There are loads of places to find Shopify themes for sale besides just the Shopify theme store.
While there are already lots of themes to choose from in the Shopify theme store, not all themes are there.
Take, for example, the highly popular and reliable Turbo theme can be purchased from the theme website “Out Of The Sandbox,” but it is nowhere to be found in the Shopify theme store.
It can be helpful to be aware of these other theme stores as well. Broadening your radar will allow you to find better-suiting themes, and possibly, better deals for your online store.
But when looking for Shopify themes outside the Shopify theme store, there’s something you need to know about Shopify themes first.
Themes with a License vs Themes Without a License
Themes bought outside the Shopify theme store won’t automatically be added to your Shopify store’s theme library. You’ll have to manually add them to your library by uploading the theme’s respective .zip file.
This means that when you download Shopify themes from third-party sites, you’re downloading .zip files.
This also raises the concern that you may or may not be downloading licensed themes, since anyone can just reupload the .zip file and sell it at a much lower price.
Licensed Themes

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Licensed themes are genuine, true, and valid copies of a Shopify theme.
Having these registered copies lets merchants easily update their theme, maintaining the theme’s functionality and performance amidst Shopify’s changes and updates.
Also, having a licensed theme gets you in Shopify’s good graces.
Always check the theme’s store listing if it comes with a license.
Unlicensed Themes

Source: Etsy
Unlicensed themes, on the other hand, are unregistered digital downloads that you may still apply to your Shopify store nonetheless.
Just be reminded, though, that you can’t automatically update an unlicensed theme. An unlicensed theme is stuck in the version you bought it in.
To update an unlicensed theme, you’ll need to acquire a newer version of the theme.
Also, Shopify doesn’t take kindly to unlicensed themes.
Shopify may email you, notifying you that you’re using an unlicensed theme, or worse, you might get a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice.
So it’s best to avoid unlicensed themes if you can help it.
Where to Buy Themes for Shopify
We’ve listed seven popular, reliable, and trustworthy places where you can acquire Shopify themes.
You can find responsive themes on these platforms that can run websites on various devices without appearing cluttered or cropped.
Here they are in no particular order.
Shopify Theme Store

The Shopify Theme Store is the best place to get Shopify themes.
All themes found in the theme store are Shopify-certified for optimal performance and compatibility with the e-commerce platform.
The theme store’s catalog layout allows visitors to fully appreciate each theme in the catalog. Shopify’s themes’ product cards are vertically optimized, allowing three to six to appear at a time, giving each theme ample screen space.
There are also product swatches that let visitors see the versatility and customizability of each theme. Each product swatch corresponds to a demo store that was created using the theme on display.
One standout feature of the theme store is that, since it’s integrated with the Shopify platform, merchants may test and customize paid themes in the Shopify theme editor.
Merchants may add their products, pages, and images, effectively building a website with the trial paid theme. Store owners have the option of paying just before publishing, leaving them free to effectively explore what each theme has to offer.
At the time of writing, there are 212 themes on the theme store, both paid and free.
Envato Elements

Source: Envato
Envato Elements is a huge hub for creative resources—stock video, graphic templates, music, fonts, and even Shopify themes.

Source: Envato
To search for Shopify themes in Envato Elements, click on the “All Items” drop-down next to the search box at the site’s header.

Source: Envato
Select CMS Templates. This will limit your search to only CMS Templates, which Shopify themes fall under.
Then click the search button. You don’t have to type anything into the search box.

Source: Envato
In the filters section, you’ll find a “Shopify” category. You may tick this filter on.
At the time of writing, there are 909 CMS templates categorized under “Shopify.” This is significantly more than the Shopify theme store’s 212, giving merchants a selection nearly five times as large.
Just note, though, that you don’t buy themes by paying for each item.

Source: Envato
You’ll need to subscribe to Envato Elements for $16.50 /month.
Once you’re subscribed, you have unlimited downloads of all the Shopify themes found in Envato Elements.
Remember that Envato also houses tons of other media types and assets, which you may use to build and market your Shopify store.
On the other hand, you’ll be signing up for a subscription model instead of on a one-time-per-item basis. Take this into consideration before getting anything from Envato Elements.
Quick read:Â What are the Best Shopify Themes for your Online Business?
Out Of The Sandbox

Source: Out Of The Sandbox
Out Of The Sandbox functions similarly to the Shopify Theme Editor.
It provides themes’ product cards with a lot of display space and it allows theme browsers to explore the demo stores of their theme catalog—just like Shopify's Theme Editor.
One key difference is that it displays its themes’ 5-point star scores and customer reviews.
Scrolling through the theme catalog page, visitors can see at a glance the star ratings of the themes that OOTS sells.
Clicking on a theme listing lets visitors know more about the theme. But towards the bottom, visitors can see the customer feedback for each theme, allowing them to know how others feel about the selected theme.
There’s also an FAQ section at the bottom of each theme’s product page.

Source: Out Of The Sandbox
Note that if you wish to update your OOTS-bought theme but maintain store customizations, app integrations, and custom code, you’ll need OOTS’s theme updater. The Pro version, at least, which will cost you $9/month.
Otherwise, the free version can update your OOTS themes just fine.
HulkApps

Source: HulkApps
HulkApps is a go-to for both Shopify apps and themes. Note that all themes on HulkApps are currently free as of this writing.
This can be highly advantageous for beginning merchants looking to use more than just Shopify’s free themes.
Apart from apps and themes, HulkApps also provides professional services to Shopify merchants, including marketing, design, and development.

