Ubuntu BizBox
Comparison

Ubuntu BizBox vs Shopify

Shopify is built for the West. Ubuntu BizBox is built for African commerce.

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Shopify is a powerful global platform. But if you sell in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana or anywhere else on the continent, you'll spend your first month installing third-party apps to make M-Pesa, WhatsApp checkout and cash-on-delivery work — then pay them every month forever.

Capability
Ubuntu BizBox
Shopify
M-Pesa, MTN MoMo, Airtel Money built in
Native, no app needed
Third-party app (paid)
WhatsApp checkout (no signup)
Built in, free
Third-party app (paid)
Cash on delivery + local couriers
Built in, set zones & rates
Manual or paid app
Pricing in ZAR / NGN / KES / GHS
Native multi-currency
Limited, USD-first
Works on slow / patchy networks
Offline-ready PWA
No
WhatsApp support 7 days a week
Real humans on WhatsApp
Email + chatbot
Starting price (USD)
$0 free, $19/mo Paid
$29/mo + $20-100/mo apps
Transaction fees (off-Shopify gateways)
0%
Up to 2%
Built-in marketplace exposure
MarketBox listings
Not supported
Live shopping (LiveBox)
Built in (beta)
Not supported

Which one should you pick?

Pick Shopify if you mostly sell to the US/EU and don't need WhatsApp or mobile money. Pick Ubuntu BizBox if your customers pay with M-Pesa, message you on WhatsApp, and live in Africa.

If you sell to African buyers, Ubuntu BizBox is a faster, cheaper and more local fit than Shopify — without giving up the things Shopify is famous for.

Ubuntu BizBox vs Shopify — frequently asked

Yes. Shopify starts at $29/month and most African sellers add $20–$100/month in third-party apps for M-Pesa, WhatsApp checkout and local delivery. Ubuntu BizBox starts at $0 (free forever plan) or $19/month, with M-Pesa, WhatsApp and delivery built in — no extra apps.

Yes — natively. M-Pesa (Kenya & Tanzania), MTN MoMo and Airtel Money are built into checkout. On Shopify these typically require a paid third-party app per gateway.

Yes. Ubuntu BizBox includes WhatsApp checkout out of the box — buyers can complete an order in chat without signing up. Shopify needs a third-party app to do this.

Yes. You can import products via CSV and we'll help you map your customers, orders and theme. Most stores are live in under 24 hours.

Try the African-built alternative.

Free forever plan. No card. Live in 24 hours.

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Compare Ubuntu BizBox to other platforms

vs Wix

Wix is a website builder. Ubuntu BizBox is a commerce platform.

Read more

vs WordPress + WooCommerce

WordPress needs hosting, plugins and a developer. Ubuntu BizBox just works.

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vs WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a plugin stack. Ubuntu BizBox is one platform.

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Migration guide

Move your store across in under a week.

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