Shoptet vs Shopify vs Custom E-Commerce: Which Is Best?

Short answer: Shoptet is the fastest and usually cheapest route for selling in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Shopify pays off mainly for selling abroad, in several currencies and languages. A custom e-shop makes sense only when no platform reasonably covers your processes or integrations. The deciding factors are the plan, payment fees, connections to Czech carriers and accounting, and where you will be in two years.

Choosing an e-commerce platform is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a business owner. The wrong choice can cost you months of work and tens of thousands of euros. In this article, I compare the three most common options, Shoptet, Shopify, and a custom-built online store, including current prices and a model calculation.

Shoptet: The Czech E-Commerce King

Shoptet is a Czech platform with a local service ecosystem.

Shoptet Advantages

• Complete Czech localization: interface, support, documentation, and community all in Czech
• Native local integrations: local shipping carriers and payment gateways work out of the box
• Low barrier to entry: no own server needed, the Free plan costs nothing; content and integrations determine launch timing
• No commission on turnover: according to its price list, Shoptet charges only the rental, not a percentage of sales
• Regular updates: the platform keeps improving
• Add-on marketplace: hundreds of extensions for various needs

Shoptet Disadvantages

• Limited customization: the template system has its limits
• Platform dependency: migrating elsewhere takes work
• Catalogue performance: test filters and loading with the actual product range
• API and integrations: operations depend on plan and connector; Premium offers a private API
• Uniform look: many stores end up looking similar

Shopify: The Global Giant

Shopify powers millions of stores worldwide. A Czech shop still needs a separate assessment of local integrations.

Shopify Advantages

• Massive app ecosystem: thousands of extensions in the App Store
• Performance and reliability: the infrastructure handles even heavy traffic
• Advanced analytics: detailed dashboards right in the admin panel
• International selling: multiple currencies, languages and global shipping
• Powerful API: integrations within available operations and limits
• Shopify Payments: built-in payments available in Czechia too, with no extra platform transaction fee (only payment processing fees apply)

Shopify Disadvantages

• Czech invoicing and VAT: invoices usually need an app (Fakturoid, iDoklad)
• Higher monthly costs: especially with paid apps
• Support language: verify the available language and channel for your account
• Local shipping carriers: require third-party apps
• Transaction fees: if you use an external payment gateway instead of Shopify Payments (2% on the Basic plan)

Custom E-Commerce: Maximum Control

A custom solution means an online store built exactly to your specifications. It may use Next.js or Laravel, for example; technology alone does not determine the outcome.

Custom Solution Advantages

• Full control: over features, data and the interface, within your budget
• Unique design and UX: stand out from the competition
• Performance control: speed is in your own hands
• No monthly platform fees: instead of a subscription you pay for infrastructure, maintenance and possible licences
• Code ownership: agree rights, documentation and handover in the contract
• Any integration: connect whatever has an interface (ERP, warehouse, CRM)

Custom Solution Disadvantages

• High initial investment: from €5,600 with me, larger projects much more
• Longer development time: weeks to months instead of days
• Maintenance required: updates, security patches, monitoring
• Developer dependency: you need a reliable development partner and documentation

Detailed Platform Comparison

How much Shoptet and Shopify cost per month

Price lists checked on 3 October 2026 (Shoptet, Shopify for Czechia). Shoptet lists prices on monthly billing excluding 21% VAT; annual billing is 10% cheaper.

Card payment fees are often a bigger item than the plan:

• Shoptet Pay: from 1.99% + CZK 2.80 (Free and Basic) through 1.6% + CZK 2.60 (Business) and 1.4% + CZK 2.20 (Profi) to 1.19% + CZK 1.90 (Enterprise). Shoptet charges no commission on turnover.
• Shopify Payments: 1.9% + CZK 6.50 (Basic), 1.8% + CZK 6.50 (Grow), 1.6% + CZK 6.50 (Advanced). With another gateway (GoPay, Comgate) you pay the gateway under its contract and Shopify adds 2% / 1% / 0.6% of each order.

Model calculation: 200 orders a month

Assumption: 200 orders of CZK 1,500 (turnover CZK 300,000), all paid online by card, lowest listed rates, excluding VAT, add-ons, apps and shipping.

