Deciding which platform to build your e-shop on? It's not an easy choice. The Czech market has specific requirements, integration with Heureka, cash-on-delivery support, connection to Zasilkovna (a local parcel pickup network), and of course GDPR compliance.
With 10+ years of e-shop development experience, I know that choosing the right platform can make or break your online business. If you're mainly weighing the trio of Shoptet, Shopify, and a custom solution, I have a detailed comparison of Shoptet vs. Shopify vs. custom e-shop. Let's go through all the options.
Quick Answer: Which E-Shop Platform Should You Choose?
If you are searching for the best e-shop platform in Czechia, start with market and complexity. Shoptet is usually the strongest fit for Czech-first selling, Shopify for international growth, and a custom e-shop for B2B processes or cases where an off-the-shelf platform is not enough. If you are still deciding, continue through the comparison of e-shop solutions, with scope and pricing differences between the available options.
| Situation | Most Likely Choice | Continue Here |
|---|---|---|
| Czech e-shop with local delivery and Heureka | Shoptet | Shoptet e-shop |
| EU / global sales, multiple currencies and languages | Shopify | Shopify e-shop |
| B2B price lists, ERP, unique workflows or headless | Custom React/Next.js | Custom e-shop development |
| You are not sure which platform to choose | Platform audit | Custom e-shop hub |
Why Platform Choice Matters So Much
Long-Term Impact on Growth
An e-commerce platform isn't just a technical tool, it's the foundation of your business for the next 3-5 years. The wrong choice means limited growth, high costs for changes, and lost competitiveness.
Czech Market Specifics
The local market has its own quirks. You need integration with Czech services, support for Czech payment methods, and compliance with local regulations. Not every platform can handle that.
Choose comparison sites, carriers and the mobile purchase flow according to your catalogue and customers. Measure their contribution on your own store; there is no single percentage that applies to every e-shop. Check how a platform handles Czech price comparison sites, carriers, and mobile before you commit. Buying these features later as add-ons tends to cost more than a platform that ships with them.
Hidden Costs
A cheap platform often means expensive extensions. Every feature you'll eventually need costs extra, and it adds up fast.
Shoptet, The Czech Market Leader, for Good Reason
Why It Dominates the Czech Market
Shoptet has a broad Czech ecosystem of stores, add-ons, carriers and payment services. Platform size alone does not prove that it is the right fit for every project. Your markets, catalogue, integrations and processes decide that. If Shoptet interests you, see my Shoptet e-commerce development service.
What Makes Shoptet Stand Out
Native Czech Integrations
- Heureka.cz and Zbozi.cz, automatic connection at no extra cost
- Zasilkovna, PPL, DPD, all major carriers in one package
- GoPay, PayPal, card payments, a complete range of payment methods
- Cash on delivery, still a popular payment method in the Czech Republic
Consent Configuration Tools
Shoptet provides consent settings, but their use and wording must match the store's actual operation. The platform does not automatically fulfil every obligation of the store operator. See the official consent configuration documentation.
Reliability and Support
- Hosting included, the platform handles performance and availability, not you
- Czech support, phone, email, and chat in Czech
- Regular updates, new features every month
Shoptet Pricing (2026 tariffs)
- Free (0 CZK/month), up to 10 products
- Basic (440 CZK/month), up to 100 products
- Business (1,490 CZK/month), up to 1,000 products
- Profi (2,490 CZK/month), up to 5,000 products
- Enterprise (4,690 CZK/month), up to 50,000 products
- Premium (from 12,000 CZK/month), up to 100,000 products
Prices exclude VAT and were checked on 26 August 2026.
When to Choose Shoptet
- You want to launch an e-shop quickly
- You need Czech integrations
- Your budget is €800-4,000 per year
- You don't want to deal with technical issues
- You're planning a mid-sized e-shop (comfortably up to ~5,000 products)
Shopify vs Shoptet: Which One When?
