Saleor
Saleor is an open-source, headless e-commerce platform that provides a GraphQL-first API and a modular dashboard to help you build high-performance, scalable digital storefronts and multi-channel shopping experiences.
Shopify
Shopify is a complete commerce platform that lets you start, grow, and manage a business by providing tools to create online stores, sell across multiple channels, and handle payments.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Saleor | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Website | saleor.io | shopify.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $39/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 3 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Wroclaw, Poland | Ottawa, Canada |
Overview
Saleor
Saleor is a headless e-commerce platform designed to give you total creative freedom over your storefront. Unlike traditional all-in-one builders, it separates the backend logic from the frontend display, allowing you to use your favorite web technologies to create lightning-fast shopping experiences. You can manage complex product catalogs, global payments, and multi-channel sales through a single, unified GraphQL API that ensures your site remains performant even under heavy traffic.
The platform is built for developers and growing brands that have outgrown standard templates and need a tailored solution. You can automate your fulfillment workflows, manage multiple warehouses, and scale your business globally with built-in multi-currency and multi-language support. Whether you choose to host it yourself or use their managed cloud service, you get a robust foundation that evolves with your technical requirements.
Shopify
Shopify is an all-in-one commerce platform designed to help you build and manage your business from anywhere. Whether you are starting a new venture or moving an established brand online, you can create a professional storefront without needing advanced coding skills. You can sell products through your website, social media marketplaces, and in-person using integrated point-of-sale hardware.
The platform handles the technical heavy lifting, including secure payment processing, shipping logistics, and high-volume traffic management. You can manage your entire inventory, track customer data, and analyze sales performance from a single centralized dashboard. It scales with you as your volume grows, offering specialized tools for everything from solo entrepreneurs to global enterprise brands.
Overview
Saleor Features
- GraphQL-First API Query exactly the data you need for your storefront to ensure faster load times and a smoother user experience.
- Headless Architecture Connect any frontend—from mobile apps to web stores—to a single backend for true multi-channel selling.
- Multi-Warehouse Support Track inventory across multiple physical locations and set custom fulfillment rules to optimize your shipping logic.
- Global Commerce Expand your reach with native support for multiple currencies, languages, and localized tax calculations out of the box.
- Modular Dashboard Manage your products, orders, and customer data through a clean, intuitive interface designed for non-technical team members.
- Extensible Webhooks Trigger custom actions in external tools like CRMs or ERPs whenever an order is placed or updated.
Shopify Features
- Online Store Builder. Create a professional website using a drag-and-drop editor and customizable themes that look great on any mobile device.
- Shopify Payments. Accept all major credit cards and local payment methods instantly without the hassle of setting up third-party providers.
- Omnichannel Selling. Sell your products across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and major marketplaces like Amazon or eBay from one central inventory.
- Point of Sale (POS). Sync your physical retail sales with your online store automatically to keep your stock levels and customer data accurate.
- Shopify Shipping. Get deeply discounted shipping rates from major carriers and print your own labels directly within your admin dashboard.
- Marketing Automation. Recover lost sales with abandoned cart emails and build customer loyalty using built-in segmentation and email marketing tools.
Pricing Comparison
Saleor Pricing
- Free for developers
- All core commerce features
- GraphQL API access
- Saleor Dashboard
- Community support
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Increased API rate limits
- Standard support
- Managed infrastructure
- Automated backups
- Custom domain support
Shopify Pricing
- Online store with unlimited products
- 2 staff accounts
- 24/7 platform support
- Basic reports and analytics
- Up to 77% shipping discount
- POS Lite for in-person selling
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- 5 staff accounts
- Professional data reports
- Lower credit card rates
- Up to 88% shipping discount
- Standard localized markets
Pros & Cons
Saleor
Pros
- Excellent developer experience with modern GraphQL API
- Complete frontend flexibility for unique brand designs
- High performance and fast page load speeds
- Strong multi-channel and internationalization capabilities
Cons
- Requires significant technical expertise to set up
- Smaller plugin ecosystem compared to Shopify
- Steep learning curve for non-developers
Shopify
Pros
- Extensive app ecosystem for adding custom functionality
- Highly reliable hosting that handles traffic spikes
- Intuitive interface is easy for beginners to navigate
- Excellent 24/7 customer support via multiple channels
Cons
- Monthly app subscriptions can increase total costs
- Transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments
- Advanced design changes require learning Liquid code