Technology Comparison

Shopify vs Custom Store

Shopify is a leading SaaS platform for creating online stores with predefined templates, integrated payment gateways and an app ecosystem. A custom store is built from scratch with technologies like Angular, React or Node.js, offering total control over every aspect. The choice directly impacts margins, scalability and the shopping experience.

All comparisons

Comparison

Head-to-head comparison

Criteria	Shopify	Custom Store
Cost	Low initial: from 36 EUR/month + sales commissions	High initial: from 8,000-50,000 EUR but no commissions
Performance	Good: managed infrastructure with included CDN	Excellent: total optimization over frontend and backend
Scalability	Limited: advanced features require Shopify Plus	Unlimited: architecture designed for your needs
Customization	Medium: limited to Shopify theme system and apps	Total: unique design and features without restrictions
Maintenance	Minimal: Shopify manages servers and updates	Required: needs technical team for server and code
Transaction Fees	Yes: 0.5-2% per transaction on top of payment gateway fees	No: only the chosen payment gateway fees

Analysis

Pros and cons of each option

Shopify

Pros

Quick launch without technical knowledge needed
Managed infrastructure without worrying about servers
App ecosystem to easily add functionalities

Cons

Transaction fees that reduce profit margins
Customization limited by platform restrictions
Total dependency on Shopify as a provider

Custom Store

Pros

No platform fees, you only pay payment gateway costs
Unique shopping experience differentiated from competitors
Custom integrations with ERP, CRM and logistics

Cons

Significantly higher initial investment
You need a technical team for management and maintenance
Greater responsibility for security and PCI compliance

Decisión Guide

When to choose each option

01/
Choose
Shopify
Choose Shopify if you are starting with your first online store, have a small-medium catalog, your budget is limited and you need to sell quickly, or you lack an in-house technical team.
02/
Choose
Custom Store
Choose a custom store if your monthly sales exceed 50,000 EUR and you want to eliminate commissions, you need complex integrations with your ERP or logistics, you seek a totally differentiated shopping experience, or your catalog has thousands of products with complex variants.

BePand

Our recommendation

At BePand, we analyze your sales volume and needs before recommending. If you bill more than 50,000 EUR/month, Shopify commissions can exceed the cost of a custom store. We help you make the right decisión based on real data.

Get a free consultation

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Shopify vs Custom Store

Can I migrate from Shopify to a custom store?

Yes, it is a common process. We migrate your product catalog, order history, customer data and SEO settings. The process usually takes 2 to 4 months depending on the data volume and required functionalities.

How much do Shopify commissions really cost?

Besides the monthly fee (36-384 EUR), Shopify charges between 0.5% and 2% per transaction if you do not use Shopify Payments. With a volume of 100,000 EUR/month, that is between 500 and 2,000 EUR monthly in platform fees alone.

Do I need Shopify Plus for a large store?

If your store exceeds 800,000 EUR annually or needs features like custom checkout, multiple stores or advanced automations, Shopify Plus (from 2,300 EUR/month) is necessary. At that billing level, a custom store can be more economical.

Free call

Need help choosing the right option?

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We analyze your specific needs and recommend the best technology and approach for your project.