Ecommerce · 2026
Medusa·vs·Shopify
Two solid choices in ecommerce. Here's how they stack up on pricing, fit, and trade-offs — so you can decide in a minute.
Reviewed by Switchpoint Editors ·
Take on Shopify
Shopify's app fees compound. By the time you've added Klaviyo, Loop, Recharge, Gorgias, and a build-a-box app, you're paying $400/mo on top of the platform. If your apps are 50%+ of your monthly cost, audit them — many teams discover they can consolidate to Shop's native features or move to a leaner platform.
Contender A
Medusa
Composable, open-source commerce engine.
- Engineering-led brands wanting headless commerce.
- Free, open source.
Best for
Pricing
Pros
- Headless
- Highly extensible
Trade-offs
- Requires devs
Contender B
Shopify
Hosted ecommerce platform powering millions of stores.
- DTC brands who want a hosted, app-rich storefront.
- Basic $39/mo + transaction fees.
Best for
Pricing
Pros
- Massive app ecosystem
- Reliable hosting
Trade-offs
- App fees compound
- Transaction fees off Shop Pay
The matrix
Side-by-side
Best for
Medusa
Engineering-led brands wanting headless commerce.
Shopify
DTC brands who want a hosted, app-rich storefront.
Pricing
Medusa
Free, open source.
Shopify
Basic $39/mo + transaction fees.
Top strength
Medusa
Headless
Shopify
Massive app ecosystem
Biggest trade-off
Medusa
Requires devs
Shopify
App fees compound
The verdict
Which should you pick?
Engineering-led brands wanting headless commerce.
DTC brands who want a hosted, app-rich storefront.
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