Shopware 6 vs Shopify

1. Shopware vs Shopify: definition and comparative analysis
2. POINT #1: Hidden costs
3. Increased B2B focus against emerging B2B functions
4. Great customization options vs. high usability
5. POINT #2: Important facts about GDPR
6. POINT #3: For which platform is support better?
7. AI Integration - Shopware AI Copilot gegen Shopify Sidekick
8. Shopware vs Shopify: definition and comparative analysis
9. Why is it worth switching from Shopify to Shopware?
10. FAQ

Are you looking for a smooth entry into e-commerce or do you want to change your current store system? In today's world of highly developed online commerce, it's easy to find an alternative. Some merchants are quite often faced with the choice of which platform is best. When discussing Shopify vs Shopware, you should compare the pros and cons of both store systems. In our article, we will explain what they have in common and how they differ. Then you will definitely find an optimal solution for your e-commerce company.

Shopware vs Shopify: definition and comparative analysis

The e-commerce platforms mentioned are in competition with each other, so to speak. The neutral comparison of the two platforms shows the most important differences. Shopware is one of the leading store systems in the DACH region and is also used in Europe and overseas countries. The e-commerce solution developed in Germany is currently used by more than 100,000 online retailers. Shopware 5 was first released. This store system was replaced by Shopware 6 in 2019.

The updated version is based on new standards. This allows the individuality of the web store to be improved. This powerful store system is used in both the B2C and B2B sectors. As the Shopware source code is completely open, many customizations are possible.

Shopify was developed in Canada and is a globally recognized e-commerce solution. It has gained a good reputation in 175 countries. Shopify is used by approximately two million online merchants around the world. Among them are world-famous brands Tesla and Red Bull as well as Tastillery and Heinrich. This store system is very easy to use and can also be used by beginners.

Both Shopware and Shopify are very popular with online retailers. The online stores built with them are easy to create and manage. If you are faced with the question of Shopify or Shopware, it helps to compare all aspects of both e-commerce platforms. Then you can make the right choice.

POINT #1: Hidden costs

This is an important question for anyone starting out in online retail. You are always looking for a cheaper solution that still fully satisfies your needs. The comparison of Shopware and Shopify clearly shows us which platform costs more.

The cost of Shopware depends on individual requirements. You can choose between Rise, Evolve and Beyond plans. There is also the free Community Edition.

Shopify offers four main plans (Basic, Shopify, Advanced, Shopify Plus) at the following prices. However, ongoing fees and possible additional costs for functions and apps are not included.

Shopware vs Shopify in a hosting comparison

Every store has to be placed on the web. That's why it is hosted on a server. When comparing Shopify vs Shopware, it must be emphasized that Shopify is a cloud-based system. The operation of the platform and all data are located on external servers and are managed by Shopify. This guarantees easy handling and maintenance, but the store is dependent on the specified cloud structures. Shopware is a self-hosted store system, which limits the control and desired customizations. This makes it possible to operate the platform on your own servers or from the selected Shopware 6 Hosting service. This means that the user has all sensitive data under their own supervision and can control the system connection themselves, which is of course more secure. You should pay approx. 50 - 150 € per year for hosting. The domain costs around €5-20 per year, and anyone considering the question of Shopware vs Shopify must bear in mind that the performance and scalability of Shopware can be customized. Shopware is therefore the right choice if the company wants to create its own long-term, flexible e-commerce strategy.

Transaction costs

Transaction fees are always incurred for sales. If you look at Shopware 6 vs Shopify in this aspect, the advantages are also noticeable. Those who choose Shopware should not pay any additional fees. You should only pay the fees of the payment providers and those who use Shopify Payments do not pay transaction fees for third-party providers for orders. If external payment providers are used, these costs are charged by Shopify. Depending on the location, the fees may differ, here is an example: for the Basic plan with the monthly turnover of €10,000 and 100 transactions, there are €200 fees from Shopify and another €234 from Paypal. So the fees amount to €434 per month. If the turnover is €100,000 and there are 1000 transactions, you have to pay €2,000 for Shopify and €2,140 for PayPal as fees. The total amount is €4,140 per month.

