Commerce.js vs Shopify: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Commerce.js and Shopify side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Commerce.js
Headless commerce backend for developers
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Shopify
Launch and grow your online store with ease
Best for you if:
- • You want easy to use
| At a Glance | Commerce.js | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan, paid from $39/mo flat, billed monthly Basic plan |
Category | E-commerce Headless Commerce | E-commerce Platforms Website Builders |
Rating | 5.0/5 G2 5.0 5 reviews | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 11,858 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Production pricing requires direct contact, no public rates. | Third-party payment surcharge: using PayPal, Stripe, or any non-Shopify payment processor triggers a 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow), or 0.6% (Advanced) surcharge ON TOP of the processor's own fees. |
Choose Commerce.js or Shopify?
Choose Commerce.js if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want headless commerce API
- You want developer friendly
- You work in e-commerce, not e-commerce platforms
Choose Shopify if
- You want easy to use
- You want all-in-one solution
- You work in e-commerce platforms, not e-commerce
In-Depth Analysis
Commerce.js
Headless commerce backend for developers
The Free tier is very generous, offering full API access for development without any cost, which is excellent for developers and startups.
Watch out
Production pricing requires direct contact, no public rates.
Strengths
- Pro: Headless commerce API
- Pro: Developer friendly
- Pro: Good documentation
- Pro: Flexible
- Pro: Modern approach
Weaknesses
- Con: Per-order pricing
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Requires development
- Con: Limited ecosystem
- Con: Not turnkey
Key features
Shopify
Launch and grow your online store with ease
Shopify's $39/mo Basic plan looks affordable until you add payment processing fees, apps, and themes.
Watch out
Third-party payment surcharge: using PayPal, Stripe, or any non-Shopify payment processor triggers a 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow), or 0.6% (Advanced) surcharge ON TOP of the processor's own fees.
Strengths
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: All-in-one solution
- Pro: Great app ecosystem
- Pro: Good for scaling
Weaknesses
- Con: Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
- Con: Monthly costs add up
- Con: Limited customization on lower plans
Key features
Plans and prices: Commerce.js vs Shopify
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Commerce.js |
| commercejs.com/pricing read Sep 29, 2026 |
| Shopify |
| shopify.com/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Commerce.js pricing and Shopify pricing.
Key Takeaways
Commerce.js
- Choose if you want headless commerce backend for developers
Shopify
- Choose if you want launch and grow your online store with ease
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (5.0/5 from 5 reviews for Commerce.js, 4.5/5 from 11,858 reviews for Shopify; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Shopify starts at $39/mo flat, billed monthly; Commerce.js has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Commerce.js and Shopify compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (5.0/5 from 5 reviews for Commerce.js, 4.5/5 from 11,858 reviews for Shopify; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Shopify starts at $39/mo flat, billed monthly; Commerce.js has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Commerce.js and Shopify used for?
Commerce.js: Headless commerce backend for developers. Shopify: Launch and grow your online store with ease.
What does Commerce.js cost vs Shopify?
Commerce.js has no public paid-plan price on file. Shopify's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $39/mo flat, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Commerce.js and Shopify?
Commerce.js's main strength: headless commerce API. Shopify's main strength: easy to use.