Ecwid vs Shopify: Comparison on Which is the Better E-Commerce Platform

As an expert in e-commerce, I've seen firsthand how crucial it is to choose the right eCommerce platform when starting or scaling an online business.

Shopify and Ecwid are two of the most popular options, but determining which is best can be challenging.

Drawing on our extensive experience at POWR in integrating with both platforms, I'll guide you through a comprehensive comparison of Ecwid and Shopify.

We'll examine key aspects such as pricing, features, ease of use, and integrations – areas where our POWR software seamlessly works with both platforms.

By the end of this article, you'll have the insights needed to decide which eCommerce solution aligns best with your business goals and requirements.

In this article:

• Overview: Ecwid and Shopify
• Pricing
• Features
• Ease of Use
• Payment Options and Fees
• SEO and Marketing Tools
• Third-Party App Markets
• Drawbacks and Limitations
• Customer Support
• FAQs: Ecwid vs Shopify
• Final Recommendation: Ecwid or Shopify

1. Overview: Ecwid and Shopify

Ecwid Overview

Ecwid, short for "eCommerce Widget," is an eCommerce platform that integrates easily with existing websites, social media, and other online marketplaces.

Ecwid by Lightspeed is often used by small to medium-sized businesses looking to add a store to an existing website rather than build one from scratch.

Its plugin-based approach enables seamless integration with popular content management systems such as WordPress, Wix, and Joomla, making it an attractive option for businesses with an established online presence.

Additionally, Ecwid's multi-channel selling capabilities enable businesses to manage their inventory and orders across various platforms from a single dashboard, streamlining the eCommerce process for busy entrepreneurs.

Shopify Overview

Shopify is a comprehensive eCommerce platform that allows you to build and manage your online store from scratch.

Shopify is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful tools for entrepreneurs and businesses that want to scale their online presence.

It offers a full suite of tools for website building, inventory management, order processing, and customer relationship management, making it a one-stop solution for eCommerce needs.

Shopify's extensive app marketplace and robust API enable significant customization and functional expansion, allowing businesses to tailor their online stores to meet specific requirements as they grow.

Also, Shopify's built-in analytics and reporting tools provide valuable insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and overall store performance, empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions.

2. Pricing: Ecwid vs Shopify

Ecwid Pricing

Ecwid pricing offers a free plan with limited features, making it accessible to small businesses and startups.

Paid plans range from $25 to $105 per month, making them more affordable than Shopify's offerings. Ecwid does not charge transaction fees, but you will still incur fees with your payment processor.

Shopify Pricing

Shopify offers tiered pricing based on business needs, starting at $39 monthly.

Shopify also charges additional transaction fees if you use a third-party payment provider, though Shopify Payments can help you avoid these fees.

Shopify’s plans tend to be more expensive, especially for new businesses.

3. Features: Ecwid vs Shopify

Ecwid Features

Ecwid excels at adding eCommerce functionality to existing websites. It integrates well with platforms like WordPress and Joomla and supports selling through social media.

However, customization and built-in features, such as point-of-sale (POS) systems, are more limited than those available on Shopify.

Shopify Features

Shopify offers more robust features, especially for businesses looking to scale.

From robust POS systems to built-in marketing tools and advanced customization options, Shopify is designed for merchants who want to grow and sell across multiple channels.

4. Ease of Use: Ecwid vs Shopify

Ecwid

Ecwid is extremely easy to set up and integrates well with existing websites.

Ecwid is an excellent choice for quickly selling online without rebuilding your existing website or blog. It’s ideal for smaller operations with limited product catalogs.

Shopify

Shopify is also known for its ease of use, but it requires more setup if starting from scratch.

The platform offers a drag-and-drop store builder, and once set up, managing your store is straightforward. It’s great for businesses that plan to grow and need a scalable platform.

5. Payment Options and Fees: Ecwid vs Shopify

Ecwid Payments

Ecwid allows you to integrate a wide range of payment options, including Stripe, PayPal, and other third-party gateways, with no additional fees beyond those charged by the payment processor.

Shopify Payments

Shopify supports over 100 payment providers, but adds additional transaction fees (2%) unless you use Shopify Payments.

This can add up for larger businesses, but Shopify Payments can save on costs.

6. SEO and Marketing Tools: Ecwid vs Shopify

Ecwid SEO and Marketing

Ecwid provides basic SEO options, including meta tags, URL customization, and basic analytics. However, you may need third-party integrations or apps for more advanced features.

Shopify SEO and Marketing

Shopify is known for its strong SEO capabilities, offering tools for optimizing product pages, URLs, and meta descriptions.

It also provides built-in marketing tools, including email campaigns and social media integrations.

