Shopify and Launch Cart are two ecommerce website builders making noise in the market — but which one comes out on top in our 2025 round of hands-on research and testing?
We’ve spent over 300 hours analyzing, comparing, and testing the best ecommerce platforms to give you a clear recommendation for your online store.
Based on that testing, Shopify is the stronger choice if you’re serious about selling online and scaling your business with SEO.
Shopify vs Launch Cart: Quick Verdict
Shopify – Best growth tools and SEO for scaling your business
Launch Cart – Best for beginners and budget-friendly ecommerce launches
In this review, I’ll break down why Shopify outperforms Launch Cart across key areas like pricing, sales features, SEO, ease of use, and more — with a focus on real-world usage.
| Shopify is best for: | Launch Cart is best for: |
|---|---|
| Scaling businesses that need SEO and growth tools | New sellers looking for a free or low-cost way to start |
| Brands focused on multichannel sales | Smaller stores and digital product funnels |
| Customisation through apps and integrations | Sellers who prefer a simple, guided experience |
Quick Comparison: Shopify vs Launch Cart
Get a quick and clear overview of Shopify and Launch Cart in the table below:
| Feature | Shopify | Launch Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.8 | 3.7 |
| Starting Price | $39/month (or $1/month for first 3 months) | Free Forever Plan |
| Pros | Unlimited products AI-powered tools (Magic & Sidekick) 100+ payment options Huge app store Multichannel selling | Free to start Funnels and upsells built-in No credit card needed Easy onboarding |
| Cons | Limited URL control App costs add up Most templates are paid | Limited SEO options No blog functionality Few integrations |
| Free Plan or Trial | 3-day free trial | Free Forever Plan |
| Number of Templates | 200+ | ~30 |
| Try Shopify | Try Launch Cart |
Best for Pricing: Launch Cart Wins Early, Shopify Wins Later
When it comes to pricing, the difference between Shopify and Launch Cart is clear — one is built for long-term growth, and the other gives you a head start for free.
But as always, there’s more to pricing than just the numbers on a plan.
Let’s break it down.
Shopify Pricing Breakdown
Shopify has three main pricing tiers. Here’s a quick look at what each one gets you:
| Plan Name | Price/Month | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | Standard features, 2 staff accounts |
| Shopify | $105 | More reports, 5 staff accounts |
| Advanced | $399 | Lower fees, 15 staff accounts |
You can get started with Shopify’s three-day free trial, and right now they’re offering 3 months for $1/month, which is perfect for testing the waters.
But after the intro deal ends, expect the monthly bill to go up quickly — especially when you factor in:
- Paid apps (many features require third-party tools)
- Premium themes ($180–$400 one-time)
- Transaction fees (unless using Shopify Payments)
If you’re planning to scale and need advanced ecommerce tools, Shopify’s pricing makes sense — but it’s not light on the wallet.
Launch Cart Pricing Breakdown
Launch Cart takes a different approach: you can launch and run a store completely free.
Here’s what their pricing tiers look like:
| Plan Name | Price/Month | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Forever | $0 | Basic ecommerce, basic SEO, 1 domain |
| Pro | $27 | More design control, analytics |
| Premium | $97 | Funnels, upsells, branding, advanced tools |
A few things worth noting:
- No credit card required to sign up
- The free plan isn’t a trial — you can stay on it
- Great for testing product ideas or building MVPs
- You’ll need to upgrade for serious customisation, analytics, or scaling
This makes Launch Cart a smart pick for lean businesses, solopreneurs, or creators who want to avoid upfront costs.
Side-by-Side Pricing Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | Launch Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Cost | $39/month | Free Forever |
| Free Trial | 3 days | Unlimited free use (limited features) |
| Upsell/Funnels Included | No (requires apps) | Yes (Premium plan) |
| App Costs | Many paid apps | Fewer apps, lower external cost |
| Templates | Most are paid | All current themes are free |
The Verdict
- Launch Cart wins for affordability, low-risk testing, and small stores. You can start building your store today without spending a cent.
- Shopify wins once your business is ready to grow. You’ll get deeper features, better apps, and more long-term flexibility — but it comes at a price.
If cost is your biggest concern early on, Launch Cart is the safer bet. But if you're aiming to build a full-blown ecommerce brand with advanced features and SEO tools, Shopify is worth the investment.
Best for SEO: Shopify Is Built to Rank
Strong SEO tools are essential if you want your store to grow through organic search — and this is where Shopify takes the lead.
Shopify comes with a solid foundation of built-in SEO features, plus a huge ecosystem of apps that extend your control even further. Launch Cart, on the other hand, sticks to the basics — which works fine for a simple product page or funnel, but won’t cut it if SEO is your main traffic strategy.
