Medusa: Open Source Alternative to Shopify

Medusa is an open-source commerce platform with 34k+ GitHub stars — the most flexible headless alternative to Shopify for developers. Node.js/TypeScript backend with modular commerce primitives you own and customize completely.

Compare Medusa with BigCommerce before you choose your stack.

Key features

Commerce modules

• Products, variants, categories, and collections
• Cart, checkout, orders, and fulfillment
• Customers, regions, and multi-currency pricing
• Inventory, stock locations, and reservations
• Promotions, gift cards, and tax calculation

Architecture

• Headless — REST API + JS SDK; connect any storefront (Next.js, mobile, PoS)
• Modular npm packages — use only what you need
• Plugin and workflow framework for custom business logic
• React admin dashboard included

Use cases

• DTC stores, B2B commerce, marketplaces
• Distributor platforms and multi-vendor setups
• PoS systems and service businesses
• Medusa v2 with built-in framework for advanced customization

Medusa vs Shopify

	Medusa	Shopify
License	MIT (open source)	Proprietary
Store ownership	Full code and data control	Platform-hosted
Customization	Unlimited themes and extensions	Theme marketplace limits
Payments	Bring your own PSP	Built-in payment stack
Cost	Free software + hosting	Monthly SaaS fees

Choose Medusa if you want open-source code, self-hosting options, and full control over your data and deployment.

Choose Shopify if you prefer a managed proprietary product with vendor support and minimal setup.

Browse more open-source alternatives to Shopify, or explore other tools in eCommerce.

At a glance

License	MIT
Stack	TypeScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, React
Self-hosted	Yes
Cloud	Medusa Cloud (managed)
Storefront	Bring your own (Next.js starters available)

Getting started

npx create-medusa-app@latest

Server runs on port 9000 with REST APIs. Official Next.js storefront starter and 14k+ Discord community. All commerce modules free on npm.

FAQ

Is Medusa a free alternative to Shopify?

Yes. Medusa is open source under MIT. You can self-host it at no software cost — you only pay for infrastructure or optional managed services.

How does Medusa compare to Shopify?

Medusa gives you source code access, self-hosting, and data ownership. Shopify is a proprietary product focused on managed convenience. See the comparison table above for a side-by-side breakdown.

Can I self-host Medusa?

Yes. Medusa supports self-hosted deployment, which is a core reason teams choose it over Shopify. Check the Getting started or Self-hosting section for install commands.

Is Medusa suitable for production?

Medusa is actively maintained with a strong open-source community. Many teams run it in production as a eCommerce alternative to Shopify. Review the At a glance table for license and stack details.

What are alternatives to Medusa and Shopify?

Browse alternatives to Shopify for more open-source options, including tools compared to BigCommerce. Explore the full eCommerce category for related projects.