Shopify
A complete review of Shopify with pricing, comparisons to competitors, key information, and FAQs.
Updated on November 18th, 2023
The SMB Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Shopify is an easy-to-use website builder and multi-channel ecommerce platform used by over 1.7 million small to mid-sized businesses in 175 countries worldwide. Shopify is mobile-friendly and offers users a range of customizable themes, as well as a wide variety of order management and fulfillment tools.
Also Consider
Best Website Builder
Start a free website trial.
Get StartedNo credit card required.
Industry-leading website templates.
Easy e-commerce setup.
At-a-Glance:
Feature | Shopify |
|---|---|
Annual price | From $19.00 /mo. |
Month-to-month price | From $25.00 |
Free trial | ✓ |
Customization tools | ✓ |
Multiple sales channels | ✓ |
Language translations | ✓ |
Marketing automation | ✓ |
Mobile app | ✓ |
Customer support | Phone, email, and live chat. |
Review:
Shopify is one of the world's leading ecommerce platforms that allows businesses to easily create a website and sell products or services through multiple channels. The platform is easy-to-use and requires no coding knowledge. It also features a wide range of marketing, store management, and analytics tools.
Shopify is costlier than most of its competitors, such as Wix, and its extended features and functionality are only available through the purchase of additional apps. However, the platform offers comprehensive technical support, and users can hire a Shopify expert to help with the setup of their store.
Pros:
- The platform offers a 3-day free trial with all of its plans.
- The user interface is easy-to-use and suitable for beginners with no technical expertise.
- There are over 6,000 apps that integrate directly with Shopify for increased functionality.
- The platform features over 70 customizable themes.
- Shopify offers businesses access to multiple distribution channels.
- The ecommerce tool includes abandoned cart recovery, gift cards, shipping rates, and automated workflows.
- There is a mobile app for on-the-go convenience.
- Shopify is available in 133 currencies and supports up to 20 languages, attracting a global audience.
- Users can hire a Shopify expert to assist in the setup process.
- The company offers 24/7 customer support.
Cons:
- Gift cards and professional reports are not available on the platform's Basic plan.
- Users need to purchase apps in order to expand Shopify's features.
- The free website themes are limited.
Reputation:
Shopify is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating. However, the platform received only 1.08 out of 5 stars on the website. Reviews are generally positive on G2 (4.4 out of 5 stars, based on over 4,400 reviews) and TrustRadius (score 8.8 out of 10, based on more than 550 reviews).
While the positive reviews on G2 and TrustRadius praised the platform's affordability, user-friendly interface, and management tools, they did receive mostly negative feedback on TrustPilot (1.6 out of 5 stars, based on over 1,800 reviews), with users complaining about poor customer service, scalability issues, and problems with payments.
Pricing:
Plan | Monthly Pricing | Monthly Pricing (Billed Annually) |
|---|---|---|
Starter | $5.00 | n/a. |
Retail | $89.00 | n/a |
Basic | $25.00 | $19.00 |
Shopify | $65.00 | $49.00 |
Advanced | $399.00 | $299.00 |
Plus | From $2,000.00 | n/a. |
*Annual plans are paid upfront and users receive a discounted rate on their first three months of use.
Shopify vs. Squarespace:
Shopify and Squarespace are both popular ecommerce platforms that offer a limited free trial. Squarespace is the costlier option, starting at $16.00 per month billed annually, and has a steeper learning curve for beginners. In comparison, Shopify's plans start at $25.00 per month for a basic web store.
Comparison Between Shopify and Squarespace:
Feature | Shopify | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
Annual price | From $19.00 /mo. | From $16.00 /mo. |
Month-to-month price | From $25.00 | From $23.00 |
Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
Customization tools | ✓ | ✓ |
Abandoned cart recovery | ✓ | ✓ |
Automated workflows | ✓ | x |
Customer support | Phone, email, and live chat. | Email and live chat. |
Shopify vs. Wix:
Like Shopify, Wix offers customizable templates, ecommerce features, a mobile app, and multicurrency support. However, the former platform is the more costly option, charging $25.00 per month for its Starter plan, while Wix's pricing starts at $16.00 per month billed annually.
