Magento vs Shopify: how to make an informed decision for your eCommerce 

When deciding on the best platform to build or migrate your eCommerce store to, Magento vs Shopify is often one of the most challenging decisions. Both platforms offer robust solutions and are widely used in various industries, but the question isn’t necessarily “Is Magento better than Shopify?” or “Is Shopify better than Magento?”. Instead, it’s about finding the right fit for your business needs.

This blog aims to guide you through the options you have, providing insights into how the two CMS differ, their strengths and which option might be the better investment for your business.

As a Shopify and Magento development agency that works with both platforms, we understand how critical this decision can be, and we’re here to provide advice tailored to your eCommerce requirements. Whether you need help with setup, migration or customisation, our expert team can assist you in building a platform that works best for your goals, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Magento – The Adobe eCommerce Platform

Magento is a highly customisable, open-source platform designed for businesses that require a scalable and adaptable solution. Originally developed in 2008, Magento has grown into one of the most popular eCommerce platforms, now under the ownership of Adobe. It’s widely chosen by medium to large businesses due to its rich set of features, flexibility, and the ability to manage complex operations.

Key Characteristics of Magento:

• Customisation: Magento offers extensive flexibility, allowing businesses to modify nearly any aspect of their website, from the layout and design to the functionality and features.
• Cost: Magento’s open-source version is free, but running a Magento store requires hosting, development costs, and potentially licensing fees for the Magento Commerce (Enterprise) edition, which is ideal for large, high-traffic stores with complex operations and substantial growth potential.
• Templates: With Magento, you have access to a variety of themes and templates that can be further customised to meet specific business needs. Magento has raised the bar for templates with its Hyvä theme released in 2021 which is a performance optimised theme helping websites score high in Google’s Core Web Vitals due to reduced load times and optimised vital metrics such as server response and Time to First Byte (TTFB).
• Subscription: While the open-source version is free, Magento Commerce is subscription-based, with costs scaling based on your business’ size and complexity. The different versions include:

Adobe Commerce Starter

• Cost: starting at around £15,000 per year
• Features: Managed cloud hosting, basic support, content staging, and page builder.

Adobe Commerce Pro

• Cost: Starting from £30,000 to £50,000 per year
• Features: Enhanced performance, cloud hosting with better scalability, advanced security features, technical support, business intelligence tools, and customer segmentation tools.

Custom Enterprise Pricing (Cloud and On-Premise)

• Cost: This can exceed £100,000 per year, depending on factors like the number of stores, sales volume, and the need for additional enterprise-level features or integrations.
• Features: Fully customised features, dedicated cloud environments, 24/7 support, and service-level agreements (SLAs) for guaranteed uptime and performance.

Magento is ideal for businesses with large inventories or complex catalogues, and for those that need a flexible, scalable platform that can handle heavy customisation. Choose Magento for eCommerce if you require maximum control over and customisation for your online store.

The Shopify Platform for eCommerce

Shopify is an all-in-one, fully-hosted platform that simplifies the eCommerce experience, making it a favourite for small to medium-sized businesses. Since its launch in 2006, Shopify has become synonymous with ease of use and has grown to power millions of businesses globally.

Key Characteristics of Shopify:

• Ease of Use: Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface, allowing store owners to build and manage their online shops without needing extensive technical knowledge.
• Templates: Shopify offers a wide range of professionally designed themes that can be easily customised through a drag-and-drop interface.
• Cost: Shopify operates on a subscription model, with plans ranging from £25 to over £2,000 a month, depending on the size of your store and the features required.
• Subscription options: Shopify provides multiple pricing tiers, from Basic Shopify to Shopify Plus, designed for enterprises with more significant needs. The different options include:

Basic Shopify

• Cost: £25 per month + 2% transaction fee
• Features: This plan includes everything you need to build and manage a full Shopify online store, such as: fully hosted eCommerce site, two staff accounts, unlimited products, basic reports and analytics, discount codes and multi-channel selling (social media, online marketplaces, etc.).

Shopify (Standard Plan)

• Cost: £65 per month + 1% transaction fee
• Features: Offers additional features over the Basic plan, including: five staff accounts, professional reporting, lower transaction fees on sales (if not using Shopify Payments), support for gift cards and advanced features for scaling businesses.

Advanced Shopify

• Cost: £344 per month + 0.5% transaction fee
• Features: Designed for businesses that are scaling quickly and need advanced reporting and shipping features: 15 staff accounts, advanced reporting tools, calculated shipping rates by third-party shipping providers, lower transaction fees and better control over international selling.

Shopify Plus

• Cost: Starting from £2,000+ per month (custom pricing based on business needs).
• Features: Shopify’s enterprise solution with advanced features, including: unlimited staff accounts, customisable checkout experience, dedicated account manager and priority customer support, API access for deep integrations, advanced automation tools through Shopify Flow and multi-store management for international businesses.

Shopify is often chosen for its simplicity, reliable support, and speed to market. Choose Shopify for eCommerce if you prioritise ease of use and fast setup without the need for complex customisation or dedicated development teams.

What Businesses are Using Magento and Shopify?

Understanding which businesses choose Magento or Shopify can provide valuable context for your decision.

Magento is widely used by large enterprises and businesses with complex catalogues or high traffic volumes. Well-known brands such as Ford, Coca-Cola, and Nike utilise Magento for its scalability and flexibility.

Shopify, on the other hand, is a preferred choice for small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs who need a quick, easy-to-manage solution with potential to scale up. Gymshark, a fitness apparel brand, and Allbirds, a sustainable shoe company, both use Shopify for their eCommerce stores.

According to recent statistics:

• Magento powers 12% of eCommerce sites, particularly in regions like Europe and North America.
• Shopify powers over 1 million businesses, with strong traction among SMEs and start-ups globally.

Both platforms have their own communities and ecosystems, but these numbers highlight that Magento tends to attract larger, more complex businesses, while Shopify appeals to smaller ventures aiming for rapid growth.

Magento and Shopify Comparison: What Matters for Your Business

Let’s break down some critical areas to consider when choosing between Magento and Shopify:

Each of these factors should be considered based on your business’s size, complexity, and future growth plans. If you’re planning for high growth, choose Magento to leverage its scalability and control. If you’re focused on ease of use and cost-effective solutions, choose Shopify.

Summary: Magento vs Shopify – Which One Is the Best for Your Business?

At the end of the day, Magento vs Shopify boils down to what your business needs both now and in the future.

Why Do People Use Magento for Their Business?

• Businesses choose Magento when they need advanced customisation options and the ability to handle large-scale, complex operations.
• Magento is ideal for enterprise-level stores, international selling, and businesses requiring custom features and functionality.

Why Do People Choose Shopify for Their Business?

• People choose Shopify for its ease of use, affordable subscription plans, and fast time to market.
• Shopify is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses or start-ups that don’t need extensive customisation but want a professional, high-performing store with minimal hassle.

At Autify, we understand the intricacies of both platforms and can help you make the right decision for your eCommerce store. Whether you need help with migration, setup, or customisation, our team of Magento and Shopify experts is here to assist. Contact us today on +44 0115 778 6950 or at info@autify.co.uk for a consultation and take the first step toward building the perfect eCommerce experience for your business.