# Medusa vs Shopify

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Shopify

| Attribute | Medusa | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 63.1 (68% (medium)) | 83.4 (72% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 397 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 36,018 | - |
| adoption.package_downloads_weekly | 143,802 | - |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"hybrid":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | A modular, extensible commerce platform that enables developers to create custom storefronts, marketplaces, and commerce systems while reusing foundational commerce functionality. Provides comprehensive modules for product management, pricing, inventory, and fulfillment with extensive customization through APIs and workflows. | Shopify is a commerce platform designed for businesses of all sizes to create storefronts, manage inventory, process payments, and sell across multiple channels online and in person. It provides pre-built themes, customizable experiences, and integrations with thousands of apps to support independent sellers through to global enterprises. |
| features.capabilities | `{"headless":true,"free_tier":true,"open_source":true,"b2b_features":true,"platform_type":"headless","self_hostable":true,"payments_model":"both","pos_omnichannel":true,"extension_ecosystem":"Modular architecture with Workflows, custom modules, API routes, and UI extensio","multi_currency_language":true}` | `{"headless":true,"free_tier":true,"open_source":false,"b2b_features":true,"platform_type":"hosted_saas","self_hostable":true,"payments_model":"built_in","pci_compliance":true,"pos_omnichannel":true,"extension_ecosystem":"21,000+ commerce apps available in Shopify App Store","multi_currency_language":true}` |
| integrations.count | 2 | 21,000 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Stripe"},{"name":"Google Analytics"}]` | `[{"name":"Adyen"},{"name":"Manhattan"},{"name":"Vercel"},{"name":"Hydrogen"},{"name":"Slack"},{"name":"Salesforce"},{"name":"Xero"},{"name":"QuickBooks"},{"name":"Shop app"},{"name":"Dropshipping apps"},{"name":"Print-on-demand apps"}]` |
| language.primary | TypeScript | - |
| license.spdx | SEE LICENSE IN LICENSE | - |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"CA","primaryMarkets":["GB","US","CA"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Cloud","summary":"From $29/month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":29,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Managed cloud infrastructure with AI-powered development tools and automated deployments","contactSales":false}],"summary":"Open-source framework free. Cloud hosting from $29/month.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://medusajs.com/pricing-module/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T15:21:18.493Z","startingPrice":{"amount":29,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month"]}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Basic","summary":"£19/month (billed yearly)","features":["World's best checkout","Online store","Unlimited products","In-person selling","Multiple sales channels","24/7 support"],"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":19,"period":"month","currency":"GBP"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Grow","summary":"£49/month (billed yearly)","features":["World's best checkout","Online store","Unlimited products","In-person selling","Multiple sales channels","24/7 support"],"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":49,"period":"month","currency":"GBP"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Advanced","summary":"£259/month (billed yearly)","features":["World's best checkout","Online store","Unlimited products","In-person selling","Multiple sales channels","24/7 support"],"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":259,"period":"month","currency":"GBP"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Plus","summary":"£1,800/month (3-year term, contact for details)","features":["Unlimited retail locations","20x admin API rate limits","300+ hours technical launch support","Dedicated technical account managers"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1800,"period":"month","currency":"GBP"}],"contactSales":true}],"summary":"Free 3-day trial, then 3 months for £1/month. Plans from £19/month (Basic) to £1,800+/month (Plus, enterprise). Annual and 3-year commitments available.","currency":"GBP","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.shopify.com/first-sale/product-pricing-calculator","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T16:44:17.179Z","freeTrialDays":3,"startingPrice":{"amount":19,"period":"month","currency":"GBP"},"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | mid | mid |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | 10 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.19.0","date":"2026-08-13T13:09:55Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.19.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.18.0","date":"2026-07-23T14:28:51Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.18.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.17.2","date":"2026-07-01T17:17:33Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.17.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.17.1","date":"2026-06-25T09:49:54Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.17.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.17.0","date":"2026-06-24T18:47:31Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.17.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.16.0","date":"2026-06-18T12:00:47Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.16.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.5","date":"2026-06-01T08:49:24Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.3","date":"2026-05-21T11:25:48Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.2","date":"2026-05-13T13:39:45Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.1","date":"2026-05-11T21:16:56Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.0","date":"2026-05-11T15:02:07Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.14.2","date":"2026-04-30T16:22:18Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.14.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.14.1","date":"2026-04-24T14:11:43Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.14.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.14.0","date":"2026-04-23T12:17:37Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.14.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.6","date":"2026-04-08T09:01:38Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.6"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.5","date":"2026-03-25T08:10:34Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.4","date":"2026-03-14T10:14:04Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.3","date":"2026-02-27T13:01:44Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.2","date":"2026-02-26T16:55:58Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.1","date":"2026-01-25T16:20:07Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.1"}]` | - |
| reliability.sla_pct | 99.99 | 99.9 |
| reliability.status_page | - | yes |
| security.disclosure_policy | - | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | yes |
| security.pci | - | yes |
| security.scorecard | 5.6 | - |
| security.soc2 | - | yes |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=npm&package_name=%40medusajs%2Fmedusa&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` | - |

## Capabilities (E-commerce Platforms)

| Capability | Medusa | Shopify |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Platform type | Headless / composable | Hosted all-in-one SaaS |
| **Licensing** |  |  |
| Open-source | ✓ | ✗ |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Self-hostable | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Pricing** |  |  |
| Free / open tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transaction fees beyond plan | - | - |
| **Payments** |  |  |
| Payments model | Built-in + BYO gateway | Built-in payments |
| **Architecture** |  |  |
| Headless / API-first storefront | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Compliance** |  |  |
| PCI-DSS compliance provided | - | ✓ |
| **Reach** |  |  |
| Multi-currency / multi-language | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Selling** |  |  |
| B2B / wholesale features | ✓ | ✓ |
| POS / omnichannel | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Extensibility** |  |  |
| App / extension ecosystem size | Modular architecture with Workflows, custom modules, API routes, and UI extensio | 21,000+ commerce apps available in Shopify App Store |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T15:18:13.163Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*