Shopify SEO Features
Here’s what you get out of the box (and through apps):
- Customisable meta titles and descriptions for every page
- Built-in 301 redirect manager
- Auto-generated XML sitemap and robots.txt
- Canonical tags to help avoid duplicate content issues
- SEO-focused apps like Plug In SEO, SEO Manager, and Yoast for Shopify
- Clean, fast-loading themes with mobile optimisation
- Structured data support (can be added via apps or code)
One limitation? Shopify’s URL structure includes some fixed elements — for example, /collections/ and /products/ paths can't be removed or customised.
Still, for most users, this doesn’t stop pages from ranking — and the rest of Shopify’s SEO toolkit more than makes up for it.
Launch Cart SEO Features
Launch Cart offers a lighter set of SEO tools focused on simplicity:
- Edit meta titles and descriptions
- Clean, human-readable URLs
- Mobile-first, fast-loading designs
- Basic optimisation checklist
- No SEO apps or extensions (yet)
- No built-in blogging feature as of 2025
While it covers the basics well, Launch Cart’s current SEO tools feel limiting — especially if you’re used to content marketing, structured data, or rich snippets.
The biggest drawback? There’s no blogging engine, which means you can’t scale SEO through long-form content — a major growth channel for many ecommerce brands.
Shopify vs Launch Cart: SEO Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | Launch Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Meta tags | Yes | Yes |
| 301 redirects | Built-in manager | Manual only |
| XML sitemap | Auto-generated | Auto-generated |
| Canonical tags | Yes | No |
| SEO apps | 100+ available | None |
| Blog support | Yes | No |
| URL structure control | Partially fixed | Clean but basic |
| Structured data | Supported with apps | Not supported |
The Verdict
- Shopify is the clear winner if SEO is part of your marketing strategy. With advanced features, structured data support, and blog functionality, it’s built to help your store rank.
- Launch Cart is fine for quick setups or ad-driven stores, but its SEO ceiling is low — especially with no blog or SEO-focused integrations.
If you want long-term traffic from search, Shopify gives you the tools to get there. Launch Cart keeps things simple, but that simplicity comes with limits.
Easiest to Use: Launch Cart Wins for Beginners
If you're new to ecommerce, ease of use can make or break your first store setup. I tested both Shopify and Launch Cart from scratch to see which one delivers a smoother experience — and for beginners, Launch Cart clearly comes out on top.
My Experience with Shopify
Shopify’s interface is clean, modern, and powerful — but it assumes you already know your way around ecommerce. The onboarding is quick, but after the initial questions, you’re largely on your own.
Here’s what stood out:
- Smooth signup flow, with prompts to define your business type
- The dashboard is organised, but can feel busy for first-time users
- Plenty of customisation, but you’ll need time to get it right
- Some features — like shipping rules or SEO settings — are buried under menus
- You’ll need to install apps for things like email, funnels, and reviews
If you're experienced, you’ll be fine. But if this is your first online store, the learning curve might slow you down.
My Experience with Launch Cart
Launch Cart was clearly built for non-technical users. From the moment I signed up, it walked me through each step with short guides and pre-filled templates.
Here’s what worked well:
- Super quick setup, with no credit card needed
- Guided walkthroughs for every major section (products, settings, payments)
- Fewer features, which actually makes things easier to manage
- Dashboard is clean and simple, with fewer distractions
- No need for apps to launch or sell your first product
While it doesn’t have the depth Shopify offers, Launch Cart’s simplicity means you can go from idea to live store in under 30 minutes — no tutorials needed.
Shopify vs Launch Cart: Ease of Use Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | Launch Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Onboarding Process | Fast but minimal guidance | Step-by-step walkthroughs |
| Dashboard Experience | Powerful but complex | Clean and beginner-friendly |
| Setup Time | Moderate (depends on features needed) | Very fast (store ready in minutes) |
| Learning Curve | Medium to high | Low |
| App Dependency | High (many features require apps) | Low (most core tools built-in) |
| Best For | Experienced users or growing businesses | Beginners, side hustlers, quick MVPs |
The Verdict
- Launch Cart wins for ease of use. It’s designed for beginners, has less clutter, and gives you just enough to launch without getting overwhelmed.
- Shopify offers more control, but that comes with complexity. You’ll need to invest more time to get the most out of it.
If you’re validating a product idea or just want to start selling quickly, Launch Cart is the faster, friendlier option.
But as you grow? You’ll probably find yourself switching to something with more flexibility — like Shopify.
Best for Selling Online: Shopify Packs More Punch
Whether you’re selling one product or managing a warehouse of inventory, the right sales features can make a big difference in how smooth and scalable your store is.
Both Shopify and Launch Cart give you the basics you need to start selling — but Shopify offers a much deeper toolkit that’s built to grow with your business.
