Choosing between Shopify vs Amazon is one of the first big decisions for any online seller. Shopify allows you to build a fully branded store, while Amazon gives access to millions of buyers instantly. In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The differences between Shopify and Amazon
- Pros and cons of each platform
- Profitability insights
- Personal selling experience
- How PlugBooks simplifies multi-platform management
Whether you’re considering selling on Shopify vs Amazon or selling on Amazon vs Shopify, understanding these differences will help you make an informed choice.
Why Pick Shopify Instead of Amazon?
If you want to have complete control over your brand and how customers interact with it, Shopify is the best choice:
- Business Model: You have your own internet store where you can change the branding and design anyway you like.
- prices: Monthly prices start at $39 and go up to $399 for more extensive services.
- Store Management: You can change everything about it with a lot of themes and apps.
- AutoDS automates product research, imports, orders, tracking, and returns for dropshipping.
- SEO, social media integration, email campaigns, and targeted marketing are all ways to market.
- Other important things are easy POD integration, flexible payment options, and operations that may grow.
Personal Experience: Shopify was where I started my first online business. I was able to establish a loyal customer base and boost repeat sales by being able to design my business and execute targeted marketing efforts straight to my customers.
Why pick Amazon instead of Shopify?
If you want quick traffic and easy logistics, Amazon is the best choice:
- Business Model: Reach millions of customers while Amazon takes care of shipping and customer support.
- Prices: Fulfillment fees through FBA and referral fees (around 15%).
- Store Management: little options for personalization, a standard design, and rigid rules.
- Options for marketing: Ads on Amazon make your product more visible, but there is a lot of competition.
- Other Important Things: fewer integrations, higher costs, and less chances to brand.
Many sellers compare amazon vs shopify and quickly realize Amazon FBA simplifies fulfillment but reduces branding control.
Pros and Cons of Shopify vs Amazon
Pros of Shopify:
- You have full control over the design and branding of your store.
- SEO, social media, and email marketing that can be changed
- Direct access to client information for creating relationships
- Simple to work with dropshipping and POD services
- Apps and third-party solutions make it very easy to scale.
- Pricing and product options that can be changed
Disadvantages of Shopify:
- You have to bring in your own visitors
- Monthly payments range from $39 to $399.
- Extra expenses for apps and sophisticated features
- It takes time to gain trust and establish an audience.
Pros of Amazon:
- You can reach millions of buyers right away (selling on Amazon vs Shopify)
- Fulfillment done through FBA
- A platform that people trust and that gets a lot of conversions
- Help with marketing through Amazon advertisements and product suggestions
- Quick start with little technical setup
Amazon Cons:
- You can’t control your brand as much (Amazon FBA vs. Shopify)
- Costs for FBA fulfillment and fees for each sale (around 15%)
- A very competitive market
- Less direct contact with customers
- Limited opportunities for customization and marketing
Hybrid Approach: A lot of sellers utilize both Shopify and Amazon FBA to take advantage of Shopify’s brand control and Amazon’s traffic and fulfillment benefits. Tools like PlugBooks make it easy to manage sales on more than one platform by seamlessly syncing orders, inventory, and accounting.
Fees and Profitability
| Feature | Shopify | Amazon |
| Fees | Monthly $39–$399 + transaction fees | ~15% referral + FBA fees |
| Branding | Full control | Limited |
| Marketing | SEO, social media | Amazon ads, traffic boost |
| Fulfillment | Self or third-party | FBA handled |
| Dropshipping | AutoDS automation | AutoDS automation |
Profitability Insight: In my experience, it takes more marketing work to sell on Shopify than on Amazon at first, but the margins are better in the long run. Amazon makes money faster, but its profit margins are less because of fees and competition.
People and Traffic
- Amazon: You can have an audience right now, but there’s a lot of competition (Amazon vs. Shopify)
- Shopify: Needs marketing plans, SEO, and advertising on social media
- Strategy Tip: By using both platforms, you may obtain rapid exposure on Amazon and create a dedicated audience on Shopify at the same time.
PlugBooks: Making it easier to manage several platforms
It can be hard to keep track of more than one platform.
- PlugBooks has a single dashboard for orders from Shopify and Amazon.
- Syncing of accounting and inventories automatically
- Integration between QuickBooks and Xero
- Reports on sales, taxes, and profits in real time
You can focus on building your business instead of dealing with spreadsheets with PlugBooks. This is quite helpful for merchants that are trying to decide between selling on Shopify or Amazon or doing both at the same time.
Which Marketplace is Right for You?
- Shopify: Best if you want brand control, customization, and customer engagement
- Amazon: Ideal if you want fast sales, traffic, and fulfillment handled
- Many sellers use a hybrid model for the best of both worlds
Questions and Answers
1. What’s the difference between amazon fba vs shopify?
Amazon FBA handles storage, packing, and shipping, while Shopify gives full control over branding, marketing, and customer experience.
2. How does shopify vs amazon fba affect profitability?
Using Shopify lets you increase profit margins through direct sales and marketing, whereas Amazon FBA offers faster sales but with fees that reduce per-unit profit.
3. Can I manage inventory efficiently when selling on shopify vs amazon?
Yes. Tools like PlugBooks allow you to sync inventory, orders, and accounting across Shopify and Amazon, reducing errors and avoiding overselling.
4. Is selling on amazon vs shopify better for launching new products?
For new products, Amazon gives instant exposure and traffic, while Shopify helps you build long-term brand recognition and customer loyalty.
5. Can I combine shopify vs amazon fba and selling on shopify vs amazon strategies for maximum sales?
Absolutely. Many sellers use Shopify for brand control and Amazon FBA for logistics, while also managing multi-channel sales efficiently to reach more customers.
6. How does PlugBooks help with selling on shopify vs amazon?
PlugBooks centralizes accounting, inventory, and order management across both platforms, saving time, reducing errors, and simplifying multi-channel operations.
The end
Your goals, resources, and business strategy will help you decide between Shopify and Amazon. Shopify is great for branding, personalization, and long-term growth. Amazon, on the other hand, is great for getting visitors right away, building trust, and making delivery easier.
Many successful sellers use both platforms, and PlugBooks makes it easy to keep track of sales on many platforms. The appropriate tools and plan will help you sell more on Shopify or Amazon, whether you’re utilizing Shopify or Amazon FBA.