Magento vs Shopify eCommerce Platform Comparison

Magento and Shopify are both ecommerce platforms and among the highest in popularity. The question that some people have is “Which one should I use?” or “Which is best for my business?”

On one hand, you will find yourself having an easy time building an online store if you go with Shopify. This platform is flexible in that it can cater to both start-up/young businesses and larger, more developed ones. With Shopify, you pay a monthly fee.

Alternatively, you have Magento – an open-source platform that you can install for free. You are required to pay for web hosting at $10 monthly. Additionally, you will also need to pay for security and extensions (app-like software) – more on these later. Magento is powerful, however you will need to have some expertise in coding. While Shopify caters to beginners and more developed businesses, Magento is best suited for larger enterprises that have dedicated development teams or the means to hire Magento developers.

When comparing the two, it’s a back and forth between Shopify and Magento. When it comes to ease of use, Shopify comes out on top. In terms of sales features, Shopify barely pulls ahead. Both perform equally in the website features category. Magento provides stellar help and support when compared to Shopify, however. Shopify does still perform decently in this area. When talking about what the best value for money is, it really depends on your budget. Magento is better suited for large enterprises with more resources, while Shopify is more “beginner-friendly” so to speak. If you do have the budget and the expertise to use Magento, you could see impressive results with this tool.

1. You can sell on multiple channels including sell on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and eBay
2. You have access to more than 70 mobile responsive themes, including 10 free options and 64 premium options starting from $140
3. You have access to a wide range of apps with Shopify’s app store. These essentially broaden what your site is capable of.

1. Unless you use Shopify Payments, Shopify is the sole platform that enforces their own fees.
2. Unless you keep a mindful watch over the amount of paid apps you install, you could easily go overboard.

1. Magento has a large community. If you have a question, chances are you’ll find it on the Magento Forum.
2. With the caveat that you have expertise in coding, the possibilities are pretty much endless when it comes to designing your store.
3. Magneto is an advanced platform. If you are a medium to large enterprise, have your own web development team, or have the resources to hire developers, then Magneto is the ideal choice for you.

1. Simply put, it’s not beginner-friendly. You need coding expertise and have knowledge of web developer jargon in order to understand the software.
2. Although it is open-source, it is comparatively more difficult to install and find a hosting provider that supports Magento. One that does is SiteGround.

If you choose a platform that’s difficult to use, you won’t be able to build the store you want. That can hurt your brand image. Shopify is a lot easier to use than Magento. You can customise it without having any programming experience. You need a developer who is trained to code for Magento, and the learning curve is pretty steep.

Your store’s theme is your customers’ first impression of your brand. 48% of website visitors say that design is the most important factor that influences their trust in a business. This means being able to create the look and feel that makes a good impression.

Shopify themes are all mobile responsive. This means that your website storefront will still look great even when users open them on a smartphone or tablet. Having a responsive design is crucial since a lot of people shop using smartphones, with roughly 3/4 of smartphone users buying something online recently.

Once you choose a theme, you can decide on all the different customisations you want. You can add as many new pages as you like, or change the colours to match your brand’s palette. You can also move different elements around or resize them. (Remember that all these customisations are easier on Shopify, being a drag-and-drop solution.) You can also integrate your social media feeds, and add other touches for greater usability and visitor convenience.

Hopefully going over some of the advantages and disadvantages of Shopify and Magento respectively has given you a better idea of which platform is the right fit for you and your business.

The case for Shopify:

1. Shopify is a quick-start, user-friendly platform.
2. It’s easier and faster to get your store online.
3. It’s convenient because you can make a payment all at once.
4. They have a support team that is easy to contact.
5. It’s a relatively easy transition going from website builders like Squarespace to Shopify.
6. Ecommerce beginners who have a desire to grow are a good fit for Shopify.

The case for Magento:

1. A medium to large sized enterprise is an ideal fit for the more advanced Magento platform.
2.  Magento has a large community and forums for comprehensive answers to any questions one might have.
3. While it is a time-consuming process, if you have the coding skills, you also have complete creative liberty to design your store.
4. It’s a good fit for businesses with global audiences or who aspire to expand internationally.
5. Magento is suitable for enterprises who have the time and money to invest and the desire to create a big brand that generates big revenue.