Medusa vs Shopify
Compare Medusa and Shopify on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Medusa
Headless JS commerce — MIT OSS free; Cloud Develop $29, Launch $99 highlighted, Scale $299, Enterprise custom. No GMV tax.
Best for
- • JS teams building headless storefronts
- • SMBs to mid-market brands that will self-host or buy Cloud Launch
- • Buyers comparing Saleor’s higher Cloud floors
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Medusa and Shopify. Choose Medusa when JS teams building headless storefronts. Choose Shopify when Merchants wanting a hosted store without managing infrastructure. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Choose Medusa if: JS teams building headless storefronts
Choose Shopify if: Merchants wanting a hosted store without managing infrastructure
Shopify
Hosted SaaS ecommerce platform with themes, checkout, channels, and POS — Basic from $39/mo ($29 annual), Grow $105 ($79 annual), Advanced $399 ($299 annual), Plus from $2,300/mo.
Best for
- • Merchants wanting a hosted store without managing infrastructure
- • Brands scaling across online + retail channels
- • Teams that value app ecosystem over building custom stacks
Starting from $39.00/user/mo
No free plan
Frequently asked questions
Common buyer questions about Medusa vs Shopify.
There is no universal winner between Medusa and Shopify. Choose Medusa when JS teams building headless storefronts. Choose Shopify when Merchants wanting a hosted store without managing infrastructure. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
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