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Shopify

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Next.js

Shopify vs Next.js

Shopify vs Next.js: which is right for your project? Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform. Next.js is react framework for production with ssr, ssg, and api routes. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Next.js wins overall, but Shopify is better for e-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store. Choose Shopify for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store. Choose Next.js for Production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies.

Official docs: Shopify Developer Docs · Next.js Documentation

Migrate Shopify → Next.js

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	Shopify	Next.js
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

Next.js

Pros

Hybrid rendering — SSG, SSR, ISR, and client-side in one app
Most popular React framework with massive community
Built-in image optimization, API routes, and middleware
Optimized for Vercel but deploys anywhere (Node.js, Docker)

Cons

React learning curve for non-JavaScript developers
App Router introduced complexity with Server Components
Build output tightly coupled to Vercel's infrastructure features
Can be overkill for simple static content sites

Platform Details

Detail	Shopify	Next.js
Language / Stack	Liquid (templating) / Proprietary	JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
Type	ecommerce	framework
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	Production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies
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 Next.js if…

You need production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies
Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
Budget is a top priority — free (open-source)
You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Shopify and Next.js 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 Next.js is a framework built with JavaScript/TypeScript (React). 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, Next.js 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 → Next.js migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shopify better than Next.js?

Next.js scores higher overall (28/30 vs 23/30) thanks to better performance. However, Shopify remains the better choice for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store.

Can I migrate from Shopify to Next.js?

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 Next.js?

Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform, while Next.js is react framework for production with ssr, ssg, and api routes. Key differences: ease of use (Shopify: 4/5, Next.js: 3/5), pricing ($39-399/month vs Free (open-source)), and scalability (Shopify: 5/5, Next.js: 5/5).

How much does Shopify cost compared to Next.js?

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

Which is easier to learn, Shopify or Next.js?

Shopify is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Complete e-commerce solution — payments, shipping, inventory. Next.js React learning curve for non-JavaScript developers.

Which performs better, Shopify or Next.js?

Next.js has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). As a framework, Next.js pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Shopify may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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