Choosing the best eCommerce platform in 2025 can make or break your online business. As the digital marketplace grows more competitive, selecting the right website builder for online stores becomes even more essential.
Two popular names that often come up are Shopify and Weebly, but which one truly delivers the tools and scalability needed to succeed in today’s eCommerce world?
In this comprehensive Shopify vs Weebly comparison, we’ll explore everything you need to know: pricing, performance, design options, SEO features, customer support, and overall eCommerce capabilities.
If you’re wondering whether Shopify is better for serious eCommerce or if Weebly suits small businesses and startups, this guide breaks down the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
- What is Shopify?
- What is Weebly?
- Shopify vs Weebly: Pricing
- Shopify vs Weebly: Templates
- Shopify vs Weebly: Features
- Shopify vs Weebly: Security
- Shopify vs Weebly: Performance
- Shopify vs Weebly: Customer Support
- Shopify vs Weebly: Comparison Table
1. What is Shopify?
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to build online stores, manage products, process payments, and sell across multiple sales channels—all from one user-friendly dashboard.
Designed specifically for online selling, Shopify provides customizable store templates, secure hosting, powerful inventory management tools, integrated payment gateways, and marketing features to help users grow their digital storefronts.
From physical products to digital downloads, Shopify empowers merchants to create a professional online store without coding experience.
Pros:
✔ Powerful eCommerce Features: Shopify offers advanced tools like inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, and multichannel selling on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media.
✔ Easy-to-Use Online Store Builder: Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor and pre-designed themes make it easy to build a professional store without coding.
✔ Secure and Scalable: Shopify includes SSL certificates, PCI compliance, and lightning-fast hosting, making it a reliable choice for small to enterprise-level businesses.
✔ Excellent App Ecosystem: Access to over 6,000+ apps lets you extend your store’s functionality for marketing, shipping, accounting, and more.
Cons:
❌ Transaction Fees (Without Shopify Payments): If you don’t use Shopify’s own payment gateway, additional fees apply per transaction.
❌ Monthly Costs Add Up: Themes, apps, and advanced features often come at an extra cost beyond the base subscription.
❌ Limited Customization Without Coding: For highly specific design or backend changes, some knowledge of Liquid (Shopify’s templating language) or developer help is required.
❌ Blogging Tools Are Basic: Shopify includes a built-in blog, but it lacks the advanced features found in platforms like WordPress.
2. What is Weebly?
Weebly is a website builder designed for users who want to create professional websites, blogs, or online stores without coding skills. Known for its simple drag-and-drop interface, Weebly makes it easy for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and personal brands to build and launch their online presence.
Now owned by Square, Weebly integrates eCommerce tools like payment processing, product listings, and inventory management, making it a solid choice for beginners who want to sell online in 2025.
It includes customizable templates, built-in SEO tools, and mobile-responsive design, helping you create a clean and functional website fast.
While not as advanced as some competitors in terms of design freedom or scalability, Weebly remains a reliable and affordable option for users looking for simplicity, affordability, and all-in-one hosting.
Pros:
✔ Beginner-Friendly Interface: The intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes website building simple, even for non-technical users.
✔ All-in-One Solution: Hosting, templates, and eCommerce tools are included—ideal for small businesses and startups.
✔ Affordable Pricing: It offers a free plan and low-cost premium options, making it one of the most budget-friendly website builders.
✔ Built-In eCommerce via Square: Users can easily set up online stores with secure payment integration, inventory tools, and shipping options.
Cons:
❌ Limited Design Flexibility: Compared to Wix or Webflow, Weebly offers fewer customization options and creative control.
❌ Fewer Advanced Features: It lacks the depth of tools found in more robust platforms like Shopify or WordPress.
❌ Less Frequent Updates: Development has slowed, and newer features lag behind competitors.
❌ Basic Blogging Functionality: Blog tools are minimal, which might not satisfy content creators or SEO-focused bloggers.
3. Shopify vs Weebly: Pricing
Shopify Pricing
| Contents | Starter | Basic | Shopify | Advanced | Plus |
| Monthly Billed | $5 | $39 | $105 | $399 | $2300 |
| Annual Billed | — | $29 | $79 | $299 | Custom |
| Custom Domain | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Storage | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payment Methods | Shopify Payments | Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc. | All major gateways | All major gateways | Enterprise-grade solutions |
| Transaction Fees | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | 5% per transaction | Custom rates |
Weebly Pricing
| Contents | Free | Personal | Professional | Performance |
| Monthly Billed | $0 | $13 | $16 | $29 |
| Annual Billed | $0 | $10 | $12 | $26 |
| Custom Domain | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Storage | 500 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payment Methods | — | Square Only | Square Only | Square, PayPal, Stripe |
| Transaction Fees | — | 3% | 3% | ❌ |
4. Shopify vs Weebly: Templates
Shopify Templates
Shopify templates—also referred to as Shopify themes—are professionally designed layouts that make it easier than ever to build a modern, visually appealing, and high-performing eCommerce website.
In 2025, these templates are more important than ever for creating a responsive online store that not only looks great on all devices but also enhances user experience, speed, and conversion rates.
Most Shopify website templates come with flexible sections, drag-and-drop editing, and deep customization options, allowing business owners and beginners alike to match their brand aesthetic without writing a single line of code.
Best Shopify Templates:
- Sense – Health, wellness, and beauty brands
- Dawn – Startups and modern brands
- Craft – Home decor and artisan products
- Refresh – Skincare and personal care brands
Weebly Templates
When it comes to building a user-friendly and professional website, Weebly templates stand out as some of the most accessible and visually appealing options available.
