Saleor
Shopify
| Feature | Saleor | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $300/mo | From $39/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | developer-teams, enterprise-ecommerce, multi-channel-retailers, graphql-enthusiasts | e-commerce-businesses, dropshippers, retail-brands, solopreneurs |
| Founded | 2018 | 2006 |
| Graphql Api | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi Channel | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dashboard | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Apps System | ✓ | ✗ |
| Warehouse Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Promotions Engine | ✓ | ✗ |
| Online Store | ✗ | ✓ |
| Payments | ✗ | ✓ |
| Shipping | ✗ | ✓ |
| Inventory | ✗ | ✓ |
| Marketing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pos | ✗ | ✓ |
| Analytics | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Saleor Pros
- GraphQL API-first architecture for modern frontends
- Enterprise features in free open-source edition
- Strong multi-channel commerce capabilities
- Built-in dashboard with excellent UX
✗ Saleor Cons
- Cloud hosting is expensive for startups
- Smaller community than Shopify/WooCommerce
- Self-hosting requires Python/Django expertise
✓ Shopify Pros
- Complete e-commerce solution out of box
- Massive app ecosystem (8000+ apps)
- Handles hosting, security, and speed
- Multi-channel selling (social, POS)
✗ Shopify Cons
- Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
- Monthly cost adds up with apps
- Customization limited without code
The Verdict
Saleor is built for developer teams and enterprise ecommerce, with a focus on graphql-api and multi-channel. Shopify targets e commerce businesses and dropshippers and leads with online-store and payments.
On pricing, Shopify is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $39/mo compared to $300/mo for Saleor. That $261/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Saleor has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Shopify requires a paid subscription from day one.
Bottom line: Shopify has a slight overall edge — but if graphql api-first architecture for modern frontends matters most to you, Saleor may still be the right call.