Shopify vs Magento for eCommerce: a comparison

If you're looking for the best eCommerce platform for your business in 2024, Shopify and Magento are two of the most popular options on the market.

Both platforms offer a range of features and tools to help you build and manage your online store.

There are however key differences that may make one platform more suitable for your needs than the other, of course.

In this article, we'll compare Shopify and Magento, with a particular focus on the advantages offered by Shopify.

10 advantages of Shopify over Magento

Included Web Hosting

‍Shopify includes web hosting in its monthly subscription, simplifying the setup of the online store without needing to register separately with a web hosting provider as required by Magento.

Beginner-Friendly

‍Shopify offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows you to create an online store without technical skills. Magento, on the other hand, is more complex and often requires developer assistance for setup.

Modern and free themes

‍Shopify offers over 70 themes, including 12 free ones, all with adaptive design. Magento offers only 11 paid themes, making the customization process more costly and complicated.

Thousands of Integrations

‍Shopify has over 6,000 apps in its App Store, compared to Magento's approximately 4,000 extensions. This vast collection of apps allows for easy customization of the online store on Shopify.

24/7 Support

‍Shopify provides 24/7 support for all plans, along with a help center, webinars, blog articles, and online courses. Magento offers support through a help center, forums, documentation, phone, tickets, and demos, but support availability depends on the chosen plan.

Included subdomain

‍Shopify provides a free subdomain (e.g., .myshopify.com) with its subscription, ideal for those not ready to purchase a custom domain. Magento requires a domain name from the start.

No coding skills needed

‍Shopify can be used without programming knowledge, thanks to its drag-and-drop interface and numerous available apps. Magento, however, often requires a developer for site setup and customization.

Easy to set up

‍Shopify guides users through creating their online store with simple steps and an intuitive interface. Magento, being more complex, can be difficult to set up without assistance.

Cost-effective option

‍Shopify is generally more affordable than Magento, with lower transaction fees and less need for web development interventions. It also includes web hosting, subdomain, free themes, and free dropshipping options.

Simple customization

‍Shopify allows for easy customization through its theme editor, enabling changes to fonts, colors, images, layout, and more. On Magento, many customizations require third-party extensions.

Conclusion

Shopify and Magento are both powerful eCommerce platforms, but the choice between them depends on your specific needs.

‍Shopify stands out for its ease of use, comprehensive support, and extensive integrations, making it ideal for beginners and small to medium-sized businesses. Magento, being open-source and highly customizable, may be a better choice for large companies with available technical resources.

However, for most merchants, Shopify offers a more complete and cost-effective package, with excellent support and a range of features suitable for any stage of business growth.

Start with Shopify today and discover all the tools and services you need to launch, manage, and grow your business.