Medusa vs Shopify
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Medusa and Shopify are credible ecommerce platforms tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Medusa if you want a lower starting price (free) and a free plan to start on. Open-source commerce platform.
Choose Shopify if you'd rather have a longer free trial (3 days). The leading platform to start and run a store.
Medusa vs Shopify: side by side
| Dimension | Medusa | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | FreeWinner | From $29/mo |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Free trial | — | 3 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Best for | Developers, Custom Stores | Ecommerce, Smb, Dtc Brands |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted, Api | Web, Ios, Android, Api |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
Medusa key facts
- Vendor
- Medusa
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted, Api
- Best for
- Developers, Custom Stores
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Copenhagen, Denmark
Shopify key facts
- Vendor
- Shopify Inc.
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $29/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (3 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android, Api
- Best for
- Ecommerce, Smb, Dtc Brands
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2006
- Headquarters
- Ottawa, Canada
Frequently asked questions
Is Medusa better than Shopify?
Neither is universally better — Medusa edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Medusa or Shopify cheaper?
Medusa is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free. Medusa starts at free; Shopify starts at from $29/mo.
Can Medusa replace Shopify?
Yes for most teams — both are ecommerce platforms tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.