Webflow vs Shopify 2025: Which Platform Is Right for Your Business?

Choosing the right platform to build or grow your online presence is more important than ever in 2025. Whether you’re launching a new eCommerce store, updating your business website, or scaling your operations globally, two names often dominate the conversation: Webflow vs Shopify.

But which one truly fits your business needs?

In this comprehensive guide, LitExtension will break down the key differences between Webflow and Shopify to help you make an informed decision. We’ll cover everything from pricing, ease of use, design flexibility, and eCommerce capabilities to the latest AI features and even some recent controversies that could affect your choice.

Here’s what we’ll dive into:

• A quick overview of what makes Webflow and Shopify unique
• An in-depth comparison of their key features
• Which platform is the best fit for your specific business needs

Let’s get started!

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Webflow and Shopify: Platform Overview

Before we dive into the details, let’s get a quick snapshot of what Webflow and Shopify are all about. While both platforms help you create stunning websites, they serve very different purposes.

What is Webflow?

Webflow is a no-code website builder that gives you full creative control. You can design highly customized, visually striking websites without touching a line of code (although having some coding knowledge helps unlock even more potential).

Key features:

• Visual drag-and-drop builder with advanced animations
• Powerful CMS (Content Management System) for blogs and dynamic content
• Great for marketing sites, portfolios, and even small eCommerce stores

Webflow shines when you need creative freedom. It’s like having the flexibility of custom coding but without the technical headaches.

Let's see what user says about Webflow:

The best thing about Webflow has to be how user-friendly it is without sacrificing power. I love how I can design exactly what I’m imagining without getting bogged down by complicated code. It’s super flexible and lets my creativity flow freely, which makes every project fun and satisfying.

Omid S., G2 review.

What is Shopify?

If Webflow is the artist’s canvas, Shopify is the ultimate toolkit for online sellers. It’s a dedicated eCommerce platform designed to help businesses sell products online, manage inventory, process payments, and grow their customer base with ease.

Key features:

• All-in-one solution for building, managing, and scaling an online store
• Robust eCommerce tools: inventory tracking, shipping management, multi-currency support
• Access to over 8,000 apps to extend store functionality

Whether you’re managing a small business or looking to expand globally, Shopify has all the tools you need to sell, ship, and grow.

Here's what user talks about Shopify:

I like its simplicity to handle your inventory and how you can manage it. You can add products very easily, either your own products or dropshipping products when you connect to a third-party platform. Also, you have an excellent libraty of different themes you can choose from for the look and feel of you website. All the themes look amazing.

Carlos C. – G2 review.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into the key differences that will help you make the right choice.

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Webflow vs Shopify: 9 Key Differences You Must Consider

If you are in a hurry, take a look at the table below for a brief yet comprehensive Webflow vs Shopify comparison.

#1. Pricing & Value

When comparing Webflow and Shopify, pricing isn’t just about the monthly subscription cost, it’s about what you get for your money. Let’s unpack the details.

Webflow pricing (2025 updates)

Webflow has two main pricing structures:

• Site Plans: Best for hosting individual websites, starting at $18/month for basic sites and going up to $235/month for advanced eCommerce features.
• Workspace Plans: Designed for teams managing multiple projects, starting at $24/month per user.

Webflow offers a free Site plan as you first sign up to this platform with basic functionality, like a staging subdomain, CMS items, backups & versioning, and form submissions.

Besides monthly subscriptions, when selling with Webflow, you’ll have other operation fees such as:

• Domain name: $10–$15/year
• Templates: $29–$129 (one-time purchase)
• Third-party apps: Can go up to $4,000/month for enterprise-level integrations

While Webflow seems affordable at first glance, costs can add up quickly if you need premium templates or advanced features. However, for content-heavy websites, it still offers great value.

As of December 2024, Webflow has introduced key updates to its pricing and product strategy, aiming to streamline plans and enhance value for growing businesses:

• Introduction of updated plans with enhanced CMS limits and improved collaboration tools for teams.
• Some plans now include higher bandwidth caps, but premium plans have seen pricing increases to reflect added infrastructure improvements.
• More scalable options for large businesses with custom workflows and security features.

These updates make Webflow more competitive for businesses seeking advanced design flexibility with growing eCommerce needs. However, Shopify still holds an edge for pure eCommerce scalability, especially for high-volume sellers needing extensive integrations and payment flexibility.