7. Third-Party App Markets: Ecwid vs Shopify

Ecwid App Market

Ecwid offers a curated selection of over 200 apps in its marketplace. These apps cover essential functions like shipping, accounting, marketing, and social media integrations.

Popular integrations include platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as accounting tools such as Xero.

However, the smaller size of the app market means fewer niche tools or deep customization options, which may limit businesses with more complex needs.

POWR currently has six apps available for free (with six more planned) on the app marketplace:

1. Form Builder
2. Popup
3. Image Slider
4. Countdown Timer
5. Photo Gallery
6. Product Tabs

Shopify App Market

Shopify’s app marketplace is significantly larger, with over 8,000 apps available. Whether you need advanced marketing tools, analytics, customer service plugins, or specialized eCommerce apps, Shopify offers a broad range of third-party integrations.

Popular apps for email marketing include Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and Klaviyo, among many others.

Shopify’s vast app market allows for extensive customization and scalability, making it a more versatile option for businesses with diverse needs.

The list of POWR apps on Shopify totals 32, including Form Builder, Popup, Instagram Feed, and YouTube Gallery, among many others.

Third-Party App Customization: Ecwid vs. Shopify

Ecwid Customization

Ecwid’s app market allows basic customization through integrations with key services.

Still, the platform is designed to be simple and user-friendly, meaning customization options may be limited for larger businesses or those with specific requirements.

If you need advanced features, you may need to rely more heavily on external developers or third-party tools.

Shopify Customization

Shopify is highly customizable, with many apps offering deep integrations and the ability to extend your store’s functionality.

Shopify’s app market caters to small businesses and enterprises, offering solutions ranging from advanced marketing automation to customer service enhancements.

For businesses with unique needs, Shopify’s app ecosystem and open API enable the creation of tailored solutions without extensive development expertise.

8. Drawbacks and Limitations: Ecwid vs Shopify

While both Ecwid and Shopify offer robust eCommerce solutions, they each have their own set of limitations that potential users should consider:

Ecwid Drawbacks:

• Limited Design Flexibility: Ecwid's design options are more restricted than Shopify's, which may be a drawback for businesses wanting a highly customized store appearance.
• Less Scalable: For rapidly growing businesses, Ecwid may not offer the same level of scalability as Shopify, particularly for advanced features and integrations.
• Dependent on Existing Website: Ecwid is primarily designed to integrate with existing websites, which may limit its appeal for businesses starting from scratch.
• Limited Built-in Marketing Tools: Unlike Shopify, Ecwid offers fewer built-in marketing and SEO tools, which may require more third-party integrations.

Shopify Drawbacks:

• Higher Costs: Shopify's plans are generally more expensive than Ecwid's, which could be a barrier for small businesses or startups.
• Transaction Fees: Unless using Shopify Payments, users incur additional transaction fees that can add up for high-volume sellers.
• Steeper Learning Curve: While user-friendly, Shopify's extensive feature set can be overwhelming for beginners compared to Ecwid's simpler interface.
• Theme Customization Limitations: While Shopify offers many themes, extensive customization often requires proficiency in its proprietary Liquid template language.
• Content Management Limitations: Shopify's blogging and content management capabilities are less robust than those of dedicated CMS platforms, which might be a drawback for content-heavy stores.

Understanding these limitations can help you make more informed decisions based on their needs and long-term goals.

9. Customer Support: Ecwid vs Shopify

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Ecwid vs Shopify

Final Recommendation: Ecwid or Shopify

Ecwid and Shopify can both power a successful online business, but the right choice depends on how you want to build (or expand) your store, how fast you expect to grow, and how much flexibility you need.

Choose Ecwid if you want the simplest way to start selling

• You already have a website (WordPress, Wix, Joomla, or a custom site) and you want to add eCommerce without rebuilding everything.
• You’re starting small with a limited catalog and want a lower-cost entry point, including a free plan option.
• You prefer a lightweight setup and don’t need deep design customization or advanced enterprise features.
• You want straightforward fees (no extra platform transaction fees beyond your payment processor).

Choose Shopify if you want an all-in-one platform built to scale

• You’re building a full storefront from scratch and want a dedicated eCommerce website builder with robust store management.
• You plan to grow quickly and want a larger ecosystem of apps, integrations, and advanced features.
• You need stronger customization options (themes, apps, APIs) and more built-in marketing and automation tools.
• You want a central commerce hub for multi-channel selling, analytics, and operations across products and teams.

My practical rule of thumb

If you’re adding a store to an existing site and want to move fast with minimal complexity, go with Ecwid. If eCommerce is the core of your business and you want the most flexibility and scalability over the long term, choose Shopify.

Whichever platform you choose, focusing on conversion optimization, lead capture, and trust-building elements (like reviews, FAQs, and clear policies) will have just as much impact as the platform itself.