Ecwid Vs Shopify Which One Is Better? [2023]

Shahnawaz Alam December 31, 2021 Marketing Tools
Ecwid Vs Shopify Which One Is Better? [2023]

Ecwid vs Shopify; the battle between the eCommerce platforms couldn’t get any better. 

The rapid globalization of eCommerce, mainly fueled by the consecutive covid waves, is the primary reason most businesses are moving toward eCommerce.

The exciting news is that Ecwid and Shopify both make it easy for businesses to set up eCommerce without any coding knowledge. 

Shopify came into the market in 2006; Ecwid followed shortly after, coming to the market in 2009. Over 1 million merchants are on Ecwid; Shopify also boasts massive $82 billion sales. 

So, Ecwid vs Shopify, which one should you choose when opening your online store? If you want an accurate answer, We suggest you go through the following article. 

Ecwid Vs Shopify Definition

We will discuss the Ecwid vs Shopify comparison by describing what Ecwid and Shopify are, the various features of Ecwid and Shopify, and their pros and cons. 

What Is Ecwid?

What Is Shopify?
Ecwid is a SaaS ( software as a service) tool for creating eCommerce platforms. It is an eCommerce solution for businesses to set up their eCommerce platforms. 

The users don’t own the software, but they can use it for monthly fees.

Similar to other eCommerce platforms, you can-

  • Set up product catalogs.
  • Add photos.
  • Add prices.
  • Mention weight.
  • You can add shipping rates.
  • Accept payment via credit cards.

For all the items that you sell. 


The most significant side of Ecwid is that you don’t have to install any app on your device.

Ecwid, unlike Shopify, BigCommerce, and Squarespace, allows users to set up their online store on an existing website instead of creating one. 

 Shopify is a service suite for retailers who want to set up an eCommerce platform. 

The multinational eCommerce service suite allows more than 1,700,000 businesses across 175 countries to engage in online businesses. 

It allows selling both online and in-person using Shopify POS.


Shopify is for both novices and eCommerce professionals; the platform offers eCommerce tools such as –

  • Marketing.
  • Payment tools.
  • Shipping tools.
  • Customer engagement tools, etc. 

Shopify offers its users a 14 days trial. 

Users can install the Shopify app and set up their online platform with only a few clicks.  

Ecwid Vs Shopify: Features

These eCommerce service suites come with all the features that an eCommerce platform will need. Here are the characteristics of both Shopify and Ecwid; it will help explain “Ecwid vs Shopify” better.

Ecwid Features 

Shopify Features
Ecwid offers the essential features that you would need for selling online. Here are some of the features of Ecwid-

  • Add new sales channels using Ecwid: it allows you to connect your store to popular channels like Google shopping, Instagram, Facebook, eBay, Amazon, etc.

 

  • Sell digital products: besides online services and physical products, Ecwid lets you sell digital products as well.

 

  • Mobile app: Ecwid allows shoppers to buy from the native apps of the sellers; meaning, you can set up your mobile app for the shopper to buy using it. The app utilizes features like Apple pay.

   

  • Automated marketing tools: The automated marketing tools of Ecwid allows businesses to skip the hard work like  Facebook and Google advertising, abandoned cart messages.
  • Sell subscriptions: You can now sell subscriptions to ensure recurring revenue on your product.
  • Global language detection: It helps you with 45 different language communities. 
  • App integration: Integrating apps like Google, Facebook, Amazon is totally easy.
  • Customer service: Ecwid offers the user’s customer service 27/7. 
 Shopify also offers features that you will get tired of pronouncing.  

  • Themes for customization:  with 70+ themes, you can customize your Shopify store as you wish. 
  • Mobile Commerce: Shopify’s mobile commerce allows users to buy using mobile or tablet. 
  • HTML & CSS support: customise your online store using HTML  & CSS skills. 
  • Blogging platform: Shopify enables blogging with an in-built content management system.
  • SSL certificate for free: Shopify includes a 256-bit SSL certificate for all the users. It enables encryption of all information and transactions.

 

  • One hundred payment getaways: payment is easier in Shopify.  
  • Multiple languages: sell to more than 50 languages communities with Shopify. 
  • Marketing and SEO: Marketing and SEO is another important side of Shopify; with all of its best SEO practices, marketing becomes easier and helps increase sales.
  • Inventory management: with the inventory management of Shopify, users can track the count of stock and stop selling products automatically when the stock is empty. 
  • Shopify offers customer service 24/7 to its users. Also, users can integrate social media apps and blogs into their Shopify accounts. 

