Author: Siva Prakash
India's e-commerce market is growing fast, expected to hit $163 billion by 2028. More entrepreneurs are looking to start online stores. But, they find local alternatives better for their needs. Whether you're starting small or growing big, this guide helps you choose the right platform. It fits your business goals and budget.
Shopify is great globally, but not perfect for Indian businesses. Here's why:
Digital Asan solves these problems. It's made for the Indian market. You can set up your business easily, use local payment gateways, and follow Indian rules.
Digital Asan makes starting your business simple. You can go live with your online store in just a few steps.
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is key. Consider these factors for your Indian business:
Assess Your Business Needs with Digital Asan
We've looked at the top e-commerce platforms in India. They're great for different business types. Each platform is evaluated for features, pricing, ease of use, and more.
Dukaan is a fast-growing Shopify alternative in India. It's known for its ease and affordability. Merchants can create an online store in minutes and start selling without any tech knowledge.
Overall Rating - 4.6 | Ease of Use - 4.7/5 | India-Specific Features - 4.5/5 | Value for Money - 4.6/5 | Customer Support - 4.4/5
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Aasaan is a Hyderabad-based e-commerce platform that offers a complete solution for Indian businesses. It has a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality. This makes it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge.
Overall Rating - 4.5 | Ease of Use - 4.6/5 | India-Specific Features - 4.5/5 | Value for Money - 4.4/5 | Customer Support - 4.5/5
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Instamojo started as a payment gateway but has evolved into a complete e-commerce solution for Indian businesses. It makes it easy to create an online store, accept payments, and manage shipping. This makes it perfect for small businesses and solopreneurs.
Overall Rating - 4.3 | Ease of Use - 4.5/5 | India-Specific Features - 4.4/5 | Value for Money - 4.3/5 | Customer Support - 4.0/5
Key Features
Pros
Cons
WooCommerce turns your WordPress site into a full online store. It's easy to customize and has lots of features through plugins. This makes it a top pick for businesses already using WordPress or who like open-source solutions.
Overall Rating - 4.4 | Ease of Use - 3.8/5 | India-Specific Features - 4.1/5 | Value for Money - 4.7/5 | Customer Support - 3.5/5
Key Features
Pros
Cons
BigCommerce is a strong e-commerce platform for all business sizes. It's known for growing with your business and has built-in features. This means you don't need extra apps or plugins, making it great for complex needs.
Overall Rating - 4.2 | Ease of Use - 4.0/5 | India-Specific Features - 3.8/5 | Value for Money - 3.9/5 | Customer Support - 4.3/5
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Fynd Platform is India's largest omnichannel platform. It helps retailers grow quickly by providing integrated stock visibility and personalized logistics across demand channels. It focuses on creating seamless customer experiences across a brand's omnichannel environment.
Overall Rating - 4.3 | Ease of Use - 4.2/5 | India-Specific Features - 4.5/5 | Value for Money - 4.1/5 | Customer Support - 4.3/5
Key Features
Pros
Cons
We've made a detailed comparison of the best Shopify alternatives in India. We focused on what matters most to businesses here.
| Platform | Starting Price (INR/month) | Transaction Fees | Best For | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dukaan | ₹1,124 | 0% with Dukaan Payments | Small to medium businesses | 7 days |
| Aasaan | ₹999 | Varies by payment gateway | SMEs and startups | 7 days |
| Instamojo | Free (Basic) | 2-5% + ₹3 | Solopreneurs and small businesses | Partial integration |
| WooCommerce | Free (plugin) | Depends on payment gateway | WordPress users, technical users | Free core plugin |
| BigCommerce | ₹3,200 | 0% | Growing and established businesses | 15 days |
| Fynd Platform | Custom | Varies | Omnichannel retailers | Demo available |
| Shopify (for comparison) | ₹2,500 (approx.) | 2% (unless using Shopify Payments) | Global businesses | 14 days |
Digital Asan's experts can help find the best e-commerce solution for you.