Shopify is one of the most widespread e-commerce platforms worldwide, but for the Czech market it isn't automatically a better choice than Shoptet. A direct comparison:
| Criterion | Shoptet | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Primary market | Czechia + Slovakia | global, cross-border |
| Czech integrations (Heureka, Zboží.cz, accounting, carriers) | native, built-in | via apps / custom |
| Monthly cost | 0-4,690 CZK; Premium from 12,000 CZK | 499-9,510 CZK by billing; Plus from EUR 2,100 on a three-year term |
| Multi-currency & multi-language | limited | strong (Shopify Markets) |
| Product limit | comfortably up to ~5,000 | tens of thousands |
| Czech admin interface | native | partial only |
Choose Shoptet if you sell mainly in Czechia/Slovakia, want Czech feeds and carriers out of the box and don't want to manage apps.
Choose Shopify if you sell abroad, need multi-currency, multiple languages and scaling to tens of thousands of products.
I build both as custom solutions, Shoptet e-shop and Shopify e-shop. If you need custom logic, B2B price lists or ERP integration, go for a custom build.
Upgates, the second Czech route
Upgates is the second best-known Czech hosted platform after Shoptet. It works on the same principle (a monthly plan with hosting and updates included) and targets a similar audience, Czech and Slovak stores that want local integrations without custom development.
Pricing (upgates.cz/cenik, August 2026, excl. VAT, 10% off on annual billing): Bronze 450 CZK/month, Silver 1,150 CZK, Gold 1,750 CZK, Platinum 3,250 CZK, Exclusive from 10,000 CZK. There's a 30-day free trial.
When Upgates makes sense:
- you want more freedom in design changes than Shoptet offers (templates are more editable without touching code),
- you need several language versions and currencies on a lower plan,
- you're migrating from another platform (Upgates has tooling and switching bonuses for that).
Where Shoptet remains stronger: a bigger ecosystem of add-ons and specialists, more guides and a larger community, when something breaks, you'll find the fix faster on Shoptet. For a first store without specific requirements I therefore usually recommend starting there; consider Upgates once you hit a concrete limit it solves better.
Shoptet vs Upgates at a glance
| Shoptet | Upgates | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | 440 CZK/month (Basic, up to 100 products) | 450 CZK/month (Bronze) |
| Design changes | template, deeper edits via code | more flexible template editor |
| Add-on and specialist ecosystem | largest in CZ | smaller |
| Czech integrations (carriers, comparison sites) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Trial | 30 days | 30 days |
Both platforms are a legitimate choice, the details of your brief decide, not the quality of the platform itself.
WooCommerce, Flexibility at the Cost of Complexity
Why WooCommerce Is Popular
A widespread open-source platform. Built on WordPress, it has a huge community and thousands of extensions.
"Free" open-source platforms are only free at the licence level. With hosting, paid plugins, and maintenance, WooCommerce runs €2,000-8,000 per year, while Shoptet stays at €1,000-2,000. The cheapest solution on paper is often the most expensive in the long run.
WooCommerce Advantages
- Free, the core platform costs nothing
- Unlimited, you can do practically anything
- Thousands of extensions, a plugin for every need
- SEO friendly, WordPress was made for SEO
Disadvantages in the Czech Market
- Complex Czech integrations, Heureka plugin at €100/yr
- Hosting and maintenance, you need quality hosting and regular updates
- Security, a frequent target for hackers
- Performance, can be very slow with poor configuration
Real WooCommerce Costs
- Hosting: €60-200 per month
- Paid plugins: €400-2,000 per year
- Maintenance: €800-3,200 per year
- Total: €2,000-8,000 per year
When to Choose WooCommerce
- You have technical skills or a developer
- You need very specific features
- You want full control over your e-shop
- You have budget for maintenance
- You already have a WordPress website
PrestaShop, A European Alternative
What PrestaShop Offers
A French platform with good European presence. Open-source with self-hosting options.
