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Webflow

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Shopify

Webflow vs Shopify

Webflow vs Shopify: which is right for your project? Webflow is visual web development platform with clean code output. Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Shopify wins overall, but Webflow is better for designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code. Choose Webflow for Designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code. Choose Shopify for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store.

Official docs: Webflow Developer Docs · Shopify Developer Docs

Feature by Feature Comparison

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

Pros & Cons

Webflow

Pros

Generates clean, semantic HTML/CSS — no code bloat
Full CSS control with a visual interface (like coding without typing)
Built-in CMS with API access and structured content
Good performance with global CDN hosting included

Cons

Steep learning curve for non-designers (CSS concepts required)
CMS is limited to 10,000 items on the highest plan
No server-side logic — relies on third-party integrations
Per-site pricing adds up for agencies managing multiple clients

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

Platform Details

Detail	Webflow	Shopify
Language / Stack	Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS)	Liquid (templating) / Proprietary
Type	website builder	ecommerce
Pricing	Free / $14-39/month	$39-399/month
Open Source	No	No
Best For	Designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code	E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store
Export Method	CMS API or HTML export (static code)	CSV export or Admin API (GraphQL/REST)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Webflow if…

You need designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code
Your team is comfortable with Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS)

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

Which Should You Pick?

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

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Webflow is a website builder built with Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS), while Shopify is a ecommerce built with Liquid (templating) / Proprietary. That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Webflow's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, both are paid platforms — Webflow at Free / $14-39/month and Shopify at $39-399/month. 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 Webflow better than Shopify?

Shopify scores higher overall (23/30 vs 19/30) thanks to easier learning curve. However, Webflow remains the better choice for Designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code.

Can I migrate from Webflow to Shopify?

Yes. Export your Webflow content via CMS API or HTML export (static code), then import it into Shopify. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.

What are the main differences between Webflow and Shopify?

Webflow is visual web development platform with clean code output, while Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform. Key differences: ease of use (Webflow: 3/5, Shopify: 4/5), pricing (Free / $14-39/month vs $39-399/month), and ecosystem size (Webflow: 3/5, Shopify: 5/5).

How much does Webflow cost compared to Shopify?

Webflow: Free / $14-39/month. Shopify: $39-399/month. Both are paid platforms — compare their pricing tiers against your specific feature needs.

Which is easier to learn, Webflow or Shopify?

Shopify is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Complete e-commerce solution — payments, shipping, inventory. Webflow Steep learning curve for non-designers (CSS concepts required).

Which performs better, Webflow or Shopify?

Both score equally on performance (4/5). The real difference depends on your setup: Webflow uses Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS), Shopify uses Liquid (templating) / Proprietary. Proper caching and CDN configuration matters more than the platform itself at this tier.

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