COMPARISON
Shopify vs Magento for a brand that's outgrown its stack.
Enterprise catalog power against a platform that runs itself. Magento (Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source) gives you the code; Shopify Plus takes hosting, security and upgrades off your plate.
OUR VERDICT
Pick Shopify for lower running costs, managed security and a faster path to new features. Stay on Magento only if your business depends on deep backend customisation you can't rebuild with apps, Functions or integrations — and you have a team to run it. Pricing changes often — check current pricing: Shopify pricing · Adobe Commerce.
SIDE BY SIDE
Shopify vs Magento, row by row.
Green marks the better option for most Shopify brands; amber means it depends on your store.
| Shopify | Magento | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Fully hosted by ShopifyBetter | Self-hosted (Open Source) or Adobe Commerce Cloud |
| Cost to run | Monthly plan plus appsBetter | Hosting, developers and patching; Adobe Commerce licences are quoted |
| Security & upgrades | Managed by Shopify, PCI compliantBetter | Merchant applies patches and upgrades |
| Customisation | Apps, Functions, checkout extensions or headless | Full code access to backend and frontendBetter |
| B2B | Native on Shopify PlusDepends | Native in Adobe CommerceDepends |
| Multiple stores | Markets, or expansion stores on Plus | Multi-website and multi-store built inBetter |
| Checkout | Shopify checkout with Shop PayBetter | Custom checkout you maintain |
| Speed | Global CDN, managed cachingBetter | Depends on hosting and caching setupDepends |
| Time to launch | Weeks to a few monthsBetter | Months, with more QA |
FREE STORE AUDIT
Audit your store before you move
See what a migration would touch: URLs, apps and integrations.
Get the audit →COST CALCULATOR
Price a Shopify build
Estimate a build or migration budget in a few minutes.
Run the calculator →FAQ
Questions about Shopify vs Magento
Still torn?
We’ll look at your store on a 30-minute call.
Book a callIs Shopify cheaper than Magento?
Usually, once hosting, development and security patching for Magento are counted. Licence and hosting costs vary, so compare your total cost of ownership, not just the plan price.
Can Shopify handle a large Magento catalog?
Yes for most catalogs. Very complex product configurations may need metafields, Functions or a headless front end.
Will I lose SEO moving from Magento to Shopify?
Not if every URL is mapped with 301 redirects and content is carried over. That's the core of our migration process.
You've reached the end, so now…
Tell us what you're selling.
Send us your store. Within one business day you get a short Loom from a senior: the three things we'd fix first, what it would cost, and whether we're the right team for it.
- No pitch deck, no discovery-call theatre
- You keep the audit whether or not you hire us
- Fixed-scope quotes, no hourly surprises
Prefer to talk? Book 20 minutes with Haniel or call +1 855-764-4977