Shopify Review
Verdict: Shopify earns 4.6/5 from 21,400 reviews, ranking #1 of 5 ecommerce platforms we track. It suits DTC brands & growing stores best. Easy to launch is its standout strength, while transaction fees off shopify payments is the main trade-off to weigh.
Our take on Shopify
Shopify is the most popular all-in-one ecommerce platform, handling hosting, payments, and a vast app store. The default choice for launching and scaling an online store.
Key features
- Hosted storefront
- Shopify Payments
- Huge app store
- POS & omnichannel
- Checkout optimization
Pros & cons
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Massive app ecosystem
- Reliable & scalable
Cons
- Transaction fees off Shopify Payments
- Apps add up in cost
Who Shopify is for
A good fit if…
- • You are DTC brands & growing stores.
- • Your use case is DTC stores.
- • Your use case is scaling brands.
- • Your use case is omnichannel retail.
- • Easy to launch matters to you.
Look elsewhere if…
- • Transaction fees off Shopify Payments would be a dealbreaker.
- • Apps add up in cost would be a dealbreaker.
- • Budget is tight — Shopify costs more than the $28/mo category average.
Shopify pricing
Full pricing breakdown →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39/mo | $468 |
| ShopifyPopular | $105/mo | $1,260 |
| Advanced | $399/mo | $4,788 |
How Shopify compares
| Measure | Shopify | Category average |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Starting price | $39/mo | $28/mo |
| Rank by rating | #1 of 5 | — |
| Public API | Yes | 3 of 4 offer one |
Integrations
Alternatives to consider
All Shopify alternatives →
Bottom line on Shopify
4.6/5 · Paid · best for DTC brands & growing stores
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify worth it?+
Shopify is rated 4.6/5 across 21,400 reviews and is best suited to DTC brands & growing stores. Easy to launch is the standout strength; the main trade-off is transaction fees off shopify payments.
What do users like most about Shopify?+
Easy to launch, Massive app ecosystem, Reliable & scalable.
What are the downsides of Shopify?+
Transaction fees off Shopify Payments, Apps add up in cost. Whether these matter depends on your use case — see who it is and isn't for above.
How much does Shopify cost?+
Shopify starts at $39/mo. See the full plan breakdown on our Shopify pricing page.
How does Shopify compare with other ecommerce platforms?+
Among the 5 ecommerce platforms we track, Shopify ranks #1 by rating (4.6/5 vs a 4.4/5 category average).
What is Shopify best used for?+
DTC stores, Scaling brands, Omnichannel retail.