Vanilo vs Shopify

Features
Website Configuration
Admin Panel User Accounts
Catalog Management
Inventory Locations
Configurable Marketing Automations
Manual order creation
Re-orders from accounts
B2B Commerce
B2B Blended or Dedicated Stores
Multi Channel Selling for B2B
Custom Pricing for B2B Channels
Netto based Pricing
Custom Currencies for Channels
Channel based Tax configurations
Custom Checkout for B2B
Bulk orders via API
Multi-store management
Store based product listings
Store based product pricing
Store based Shipping options
Store based payment options
Store based currency usage
Decentralized Inventory system
Multilingual capabilities
SEO optimization options
Product types
Physical
Variable product
Digital
Downloadable
Subscription based
Product Filtering
Ratings and Reviews
Linked Products (upsells, crossells)
Product Bundles
Shipping
Shipping to multiple addresses in one order
Flat rates
Specific rates (zone based)
Free shipping + treshold
Tax and shipping estimates
Real-time rates
Duties and Import Tax estimates
Checkout
Customizable Checkout
Customer Accounts
Payment gateways
Guest checkout
Wishlists
Coupon codes
Gift cards
Technical and Hosting
Brand design and layout
Downloadable templates
Rest API
GraphQL
Frontend API
Webhooks
Hosting
Security
Additional customizations
Support
Vanilo Cloud
Cloud-Based built on Vanilo Open Source
Unlimited
Unlimited
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7 payment gateways supported
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Blade templates
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✓ (Rest API)
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Cloud-based
SSL + HTTPS by default, protected by Cloudflare firewall, Security Monitoring
Collaboration based
24/7/365 support and uptime monitoring
Shopify
Proprietary Sourced
2 to 15
Unlimited
up to 1000
✓
✓
Additional app required
 
With Shopify Plus
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✓
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Additional app required
Additional app required
✓
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Additional app required
Mix-and-match bundles not supported
 
✓
✓
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✓
✓
With Shopify Plus
✓
 
With Shopify Plus
✓
Shopify Payments + app integrations
✓
✓
✓
✓
 
Liquid templates
✓
✓
✓
✓ (GraphQL)
✓
Cloud-based
SSL encryption, Content Security Policy, Two-Factor Authentication and Security Monitoring
App library
24/7/365 support and uptime monitoring

Detailed overview

Vanilo

Vanilo is a versatile e-commerce SaaS platform, prioritizing speed, customizability, and developer experience. Aimed at Laravel developers seeking a high-performance online storefront, it offers a 100% customizable frontend, quick load times, and an extendable core feature set.
With its roots in Europe, Vanilo provides a secure, localized alternative to global giants, ensuring compliance and familiarity with EU e-commerce practices.

Pros
  1. Speed: Pages load exceptionally fast, with server responses under 200 milliseconds
  2. Customization: Complete control over the frontend allows for a bespoke brand experience
  3. Developer:Friendly: Tailored for Laravel developers, offering a familiar, comfortable development environment
  4. Extendability: Start with core features; add modules as needed without the bloat of unwanted features
  5. Localization: European-based operation understanding the nuances of EU commerce, support in multiple languages
  6. Security: Strong focus on security with SSL, HTTPS, and firewall protection through Cloudflare
Cons
  1. Feature Set: May initially lack some advanced features provided by larger competitors like Shopify or WooCommerce
  2. Developer Requirement for additional features: The need for developer skills, particularly in Laravel, may limit the platform's appeal to non-developers
  3. Integration: While integrations are offered, the ecosystem may not be as expansive as that of more established platforms yet

Shopify

Shopify is engineered as a user-friendly e-commerce platform with a primary focus on expediting the process of setting up an online store.
It caters to entrepreneurs and business owners who want to dive into online retail without getting bogged down in complex technical details.

Pros
  1. Scalability: Shopify offers the ability to scale your e-commerce operations as your business grows. It's well-suited for large product catalogs and high order volumes.
  2. Advanced Customization: The platform provides extensive customization options, allowing businesses to create unique and tailored online stores. Shopify Plus, in particular, is designed for enterprise-level customization.
  3. Robust API Integrations: Shopify's API and the extensive app ecosystem allow seamless integration with third-party systems, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer experiences.
  4. Automation: Automation features, including inventory management, order processing, and marketing automation, can significantly improve efficiency.
  5. Multi-Channel Selling: Shopify enables businesses to sell across various channels, including social media and marketplaces, providing a holistic approach to e-commerce.
  6. Security and Compliance: Shopify prioritizes security and compliance, essential for large businesses handling sensitive customer data and transactions.
  7. Dedicated Support: Shopify Plus customers benefit from dedicated account managers and 24/7 customer support.
Cons
  1. One-Size Fits All: While offering all base features in each plan simplifies the onboarding process, it might lead to cost inefficiency and a cluttered interface for businesses that don't require the full set of features, additionally, other features might need to be added that are not included with shopify’s plan.
  2. Liquid: Shopify’s custom template markup language isn’t the most straightforward syntax out there.
  3. Inability to Customize Checkout Page: Shopify's checkout page customization options are limited. This can be a drawback for businesses that require a highly customized and branded checkout experience. While Shopify offers some customization options, they may not be sufficient for some businesses' needs.
  4. Transaction Fees: Standard Shopify plans charge transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. This cost can add up for high-volume businesses.
  5. Limited Access to the Backend: While Shopify provides customization, access to the backend code is limited compared to open-source platforms.