Speed to launch
Shopify wins for a first store: pick a theme, add products, sell within days. A custom build takes longer to plan and develop.
Cost over time
Shopify has monthly plans plus app fees and transaction fees if you do not use its payments. Custom has a higher upfront cost but low running cost and no per-app subscriptions.
Flexibility and ownership
A custom store lets you build any checkout, pricing rule or workflow, and you own the code and data. Hosted platforms limit you to what their ecosystem supports.
Our take
Test an idea on a hosted platform. Move to custom when fees, limits or unique features start costing you more than development would.
Try our free Profit Margin Calculator.
Need help building it? Talk to MakeMyStore.