When picking a Shopify alternative in India, focus on the features that matter most. Here's how the top platforms stack up on these key features:
| Feature | Dukaan | Aasaan | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GST Compliance | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ Via plugins | ⚠️ Limited |
| Indian Payment Gateways | ✅ All major | ✅ All major | ✅ Via plugins | ⚠️ Limited |
| Indian Shipping Carriers | ✅ Most major | ✅ Most major | ✅ Via plugins | ⚠️ Limited |
| Vernacular Language Support | ✅ Limited | ✅ Multiple | ✅ Via plugins | ❌ No |
| WhatsApp Integration | ✅ Basic | ✅ Basic | ⚠️ Via plugins | ⚠️ Via apps |
| UPI Payments | ✅ All options | ✅ All options | ⚠️ Via plugins | ⚠️ Limited |
| COD Management | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Basic | ⚠️ Via plugins | ⚠️ Basic |
| Business Registration | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Key Insight: Digital Asan is unique because it offers full business registration services along with e-commerce features. It's a complete solution for Indian entrepreneurs.
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is key for your business's future. This guide will help you pick the best one for your needs:
Business Requirements
Platform Evaluation
Important: Before launching your online store, ensure your business is properly registered and compliant with Indian regulations. Digital Asan can help you complete these essential steps before you start selling online.
Digital Asan's experts can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific business needs.
What makes Digital Asan stand out is its all-in-one approach. Unlike other platforms, Digital Asan supports entrepreneurs from start to finish, covering business registration to online store management.
"Digital Asan is not just an e-commerce platform; it's a complete business enablement ecosystem designed for Indian entrepreneurs. We understand the unique challenges of the Indian market and provide solutions that address these specific needs."
- Rajesh Kumar, CEO of Digital Asan
Shopify is a strong global e-commerce platform. But, it has limits for Indian sellers. These include USD pricing, limited payment gateway integration, complex GST, and no local language support. Locally developed alternatives like Digital Asan offer better value and features. They also meet India's specific needs better.
Digital Asan is a full platform for business setup and e-commerce. But, it also works well with Dukaan, Aasaan, and WooCommerce through plugins. BigCommerce and Fynd can be integrated via APIs. Talking to Digital Asan's experts can help find the best solution for your business.
The cost to set up an online store in India varies. Instamojo offers free plans, while Digital Asan starts at ₹999 per month. Consider domain registration, business fees, transaction fees, and themes or plugins. Digital Asan has clear pricing with no hidden fees. This makes budgeting easier.
Yes, many Indian platforms offer migration tools for Shopify. Digital Asan's migration service ensures a smooth transition. It handles data export, mapping, and import without downtime. Some platforms charge for migration, but Digital Asan includes it in their onboarding.
The technical knowledge needed varies by platform. Digital Asan, Dukaan, and Aasaan are easy to use. They have drag-and-drop builders and guided setup. WooCommerce needs more tech knowledge, while BigCommerce is in the middle. Digital Asan offers setup help and support for non-tech users.
For small businesses, Digital Asan and Dukaan are top choices. They are affordable, easy to use, and tailored for India. Digital Asan is great for new businesses with its all-in-one solution. Instamojo's free plan is good for very small budgets, but it has fewer features. The best choice depends on your needs, budget, and growth plans.
The e-commerce scene in India is changing fast. It offers more local options than global ones like Shopify. Think about what you need, your tech skills, budget, and future plans when picking a platform. Digital Asan is a top choice for more than just selling online. It helps with business setup, legal stuff, and is made for the Indian market. It's easy to use, has good prices, and great customer service. It's perfect for new and growing businesses in India. Whether you're starting small or you're a big brand, there's a Shopify alternative in India for you. Try out free trials to see which platform fits your business best.
Digital Asan makes starting your business and online store easy. It's tailored for the Indian market.