Source: HulkApps
To view HulkApps’ themes, click on Apps & Themes from the navigation menu, then select Shopify Themes.
Click on Buy Shopify Themes.
The selection may appear relatively small at first. However, selecting an industry from the dropdown will reveal more available themes.
Creative Market

Source: CreativeMarket
Like Envato Elements, Creative Market is also a hub for different creative assets.
Source: CreativeMarket
To search just for Shopify themes, click on the All Categories dropdown from the homepage, then choose Templates & Themes.
Then click on the search box, type something if you wish, and then click enter.

Source: CreativeMarket
In the Categories section on the left panel, click Websites & Apps underneath Templates & Themes.
Then click Shopify.
Creative Market will now show you only themes for Shopify.
As of writing, there are over 1.4k results for this search.
The Creative Market differs from Envato Elements in that it allows visitors to purchase assets on a retail basis. This means no subscription is necessary.

Source: CreativeMarket
You have three license options to choose from when purchasing themes from Creative Market:
- Personal License. This is the most affordable option. A personal license from Creative Market allows you to use the asset for personal use.
- Commercial License. This is the middle option. This allows you to use the asset for commercial use, but you’ll need to alter it so that the final product (i.e., Shopify website) does not reflect the original licensed asset.
- Extended Commercial License. This is the priciest option. This allows you to use the asset as it is. You may also use the asset for commercial purposes, just like the commercial license.
Creative Market also has a subscription-based membership wherein members can get up to 20% off on all assets.

Source: CreativeMarket
But the amount paid for the subscription is also awarded as consumable credit for the store.
For example, the 20% off site-wide option, which costs $99.95 /mo, also gives customers 9995 credits a month ($99.95) to spend on assets found on the Creative Market.
ThemeForest

Source: ThemeForest
ThemeForest is part of the Envato Market. This domain covers Envato Market’s web themes and template digital assets.
VideoHive is for video assets, AudioJungle for audio, and ThemeForest for digital themes and templates.
If Envato Elements is a subscription-based platform for creative assets, Envato Market sells the individual items on its site. So, no subscription is needed to acquire themes from ThemeForest.

Source: ThemeForest
To view all Shopify themes, go to the ThemeForest website, scroll down, and click on View all themes.

Source: ThemeForest
Scroll down on the left panel until you see the Software Version section.
Click on Shopify. This will limit the search to just Shopify themes.
As of writing, there are a little over 2,000 themes to choose from.
This massive collection ranges from <$20 themes to $120, the high-end of which is cheaper than the Shopify Theme Store’s most affordable paid theme.

Source: ThemeForest
Users have two license options:
- Regular License. Assets bought with a regular license may be applied to a product that users are not charged to use. Your Shopify website may use a theme with a regular license
- Extended License. Assets bought with an extended license may be applied to a product that users pay to use. We only recommend using the extended license if you’re earning money from the theme itself. For example, you’re modifying the theme’s code and selling it as another theme.
Etsy

Source: Etsy
Etsy might be the last place you’d think to look for Shopify themes.
They’re commonly known as a cozy platform for jewelry, bags, accessories, and home decor. But Etsy has over a thousand results for “Shopify themes” as well.
Tread carefully, though.
There are quality themes made by honest, legitimate, and talented theme developers. But there are also “mega bundles” of 800+ themes being sold for dirt cheap, like under $10.
You can’t be sure as to whether or not every theme in these packages is sold with a license. So if it seems too good to be true, don’t buy in.
Despite this, merchants can benefit from the genuine listings found on Etsy.
Some themes, such as Gothic, can be found exclusively there too.
Popular Premium Themes Shopify
Now that you know where to shop for themes, you'll have a better chance of finding the perfect Shopify theme for your online store.
Here are some themes we suggest you take a look at. These have powerful features and tools that can engage and convert site visitors. They're also quite popular among merchants as well.
Electro

Electro is an affordable theme with a premium Shopify theme feel.
It's a tech- and electronics-centered theme equipped with a spec sheet, a countdown timer, and a testimonials section, among many others.
However, Electro may also be configured for stores of different industries as well, such as pets, furniture, and even clothing.
Lots of merchants can benefit from Electro's affordability and flexible customization.
Prestige

Prestige is one of the best Shopify themes, considering its massive popularity.
Clothing shops, accessory stores, and jewelry boutiques favor this fashion-centered premium Shopify theme. Even some non-apparel outlets use Prestige.
Its functionality includes a shop-the-look section, a sticky cart, and a countdown timer.
These tools let merchants build a non-intrusive, shopper-centered website.
Just note, though, that you may find this flexible theme's customizability and features in lower-priced themes too. So don't stop looking.
Conclusion
The best Shopify themes are the ones that are right for you. But you'll have a better chance of finding the perfect Shopify theme if you shift your focus from Shopify's theme store and open your perspective to platforms like Envato Elements and ThemeForest.
A proper theme will help drive engagement and conversions to your shop and set you apart from the competition. Not to mention, establish brand identity and improve brand recognition in the online space.
Read more:Â How to Create Unique Websites with Custom Shopify Themes