Years ago, Interspire announced that they would no longer actively support their shopping cart. This marked the end of active maintenance for what was once a prominent licensed eCommerce platform. However, a diminishing number of Internet stores are still powered by Interspire shopping cart. That is why merchants got into a situation where they are left without any updates and bug fixes. Consequently, official support for Interspire ceased long ago, leaving merchants without essential updates and bug fixes. So, two logical dilemmas now stand in front of them. First, which cart can effectively replace Interspire, such as Magento or WooCommerce. And second, how to move from current shopping cart to a new one? For comprehensive guidance, consider our Universal eCommerce Migration Checklist.
As they say, the King is dead. Long live the King! So, let us find out who can become a real Interspire alternative.
The HeirWhy Interspire company closed their shopping cart? The answer is very simple - the appearance of BigCommerce. It is a hosted eCommerce platform that was launched in 2009 and that has shown incredible results in eCommerce industry. So, finally company decided to concentrate its efforts and encourage all clients to move to BigCommerce shopping cart. For a detailed guide on this transition, see our BigCommerce Migration Guide. You won’t require any additional skills to manage it. Basically, BigCommerce is a hosted and improved version of Interspire that looks and feels almost the same. You will be able to move your customised templates easily. Technical Support, documentation and official forum are also available. It seems to be the most logical option, because if you liked Interspire you will definitely enjoy BigCommerce.
The Contender
When we talk about BigCommerce the first rival that comes to mind is Shopify. It has almost the same functions including easy product management, customizable template system, SEO friendly links, coupons and discounts, official support and responsive community, etc. Other features that are not out of the box can be added from AppStore. Shopify's advantages over BigCommerce is B2B facilities and newsletter system. However, note that transaction fees may apply, depending on your Shopify plan and chosen payment gateway, which can impact overall costs compared to BigCommerce. In general, Shopify will cost more than BigCommerce. But after simple customisation you will get a web shop with really unique design. And of course, don’t forget about Shopify's readily available trial period, allowing you to thoroughly evaluate its features. For a detailed walkthrough, explore our Migration Preview Service.
North American Successors
Two other alternatives are Shift4Shop and Pinnacle Cart. The first one is a hosted platform known for its social media marketing facilities that include blogging opportunities, tools that allow you to sell on Facebook and create your own Facebook affiliate system, Twitter integration and YouTube video management.
A huge number of people who used Interspire appreciated it for being a licensed solution. After you paid for your shopping cart you could get full control over it. You had an opportunity to modify and copy your store’s database and source code. So, what should you do if you don’t want to use hosted platform? How to get a cart that has the same level of functionality and usability as Interspire had? Just consider Pinnacle Cart. It offers both hosted and licensed solutions and at the same time can even add some marketing tools which were not available with Interspire.
However, Shift4Shop and Pinnacle Cart have one serious issue to think about. Both platforms are oriented towards North American customers. Shipping gateways such as USPS, FedEx, DHL and Canada Post are very handy for Americans and Canadians. But if you live in Europe or Australia you will have to put a lot of efforts to manage the carts.
Licensed Alternative
Another shopping cart that offers its solution as licensed platform is CS-Cart. It supports almost identical set of features and payment/shipping gateways and it is open source. So, basically it is the most similar to Interspire shopping cart.
There are definitely much more candidates to replace Interspire and which one to choose depends only on you. However, those that were mentioned are the closest alternatives that combine user-friendly and multi-functional interface. After choosing the cart to power your business, you need to migrate your data from your current shopping cart to a new one. For a smooth transition, leveraging services like migration customization can be highly beneficial. To conduct this process quickly and accurately you should consider Cart2Cart. It is an automated migration service that will move your product, customer and order data in a few simple steps. To get your FREE Demo Migration just register an account and make your store even more successful.
Monthly Update – December 2025
As we close out 2025, the eCommerce landscape continues to rapidly evolve, with new technologies and strategies shaping how online businesses operate. A key trend for merchants considering a platform migration is the paramount importance of data security and compliance. With stricter privacy regulations emerging globally, ensuring your new platform offers robust security features and facilitates compliance from day one is non-negotiable. Furthermore, the rise of AI-powered personalization and customer service tools means that a successful migration now often includes integrating advanced AI capabilities, not just basic data transfer. Look for platforms that allow for seamless integration of these tools to enhance customer experience and drive conversions, ensuring your business stays competitive. Remember, a thorough pre-migration audit of your existing data, including historical orders, customer information, and SEO assets, is crucial for leveraging these advanced features effectively and avoiding potential pitfalls. The ultimate goal isn't just to move your store, but to strategically elevate its entire operational framework and customer engagement strategy for a thriving 2026 and beyond.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