Two things follow. The difference between Shoptet and Shopify with Shopify Payments is at this turnover up to roughly CZK 1,300 a month, so integrations, markets and features matter more for the decision. And on Shopify it does not pay to combine the basic plan with another gateway: 2% of CZK 300,000 is CZK 6,000 extra every month. For a real budget, add Shoptet add-ons or Shopify apps (shipping, invoicing, feeds), which differ by what you need.

When to Choose Shoptet

Shoptet is the right choice for fast local e-commerce launch. What such a launch looks like step by step, I describe in my article Shoptet e-shop from scratch. See also my Shoptet e-commerce services.

• Sell primarily in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
• Have a limited budget for the initial investment
• Want to launch quickly without special requirements
• Prefer local-language support and community
• Your catalog fits the plan limits (Enterprise up to 50,000 products, Premium up to 100,000)

When to Choose Shopify

Shopify is ideal for international selling. If you're considering Shopify for the domestic market, read how Shopify performs on the Czech market. Learn more about my Shopify e-commerce solutions.

• Plan to expand internationally
• Need advanced analytics and A/B testing
• Want to leverage a wide ecosystem of apps
• Have a technically savvy team comfortable with English documentation
• Expect high traffic and need reliable infrastructure

When to Choose a Custom E-Commerce Store

A custom solution makes sense for businesses with unique requirements. Not sure whether you're at that point? Read when a platform isn't enough and you need a custom e-shop. Explore my custom e-commerce development.

• Have unique business processes that no platform supports
• Need deep integration with ERP, CRM, or warehouse systems
• Your revenue is high enough to justify the return on investment
• Want maximum control over performance and user experience
• Plan B2B sales whose specific rules are not covered by available plans and extensions

The Czech specifics: shipping, payments, accounting and comparison sites

I cover this in detail in Shopify for the Czech market. Test every integration with one trial order including a cancellation.

Switching platforms later

You can change platforms later, it just takes work. Products, categories and customers move by export and import (CSV or migration tools); orders and reviews tend to be harder. Customer passwords usually cannot be transferred, so customers set them again. SEO matters most: every old product and category URL must redirect to the new one, otherwise you lose search positions. I describe the process in SEO migration during a redesign.

Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds

I'm increasingly seeing a successful hybrid approach: an e-commerce store on a platform (Shoptet or Shopify) enhanced with a custom front-end layer. This headless approach combines a reliable platform back-end with a custom interface; performance and operating costs need validation.

Benefits of the hybrid approach:

• Stable, proven back-end for order management
• Unique and fast custom front-end
• Option for gradual migration
• Downside: you pay for the front-end on top of the platform plan, so compare the complete scope

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Platform

1. Deciding by the plan price alone: payment fees and add-ons are often higher than the plan itself
2. Underestimating future needs: think about where you'll be in 2-3 years (countries, currencies, warehouse)
3. Ignoring SEO: not every platform offers the same options, and switching later means redirects
4. Overvaluing features: you won't end up using many of them
5. Neglecting the mobile experience: verify the mobile share in your own data

Frequently asked questions

Is Shopify available in Czech?

According to the Shopify Help Center, the Shopify admin supports Czech and your storefront can be in Czech. Part of the apps, documentation and support is English-only, though.

Do Zásilkovna and Heureka work on Shopify?

Yes, but through third-party apps or your own feed, not natively as on Shoptet. Before choosing, check the specific app, its price and how it passes shipments and order statuses.

Do Shoptet or Shopify take a percentage of turnover?

Shoptet charges no commission on turnover; you pay the plan and card fees under Shoptet Pay or your chosen gateway. With Shopify Payments, Shopify charges only payment processing fees; with another gateway it adds 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow) or 0.6% (Advanced) of each order.

Can I switch from Shoptet to Shopify or a custom store later?

Yes. Products and customers move by export; the main work is the setup, the theme and redirecting all old URLs for SEO. That is why it pays to choose a platform with a two to three year outlook.

How much does building an e-shop on Shoptet, Shopify or custom cost?

With me, an e-shop on Shoptet or Shopify starts at €3,200 and a custom e-shop at €5,600. You pay the platform plan directly to its provider. A breakdown of all costs is in how much an e-shop costs.

Conclusion

There's no universally best platform. Shoptet is great for local entrepreneurs who want to start quickly and simply. Shopify excels at international selling and advanced features. A custom e-commerce store makes sense for businesses with specific requirements and a larger budget.

The key is to define your priorities before choosing. If you are unsure, start with the Shoptet, Shopify and custom e-shop overview, where the options, scope and indicative pricing are in one place.