Comparison Between Shopify and Wix:
Feature | Shopify | Wix |
|---|---|---|
Annual price | From $19.00 /mo. | From $192.00 /yr. |
Month-to-month price | From $25.00 | From $16.00 |
Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
Website analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
Marketing automation | ✓ | x |
Social selling | ✓ | ✓ |
Customer support | Phone, email, and live chat. | Phone and email. |
Shopify vs. WooCommerce:
Shopify is a stand-alone ecommerce platform, whereas WooCommerce is an ecommerce plugin built exclusively for WordPress.com websites. As a result, WooCommerce offers less versatility than Shopify. In addition, users are able to hire a Shopify expert to help with the setup of their store, whereas WooCommerce has no personalized setup assistance.
Comparison Between Shopify and WooCommerce:
Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
Annual price | From $19.00 /mo. | From $25.00 /mo. |
Month-to-month price | From $25.00 | From $39.00 |
Free trial | ✓ | x |
Ecommerce functionalities | ✓ | ✓ |
Abandoned cart recovery | ✓ | x |
Mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
Customer support | Phone, email, and live chat. | Phone and email. |
Key Information:
Legal Name | Shopify Inc. |
Founder | |
Founding Date | Jan 01, 2006 |
Address | 150 Elgin St., 8th Fl., Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4 Canada |
Number of Employees | 11000 |
Number of Customers | 99 |
Telephone | |
Website |
FAQs:
What is Shopify used for?
Shopify is a popular and affordable eCommerce platform that allows businesses to easily create their own online stores.
Is Shopify any good?
Yes. Shopify is a superb eCommerce and point of sale solution with great features that you need to start, run, and grow your business. You can market your business and sell products under one convenient platform.
How much does it cost to have a Shopify store?
Shopify's pricing starts from $5.00 and goes up to $399.00 per month, depending on the payment option you choose.
Can I buy things on Shopify?
Yes. With Shopify, customers can buy a range of products from independent businesses through their online stores.
Does Amazon use Shopify?
Amazon sellers are able to sell their products on Shopify and the platform also integrates with Amazon, allowing users to sell via Amazon through Shopify.
Can I cancel Shopify at any time?
Yes. You may change or cancel your account at any time. If you cancel in the middle of your billing cycle, you'll have one last invoice for that month.
What is a Shopify store?
Shopify is an online store software for small to medium-size businesses. Shopify eCommerce is easy to use and has a range of Shopify themes so you can customize your online store to suit your taste and style.
What are the main features of Shopify?
- Branding.
- Online presence.
- Online store setup.
- Point of sale.
- Sales channels.
- Custom storefront.
- Shipping.
- Online payments.
Are there any free Shopify themes?
Yes, you can find a range of free and premium themes at themes.shopify.com. You can also build your own Shopify theme. Go to help.shopify.com/en/themes for more information.
What is the difference between Shopify and Squarespace?
The two companies differ when it comes to aesthetics. Shopify has various themes and allows you to build an attractive online store to sell your goods easily and efficiently, whereas Squarespace is tailored for businesses who are content-oriented and looking for more than just an e-commerce site. See our in-depth comparison for more details.
What is Shopify dropshipping?
Dropshipping refers to a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock, but rather sends a customer order to either the manufacturer or wholesaler who then sends the product to the customer.
What is the difference between BigCommerce and Shopify?
BigCommerce pricing ranges from $29.95 to $249.95 depending on the size of your business. Both e-commerce stores are highly rated and offer great themes and similar features. Try out a free Shopify trial or BigCommerce trial for 2 weeks to help you decide which e-commerce platform is the best option for you.
Are there any Shopify apps?
There are over 1,200 apps in the Shopify app store, allowing you to extend the functionality of your online store. Popular Shopify apps include Oberlo, MailChimp for Shopify, Shopify Printer, and Shopify Product Reviews.
How many Shopify payment gateways are supported?
Shopify supports over 100 third-party payment gateways including, PayPal and Stripe.
How do I get in touch with Shopify customer service?
You can speak to a Shopify chat support representative 24/7 by visiting the Shopify Help Center on the main webpage