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Shopify

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Payload CMS

Shopify vs Payload CMS

Shopify vs Payload CMS: which is right for your project? Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform. Payload CMS is typescript-first headless cms that lives in your next.js app. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Shopify and Payload CMS serve different use cases well. Choose Shopify for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store. Choose Payload CMS for Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead.

Official docs: Shopify Developer Docs · Payload CMS Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	Shopify	Payload CMS
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

Payload CMS

Pros

Lives inside your Next.js codebase — zero API latency
Config-as-code with full TypeScript type safety
Built-in auth, access control, and file uploads
No vendor lock-in — self-host on your own database

Cons

Tightly coupled to Next.js ecosystem
Newer platform with a smaller community and fewer plugins
Requires TypeScript/Node.js development skills
Admin UI is functional but less polished than Sanity or Contentful

Platform Details

Detail	Shopify	Payload CMS
Language / Stack	Liquid (templating) / Proprietary	TypeScript / Node.js
Type	ecommerce	headless cms
Pricing	$39-399/month	Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available
Open Source	No	Yes
Best For	E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store	Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead
Export Method	CSV export or Admin API (GraphQL/REST)	REST API, GraphQL, or direct database access

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 Payload CMS if…

You need next.js developers wanting a cms that lives in their codebase with zero api overhead
Your team is comfortable with TypeScript / Node.js
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
Budget is a top priority — free (self-hosted) / cloud plans available

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Shopify and Payload CMS 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 Payload CMS is a headless cms built with TypeScript / Node.js. 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, Payload CMS is open-source (Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available), 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 supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shopify better than Payload CMS?

They're closely matched (23/30 vs 23/30). Shopify is best for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store, while Payload CMS excels for Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.

Can I migrate from Shopify to Payload CMS?

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

What are the main differences between Shopify and Payload CMS?

Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform, while Payload CMS is typescript-first headless cms that lives in your next.js app. Key differences: ease of use (Shopify: 4/5, Payload CMS: 3/5), pricing ($39-399/month vs Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available), and ecosystem size (Shopify: 5/5, Payload CMS: 2/5).

How much does Shopify cost compared to Payload CMS?

Shopify: $39-399/month. Payload CMS: Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available. Payload CMS is open-source and free to self-host, while Shopify is a paid platform.

Which is easier to learn, Shopify or Payload CMS?

Shopify is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Complete e-commerce solution — payments, shipping, inventory. Payload CMS has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to TypeScript / Node.js.

Which performs better, Shopify or Payload CMS?

Payload CMS has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). Payload CMS has strong performance characteristics. Shopify may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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