Amazon vs Shopify
A side-by-side look at Amazon and Shopify. On our scoring, Shopify comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 3.9/5 | 4.7/5 |
| User rating | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 9,210 | 5,421 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $40/mo | $39/mo |
| Pricing model | Professional plan, per month | per month, billed monthly |
| Transaction fees | 8–15% referral fee + optional FBA fees | 2.9% + 30¢ (0% with Shopify Payments) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Marketplace | Fully hosted (SaaS) |
| Free trial | Individual plan (pay per sale) | 3 days + $1/mo for 3 months |
| Staff accounts | User permissions | 2–15 by plan |
| Product limit | Unlimited listings | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Amazon-managed checkout | 100+ gateways + Shopify Payments |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | No | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | N/A (standard listings) | 12 free, 100+ paid |
| App marketplace | Selling Partner Appstore | 8,000+ apps |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-language | Yes | Yes |
| POS included | No | Yes |
| Abandoned cart recovery | No | Yes |
| Built-in blog | No | Yes |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | No | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Support channels | Seller Support, case log | 24/7 live chat, phone callback, email |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick Amazon?
Selling on Amazon means instant access to the largest pool of ready-to-buy shoppers on earth, plus FBA fulfillment that handles storage and shipping. The trade-off is fierce competition, thin margins after fees, and almost no control over the customer relationship.
Best for: Sellers chasing maximum reach and Prime logistics
Read the full Amazon reviewWhy pick Shopify?
Shopify remains the platform to beat. Its polished admin, best-in-class checkout, and enormous app ecosystem make it the safest choice for most merchants — provided you are comfortable using Shopify Payments to avoid extra transaction fees.
Best for: Growing brands that want everything in one place
Read the full Shopify review