Advantages
- Free, base version
- Multilingual, ready for multiple countries
- Modular system, extensions as needed
- Active community, especially in Europe
Challenges in the Czech Market
- Limited Czech integrations, few plugins for the local market
- More complex management, requires technical knowledge
- Weaker support, limited Czech-language support
When to Consider PrestaShop
- You plan to expand into the EU
- You have a developer for maintenance
- You need a multilingual e-shop
- You don't want to depend on a single company
Magento, The Enterprise Solution
Magento Commerce
The most advanced e-commerce platform, but also the most demanding to operate.
Advantages
- Top performance, handles hundreds of thousands of products
- B2B features, complex pricing, volume discounts
- Multistore, multiple e-shops in a single installation
- Adobe integration, connection with marketing tools
Why It's Not for Everyone
- High costs, Adobe Commerce licences are quoted individually and rank among the most expensive on the market
- Complexity, you need a team of developers
- Long development, months to years before launch
When to Choose Magento
- Your revenue exceeds 100 million CZK per year
- You have complex B2B processes
- You're expanding internationally
- You have your own development team
Custom Solutions, When Nothing Else Fits
Why Build Custom
Sometimes no off-the-shelf platform works. You have specific processes that no e-shop covers, or you need unique functionality. How to tell you've reached this point, I break down in my article on when Shoptet isn't enough and you need a custom e-shop. That's exactly what my custom e-commerce development is for.
Custom Solution Advantages
- Tailored perfectly, every feature built to your requirements
- You own the code, no dependency on third parties
- Unlimited possibilities, you can implement anything
- Competitive edge, unique features
Real Costs
- Development: from €5,600 for a clearly scoped first version, larger B2B and ERP projects typically €11,200 to €22,000+
- Maintenance: €4,000-12,000 per year
- Hosting: €200-800 per month
When Custom Is Worth It
- Revenue over 50 million CZK per year
- Highly specific processes
- No platform fits your needs
- You have budget for long-term development
Next.js + Headless Commerce, The Future
What Is Headless Commerce
Separating the frontend (appearance) from the backend (e-shop functionality). The frontend is built with modern technologies like Next.js, while the backend can be anything.
Why It's the Future
- Speed, pre-rendered pages and minimal JavaScript typically keep Next.js sites within the thresholds Google rates as good
- SEO, perfect search engine optimization
- Flexibility, you can change the look without affecting functionality
- Scalability, handles massive traffic
Headless Shoptet + Next.js
The best solution for advanced e-shops:
- Shoptet API, all Czech integrations preserved
- Next.js frontend, fast and modern look
- Custom design, unique appearance
- Core Web Vitals, good values are easier to reach
Headless Solution Costs
€6,000-32,000 depending on complexity
When to Choose Headless
- You want the fastest possible e-shop
- Unique design is a priority
- You're aiming for top SEO positions
- Your budget is €8,000+
Platform Comparison Table
| Platform | Cost/Year | Launch Time | Complexity | Czech Integrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoptet | €1,000-2,000 | 2-4 weeks | Low | Excellent |
| WooCommerce | €2,400-8,000 | 1-3 months | Medium | Limited |
| PrestaShop | €3,200-6,000 | 2-4 months | High | Limited |
| Magento | €20,000+ | 6-12 months | Very High | Limited |
| Custom | from €5,600 (build) + hosting | 2-4 months | Very High | Fully Custom |
My Recommendation by Business Size
Just Starting Out (0-5 million CZK revenue/year)
-> Shoptet Basic + design customization Budget: build from €3,200 (Shoptet Start) + the Shoptet plan
Growing E-Shop (5-25 million CZK)
-> Shoptet Business + advanced features Budget: €3,200-10,000
Established E-Shop (25-100 million CZK)
-> Headless Shoptet + Next.js Budget: €12,000-32,000
Enterprise (100+ million CZK)
-> Custom solution or Magento Budget: €40,000+
Why I Prefer Shoptet
After years of experience with various platforms, I've specialized in Shoptet for these reasons:
Speed of Deployment
While a custom solution takes months, I can launch a Shoptet e-shop in weeks. I describe everything that awaits you step by step in my article Shoptet e-shop from scratch.
