7 Best Shopify Alternatives for Cannabis Brands

Cannabis brands face a stark reality: Shopify effectively restricts THC products containing more than 0.3% THC, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, and Delta-8/9/10 products. Even CBD merchants operating within federal guidelines have experienced account shutdowns without warning, sometimes receiving reported short notices to migrate their entire business elsewhere. For cannabis entrepreneurs building sustainable brands, this platform risk makes exploring Shopify alternatives essential rather than optional.

The good news: modern ecommerce infrastructure has evolved dramatically. From API-first headless platforms like Swell to cannabis-native solutions like Dutchie and Carrot, cannabis brands now have viable options that don't require constant fear of deplatforming. This guide examines seven alternatives that solve the fundamental Shopify problem while offering distinct advantages for different business models.

Key Takeaways

• Shopify prohibits THC products entirely: The platform bans all cannabis products exceeding 0.3% THC, while permitting compliant hemp-derived CBD products within federal limits.
• API-first platforms eliminate vendor lock-in: Swell's headless architecture allows cannabis brands to build custom compliance workflows, age verification, and geo-restriction without platform limitations—all while charging 0% transaction fees
• Cannabis-native platforms trade flexibility for turnkey compliance: TreezComm and Dutchie offer built-in Metrc/BioTrack integration, but lock merchants into proprietary ecosystems with limited customization options
• Transaction fees vary dramatically by platform: Dutchie charges 5-8% online sales, while Swell and BigCommerce charge 0% platform fees—a difference of $30,000 annually on $500k GMV
• Subscription commerce requires native capabilities: Cannabis brands building recurring revenue through subscription boxes need platforms with built-in billing infrastructure rather than third-party app dependencies

Why Cannabis Brands Need Shopify Alternatives

Before examining specific platforms, understanding why Shopify fails cannabis businesses helps clarify what to look for in alternatives.

Product Prohibition: Shopify's acceptable use policy explicitly bans marijuana products with more than 0.3% THC. This includes the entire THC product spectrum—flower, concentrates, edibles, vapes, and hemp-derived cannabinoids where total THC exceeds the threshold.

Payment Processing Restrictions: Even compliant CBD merchants cannot use Shopify Payments. Instead, they must secure third-party high-risk merchant accounts, paying Shopify's 2% transaction fee on top of gateway processing costs.

Account Shutdown Risk: Perhaps most concerning, Shopify has removed CBD merchants without warning, giving affected businesses just one week to export data and rebuild elsewhere.

Product Variant Limitations: Shopify caps products at 3 options and 100 variants—problematic for cannabis brands selling products with multiple cannabinoid profiles, terpene variations, and strain options.

These limitations create existential risk for cannabis businesses. The alternatives below solve these problems through different approaches.

1. Swell — API-First Headless Commerce Without Restrictions

Swell stands as the most flexible alternative for cannabis brands that want complete control over their ecommerce infrastructure without product category restrictions or vendor lock-in.

Core Capabilities:

• Unlimited product options, variants, and custom attributes for complex cannabis catalogs
• Native subscription commerce with flexible billing intervals, mixed carts, and automated dunning
• Fully customizable checkout via API for compliant payment processor integration
• Multi-currency support across 230 currencies with explicit pricing rules
• Unlimited custom fields for COAs, batch IDs, cannabinoid profiles, and terpene data

Why Swell Excels for Cannabis:

Unlike Shopify, Swell places zero restrictions on product categories. THC flower, CBD tinctures, hemp-derived products, and ancillary merchandise all coexist within a single backend. The platform's headless architecture means cannabis brands can build custom storefronts in React, Vue, Next.js, or any JavaScript framework while connecting compliant payment processors without platform interference.

The subscription capabilities prove particularly valuable for cannabis brands. Where Shopify requires third-party apps like ReCharge that charge additional fees and create integration complexity, Swell's subscription engine works natively with any payment gateway through the platform's encrypted card vault.