Shopify

With Shopify, you will have a 3-day free trial to experience its nature before taking a plunge. If you are unsure about your decision, you can extend the trial period by paying only $1 for the first month.

Below is a recap of what Shopify pricing tiers have to offer.

In addition to the mentioned packages, Shopify also provides the option to sell through social media (Shopify Starter), in person (Shopify Retail), or bring your enterprise online.

• Starter Shopify: $5/month;
• Retail Shopify: $89/month;
• Enterprise Commerce: Custom pricing.

Similar to Webflow, you’ll have to pay operational costs when running a Shopify store:

• Transaction fees: 0% with Shopify Payments, up to 2% with third-party processors
• Apps and plugins: Can range from free to $350/month depending on functionality
• Premium themes: $180–$450 (one-time purchase)

Shopify’s pricing may look higher upfront, but it’s designed for businesses that aim to grow. The robust tools and eCommerce features justify the cost, especially for high-volume sellers.

#2. Ease of use & Learning curve

Ease of use is one of the most important standards that you should never overlook to make your website appealing. While both platforms are renowned for their user-friendliness, let’s compare Webflow vs Shopify head-to-head to find out which is easier to use.

Webflow

You can easily launch your Webflow site with a few clicks. From the homepage, click on “Get started” or “Start building” to go to the Signup page. From here, you can create a new Webflow account in seconds or log in using your Google credentials. During the process, Webflow will ask you simple questions about names, types of sites, or general purposes to personalize your Webflow experience.

Webflow offers a drag-and-drop interface, but it’s more than just your typical website builder. It feels like designing in Photoshop or Figma, which is great for creative freedom but can be overwhelming for beginners.

You will love Webflow for:

• Total control over layout, typography, and animations
• Advanced features for designers (CSS Grid, Flexbox)
• Customizable interactions and transitions

Yet, you may need to takes time to master advanced features as the UI can feel cluttered until you get the hang of it.

Shopify

All the same, Shopify is one of the easiest platforms to get started. The setup process is just a breeze, and all elements are laid out nicely. Even if you're an eCommerce newcomer with no coding knowledge at all, you can create a Shopify site in just a few simple steps.

You will love Shopify for:

• Step-by-step onboarding (add products, choose a theme, go live)
• Clean dashboard with everything you need in one place
• No coding is required, but you can adjust code if you want

Yet, there will be less design flexibility compared to Webflow and the customizations beyond themes often require paid apps or developer help.

#3. Design flexibility & templates

Both Shopify and Webflow support your website development with a wide collection of professional themes and templates. But which does the job better, Webflow or Shopify? Keep scrolling down to find out.

Webflow design capabilities

Webflow is all about design control. If you want to build a website that doesn’t look like every other template-based site, this is your playground. You will love Webflow for:

• Over 1,500 templates covering portfolios, blogs, eCommerce, and more
• Full control over every pixel—custom fonts, animations, grids
• No need for third-party page builders or plugins

Users can get more responsive designs from HTML Webflow University templatesNotably, HTML5 Webflow University templates allow you to experience a custom and responsive design. With these options, you can easily customize any template with Webflow’s code-free design tools.

But with great power comes great responsibility:

• Customization overload can slow down decision-making
• Templates are less “plug-and-play” compared to Shopify

Shopify themes

On the other hand, Shopify currently offers 230+ themes, ranging from $0 to $500. Stores in any industry, whether arts and crafts, home and décor, services, or restaurants, can find the perfect match.

You will love Shopify for:

• Mobile-responsive out of the box
• Easy to adjust with the theme editor
• Use Liquid (Shopify’s coding language) for deeper customizations

Yet, themes can feel restrictive if you’re used to more design freedom and heavy customizations often require developer support.

#4. eCommerce functionality

If selling products online is your main focus, this section is for you.

With Webflow, you must register for eCommerce Site plans to activate all eCommerce functions for your online shop. Meanwhile, thanks to a wide range of powerful features, Shopify is one of the leading platforms for operating eCommerce stores. Here are several eCommerce functions that Webflow and Shopify offer.

Product management

Shopify is designed with eCommerce at its core, offering robust tools to manage products efficiently. With the 2025 update, Shopify now supports up to 2,000 product variants per item, making it ideal for businesses that deal with extensive catalogs. Its features include advanced inventory tracking, bulk product uploads, and automated stock management, which significantly reduce manual work.

