Shopware vs Shopify: Choosing the right e-commerce platform for your webshop

When setting up an online store, choosing the right e-commerce platform is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make. Two of the most prominent players in the market are Shopware and Shopify, both powerful, yet fundamentally different in how they operate and what they offer.

Whether you're a new store owner or looking to migrate from another system, understanding the core differences between these platforms can help you make an informed decision. Let's break down the most important factors: hosting, customization, transparency, plugins/apps, updates, and company origin.

Hosting

Shopware offers flexibility when it comes to hosting. You can choose SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or self-hosting with your preferred provider. If you host your store via Shopware itself, the servers are located in Europe, which can be a plus for businesses with a European customer base and data compliance requirements (such as GDPR).

In contrast, Shopify is a SaaS-only solution. Your store is hosted entirely in the cloud, and the exact location of your data may vary, as it could be stored anywhere in the world. This setup removes the need for technical server management but offers less control over where your data resides.

Customization

When it comes to customization, Shopware stands out. As an open-source platform, you have full access to the source code, which allows deep modifications to core functionality. You can build or modify themes and develop fully custom features tailored to your business needs.

Shopify, while user-friendly and powerful, is more restrictive in comparison. Customization primarily comes through themes and apps, but deeper changes require external app hosting and can be more complex to implement, especially without developer support.

Transparency

Transparency is another area where the two platforms diverge:

• Shopware is open source, anyone can view, audit, or modify the source code. This openness encourages innovation and allows for better control and security auditing.
  
  
• Shopify is closed source, meaning its internal workings aren’t visible or accessible. This can be seen as a trade-off: while it ensures consistency and ease of use, it limits the control you have over how the system functions.
  
  

Plugins and apps

Both platforms support extendability, but in very different ways.

• Shopware supports both plugins and apps. Plugins run inside your own hosted instance (if self-hosted), and their code is readable and editable by developers. This makes it easier to customize or extend third-party plugins to better fit your business needs.
  
  
• Shopify, however, relies solely on apps that run on external servers controlled by the app developers. This means you're dependent on the service and uptime of the app provider, and you can't modify the app if it doesn't quite do what you need.
  
  

Updating

• With Shopware, the update process depends on your hosting setup. If you're self-hosting, you’ll need to manage updates yourself or work with a technical partner. Managed solutions or Shopware's PaaS/SaaS offerings typically include automated updates.
  
  
• Shopify handles all updates for you, automatically. You usually won’t even notice them, as they're rolled out continuously. Twice a year, Shopify announces major feature releases, providing new capabilities and improvements without any manual work on your end.
  
  

Company origin

The origin of a platform can be an important consideration, especially for businesses concerned with data sovereignty or local support:

• Shopware is a German-based company, which often aligns well with EU regulations and standards.
  
  
• Shopify is a Canadian-based company and is publicly traded on the NASDAQ. It has a strong global presence and is one of the most recognized names in e-commerce.
  
  

Which one should you choose?

Both Shopware and Shopify are capable platforms, but they cater to different types of users:

• Choose Shopware if you need maximum customization, data control, and transparency. It's a great fit for merchants who want a tailored solution and have access to development resources or a technical partner.
  
  
• Choose Shopify if you prefer a turnkey solution that’s easy to manage, with minimal technical overhead. It’s especially suitable for smaller businesses or startups looking for a fast go-to-market path.
  
  

Conclusion

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in e-commerce and that’s a good thing. Whether you go with Shopware or Shopify depends on your business needs, your technical capabilities, and the level of control you want over your webshop.

Still unsure? Feel free to consult with us to explore which platform aligns best with your long-term vision.