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Shopify

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11ty

Shopify vs 11ty

Shopify vs 11ty: which is right for your project? Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform. 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Shopify and 11ty serve different use cases well. Choose Shopify for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript.

Official docs: Shopify Developer Docs

Migrate Shopify → 11ty

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	Shopify	11ty
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Shopify

Pros

Complete e-commerce solution — payments, shipping, inventory
Largest app ecosystem (8,000+ apps) for any e-commerce need
Handles Black Friday-level traffic without configuration
Shopify Payments eliminates third-party gateway complexity

Cons

Transaction fees on non-Shopify Payments orders
Liquid templating language is proprietary and limited
Content management beyond products is very basic
Monthly costs escalate with apps and higher plans

11ty

Pros

Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML
Supports 10+ template languages (Nunjucks, Liquid, Markdown, etc.)
Framework-independent — use any or no JS framework
Fast builds and simple mental model

Cons

No built-in client-side JS framework for interactive components
Smaller ecosystem of plugins and starters than Next.js or Gatsby
Less intuitive for developers coming from React/Vue backgrounds
Documentation can be hard to navigate

Platform Details

Detail	Shopify	11ty
Language / Stack	Liquid (templating) / Proprietary	JavaScript (multiple template languages)
Type	ecommerce	ssg
Pricing	$39-399/month	Free (open-source)
Open Source	No	Yes
Best For	E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store	Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript
Export Method	CSV export or Admin API (GraphQL/REST)	N/A (destination framework)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Shopify if…

You need e-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store
Your team is comfortable with Liquid (templating) / Proprietary
You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Choose 11ty if…

You need performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side javascript
Your team is comfortable with JavaScript (multiple template languages)
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
Budget is a top priority — free (open-source)
You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members
You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Shopify and 11ty depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Shopify is a ecommerce built with Liquid (templating) / Proprietary, while 11ty is a ssg built with JavaScript (multiple template languages). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. Both platforms require some technical comfort — consider which tech stack aligns better with your team's existing skills.

From a cost perspective, 11ty is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Shopify ($39-399/month) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP offers a free Shopify → 11ty migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shopify better than 11ty?

They're closely matched (23/30 vs 25/30). Shopify is best for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store, while 11ty excels for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.

Can I migrate from Shopify to 11ty?

Yes. Export your Shopify content via CSV export or Admin API (GraphQL/REST), then convert it to Markdown or import into a headless CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.

What are the main differences between Shopify and 11ty?

Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform, while 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Key differences: performance (Shopify: 4/5, 11ty: 5/5), pricing ($39-399/month vs Free (open-source)), and ecosystem size (Shopify: 5/5, 11ty: 3/5).

How much does Shopify cost compared to 11ty?

Shopify: $39-399/month. 11ty: Free (open-source). 11ty is open-source and free to self-host, while Shopify is a paid platform.

Which is easier to learn, Shopify or 11ty?

They're similarly approachable (both 4/5). Shopify uses Liquid (templating) / Proprietary, while 11ty uses JavaScript (multiple template languages). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.

Which performs better, Shopify or 11ty?

11ty has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). As a static site generator, 11ty pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Shopify may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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