What You Get with Shopify
Shopify is designed to handle a wide range of ecommerce needs, from simple stores to full-scale operations. The feature set is broad — and most of what you can’t find natively, you can add with apps.
Here’s what stood out during testing:
- Product variants with SKUs, colours, sizes, and custom options
- Built-in inventory management tools with alerts and syncing
- Abandoned cart recovery with automated follow-up emails
- Multi-channel selling on Amazon, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more
- AI-powered product descriptions using Shopify Magic
- Advanced analytics and custom reporting dashboards
- Support for subscriptions, digital downloads, and even in-person POS
If your goal is to sell across multiple platforms and manage everything from one place, Shopify gives you the flexibility to do it — especially with its massive app marketplace.
What You Get with Launch Cart
Launch Cart focuses more on simplicity and conversion, with fewer tools — but several useful ones are built right into the platform.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Basic product setup for physical or digital goods
- Built-in funnels and upsells, including order bumps
- Custom discount codes, flash sales, and countdown timers
- Email automation for orders and tracking updates
- Basic cart abandonment emails
- Simple one-page checkout flow designed for conversions
It’s more focused on single-product stores, info products, and straightforward sales — not large catalogues or complex backends.
What’s missing?
- No real-time analytics or sales dashboards
- No native multi-channel selling (e.g. Amazon, social platforms)
- No subscription billing, advanced tax, or shipping rule support
Shopify vs Launch Cart: Sales Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | Launch Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Product variants & SKUs | Yes | Limited |
| Inventory management | Yes | Basic |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes | Yes (basic version) |
| Funnels and upsells | Via apps | Built-in |
| Multi-channel integrations | Amazon, TikTok, Insta, Facebook | None |
| AI tools for sales | Shopify Magic (product descriptions) | No AI features |
| Analytics and reports | Advanced dashboards and filters | Basic order metrics only |
| Subscription/digital sales | Supported (via apps) | Digital sales only |
| One-page checkout | No (traditional multi-step) | Yes |
The Verdict
- Shopify is built for serious selling. Whether you're scaling SKUs, expanding to new platforms, or analysing data to optimise conversions — Shopify gives you the tools to make it happen.
- Launch Cart is solid for simple setups, especially if you're running a single-product store or info-based business. Funnels and upsells are built in, but if you need deeper tools or wider reach, you’ll quickly find the limits.
If you’re planning to scale or sell across channels, Shopify is worth the investment.
For fast and lean launches, Launch Cart keeps things simple and effective.
Best for Apps & Integrations: Shopify’s Ecosystem Is a Beast
A powerful app store can turn a basic ecommerce site into a highly optimised selling machine. Whether you need advanced SEO tools, email automation, shipping calculators, or CRM integrations — the app marketplace fills in the gaps your platform doesn’t cover natively.
In this area, Shopify is in a league of its own.
Shopify App Store
Shopify’s app ecosystem is one of the biggest reasons it remains the go-to platform for ecommerce brands of all sizes. With over 8,000 apps, it covers nearly every function and marketing channel you could want.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- SEO tools, image optimisers, and structured data generators
- Subscription billing apps, like Recharge and Bold
- Email marketing platforms like Klaviyo and Omnisend
- Review apps, loyalty programs, and UGC tools
- CRM integrations with HubSpot, Mailchimp, and more
- Ad and analytics integrations (Meta, Google, TikTok)
- POS add-ons, currency converters, multi-language tools — and more
Not every app is free — in fact, many of the more powerful ones come with monthly fees. But the flexibility is unmatched. If you need a feature, chances are there’s an app for it.
Launch Cart Marketplace
Launch Cart is still building out its app ecosystem, and it’s noticeably leaner right now. You’ll find dozens of apps, but not the depth or variety you get with Shopify.
Here’s what’s currently available:
- Email integrations for tools like Mailchimp
- Popup and lead capture apps
- Basic payment processors and shipping plugins
- A few tools for reviews and testimonials
That’s about it for now.
What’s missing:
- No public API yet, so third-party developers can’t build apps easily
- No advanced SEO or analytics tools
- No integrations for subscriptions, CRMs, or ad platforms
The team is working on expanding the marketplace, but if integrations and automation are a core part of your ecommerce strategy, Launch Cart just isn’t there yet.
Shopify vs Launch Cart: App Marketplace Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | Launch Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Total Apps Available | 8,000+ | Dozens |
| Public API Access | Yes (huge third-party developer base) | No |
| Email Marketing Apps | Yes (Klaviyo, Omnisend, Mailchimp) | Limited (Mailchimp) |
| SEO Apps | Yes (Yoast, Plug In SEO, etc.) | None |
| CRM Integrations | Yes | None |
| Subscription Support | Yes (via apps like Recharge) | Not available |
| Ad/Analytics Integrations | Meta, Google, TikTok, GA4 | Not available |
| App Pricing | Free and paid apps | Mostly free, but limited functionality |
The Verdict
- Shopify wins — by a mile. Its app store is unmatched in both scale and quality. If your store relies on integrations, automations, or third-party tools, Shopify gives you more freedom to grow.