Additional costs

When talking about the plugins, the prices are different for both Shopware and Shopify. Shopware offers many standard plugins (mobile payments, mobile apps) for free. With Shopify, they are mostly chargeable. The use of Shopware ERP powered by Pickware costs from €99.00, and with Shopify Pickware costs from €199.00. SEO Professional for Shopware costs from €29.95, Booster SEO & Image Optimizer for Shopify costs from €35 to €60. Shopify's free applications are limited in their functions, and therefore you have to get a paid plan. Let's try to compare the costs of Shopware and Shopify:

Development

If you compare Shopware vs Shopify in terms of development, Shopify has the advantage. This store system is presented as a construction kit, which makes it easier to maintain the store. This means that even people with little IT knowledge can create their own store. As far as the design and functionality are concerned, it is more difficult. You need help from experienced specialists to customize the store and perfect it with the desired extensions.Shopware is considered a powerful store system with numerous functions that offers more customization options and flexibility. The help of an IT expert is required to create an online store. Nowadays you can find qualified Shopware developers online. If you want a professional webshop, you are more likely to choose this option.

Increased B2B focus against emerging B2B functions

When comparing Shopware vs Shopify in this regard, it is fair to say that Shopware is more developed. It offers extensive features for serving B2B, B2C and D2C areas. Shopify, on the other hand, initially focused on the B2C sector. It was only over time that the most important B2B functions were added to the software. Shopify offers individual customer segmentation and pricing, but cannot satisfy more complex requirements, and Shopware is the best solution for pure B2B online stores. It offers unlimited expandability and numerous customization options that can be implemented with the help of experts, e.g. Shopware Agency Stuttgart. This store system is therefore better suited to complex webshops. However, Shopify is suitable for smaller stores. As Shopware is more oriented towards Europe, it offers the relevant payment and shipping methods.

Great customization options vs. high usability

When comparing Shopware 6 vs Shopify, both customizability and user-friendliness play a decisive role. As Shopware is an open source platform, it offers open access to the source code. There are a variety of specialized functions that enable a high degree of customizability, allowing you to design online stores according to your own ideas. Of course, you can't do this without specialist knowledge. That's why you will need to find a specialized shopware agency. The trained developers can integrate the required customizations and expand webshops.

*Shopware store example

Shopify does not publish the source code and therefore limits the customization options. Its functions and extensions are aimed at a global user base and are usually subject to a fee. However, the platform is limited to in-depth customization and specific local requirements, giving Shopware added value over Shopify. Nevertheless, Shopify is user-friendly and easy to set up. You can create an online store yourself without any technical knowledge. You can choose between different templates and themes for the store design.

Shopify Shop Beispiel

POINT #2: Important facts about GDPR

When it comes to data protection, it is very strict in Europe. Everyone is trying to avoid any infringements. Let's take a look at which store system is more effective in terms of GDPR and wins the battle between Shopware 6 and Shopify.Shopify is a GDPR-compliant store system, as proven by official statements. The store system is cloud-based. When there is high traffic on the website, the computing capacity on the servers is automatically released. However, there is a problem, as the servers in Europe are unfortunately not always available. The company tries to use only European servers for European stores. However, this is not always possible.Shopware 6 uses servers based in Germany for its own cloud. This is why it is possible to escape legal violations. As far as data protection is concerned, Shopware is more secure.

POINT #3: For which platform is support better?

If problems or any questions regarding the correct functionality appear, we immediately contact customer support. Now let's compare which company offers better support Shopify's support is mostly available in English. If you find support in German, it is not always of high quality. There are the following ways to contact customer support: Live chat, email or by phone. You can get answers to all necessary questions via live chat. There is also an active community and detailed information on various topics in Shopify's knowledge base. For customers who have selected Shopify Plus, personal 24/7 support is provided.

Shopify Support

Shopware offers a high-class service through its partners and developers, who help with problems and questions about Shopware Performance Optimization. You can also get technical support from Shopware. The developer support assists you with individual programming. However, it is intended for the Beyond Plan. The community is active and there is callback support and email support. The specialist team calls back customers on the Beyond plan around the clock. Customers on the Evolve plan receive callbacks from 7 am to 7 pm. You can explain your problem in detail by e-mail and receive detailed information. If necessary, you can read this information.