Reliability
You don't have to worry about updates, backups, or security. Shoptet takes care of everything.
Predictable Costs
Platform and add-on fees can be estimated in advance. Return on investment still depends on the particular store's margin, demand, offer and conversion rate.
Scalability
You can grow from a small e-shop to a large business on the same platform.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Platform
Deciding Based on Price Alone
The cheapest solution is often the most expensive in the long run.
Underestimating Local Integrations
Missing carriers, payment methods or product feeds can create unnecessary friction in operations and checkout. List the required integrations before selecting a platform.
Overestimating Your Own Capabilities
Maintaining an e-shop is a full-time job. Make sure you have the time and skills for it.
Ignoring Mobile Shopping
Test checkout, filters and product pages on real devices and against your own analytics. The share of mobile traffic varies by sector, but every e-shop needs a usable mobile journey.
Conclusion
For a Czech-first store with a standard catalogue and local integrations, Shoptet is a strong candidate. Shopify is usually a better fit for international selling, while a custom build becomes relevant when an off-the-shelf platform cannot support a critical process or integration.
Headless and custom development are not automatically better. They need a concrete business reason, such as B2B pricing, complex product configuration, a non-standard checkout or an integration the platform cannot support.
My first-party measurement also shows that implementation matters beyond the platform: in a study of 20 active Czech e-shops, only 60% had exactly one H1 and 45% had complete Open Graph metadata.
Shoptet is a strong candidate for the Czech market and common local integrations. Consider Shopify for multiple countries, currencies and languages. A custom or headless solution makes sense when you can name the process, integration or performance requirement that an off-the-shelf platform cannot meet. Do not decide from a universal percentage or revenue threshold; decide from requirements and total cost of ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Which e-shop platform should you choose for the Czech market?
For most Czech e-shops up to roughly 25 million CZK in revenue, Shoptet is the fastest route: native Czech integrations (Zasilkovna, Balikovna, Heureka, Zbozi.cz, Pohoda, ABRA), launch in 2-4 weeks and low operational complexity. Consider Shopify when you sell across several countries and currencies. A custom build makes sense once you can name the specific process or integration an off-the-shelf platform cannot handle.
What does an e-shop cost on each platform?
Annual costs differ by an order of magnitude: Shoptet 25,000-50,000 CZK, WooCommerce 60,000-200,000 CZK, PrestaShop 80,000-150,000 CZK, Magento from €20,000. A custom build starts at €5,600 plus hosting. Always budget design, photos, product copy and integrations with stock or accounting as well, that is usually a bigger line than the licence.
Shoptet or Shopify for a Czech e-shop?
On the Czech market usually Shoptet, because it ships with integrations for Czech carriers, price comparison sites and accounting systems, plus a Czech interface and support. Shopify is stronger for international selling: more currencies, languages and a vast app ecosystem. The deciding factor is the market you sell to, not the platform's popularity.
When is a custom e-shop worth it over an off-the-shelf platform?
When you have B2B price lists, complex product configuration, a non-standard checkout or an integration the platform cannot do, and when platform limits demonstrably hold back sales. Until then, custom development is a more expensive route to the same result. Custom is not automatically better; it needs a business reason.
Can an e-shop be migrated to another platform later?
Yes, migrations are routine, products, categories and customers can be transferred, and URLs are handled with redirects so search positions are not lost. Difficulty grows with the number of products, variants and connected systems. That is exactly why the choice should follow your requirements rather than the cheapest option available today.
Remember: The best platform is the one that lets you launch quickly and focus on selling, not on technical problems.
Need help choosing a platform? The custom e-shop hub compares Shoptet, Shopify and custom development. Send me your catalogue, target markets and required integrations, and I will recommend a route for your actual project.