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Founder, No Code MBA
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Shopify vs Webflow

An in-depth head to head comparison

In this article, read a side-by-side comparison between two no-code tools: Shopify and Webflow. We'll compare pricing, the benefits, the drawbacks, give examples of what you can and can't build, as well as our overall recommendation.

What is Shopify?

Try Shopify for free and get more than just an ecommerce solution. Sell anywhere, to anyone, with Shopify's ecommerce platform and point of sale features.
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What is Webflow?

Design, build, and launch powerful websites visually without coding
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Learn everything you need to know about Webflow

Our in-depth course will take your from a beginner to expert

The Complete Guide to Webflow

Pricing

Shopify pricing

  • Free 14 day trial, but no free plan
  • $29/month - $299/month for all basic e-commerce features, site hosting, custom domain, and no branding. More expensive plans have lower processing fees, more reporting, and more staff accounts

Webflow pricing

  • Free to build with a Webflow domain and limited CMS functionality
  • $12/month - $36/month for custom domains and additional monthly visits and data storage, and additional features like e-commerce

Benefits

Shopify benefits

  • Market leader for e-commerce
  • Easy to use
  • Shopify app store has thousands of apps for just about any use-case
  • Conversion-optimized checkout
  • Very active community

Webflow benefits

  • Complete control over all aspects of web design
  • Can build professional-level websites
  • Can export code (CSS/HTML) to host website on your own
  • Great integrations with other no-code tools like Jetboost (advanced search, filtering and more of Webflow site data) and Memberstack (create memberships and hide premium content).
  • The Webflow CMS lets you dynamically create pages or insert content stored in a database of content. A CMS is like a database that holds information about content for your website. Still a bit confused? Learn more about what a CMS is here.
  • Fantastic community
  • Best designer / responsive builder
  • Lots of templates

Drawbacks

Shopify drawbacks

  • A bit limited for custom design without development work

Webflow drawbacks

  • Slightly higher learning curve
  • Slightly higher cost

What you can build

Shopify use-cases

  • Robust e-commerce site with custom design
  • Dropship to sell without holding inventory

Webflow use-cases

  • Business websites with dynamically created pages via the Webflow CMS
  • Landing pages
  • Membership apps with accounts (a site like No Code MBA)
  • Content sites (like Startup Stash)
  • Custom blogs
  • E-commerce sites
  • Marketplaces where you charge a subscription to access all content

What you can't build

What you can't build with Shopify

  • A marketplace (check out ShareTribe)
  • A custom web app (check out Glide or Bubble)

What you can't build with Webflow

  • Web apps with complex logic (check out Glide or Bubble)
  • Marketplaces like Fiverr (check out ShareTribe)
  • Mobile apps (check out Glide or Adalo)

Overall Recommendation

Shopify recommendation

Shopify is the absolute best option for e-commerce stores.

Gumroad, Squarespace and Webflow also have e-commerce functionality, but it’s more limited than Shopify. In almost all cases I'd recommend Shopify.

Webflow recommendation

Webflow is a versatile tool, which makes it a great option for many types of projects.

For general websites, it's my top pick because it can be fully customized and has a built-in CMS to dynamically create pages (for example, you could create a page for every project in your portfolio automatically). Squarespace is the most similar for general websites - it's easier to use but less powerful.

For basic landing pages, tools like Umso and Carrd are easier to use but also less customizable.

For web apps, Webflow integrates with Memberstack to build paid membership apps. This is great for sites with premium hidden content such as No Code MBA.

For marketplaces, Webflow is great if you charge a subscription to access all content. If you need to handle payments directly to vendors, I'd suggest ShareTribe.

For e-commerce stores, Webflow is a great option if you want to prioritize design over more complex e-commerce functionality. In almost all other cases I'd suggest Shopify as it's easier to use and has a larger app ecosystem and community for e-commerce.

For web apps with more complex logic, I'd recommend Glide or Bubble.

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Easy to follow tutorials broken down into lessons between 2 to 20 minutes
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Bring Your Ideas to Life with AI and No Code

Unlock premium step-by-step tutorials building real apps and websites
Easy to follow tutorials broken down into lessons between 2 to 20 minutes
Get access to the community to share what you're building, ask questions, and get support if you're stuck
Access all of this with No-Code MBA Unlimited
Unlock premium step-by-step tutorials building real apps and websites
Easy to follow tutorials broken down into lessons between 2 to 20 minutes
Get access to the community to share what you're building, ask questions, and get support if you're stuck
Friendly Tip!
Companies often reimburse No Code MBA memberships. Here's an email template to send to your manager.

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