Shopify vs Medusa: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

Shopify is the better pick for merchants wanting a fully hosted store. Medusa is the better pick for developers building custom headless commerce.

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At a Glance

Feature	Shopify	Medusa
Best For	Merchants wanting a fully hosted store	Developers building custom headless commerce
Pricing	Paid plans; free trial available	Free open source; paid managed cloud
Free to Start	No	Yes
License	Proprietary	Open source
Deployment	Managed cloud	Self-hosted or managed cloud
Link	Visit Shopify	Visit Medusa

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Detailed Breakdown

Shopify

Hosted commerce platform

Pros:

• Easy setup
• Huge app ecosystem
• Reliable checkout

Cons:

• Extra transaction fees without Shopify Payments
• App subscriptions add up

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Medusa

Open-source composable commerce engine

Pros:

• Modular Node.js architecture
• Open source
• Headless by design

Cons:

• Requires developers
• Smaller ecosystem

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Key Differences

• Positioning: Shopify — hosted commerce platform. Medusa — open-source composable commerce engine.
• Licensing differs: Shopify is proprietary while Medusa is open source.
• Deployment: Shopify — managed cloud. Medusa — self-hosted or managed cloud.
• Medusa can be started for free, while Shopify requires a paid plan. Shopify pricing: paid plans; free trial available.
• Signature strength: Shopify — easy setup. Medusa — modular Node.js architecture.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shopify better than Medusa?

It depends on your requirements. Shopify is a strong fit for merchants wanting a fully hosted store, while Medusa suits developers building custom headless commerce.

Is Shopify free to use?

Shopify does not have a permanent free plan. Pricing model: Paid plans; free trial available.

Is Medusa free to use?

Yes, you can start with Medusa for free. Pricing model: Free open source; paid managed cloud.

Can I self-host Shopify or Medusa?

Shopify is offered as a managed service: managed cloud. Medusa can be self-hosted. Deployment options: self-hosted or managed cloud.

What are the main drawbacks of Shopify and Medusa?

Shopify: extra transaction fees without Shopify Payments; app subscriptions add up. Medusa: requires developers; smaller ecosystem.