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Platform comparison

Shopify vs Shopware: which platform fits your store?

Shopify and Shopware side by side — hosting, costs, customisation, apps, B2B, international selling and maintenance — and how to decide between them.

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Our verdict

Shopify is the faster, lower-maintenance route for D2C brands; Shopware offers more control and stronger native B2B and multi-channel features for European merchants. The more complex your catalogue, pricing and sales channels, the more Shopware earns its extra effort.

At a glance

Shopify vs Shopware compared

A practical, high-level comparison based on the projects we deliver. Every business is different — use it as a starting point.

Shopify and Shopware compared by criterion
CriterionShopifyShopware
HostingFully hosted SaaSCloud (SaaS) or self-hosted
Best forD2C brands that want speed to marketMid-market & enterprise, especially in the EU
Cost modelMonthly subscription plus apps; extra transaction fees unless you use Shopify PaymentsFree Community Edition; paid plans for extended features and support
CustomisationLiquid themes, apps, Shopify FunctionsOpen source, Symfony plugins & apps
Apps & extensionsOne of the largest app stores and partner networksShopware Store with plugins, apps and themes
B2BNative B2B on Shopify PlusStrong native B2B features
International sellingShopify Markets for currencies, languages and domainsMulti-language, multi-currency sales channels built in
Maintenance effortLowMedium

How to decide

When to choose Shopify, and when to choose Shopware

Both platforms can run a successful store. The right choice depends on your catalogue, your team, your budget and where you plan to sell.

Shopify

Shopify is a fully hosted commerce platform: hosting, security, checkout and updates are handled for you. Features are added through themes and one of the largest app stores in e-commerce.

Choose Shopify if

  • You want to launch quickly and keep maintenance low
  • You sell direct to consumers and expect to scale
  • You want a large app ecosystem and a proven checkout
  • You would rather pay a subscription than run servers

Keep in mind

  • App subscriptions add up as the store grows
  • Checkout and core logic change only through Shopify's extension points, and the deepest options need Shopify Plus
Shopify development

Shopware

Shopware 6 is an open, API-first commerce platform built on Symfony and Vue.js. It runs as cloud SaaS or self-hosted and is especially popular in the DACH region and the wider EU.

Choose Shopware if

  • You sell across European markets in several languages and currencies
  • You need B2B features or complex pricing rules
  • You want open source with the option of cloud hosting
  • You have a complex catalogue or several sales channels

Keep in mind

  • Needs developers who know Symfony — a smaller talent pool than WordPress or Shopify
  • More platform than a small shop needs
Shopware development

Switching

Moving from Shopify to Shopware — or the other way

Already on one of these platforms and considering the other? We migrate stores between Shopify and Shopware in either direction, without losing data, revenue or search rankings.

  • Products, variants, customers and order history transferred
  • Every old URL mapped to its new address with 301 redirects
  • Integrations reconnected and tested before launch
  • A rehearsed go-live, so sales continue uninterrupted
E-commerce migration service

FAQ

Shopify vs Shopware FAQ

Can't find your answer? Talk to our team.

Shopify is the faster, lower-maintenance route for D2C brands; Shopware offers more control and stronger native B2B and multi-channel features for European merchants. The more complex your catalogue, pricing and sales channels, the more Shopware earns its extra effort.

It depends on what you count. Shopify: Monthly subscription plus apps; extra transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Shopware: Free Community Edition; paid plans for extended features and support. Compare the total cost over two or three years — platform fees, apps or extensions, hosting, development and maintenance — rather than the monthly price alone.

Maintenance effort on Shopify: Low. On Shopware: Medium. Hosted platforms take care of servers, security patches and updates for you; self-hosted platforms leave that work to you or your agency.

Yes, in either direction. We move products, customers, order history and content, map every old URL to its new address with 301 redirects, and rehearse the go-live so that sales and search rankings carry over.

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