Ideal For:

• DTC cannabis brands selling THC, CBD, and hemp products from a single storefront
• Subscription box businesses needing flexible recurring billing
• Multi-product brands requiring unlimited custom fields for compliance data
• Tech-forward operators building composable commerce stacks

Pricing:

Custom pricing based on business needs. Swell's pricing structure includes options from startups to enterprises processing $10M+ annually, with 0% transaction fees across all tiers.

2. TreezComm — Cannabis-Native POS Integration

TreezComm delivers turnkey cannabis ecommerce for dispensaries already using Treez point-of-sale systems, offering native compliance integration that API-first platforms require custom development to match.

Core Capabilities:

• Direct integration with Treez POS for unified inventory management
• Built-in Metrc and BioTrack compliance tracking
• TreezPay payment processing designed for cannabis
• Real-time inventory sync between online and in-store channels
• Automated age verification at checkout
• Geo-restriction for state-by-state compliance

Platform Strengths:

TreezComm eliminates the integration complexity that dispensaries face when connecting separate ecommerce and POS systems. Menu updates, inventory changes, and order management flow through a unified system rather than requiring constant synchronization between platforms.

The compliance features are genuinely turnkey. Where Swell requires custom API work to integrate with state track-and-trace systems, TreezComm includes Metrc and BioTrack connections out of the box—valuable for operators prioritizing speed to launch over long-term flexibility.

Limitations:

• Vendor lock-in to Treez ecosystem
• Less flexibility for DTC brands without physical dispensaries
• Limited customization compared to headless alternatives
• Subscription commerce requires third-party integration

Ideal For:

• Single-location dispensaries already on Treez POS
• Operators prioritizing compliance automation over customization
• Retailers wanting unified online/offline inventory

Pricing:

Bundled with SellTreez POS at $300-800/month depending on features and transaction volume.

3. Dutchie — Marketplace Reach with Revenue Trade-offs

Dutchie dominates the cannabis marketplace space, offering dispensaries access to existing consumer traffic through its branded ordering platform while handling compliance, payments, and menu management.

Core Capabilities:

• Access to Dutchie's consumer marketplace and existing customer base
• Native Dutchie POS integration
• Built-in Metrc and BioTrack compliance
• Delivery and pickup order management
• Marketing tools and consumer analytics
• Fast setup with minimal technical requirements

Marketplace Advantages:

For dispensaries prioritizing speed and customer acquisition, Dutchie's marketplace model provides immediate access to consumers already searching for cannabis products. The platform handles 100+ partner integrations including payment processing, compliance tracking, and marketing tools.

Setup typically takes 2-4 weeks—significantly faster than building custom solutions on headless platforms. For operators who need online ordering running immediately, this speed advantage matters.

Significant Limitations:

• Percentage-based fees that vary by contract and sales volume (disclosed upon quotation)
• SEO challenges with iframe-based menu embeds
• Limited brand customization on marketplace listings
• Proprietary system creates vendor dependency
• Subscription commerce requires additional integration

Ideal For:

• Dispensaries wanting fast launch with minimal technical work
• Retailers prioritizing marketplace traffic over brand ownership
• Operators comfortable trading margin for convenience

Pricing:

Percentage-based fees that vary by contract and sales volume (disclosed upon quotation). Custom enterprise pricing available for high-volume operators.

4. Carrot — All-in-One Cannabis Platform

Carrot positions itself as the complete cannabis commerce solution, bundling ecommerce, loyalty programs, delivery management, and customer engagement into a single platform.

Core Capabilities:

• Integrated ecommerce, loyalty, and delivery management
• Multi-POS certification (works with Cova, Flowhub, Treez, and others)
• Built-in compliance for state regulations
• Customer group pricing and loyalty rewards
• SMS and email marketing tools
• Order fees that can be passed to customers

Platform Approach:

Carrot's value proposition centers on consolidation. Rather than managing separate tools for ecommerce, loyalty programs, delivery logistics, and customer communication, operators access everything through one platform. The multi-POS compatibility provides flexibility that TreezComm's ecosystem lock-in doesn't offer.

According to Carrot's data, top-performing dispensaries report 50%+ of revenue from online channels, with average online cart values of $95.69 compared to $88.93 for in-store purchases.