- Launch Cart’s marketplace is still evolving, but at this stage, it lacks the infrastructure to support more advanced ecommerce needs.
If customisation and third-party tools are a priority for your business, Shopify is the only real option here.
Best for Support: Both Solid, Shopify Slightly Ahead
When something breaks, or you hit a roadblock during setup, good support can save hours (and a lot of stress). Both Shopify and Launch Cart offer solid support — but they go about it in different ways.
Shopify brings scale, with more resources, channels, and training materials.
Launch Cart brings a personal touch, with faster responses from a smaller, hands-on team.
Shopify Support
Shopify is built for businesses of all sizes, and its support reflects that. You’ll find a well-oiled machine behind the scenes with 24/7 assistance and a massive self-help ecosystem.
Here’s what you get:
- 24/7 live chat support
- Detailed help docs, video tutorials, and guides
- A huge library of Shopify Learn and Shopify Compass courses
- Community forum with discussions from real store owners
- Priority support available on Shopify Plus plans
- Help via social media channels, including X/Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
Support responses are usually fast, though sometimes you’ll hit a chatbot before getting routed to a human.
Launch Cart Support
Launch Cart offers fewer support channels, but in testing, I found their team to be fast, friendly, and incredibly responsive — even on the free plan.
Here’s what’s available:
- 24/7 support via chat and ticketing system
- In-app onboarding checklists and video walkthroughs
- A growing Facebook group where users help each other
- One-on-one support that feels personal, not automated
- Faster-than-expected replies, especially for a small team
There’s no phone support or live courses (yet), but for early-stage users, Launch Cart feels more approachable — especially if you want direct answers without digging through docs.
Shopify vs Launch Cart: Support Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | Launch Cart |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Email/Ticket Support | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Only for Shopify Plus | No |
| Knowledge Base | Large, detailed, constantly updated | Smaller, but clear and beginner-friendly |
| Video Tutorials & Courses | Yes (Shopify Learn, Compass) | Yes (intro walkthroughs and onboarding) |
| Community Forum | Yes (very active) | Facebook group only |
| Support Quality | Scalable and consistent | Smaller team, more personal |
The Verdict
- Shopify takes the edge if you value documentation, formal training, and scalable support. There’s help available at every level — even enterprise.
- Launch Cart shines with personal support. You’ll often get a real person faster, and responses feel more tailored to your specific problem.
It’s a tie, depending on what kind of help you prefer:
- If you like structured resources, formal courses, and round-the-clock coverage, Shopify has the edge.
- If you want quick answers and a more human, personal feel, Launch Cart is refreshing — especially for beginners.
Final Verdict: Which Platform Should You Choose?
After testing both platforms hands-on, here’s the bottom line:
Shopify is the better choice for most businesses.
It’s more scalable, SEO-friendly, and customisable — with a powerful app store and deep sales features that grow with you.
But Launch Cart holds its own if you’re starting small, launching a side hustle, or testing a product idea. Its free plan, simple setup, and built-in sales tools make it a solid option for beginners who don’t want to overcomplicate things early on.
Still, if you’re thinking long-term — or you want to build traffic through SEO and content — Shopify gives you more control, flexibility, and room to grow.
Shopify vs Launch Cart: Summary Table
| Category | Winner | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Launch Cart | Free plan makes it easy to start without upfront costs |
| Ease of Use | Launch Cart | Simple layout and guided setup ideal for first-time users |
| SEO Features | Shopify | Advanced SEO tools, blog support, and structured data via apps |
| Sales Features | Shopify | More depth, multichannel selling, analytics, and product options |
| App Marketplace | Shopify | Thousands of integrations for nearly every need |
| Templates | Shopify | More designs, better quality, industry-specific options |
| Support | Tie | Shopify offers scale and training; Launch Cart offers speed and personal touch |
Go with Shopify if:
- You want to grow your brand long-term with SEO, email marketing, and custom integrations
- You’re planning to scale your product range or sell across multiple platforms
- You need a flexible ecosystem to support advanced features and automations
Go with Launch Cart if:
- You’re launching your first store and want something free and simple
- Your product range is small and focused (e.g. a funnel, info product, or digital item)
- You want to test ideas quickly without learning a complex system
While Launch Cart is great for quick launches and low-cost stores, Shopify is the more complete ecommerce platform — especially for businesses that want to rank in Google, expand to new channels, or grow with a proven toolkit.
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