All comparisons

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.

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

Decision Guide

When to choose each option

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.

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 decision based on real data.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Shopify vs 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

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