Shopify alternative for an Estonian business
With Shopify you can get an online store up quickly. The questions come later: do Estonian banks and parcel lockers work the way customers are used to, how do you add bookings, and how much do all the add-ons cost per month?
Short answer: if you mainly sell online, have no major special requirements and want to start quickly, Shopify is a very good choice. An alternative is worth looking for when you have a shop, appointment-based services and want to keep everything in one application and your own database.
Where Shopify is strong
Let's be honest: Shopify isn't popular without reason.
- Quick start. A theme, products and payments can be set up in a short time.
- No server worries. Updates and reliability are the provider's concern.
- Lots of apps. There's a ready-made solution for almost every need.
- International sales. Well thought through if you sell far afield.
If this describes your need, stay with Shopify.
What builds up for a small Estonian business
As of 1 November 2026, Shopify's prices are Basic $39 and Grow $105 a month with monthly billing ($29 and $79 with annual billing). On top of that may come:
- Transaction fee with an external payment provider: 2% on Basic and 1% on Grow. Montonio also offers Shopify a separate package and price list, so add up both fees.
- POS Pro: $89 a month per location, if the shop needs broader POS features.
- Apps: bookings, more detailed inventory management and other add-ons often have a separate monthly fee.
As the system grows with apps, you also have to keep an eye on how many monthly fees and how many places where data moves it gains. I made a worked example in the monthly cost of an online store, stock and POS.
Comparison with NUNDINAE
| Topic | Shopify | NUNDINAE |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Cloud service | Your own installation on your hosting |
| Online store and stock | Included | Included, one database |
| POS | Included, broader version for an extra fee | Included (module) |
| Appointment bookings | With an app | Included (module) |
| Client card and visit history | Order-based, extras with an app | Included, sensitive data encrypted |
| Barcode-scanner receiving | Possible, depends on plan and apps | Included |
| Bank links and parcel lockers | Through Montonio and other solutions | Included through Montonio |
| Estonian word forms in shop search | Depends on the app | Included |
| Price | Public monthly fee | Written quote |
| Updates and server | Provider handles them | Agreed in advance who handles them |
Shopify is bigger and more international. NUNDINAE is narrower: for an Estonian business that sells both goods and services and wants everything in one place.
When to stay on Shopify
- You sell only or mainly online.
- You sell to many countries and in many languages.
- You need a specific app that isn't available elsewhere.
- You don't want to deal with your own installation, and a public monthly fee matters to you.
When to look at an alternative
- You also sell appointment-based services. A workshop, studio, clinic or bike repair, where both the service and goods go on the visit's invoice.
- You have a shop and a small stock. Goods have to be received with a barcode scanner and both channels must show the same level.
- You want your own database. Customer data is in your installation, not a shared environment.
- The row of monthly fees is too long. Several apps do work that one could do.
If you're already on WordPress, also see WooCommerce alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move from Shopify to NUNDINAE?
Products, customers and old addresses can be brought over if they can be exported. I wrote more in migrating data from an old system.
Can I keep my current design?
I can build a NUNDINAE theme based on it: logo, colours, fonts and layout. Or I can create a new design.
Does NUNDINAE suit international sales?
The shop works in Estonian, English, Russian and Finnish, and payments and shipping can be set up per country. If you sell to a great many countries, Shopify is probably better.
What does NUNDINAE cost?
The price depends on the modules, the design and the size of the migration. I send a written quote.
Is it worth switching for you?
Write to me about what you sell and which apps you have on Shopify. Order NUNDINAE or ask for a demo. If you're happy on Shopify, I'll tell you so honestly.