Ecwid Vs Shopify: Pros & Cons

Checking up the strength and weaknesses of Shopify and Ecwid would help us understand who’s got the upper hand in the Ecwid vs Shopify battle. So, here are the pros and cons of Shopify and Ecwid. 

Ecwid

Shopify 
Ecwid Pros

  • Now you can turn your existing asset into an online store.
  • You can use the same website-building platform that you have been using previously. 
  • Sell through social media and other channels. 
  • Easy UI for beginners.
  • There is no limit in the options of products.
  • Multiple languages are available.
  • Users also get a mobile app for your store. 
 Shopify Cons

  • More than 70 professional l theme templates are available.
  • Access to HTML and CSS. 
  • SEO on the go to help you with more traffic and sales. 
  • URLs look clean. 
  • Shopify is a multi-channel integration expert. 
  • Powerful inventory management tools are available. 
  • Expert sales tools for online stores. 
Ecwid Cons

  • The design choice is limited to a few templates; there is no HTML or CSS allowance for better customization. 
  • Not as good for growing your business. 
  • Ecwid does not calculate the shipping costs of the users. 
  • Not enough features available in the free version. 
 Shopify Cons

  • Transaction fees are often expensive. 
  • There is not enough flexibility available when you are picking up a theme. 
  • The trial period is limited. 

Ecwid Vs Shopify:  Comparison

As an online retail business, you can use either Ecwid or Shopify. But, the Ecwid vs Shopify comparison will help users choose the right one that suits them. So, here is a comparison of Ecwid vs Shopify. 

Ecwid

Shopify
Ease Of Use  Ecwid is a beginner-friendly easy to use eCommerce tool. You can easily set it up and integrate your website with it. Having no technical knowledge is no problem when you are using Ecwid.  Shopify is easy, but there is a little more effort required in Shopify when you are setting up your store. Also, since Shopify has no existing website, the setup seems a little harder than Ecwid.  
Design Ecwid is a plugin, not a store builder. So, instead of having the flexibility of designing, users will get some themes to integrate with existing websites to build their eCommerce website.  There are 70+ themes accessible in Shopify. Also, with the help of HTML  and CSS, users get infinite opportunities to design their eCommerce stores.
Ecommerce Tools 
  • There are more than 70 payment gateways available in Ecwid.
  • The product limit in Ecwid is limited to 100.
  • The variation of products listed by size, color is available in Ecwid, and it is quite easy to set up. 

 
  • Shopify offers 100 plus payment gateways available in Shopify.
  • There is no product limit in Shopify.
  • Product options are also available
International Sales International sales are allowed in Ecwid.  Selling across currencies is possible here.  You can sell globally on  Shopify as well. In addition, you can sell products in different currencies in Shopify as well. 
Customer Support The customer service of Ecwid is limited to the plan that you are using.   No matter which plans you are using,  you get the best customer service in Shopify.
Shipping  Shipping products are very flexible in Ecwid. There is built-in integration with carrier hosts like SPS, FedEx, USPS, UPS, etc.  There are not many choices available in Shopify. You can avail real-time access only from DHL Express, Sendle, USPS,  and Canada Post. 

 

Ecwid Vs Shopify Pricing

The prize package of two of these plans is different as well. Therefore, the pricing of the platforms is of significant importance when judging Ecwid vs Shopify.

 

Ecwid

Shopify
Free Plan: good for standalone or individual businesses 14 days trial: for standalone stores  
Venture, $15/month.  It is ideal for individual stores. $29/month: ideal for eCommerce businesses 
Business, $35/month. Ideal for expanding businesses  $79/month: ideal for expanding eCommerce businesses. 
Unlimited, $99/month. Good for established businesses. $299/month: ideal for companies with high volume sales.

Ecwid Vs Shopify: Which One Is For You?

Choosing either one of them is ok if you are selling online. But if you want a plugin that allows you to sell online instead of setting up an online store, the Ecwid is recommendable. This is because Ecwid enables you to sell from a pre-existing website.

But, if you want to set up an eCommerce store, then Shopify will pack more features for you.

In addition, you can get many features at different Shopify prices. 

Conclusion

For a business that wants to set up an online store from scratch to expand one day, Shopify is the best solution. It offers numerous features, but it is a little more expensive than Ecwid. 

Ecwid, on the other hand, will allow sellers to sell and is on the less expensive side.

So, to wrap up Ecwid vs Shopify, the matter of concern is the direction that your business is talking. If you are willing to grow into an enterprise-level business, starting with Shopify seems more logical.

But, if you want to stay as a small business and grow on an individual scale, then Ecwid is better.

Read More: