PLATFORM COMPARISON
Shelfkit vs Shopify: An Honest Comparison
Shopify is a powerful platform, but is it right for your small making business? Compare the true costs, features, and complexity to make an informed decision.
Disclaimer: Pricing and feature information was accurate at the time of publishing and is provided for general comparison purposes only. Shopify may have updated their pricing, features, or terms since this page was last updated. For the most current and complete information, please visit Shopify's official pricing page.
Shelfkit starting price
Shopify starting price
Shelfkit free trial
Shopify free trial
The True Cost of Shopify
Shopify advertises from £19/month, but the reality for most small sellers is quite different. Let's break down what you'll actually pay.
Shopify Monthly Plans
Basic
- • 0 staff accounts
- • Basic reports
- • 2% transaction fee*
Grow
- • 5 staff accounts
- • Better reports
- • 1% transaction fee*
Advanced
- • 15 staff accounts
- • Advanced reports
- • 0.6% transaction fee*
*Transaction fees apply when NOT using Shopify Payments. These are on top of payment processing fees.
The App Cost Nobody Talks About
Shopify's base plans are missing features that most sellers need. You'll likely need to pay for apps:
Common App Costs
- Customer reviews£0-50/month
- Email marketing£10-50/month
- SEO tools£20-80/month
- Upsells/bundles£10-50/month
More App Costs
- Advanced shipping£10-30/month
- Loyalty/rewards£20-100/month
- Backup & security£5-15/month
- Live chat£15-50/month
Reality check: Most Shopify sellers spend £50-150/month on apps alone. That's £600-1,800/year on top of your subscription.
Theme Costs
Shopify's free themes are limited. Most sellers buy premium themes:
- • Premium themes: £150-350 one-time (but updates may require repurchase)
- • Theme customisation: Often requires a developer (£50-150/hour)
- • Many popular features locked behind premium themes
Real Cost Comparison: Year One
What you'll actually pay in your first year with each platform.
Shelfkit (Starter Plan)
- Monthly subscription£9 × 12 = £108
- Customer reviewsIncluded
- Email notificationsIncluded
- Shipping zonesIncluded
- Discount codesIncluded
- Transaction fees (2.5% on £12k sales)£300
- Payment processing (~2.4%)£288
Shopify (Basic Plan)
- Monthly subscription£25 × 12 = £300
- Reviews app£15 × 12 = £180
- Email marketing app£20 × 12 = £240
- SEO app£30 × 12 = £360
- Premium theme (one-time)£200
- Transaction fees (2% on £12k)*£240
- Shopify Payments (~2.4%)£288
*Transaction fee only if not using Shopify Payments
Save Over £1,100 in Year One
For a small maker doing £12,000/year in sales, Shelfkit saves you approximately £1,112 compared to a typical Shopify setup.
That's money you could invest back into your craft, marketing, or inventory.
When to Choose Each Platform
Choose Shelfkit if you...
- Are a small maker, artisan, or cottage industry
- Want simple, predictable pricing
- Prefer all features built-in (no apps)
- Need a longer trial to evaluate properly
- Value simplicity over endless customisation
- Want to keep costs as low as possible
Choose Shopify if you...
- Run a larger business with multiple staff
- Need complex integrations with other systems
- Want access to thousands of apps
- Need advanced inventory across multiple locations
- Have a developer on staff for customisations
- Sell through multiple channels (POS, marketplaces)
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shelfkit | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | £0/month (Free tier) | £25/month (Basic) |
| Transaction Fee | 1-3.5% | 2% (unless using Shopify Payments) |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 3 days |
| Credit Card Required | ||
| Products Limit | 10-Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Built for Small Makers | ||
| Setup Complexity | Simple | Moderate to Complex |
| Product Variants | 2-Unlimited per product | Up to 100 per product |
| Inventory Tracking | ||
| Shipping Zones | ||
| Discount Codes | ||
| Customer Reviews | Built-in | Requires app (£0-50/month) |
| Customer Accounts | ||
| Email Notifications | ||
| App Store Required | Often needed | |
| Learning Curve | Low | Moderate |
| Staff Accounts | 1-Unlimited | 2-15 depending on plan |
| Priority Support | All plans | Higher plans only |
Simplicity Matters
Shopify is powerful, but that power comes with complexity. For small makers who just want to sell, Shelfkit offers a refreshingly simple alternative.
Getting Started
Shelfkit
Sign up, add products, connect payments, launch. Most sellers are selling within an hour.
Shopify
Choose a theme, customise it, install apps, configure each app, learn the admin interface. Plan for a few days to a week to properly set up.
Ongoing Management
Shelfkit
One dashboard, one set of settings. Updates happen automatically. Focus on making and selling.
Shopify
Manage multiple app subscriptions, keep apps updated, troubleshoot conflicts. Theme updates may require recustomisation.
Support
Shelfkit
One team supports everything. No "that's an app issue" runaround.
Shopify
Shopify supports core features, but app issues go to each app developer. Finger-pointing between support teams is common.
Billing
Shelfkit
One monthly bill. Simple, predictable costs.
Shopify
Monthly bill from Shopify plus separate charges from each app. Costs can vary month to month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Shopify really cost per month?
Shopify's Basic plan is £25/month (or around £19/month when billed annually). Most sellers spend £75-175/month when you add essential apps for reviews, email marketing, advanced shipping, and SEO. Shelfkit includes these features built-in, with plans starting at £0/month for the Free tier and £9/month for Starter.
Does Shopify charge transaction fees?
Yes. If you don't use Shopify Payments (their payment processor), Shopify charges an additional 2% transaction fee on Basic, 1% on Grow, and 0.6% on Advanced plans. This is ON TOP of payment processing fees. With Shelfkit, you choose your payment processor and our transaction fees (1-3.5%) are all-inclusive.
Is Shopify worth it for small businesses?
Shopify is excellent for larger businesses with complex needs, but for small makers and cottage industries, it's often overkill. You'll pay for features you don't need and miss out on simplicity. Shelfkit is purpose-built for small makers—simpler, cheaper, and with all essential features included.
What are the hidden costs of Shopify?
Hidden Shopify costs include: apps (£20-100+/month for essential functionality), premium themes (around £150-350 one-time), transaction fees (2% if not using Shopify Payments), and developer costs if you need customisation. These can easily add £50-200/month to your base subscription.
Can I switch from Shopify to Shelfkit?
Yes, migrating from Shopify to Shelfkit is straightforward. You can export your products and import them into Shelfkit. Our support team can help with the transition, and you can run both stores simultaneously during the switch to ensure no downtime.
Does Shelfkit have apps like Shopify?
Shelfkit takes a different approach. Instead of requiring paid apps for basic features, we build everything you need directly into the platform. Customer reviews, shipping calculations, discount codes, inventory management, and email notifications are all included in every plan.
Is Shopify better for SEO than having your own store?
Not necessarily. Both Shopify and Shelfkit give you your own domain and the ability to optimise for search engines. The main SEO advantage comes from the effort you put in, not the platform. Shelfkit includes all the SEO essentials: custom URLs, meta descriptions, image alt text, and sitemaps.
What's the catch with Shopify's 3-day free trial?
Shopify shortened their trial from 14 days to just 3 days, making it hard to properly evaluate the platform. You also need a credit card to start. Shelfkit offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required—10x longer to make sure it's right for your business.
Be Ready for a Simpler Alternative
Join our waitlist for early access and exclusive launch pricing. Be the first to know when Shelfkit goes live.