What can you expect?
This comparison will help you understand the strengths of each platform and decide which is best for your specific needs.
Ease of use
Customization
SEO
E-commerce
Hosting
Templates
Plugins
Performance
Support
Cost
Learning curve
Security
Scalability
Webflow
Cost starts at
Visual user-friendly editor
Services offered
Highly customizable without code
Capabilities
Integrated SEO tools
Projects
Misses a lot of important features
Revisions
Secure integrated hosting
Requests
Ready-to-use templates
Starting work
Approved apps library
Communication
Built-in optimization features
Client manager
Direct customer support
Client manager
Higher, scalable costs
Client manager
Intuitive but takes some time
Client manager
Regular updates and SSL certification
Client manager
Scalable with supported features
Shopify
Cost starts at
Intuitive editor, easy setup
Services offered
Customization with themes and apps
Capabilities
Built-in tools and plugins
Projects
The most renowned platform for e-commerce
Revisions
Integrated hosting, scalable
Requests
Over 150 themes
Starting work
Extensive app store
Communication
Excellent scalability
Client manager
24/7 support, live chat and phone
Client manager
Various plans, grows as you scale
Client manager
Very beginner-friendly
Client manager
SSL certificates, robust security
Client manager
Highly scalable for businesses of all sizes
Ease of use
Known for its visual drag-and-drop editor, Webflow allows users to design websites without any coding knowledge. However, it has a steeper learning curve compared to Shopify, particularly for those without prior design experience.
Shopify is designed for ease of use, allowing users to set up and manage online stores with minimal technical knowledge. Its interface is intuitive, and it offers extensive support resources, including 24/7 customer service.
Customization and flexibility
Webflow offers extensive customization options, enabling users to create highly tailored websites. It supports custom code and offers advanced design tools, but its app ecosystem is not as extensive as Shopify’s.
While Shopify may not offer the same level of design flexibility as Webflow, it compensates with a vast app store that extends functionality in numerous ways. Shopify’s templates are highly customizable, and it supports third-party plugins to enhance its capabilities.
SEO and performance
Webflow provides strong SEO capabilities with built-in tools that help optimize site content for search engines. Its clean, semantic code and responsive design features contribute to high performance and good SEO rankings.
Shopify also offers robust SEO tools and good performance metrics. It includes features such as SSL certificates, fast loading times, and mobile optimization, which are crucial for SEO. However, advanced SEO might require additional apps.
E-commerce capabilities
Webflow’s e-commerce features are relatively new but growing. It supports selling physical and digital products, managing inventory, and customizing checkout processes. However, it lacks some advanced features that are standard in Shopify.
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform, offering everything for managing online stores. This includes unlimited product listings, advanced inventory management, multi-channel selling, and comprehensive analytics, while Shopify Payments simplifies the payment process.
Cost and pricing
Webflow's pricing includes hosting and ranges from free to premium plans with advanced features. Although it simplifies the cost structure, it tends to be more expensive overall. It’s suitable for businesses that anticipate growth and need advanced design capabilities.
Shopify offers a variety of pricing plans starting from a low monthly fee. Its straightforward pricing structure includes different tiers to accommodate various business sizes and needs, with an option for enterprise-level solutions through Shopify Plus.
Security
Webflow provides integrated security features including SSL certificates, DDoS protection, 2F authentication, and regular backups. Its closed system reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities, ensuring a secure environment for website management.
Shopify prioritizes security with SSL certificates, DDoS protection, regular backups, fraud detection, and 24/7 monitoring. It provides a secure platform for e-commerce transactions and customer data protection, no matter the business size.
Scalability
Webflow is designed to scale with growing businesses, supporting high traffic and complex website designs. It is suitable for smaller businesses as well as enterprises that require extensive customization and design flexibility.
Shopify is highly scalable, catering to small businesses and large enterprises alike. Its enterprise solution, Shopify Plus, offers advanced features and support for high-volume sales and large-scale operations.
Market position comparison
The graph displays the market positions of selected content management systems (CMS) based on their usage by high and low traffic sites.
Webflow has quickly gained traction among businesses needing advanced customization and performance optimization for their high-traffic websites.
Shopify has established itself as a leading e-commerce platform, providing comprehensive tools and integrations for businesses of all sizes.
Webflow vs Shopify summary
Webflow
Webflow offers superior website building capabilities with an intuitive and user-friendly visual editor, making it perfect for businesses that need to iterate fast without having to wait on developers. Its advanced flexibility and extensive design tools make it a perfect choice for high-traffic projects seeking a robust platform for creating unique, impressive websites.
Shopify
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that provides robust tools for creating and managing online stores. It’s the go-to choice for businesses looking to establish a strong online retail presence quickly and efficiently. Shopify offers an extensive range of features, including advanced inventory management, multiple payment gateways, and integrated shipping.
