your Shopify Alternative?

We'll help you launch an MVP in 21 days for $3,999. Get a production-ready product, not just a prototype.

Start Building

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