E-commerce Comparison
Custom E-commerce vs Shopify — Which Is Right?
Shopify is great for a simple store. But when you need more, the costs and limitations add up.
Custom
Shopify
Monthly cost
Hosting: 50-200 EUR
29-2,000+ EUR/month
Transaction fees
Payment processor only
0.5-2% + processor
Customization
Full control
Limited
Checkout control
Full control
Limited
Multi-currency
Included
Add-on required
B2B features
Full control
Add-on required
API access
Full control
Limited
Performance
Full control
Included
SEO control
Full control
Limited
Scalability
Full control
Included
Custom Solution
Pros
- No transaction fees — you only pay the payment processor
- Checkout, UX, and flows fully customizable
- Native B2B features (per-customer pricing, bulk orders, invoicing)
- Total control over performance and SEO
Cons
- Higher upfront investment (20,000-80,000 EUR)
- Requires a team or partner for maintenance and updates
Shopify
Pros
- Fast launch — functional store in days
- Vast ecosystem of apps and themes
- Hosting, security, and updates managed automatically
Cons
- Transaction fees that grow with volume (outside Shopify Payments)
- Checkout limited on standard plans — Shopify Plus is 2,000+ EUR/month
- Weak B2B — requires expensive third-party apps
When does custom e-commerce make sense?
- 01 You need B2B features (per-customer pricing, payment terms, approvals)
- 02 Sales volume makes Shopify fees significant (>5,000 EUR/month)
- 03 Standard checkout doesn't cover your flow (configurators, complex subscriptions)
- 04 SEO is critical for your business and you need total control
- 05 You have specific integrations (ERP, WMS, CRM) that need custom APIs
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a custom e-commerce platform cost?
Between 20,000 and 80,000 EUR for a complete store with admin, checkout, payment integration, and CMS. ROI comes from eliminating transaction fees and B2B features that drive higher revenue.
How long does development take?
A complete e-commerce store takes 3-5 months. A functional MVP can be ready in 6-8 weeks.
What about security?
We implement PCI DSS through certified payment processors (Stripe, Netopia). We don't store card data. Server security is managed through AWS with ISO 27001 certification.
Can I migrate from Shopify?
Yes — products, customers, orders, and content can be migrated. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks, in parallel with development.
Has your store outgrown Shopify?
Let's see if custom e-commerce makes sense for you.