Saleor vs Shopify

Self-host swap-in for Shopify. · Self-host Shopify · Saleor on os-alt

Saleor is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Shopify — license BSD-3-Clause, 30min docker-compose to stand up, and $15-25 vps — python + graphql + postgres + redis. Compare against Shopify's $39/mo Basic + 2.9% + $0.30/transaction; $399/mo Advanced below.

	Saleoropen-source	Shopifypaid SaaS
Category	Ecommerce platform	Ecommerce platform
License / pricing	`BSD-3-Clause`	$39/mo Basic + 2.9% + $0.30/transaction; $399/mo Advanced
Starting price	$0 self-host	$39/user/mo
GitHub	saleor/saleor ★ 22.9k · last commit 5d agoalive	closed source
Setup time	30min docker-compose	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$15-25 VPS — Python + GraphQL + Postgres + Redis.	from $39/user/mo ($39/mo Basic + 2.9% + $0.30/transaction; $399/mo Advanced)

Switching from Shopify to Saleor

Shopify CSV exports map to Saleor via their `manage.py loaddata` + a custom transformer (the Saleor docs include one for Shopify). GraphQL-first means storefront integrations are clean but your existing Shopify Liquid theme does not port — you build a new storefront against Saleor's GraphQL API.

Good fit for: Teams that want a GraphQL-first headless commerce stack with channel-based multi-store.
Weak at: Heavier ops (Python + Celery + Postgres + Redis); learning curve is steeper.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to Shopify

Medusa
MIT20min (Node.js + Postgres + Redis)$10-20 VPS for early-stage stores; pricing scales with payment-provider fees, not platform.
WooCommerce
GPL-3.020min (WordPress install + plugin)$5-10 VPS for low-volume stores; LiteSpeed or NGINX + PHP-FPM is fine to mid-traffic.

In a terminal? npx os-alt shopify prints Shopify's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Saleor a free alternative to Shopify?

Yes — Saleor is open source under BSD-3-Clause. Self-host cost: $15-25 VPS — Python + GraphQL + Postgres + Redis.. Shopify starts at $39/user/mo ($39/mo Basic + 2.9% + $0.30/transaction; $399/mo Advanced).

How long does Saleor take to set up vs Shopify?

Self-hosting Saleor: 30min docker-compose. Shopify is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Saleor good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Teams that want a GraphQL-first headless commerce stack with channel-based multi-store.. Weak at: Heavier ops (Python + Celery + Postgres + Redis); learning curve is steeper..