In contrast, Webflow’s product management capabilities are more suited for smaller stores or content-driven websites with limited product offerings. While it allows you to manage simple product catalogs and add basic variants like colors or sizes, it lacks the advanced automation and inventory tools that Shopify offers.

Payment

You can integrate Stripe or PayPal, which are the most common payment gateways, to process transactions in your Webflow store. Webflow also accepts payments from major debit or credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. This can significantly enhance your customer's checkout experience and contribute to boosting your sales.

Shopify offers its own payment solution called Shopify Payments. This solution is powered by Stripe technology so that you can enjoy a checkout experience similar to Stripe. However, Shopify Payments is highly rated because it is fully integrated into your store dashboard. If you prefer to work with Stripe or PayPal, Shopify still effectively supports you.

Similar to Webflow, you can make supported payments through credit and debit cards. Of course, the relevant payment providers will charge a fee for executing all the transactions.

Shipping methods

Webflow allows you to calculate the shipping rate based on one of the four following factors: percentage of total order cost, item price, quantity, or weight. Additionally, you can set up a flat rate per order if necessary.

Meanwhile, Shopify also offers basic shipping options similar to Webflow. These options allow you to calculate the shipping rate based on one of 4 factors: percentage of the total order cost, item price, quantity, or weight. Additionally, you can set up a flat rate per order if necessary.

To access third-party calculated shipping rates, you can sign up for the Advanced Shopify plan. Shopify is known for its ability to ship globally, and you can achieve this by connecting your store with worldwide postal services such as Canada Post or Australia Post.

Dropshipping

Indeed, Webflow lacks dropshipping-tailored functions. However, you can integrate another platform like Shopify to power dropshipping business effectively. This process requires certain technical skills to get the finest results.

You can start your dropshipping business with Shopify by using third-party apps to connect to the leading dropshipping suppliers. In this case, we suggest two well-known options: Dsers and AutoDS. What's more, Shopify provides a full collection of suppliers, products, and example stores to help you prepare for dropshipping effectively.

Multistore

With Webflow, you can manage multiple sites by signing up for Workspace plans. However, these pricing tiers don’t fully support the necessary eCommerce functions to start an online store, making it challenging to launch multiple stores on Webflow.

Meanwhile, you can manage more than one store on Shopify to scale up your business and target different markets. With each store, Shopify allows you to have unique setups for branding, products, and eCommerce features.

Importantly, you can track the performance of all of your multiple Shopify stores within a single business. This helps you optimize your management process, as well as save your efforts.

#5. Apps & integrations

When it comes to adding extra functionality to your website, apps and integrations play a huge role.

Webflow apps & plugins

First, let's talk about Webflow plugins and apps, what's the differences? Webflow plugins are tools you can add to your website to make it do more things. Plugins can include third-party tools for analytics, marketing, and content management. There are over 210 plugins you can use, and they cost between $0 and $4,000 per month.

What about Webflow apps?

Webflow apps are special tools you can add to your website directly in the Webflow editor. There are 58 apps available, and they can help you with things like AI, analytics, eCommerce, and SEO. Webflow reviews all apps before they're available, so you know they're good quality.

You will love Webflow for:

• Great for customized workflows
• Integrates smoothly with design tools like Figma
• Flexible API for developers to build custom solutions

Yet, there are fewer one-click app installations available compared to Shopify. Additionally, many advanced integrations may require technical expertise to implement.

Shopify apps

Currently, Shopify provides 8,000+ powerful apps, which are supported by third parties and in-house teams. These options might charge between $0 and $350 monthly for the best maintenance.

Like Webflow, Shopify apps are categorized into different groups, such as inventory management, sales & conversion, orders & shipping, and so forth. This makes it easy to pick the proper solution for your needs.

You will love Shopify even more for:

• One-click installs with easy setup, no coding required
• Strong partnerships with major platforms like Amazon, TikTok, Meta (Facebook/Instagram)
• Regular updates and strong support from third-party developers

Yet, the app overload can slow down site performance if not managed well so you should be aware of that.

#6. SEO & marketing features

SEO and marketing features are important for increasing your site’s ranking on search engines. Now, let’s see how Shopify and Webflow contribute these values to your site.