Limitations:

• Higher cost structure for single-location operators
• No headless/API-first architecture
• Limited customization for unique brand experiences
• Less suitable for DTC brands without retail locations

Ideal For:

• Multi-location dispensary operators
• Retailers wanting unified loyalty and ecommerce
• Businesses prioritizing delivery operations

Pricing:

Per-order pricing model (≈ $1 per pickup, $3 per delivery) that can be passed to customers or absorbed by the retailer.

5. WooCommerce — Open-Source Flexibility at Lowest Cost

WooCommerce offers cannabis brands the most cost-effective entry point with complete ownership of their ecommerce infrastructure, though requiring significant technical expertise to implement properly.

Core Capabilities:

• Free open-source plugin for WordPress
• 55,000+ plugins for extending functionality
• Complete code access and customization
• No product category restrictions
• WooPayments plus 100+ gateway integrations
• Self-hosted for total data control

Budget-Conscious Advantages:

The base WooCommerce plugin costs nothing. Cannabis brands pay only for hosting ($50-200/month for quality managed WordPress hosting), compliance plugins, and development time. For bootstrap operations, this model enables launching ecommerce without monthly platform fees eating into early revenue.

The plugin ecosystem includes age verification, geo-restriction, and compliance tools specifically designed for cannabis merchants. Unlike Shopify's restrictive acceptable use policy, WooCommerce places no product limitations on self-hosted stores.

Significant Limitations:

• Requires technical expertise or development resources
• Security and updates are merchant responsibility
• Performance depends on hosting quality
• Compliance integrations require custom plugin development
• No native subscription commerce (requires plugins)

Total Cost Reality:

While the plugin is free, realistic WooCommerce costs include:

• Managed hosting: $50-200/month
• Premium plugins: $100-300/year
• Development/maintenance: Variable
• Payment gateway fees: 2.9% + $0.30 typical

Ideal For:

• Budget-conscious startups with technical resources
• Brands wanting complete infrastructure ownership
• Operators with existing WordPress expertise

Pricing:

Costs vary widely depending on hosting ($20–$200/month), premium plugins, and developer time since WooCommerce itself is free.

6. BigCommerce — Enterprise SaaS for CBD and Hemp

BigCommerce provides enterprise-grade SaaS ecommerce with strong B2B capabilities, though restricted to CBD and hemp products rather than full THC support.

Core Capabilities:

• 250+ custom fields per product for compliance data
• 65+ payment gateway integrations including high-risk processors
• Native headless capabilities via API
• Multi-warehouse inventory management
• 0% transaction fees on all plans
• B2B wholesale pricing and customer groups

Enterprise Strengths:

BigCommerce excels for CBD and hemp brands operating within federal guidelines who need enterprise features without enterprise complexity. The platform's B2B capabilities—customer group pricing, quote management, and purchase order handling—serve wholesale operations that Shopify handles poorly.

The platform reports 99.99% uptime and provides the reliability expected from mission-critical commerce infrastructure. For brands generating $1M+ annually in CBD/hemp sales, BigCommerce offers proven scalability.

Critical Limitation:

BigCommerce supports CBD and hemp products but does not accommodate full THC commerce. Brands selling cannabis products beyond the 0.3% THC threshold need platforms like Swell that place no product restrictions.

Ideal For:

• CBD and hemp brands at scale
• B2B wholesale operations
• Enterprise brands needing proven reliability

Pricing:

• Standard: $39/month (up to $50K annual sales)
• Plus: $105/month (up to $180K annual sales)
• Pro: $399/month (up to $400K annual sales)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

7. Mosaic — Multi-State Operator Management

Mosaic serves enterprise cannabis operators managing multiple locations across different state regulatory environments, centralizing compliance and operations that become unwieldy at scale.

Core Capabilities:

• Centralized multi-location management
• State-specific compliance automation
• Enterprise reporting and analytics
• Integration with major cannabis POS systems
• Unified inventory across markets
• Role-based access controls

Enterprise Focus:

Mosaic addresses the complexity that multi-state operators face when each market has different compliance requirements, tax structures, and reporting mandates. Rather than managing separate systems per state, operators access centralized dashboards that aggregate data while maintaining state-specific compliance.

