Migration & Relaunch Projects
Choosing the right shop system is a strategic decision. It affects not only the technology, but also how quickly you can go live, how predictable your costs are, and how easily your shop will grow in the future.
Shopify and Shopware are two strong platforms to choose from. Both have been established for years and have a loyal following. However, the differences lie less in "whether" you will be successful with them, but rather in "how" .
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a cloud-based SaaS system where hosting, updates, and security are automatically covered. This allows merchants to focus on what matters most: products, marketing, and growth.
The user interface is so intuitive that even teams without an IT background can work with it without any problems. Shops can be launched in just a few days or weeks, and adjustments are often possible directly in the backend, without the need for external developers.
Shopify is particularly attractive for brands with international ambitions. Multilingualism, different currencies and domains are already integrated, and additional functions can be added via the app store.
What is Shopware?
Shopware is an open-source solution from Germany and is particularly popular in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). It scores points with features like the Rule Builder and Shopping Experiences , which make it possible to create highly customized shop scenarios and content-driven experiences.
However, this flexibility also brings greater responsibility. Hosting, updates, and security are the responsibility of the company or a dedicated agency. Therefore, anyone using Shopware needs resources for IT and development. In return, the system offers tremendous depth and is particularly well-suited for companies with a B2B focus or strong storytelling requirements.
Operation: Plug & Play vs. Professional Tool
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Shopify is designed for ease of use. Merchants can manage products, content, and campaigns directly themselves. Go-live is quick, and changes require minimal technical expertise.
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Shopware offers many professional features, but it is more complex. Many merchants rely on developers or agencies to unlock its full potential.
Costs: Predictability vs. Modular System
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Shopify: Clear monthly plans starting at €25, Advanced at €289, Shopify Plus from approximately $2,300/month. Hosting, security, and updates are included. Additional costs arise from apps (approximately €50–€500/month).
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Shopware: Entry-level with a free Community Edition, commercial versions from €600/month. Additional costs include hosting (€200–€1,000/month), plugins, and developer fees, which can quickly add up.
Shopify offers a transparent, predictable cost structure. With Shopware, the total costs depend heavily on individual setups and are difficult to calculate.
Content vs. Performance – what really matters for your business?
At the end of the day, every brand asks itself the same question: Am I more concerned with the presentation or the results?
Shopware is the system for creating a stage. With its experiential worlds and Rule Builder, online stores can be designed like digital showrooms. It's ideal for brands that want to tell stories and take customers on an emotional journey. Anyone using Shopware has a tool for creative storytelling at their fingertips. But every stage needs direction, a concept, and a technical team. That's time and resources that not every company can invest.
Shopify , on the other hand, is the engine behind the scenes. The platform is less about showmanship and more about stability, speed, and growth . Checkout in seconds, international rollout with just a few clicks, seamless integration with marketing tools. Here, it's less about the visual spectacle and more about ensuring your business runs reliably and grows. Shopify reduces complexity, freeing up resources that you can invest in what matters most: your product, your brand, and your customers.
Internationalization: Ready to go vs. Custom Build
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Shopify comes standard with international features: multilingualism, multi-currency and country-specific domains are available directly.
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Shopware has a strong multi-store function that can cover different markets, but it requires more development effort.
Shopify is better suited for brands with a global growth strategy, while Shopware is better for local or more customized setups.
Maintenance & Safety: Who bears the burden?
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Shopify: Updates, hosting, and security run automatically. Shops are stable and require little maintenance.
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Shopware: Operators bear responsibility. Updates, patches, and hosting must be actively managed, often with the support of an agency.
Shopify reduces IT effort to a minimum, while Shopware means more control, but also more responsibility.
Community, support & ecosystem – who is there for you in your daily life?
An online store system isn't a finished product that you install once and then it just works. In day-to-day operations, questions constantly arise: How do I implement a new idea? Who can help if something doesn't work? And how do I find the right extensions as my business grows?
With Shopware, the answer is often: the community. Especially in German-speaking countries, there are many dedicated developers, forums, and agencies. This is an advantage; you can almost always find someone who knows their stuff. At the same time, however, it also means that you are often dependent on external partners, which costs time and money.
Shopify's answer is more direct. Many solutions can be activated instantly via the app store, bypassing lengthy project phases. This is complemented by a global partner network with certified specialists and 24/7 support. This empowers even small teams to act independently and quickly.
The most important differences between Shopify and Shopware
Shopify and Shopware are both top-tier platforms, but they differ fundamentally. Shopify is a SaaS system with transparent costs, ease of use, and rapid internationalization. Shopware is an open-source solution that particularly impresses with its flexibility, content features, and B2B functionalities, but requires technical expertise and a significant budget.
In short: Shopware offers depth and control , while Shopify delivers speed and pragmatism . This makes Shopify the more practical choice for growing brands in many cases, without Shopware losing any of its relevance.
Shopify vs. Shopware: Our conclusion to help you decide
The choice depends heavily on your goals:
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Shopware is ideal when content, storytelling and complex logic are paramount, and when resources for IT and development are available.
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Shopify is a great choice if you want to get started quickly, expand internationally, and have predictable costs.
With Niccos Media as your Shopify partner, the switch or relaunch is reliable, fast and future-proof.
Find out in 15 minutes how much effort switching to Shopify Plus really requires.