Choose Shopify if you sell many products, need stock tracking, shipping rates, tax handling and a full checkout in one place. Choose Framer if your site is mainly about the brand, story and a small number of products, and you are happy to hand the payment to a separate checkout or payment link. Many small brands use both: a Framer site for the brand and Shopify, or a simple payment link, for the sale.
The two tools solve different problems. Framer is a website builder focused on design and publishing. Shopify is an e-commerce platform with a website attached.
How do Framer and Shopify compare?
| Framer | Shopify |
|---|
| Main purpose | Designing and publishing websites | Running an online shop |
| Checkout | Not built in; link to a payment link, checkout or plugin | Built in |
| Product catalogue | Through the CMS | Built in, with variants and stock |
| Inventory and orders | Not built in | Built in |
| Shipping and tax | Not built in | Built in |
| Design freedom | High, on a visual canvas | Theme-based, with editing |
| Starting price (yearly billing) | Basic $10 per month | Basic $29 per month |
Prices from framer.com/pricing and shopify.com/pricing, checked 20 October 2026. Shopify listed Basic at $39 per month on monthly billing in US dollars. Shopify prices vary by country: viewed from India on the same date, Basic showed ₹1,499 per month on yearly billing and ₹1,994 on monthly billing. Both change prices, and Shopify also charges payment processing fees, so check current rates.
When is Framer enough to sell?
- One product or a short drop, where a buyer picks a size and pays
- Digital products, such as LUTs, presets or guides, sold through a payment link or digital product platform
- Pre-orders and made-to-order work, where you confirm each order by hand
- Affiliate or creator storefronts, where products link to other shops
- Services, where payment is a deposit or invoice rather than a cart
In each case, the website shows the product and the payment happens in a tool built for it.
When do you need Shopify?
- Many products with variants, such as sizes and colours across dozens of items
- Stock tracking that updates as you sell
- Shipping rates by weight, zone or carrier
- Tax calculation across regions
- Discount codes, gift cards and customer accounts
- Selling in person and online from the same stock
If you need most of these, a dedicated shop platform saves time.
Can you use Framer and Shopify together?
Yes. Common approaches:
- Buy buttons: create products in Shopify and link the Framer site's buttons to Shopify product or checkout pages.
- A shop subdomain: keep the brand site on Framer and the shop on Shopify at a subdomain such as shop.yourbrand.com.
- Third-party plugins: some Framer plugins, such as Framer Commerce, connect a Shopify store to a Framer site. These are third-party tools with their own pricing and limits, so check them directly.
What does each cost to run?
On Framer, you pay for the site plan plus whatever payment tool you use, which typically charges a fee per transaction. On Shopify, you pay the plan plus payment processing fees, and apps or themes may add cost. For a small catalogue, the Framer route can be cheaper; for a large one, Shopify's built-in tools often pay for themselves. Work out the cost for your own volume.
What are the risks of each?
- Framer without a full checkout: orders may need handling by hand, and stock is not tracked automatically.
- Shopify for a tiny catalogue: you may pay for features you do not use, and design changes are tied to the theme.
How do you decide between Framer and Shopify?
- Count your products and variants.
- Decide whether you need live stock tracking.
- Check whether you need shipping rates and tax handled for you.
- Decide how much the design matters to selling.
- If you answered "few, no, no, a lot", start with Framer and a payment link. Otherwise, start with Shopify.
Which getsites templates suit selling on Framer?
For more options, see Framer templates for clothing brands and Framer vs Webflow vs Wix vs Squarespace.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sell products on Framer?
Framer does not have a built-in shop checkout. You can sell by linking to a payment link, a checkout page or a shop platform, or by using a third-party plugin.
Is Framer cheaper than Shopify?
Framer's Basic plan was $10 a month on yearly billing and Shopify Basic $29 a month on yearly billing, as of 20 October 2026. You would also pay for a payment tool with Framer, so compare total costs for your volume.
Can I connect Shopify to Framer?
Yes, with buy buttons that link to Shopify, a shop on a subdomain or a third-party plugin such as Framer Commerce.
Should a clothing brand use Framer or Shopify?
A brand selling one drop or a few pieces can start on Framer with a payment link. A brand with many products, sizes and stock to track usually needs Shopify.
Does Framer track inventory?
No, not as a built-in shop feature. If you need stock tracking, use a shop platform or a tool that handles it.