Limitations:

• Enterprise pricing excludes smaller operators
• Overkill for single-state brands
• Less flexible than API-first alternatives
• Not suitable for DTC-only businesses

Ideal For:

• Multi-state operators with 5+ locations
• Enterprise cannabis companies prioritizing compliance centralization
• Operators planning geographic expansion

Pricing:

Custom enterprise pricing available on request (undisclosed publicly).

Comparing Total Cost of Ownership

Understanding true platform costs requires looking beyond monthly fees. For a cannabis DTC brand processing $500k in annual GMV:

The comparison reveals Dutchie's percentage-based fees become increasingly expensive at scale, while platforms like Swell maintain predictable costs regardless of revenue growth.

Choosing the Right Alternative

Select Swell when:

• Selling THC, CBD, and hemp products from a unified storefront
• Building subscription-based cannabis commerce
• Prioritizing long-term flexibility over turnkey setup
• Technical resources available for API implementation

Select TreezComm when:

• Already using Treez POS
• Operating single-location dispensaries
• Prioritizing compliance automation over customization

Select Dutchie when:

• Needing immediate marketplace traffic
• Comfortable trading margin for convenience
• Lacking technical resources for custom builds

Select Carrot when:

• Managing multi-location retail with delivery
• Wanting unified loyalty and ecommerce
• Using multiple POS systems

Select WooCommerce when:

• Budget-constrained with technical resources
• Wanting complete infrastructure ownership
• Experienced with WordPress development

Select BigCommerce when:

• Operating CBD/hemp brands at enterprise scale
• Running B2B wholesale operations
• Needing proven SaaS reliability

Select Mosaic when:

• Managing 5+ locations across multiple states
• Centralizing compliance across markets
• Planning aggressive geographic expansion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Shopify ban cannabis products while other platforms allow them?

Shopify's acceptable use policy reflects the platform's relationship with major payment networks that prohibit cannabis transactions. Because Shopify Payments relies on these networks, the platform bans THC products entirely and restricts CBD merchants to third-party processors. Alternative platforms either operate their own payment infrastructure (TreezComm, Dutchie) or remain payment-agnostic (Swell, WooCommerce), allowing merchants to connect compliant high-risk processors without platform interference. This fundamental difference in payment philosophy determines which products each platform can support.

Can I migrate my existing Shopify store to Swell?

Yes. Swell's API enables custom import of Shopify data including product catalogs, customer records, and order history. The migration typically takes 4-8 weeks depending on catalog complexity and compliance data requirements. Swell even supports uploading and customizing Shopify themes within its environment, providing a migration path that preserves existing storefront designs while eliminating Shopify's product restrictions.

What happens if Shopify shuts down my CBD store?

Based on documented cases, Shopify typically provides one week notice for merchants to export data and migrate elsewhere. This compressed timeline creates significant operational risk. Proactive migration to unrestricted platforms eliminates this uncertainty. Consider running parallel systems briefly during migration to maintain continuity and preserve SEO equity.

Do cannabis-specific platforms like Dutchie offer better compliance than general platforms?

Cannabis-native platforms include built-in Metrc and BioTrack integration that general platforms require custom development to match. However, this convenience comes with trade-offs: vendor lock-in, limited customization, and in Dutchie's case, 5-8% transaction fees. API-first platforms like Swell offer compliance flexibility through custom integrations—more implementation work but complete control over compliance workflows and no ongoing percentage fees. The choice depends on whether you prioritize speed-to-market or long-term flexibility and cost efficiency.

Which platform is best for cannabis subscription boxes?

Swell's native subscription commerce makes it the strongest choice for recurring cannabis revenue. The platform supports flexible billing intervals (monthly, quarterly, custom), mixed carts combining subscription and one-time products, automated dunning to reduce churn, and separate invoicing from fulfillment schedules. Cannabis-native platforms typically require third-party subscription tools, adding cost and integration complexity that Swell eliminates through built-in functionality. This native approach also ensures better payment gateway compatibility for high-risk cannabis processing.