Webflow

With Webflow, you can access the following SEO functions:

• Add and customize schema markup;
• Get automated SEO;
• Have easy sitemap controls;
• Control robust 301 redirects;
• Empower the site with an AWS hosting stack.

When it comes to marketing concerns, Webflow allows you to easily work with a powerful editor and different marketing tools. Here are outstanding tools you should consider for your business on Webflow.

• SEO: Ahrefs, Semrush, Moz, and Keyword Hero;
• Social media marketing: Hootsuite, BuzzSumo, Buffer, and SocialPilot;
• Email marketing: ActiveCampaign, HubSpot, and AWeber;
• Event marketing: Eventbrite, Bizzabo, and Facebook Events.

Shopify

Shopify has a strict URL structure that cannot be modified, which may make it less accessible to some website developers. However, this platform still provides essential SEO features such as sitemaps and redirects. To enhance the SEO value of your Shopify site, you can explore the use of SEO apps as an effective option.

Shopify can also help you reach more potential customers by allowing easy connection with high-powered marketing tools, like Segmentation, Automation, Shopify Email, and Shopify Inbox. Additionally, you can use a collection of Shopify email marketing templates to promote custom marketing campaigns.

#7. AI capabilities

As AI continues to transform eCommerce platforms, both Webflow and Shopify have introduced AI-powered tools to enhance user experience, boost efficiency, and improve productivity.

Webflow

As of September 2024, Webflow has announced several upcoming AI features aimed at simplifying the design process and content creation:

• AI Copilot features for content generation, SEO optimization, image creation, code generation, and more…
• Design enhancements for element generation, batch styling, and template customization.
• Personalized assistance when AI is integrated directly into the Webflow Designer.

As you can see, Webflow’s AI tools are designed to streamline the creative process. By using AI to generate content, code, and design elements, Webflow aims to make it easier for users (especially those with design backgrounds) to bring their ideas to life faster.

Shopify

Shopify’s AI features, on the other hand, focus more on eCommerce functionality. Shopify has rolled out two major AI tools – Shopify Magic and Sidekick – to help merchants streamline operations and improve customer engagement.

• Shopify Magic for image editing, product description generation, personalized FAQs,…
• Sidekick for AI assistant, instant reports, and creative suggestions.

With tools like Shopify Magic and Sidekick, you can save time managing product descriptions, images, customer support, and marketing campaigns.

#8. Security & customer support

In the final section, we will discuss Webflow vs Shopify security and customer support. Which is safer for your online business, and which provides the best customer service? Scroll down to find out.

Webflow

Webflow complies with ISO 27001, Critical Security Controls (CIS), and SSL certificates. Additionally, this website builder provides two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent unauthorized access effectively.

If you encounter any issues with Webflow, you can find helpful tips in the Webflow University documentation. Otherwise, you can refer to the Webflow FAQs list for common issues.

Shopify

Shopify system follows the Level 1 PCI-compliant server, which ensures your payment process is safe through debit or credit cards. Moreover, this eCommerce platform delivers a free SSL certificate to increase the level of encryption for your database.

With Shopify, you can get 24/7 customer service for any problem. It’s possible to contact the Shopify technical team by live chat, phone, and email. Or else, you can visit the Shopify Help Center for useful tips.

#9. Scalability & growth potential

As your business grows, you’ll need a platform that can handle more products, more traffic, and more complexity without slowing down. Let’s explore how scalable Webflow and Shopify really are.

Webflow growth capabilities

Webflow is great for businesses focused on design, content marketing, and small eCommerce stores. But when it comes to scaling, it does have some limitations.

What Webflow offers:

• CMS for content-rich sites
• Custom code flexibility
• Works well for small eCommerce stores

Yet, when you're scaling with Webflow, you may face some challenges when Webflow isn’t designed to manage thousands of SKUs. Also, you’ll need workarounds to handle multiple storefronts with limited automation tools compared to Shopify.

That's why, Webflow will be more for creative agencies, freelancers, SaaS companies, and content-heavy businesses.

Shopify growth capabilities

Shopify is built with scalability in mind, which is why brands like Gymshark, Heinz, and Kylie Cosmetics run on Shopify.

What Shopify offers:

• Unlimited products and bandwidth
• Multi-store capabilities
• Shopify Plus: Enterprise-grade solution with advanced automation, custom checkout, and dedicated support
• Supports 2,000 product variants per product, up from 100—making it easier for businesses with complex inventories (2025 update).