Підтримка програмного забезпечення

AI Integration - Shopware AI Copilot gegen Shopify Sidekick

E-commerce is increasingly turning to tools that rely on artificial intelligence. As far as store systems are concerned, they are not doing without artificial intelligence either. Both Shopify and Shopware offer native AI integrations in order to promise the power of innovation. In this article, we contrast them and point out the strengths of the tools on offer.

Sidekick from Shopify presents itself as a commerce assistant that provides businesses with a host of options. Through a chat-based interface that responds to questions, retailers can analyze data, especially sales trends. The stressful, time-consuming tasks (inventory management, order fulfillment, customer service tasks) are automated. Shopify offers an open interface that enables integration. This allows you to analyze data and draw certain conclusions, and both platforms follow similar approaches.

However, there are two important differences that set Shopware 6 apart. AI Copilot can be used immediately. Sidekick is only used by selected merchants. In addition, Shopware AI Copilot enables automated text generation for products, creates and analyzes the images via AI and then prepares suitable metadata. Shopware's tool also generates personalized messages in the checkout process, which is important for targeting customers. Shopware thus offers ready-made solutions that customers can use automatically.

Shopware has AI export and AI customer classification features. With AI export, current sales figures are exported and then imported into an analytics application, an Excel spreadsheet or a database. The customer groups that buy the same products are analyzed with AI customer classification. In this way, recurring characteristics are recognized and it is possible to react to them. Product descriptions and features are generated, reviews are created and automatically translated, and when Shopware vs Shopify costs are compared, there are also differences.

Shopify Sidekick is included in all plans as part of Shopify Magic and can be used for free. This makes it a better option for small and medium-sized businesses. Shopware AI Copilot is usually part of Enterprise subscriptions and is therefore more expensive, but more powerful.

Shopware vs Shopify: comparison table

We have compared the two e-commerce platforms to highlight the differences and help online retailers make the right choice. The store systems are powerful and are used as a flexible basis for the online store. We have summarized the most important criteria in a table.

The correctly selected store system plays a major role. In order to make a good decision, your own plans and goals should be taken into account. If you have a well-developed idea and want to scale your online store, Shopware is certainly your e-commerce platform. It provides individuality, flexibility and is scalable. It opens up more opportunities for success. This is why operators of Magento webshops are increasingly opting for Shopware Magento Migration. If you are only planning to open a small store and do not see such great prospects ahead of you, then you can try Shopify.

Why is it worth switching from Shopify to Shopware?

Do you want to switch to Shopware? Kenner Soft specializes in migration from other e-commerce platforms to Shopware and will show you all the advantages of this store system. As an experienced migration specialist, our team carries out the data, category and article transfer, makes the necessary configurations, and at Kenner Soft we guarantee precise planning and analysis, professional implementation and support. We take care of data backup so that you don't have to worry. Thanks to the extensive experience and special attention of our experts, we ensure the success of the entire migration, and after the changeover we thoroughly check that there are no errors. Our team is responsible for store optimization and setting up 301 redirects. This allows you to maintain search engine rankings and your customers will not be confronted with missing web pages. If you decide to move to Shopware, contact Kenner Soft Service GmbH!

FAQ

What are the differences between Shopify and Shopware 6?

Shopify can be set up faster and is more user-friendly. Shopware 6 offers individual customization options and is more flexible.

What support do Shopware 6 and Shopify offer?

Shopify offers 24-hour support by phone and live chat. You can also use online learning resources and contact the help center. Shopware 6 offers professional technical support for paid plans. There is an active community and rich online resources.

Can I migrate my existing Shopify store to Shopware 6?

Yes, you can switch from Shopify to Shopware 6 at any time. With the help of a specialist such as Kenner Soft, the required data, functions and design elements can be transferred.

Which platform is better for beginners - Shopware 6 or Shopify?

As Shopify is quicker to set up, Shopware offers a Community Edition that can be used free of charge. It offers basic store operation and several additional functions. Shopware Community Edition is therefore the right option for beginners.