Even more, Shopify has integrated POS system for online and in-person sales, advanced analytics for data-driven decisions and built-in automation to streamline operations.

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Recent Controversies & Issues from Webflow and Shopify

Webflow challenges

1. Pricing increases (Dec 2024)

Webflow isn’t immune to controversy either. In 2024, they rolled out new pricing structures, and let’s just say it didn’t sit well with long-time users. Many felt the price hikes were steep, especially considering the features didn’t significantly improve alongside the cost. Small businesses and freelancers, who are Webflow’s core audience, felt the pinch the most. Honestly, if I were running a tight budget, I’d be pretty frustrated too.

2. Bandwidth limit reductions

Here’s a sneaky one: Webflow reduced bandwidth limits on several plans without much warning. For high-traffic websites, this was a big deal because it meant suddenly having to pay more or risk site performance issues. I’ve seen users call this a “silent downgrade,” and I get it—it’s not just about the money; it’s about transparency. No one likes surprise restrictions.

3. Buggy updates

Webflow prides itself on continuous improvement, but sometimes new updates bring unintended headaches. After a few major platform changes, users reported bugs and performance issues, particularly with the Designer tool. If you’re running an agency or managing multiple client projects, this kind of instability can really throw a wrench in your workflow. I’d expect smoother rollouts, especially from a platform that markets itself as a premium solution.

Shopify controversies

1. Data privacy lawsuits

This one’s a bit more serious. Shopify faced legal scrutiny in the U.S. over how it handles user data. Several lawsuits claimed that Shopify wasn’t fully transparent about its data collection practices. While Shopify has robust security protocols, these legal issues sparked concerns about how customer data is managed behind the scenes.

2. AI-driven layoffs

With the rise of AI tools like Shopify Magic, Shopify made a bold move: reducing its customer support team and replacing some roles with AI-driven systems. Sounds efficient, right? Well, not for everyone. Many merchants expressed frustration, saying they preferred real human support over automated chatbots. While I see the benefits of AI, I also get why people miss that personal touch, especially when dealing with urgent issues.

So, what’s my take?

While both platforms have faced backlash, Shopify’s issues are more tied to corporate decisions—like leadership choices, data privacy concerns, and the shift toward AI automation. These might not affect your daily store operations directly, but they raise questions about the company’s long-term direction.

On the other hand, Webflow’s challenges are more about the user experience—things like pricing transparency, performance issues, and feature limitations. These have a more immediate impact on how you work with the platform every day.

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Webflow vs Shopify: Which Platform Best Suits Your Demands?

Now that we’ve broken down the key differences, pricing, features, and even some recent controversies, you’re probably wondering: “Okay, but which one is right for me?”

The answer really depends on what you’re trying to achieve with your website. So, let’s get practical. Here’s how I’d break it down based on your business goals, technical skills, and growth plans.

Choose Webflow if…

• You’re a designer, agency, or creative professional
• You need a content-heavy website with some eCommerce functionality.
• You value design freedom over templates.
• You're comfortable with a steeper learning curve for more creative freedom.

Choose Shopify if…

• Your primary focus is selling products online.
• You want an easy-to-use platform with minimal technical requirements.
• You're planning to scale your eCommerce business significantly.

Here’s an interesting idea: Why not use both?

If you love Webflow’s design capabilities but need Shopify’s robust eCommerce features, you can actually integrate the two. For example:

• Use Webflow to design stunning landing pages or content-heavy websites.
• Add Shopify’s Buy Button to handle the checkout and payment process.

This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds: creative freedom plus eCommerce power.

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What’s Next for Webflow and Shopify in 2025 and Beyond?

If you’re investing in a platform for your business, it’s not just about what it offers today—it’s about where it’s headed tomorrow. So, let’s take a peek into the future and see what’s in store for Webflow and Shopify in the next few years.

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Webflow vs Shopify: FAQs

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Conclusion

Our blog has just compared Webflow vs Shopify in various concerns. Basically, both platforms can offer robust features to improve your site performance. However, if you prefer a professional eCommerce shop, Shopify would be an optimal solution. If not, you can register for Webflow pricing plans to build a powerful CMS system.

LitExtension hopes you have an in-depth analysis of Shopify and Webflow. Check out our LitExtension eCommerce Blog or join our Facebook Community Group for more useful tips.