Designed for ease of use, all Weebly themes are fully responsive, meaning your website will automatically adjust to look great on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Each template is built for customization, allowing users to easily edit layouts, fonts, and colors through Weebly’s intuitive drag-and-drop builder.
You don’t need coding skills to build something stunning—just choose a customizable website template, plug in your content, and go live.
Best Weebly Templates:
- Brisk – Small businesses and startups
- Slick – Personal portfolios and freelancers
- CleanLines – Agencies and consultants
- Modus – eCommerce
5. Shopify vs Weebly: Features
Shopify Features
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that empowers users to create, manage, and scale their online stores with ease.
With its user-friendly interface, you can set up a store without coding knowledge and quickly start selling products online. Shopify’s mobile responsiveness, SEO-friendly capabilities, and extensive third-party app integrations provide businesses with everything needed to grow and thrive in the competitive eCommerce space.
From managing inventory to handling multichannel selling and shipping solutions, Shopify ensures a seamless experience for both store owners and customers.
Key Features:
- All-in-One eCommerce Platform: Shopify allows you to build, manage, and scale an online store — all from one dashboard. You can sell physical products, digital goods, services, or subscriptions.
- Beautiful, Mobile-Responsive Themes: Choose from 100+ professionally designed Shopify themes (both free and premium). All templates are mobile-optimized and customizable with drag-and-drop tools or code.
- App Store & Integrations: Access over 8,000+ apps to add everything from email marketing and SEO tools to print-on-demand and dropshipping integrations like Oberlo or Printful.
- Multi-Channel Selling: Sell directly on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Pinterest, and even in person using Shopify POS (Point of Sale).
- Powerful Inventory Management: Track inventory in real time, set low-stock alerts, and manage product variants like size, color, and materials — ideal for stores with a large catalog.
Weebly Features
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder that offers drag-and-drop functionality for creating websites, online stores, and blogs.
Known for its simplicity, it allows small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creators to build attractive websites with minimal technical knowledge. Weebly’s features are designed to make website creation easier while still providing robust tools for eCommerce, SEO optimization, and website customization.
Key features of Weebly include a customizable drag-and-drop builder, mobile-responsive themes, and integrated eCommerce capabilities that make it a great choice for those looking to launch online stores with ease.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Website Builder: Weebly offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, allowing users to design websites without any coding. This makes it ideal for beginners looking for an easy setup.
- Mobile-Responsive Themes: Weebly provides a variety of mobile-optimized themes that adjust automatically to look great on all devices, ensuring a seamless experience for mobile users.
- Ecommerce Capabilities: Weebly’s eCommerce tools make it easy to sell products online. You can set up an online store with product catalogs, shopping carts, and secure checkout.
- Customizable Templates: Weebly offers professional, customizable templates to help you personalize your site. Modify layouts, fonts, and colors to match your brand identity.
- Built-in Blogging Features: Create and manage blog posts directly from the Weebly platform. You can add images, videos, and call-to-action buttons to increase engagement with readers.
6. Shopify vs Weebly: Security
Shopify Security
Shopify is a trusted platform known for its strong focus on security, offering a robust set of tools to ensure your eCommerce store is protected from potential threats.
Shopify offers enterprise-grade security features, including SSL encryption, PCI compliance, and advanced fraud detection systems, giving you peace of mind as you run your business.
Shopify has invested heavily in making sure your online store stays protected with secure payment gateways and two-factor authentication (2FA) for admin access, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Here’s a breakdown of Shopify’s security features:
- SSL Encryption: All Shopify stores come with SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, which secures sensitive information like credit card data during transactions.
- PCI-DSS Compliance: Shopify is fully PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Shopify offers Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security to your account.
- Fraud Protection and Monitoring: Shopify provides fraud detection tools and monitoring features to identify suspicious transactions in real time.
Weebly Security
Weebly places a strong emphasis on security, providing its users with a secure and reliable platform for building websites and online stores.
In an age where data protection and cybersecurity are paramount, Weebly ensures that all aspects of your site are safeguarded from potential threats.
Whether you’re managing an eCommerce site, a blog, or a portfolio, Weebly’s security features offer peace of mind for both site owners and visitors. With robust measures like SSL encryption, PCI compliance, and continuous fraud protection, Weebly helps you create a safe, professional online presence.
Here’s a breakdown of Weebly’s security features:
- SSL Encryption: Weebly automatically provides SSL encryption for every site, meaning your customers’ personal and payment information is protected during transactions.
- PCI Compliance: For eCommerce stores, Weebly is PCI-DSS compliant, adhering to the strict security standards required for handling credit card transactions.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): To add an additional layer of security, Weebly offers Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
- Automatic Backup: Weebly’s automatic backups are a crucial safety feature. In the event of any unforeseen issues, such as data loss or site errors, you can restore your website to a previous version, minimizing downtime and preventing the loss of valuable content.
7. Shopify vs Weebly: Performance
Shopify Performance
Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform known for its exceptional performance and speed. Offering fast loading speeds, scalability, and a reliable uptime guarantee, Shopify ensures your online store runs smoothly under all circumstances.
Breaking down the performance highlights of Shopify:
- Fast Loading Speed: Shopify boasts an impressive loading speed, which is crucial for online stores.
- Scalability: One of Shopify’s standout features is its ability to scale as your business grows.
- Uptime Guarantee: Shopify offers a 99.99% uptime guarantee, ensuring that your store is available to customers at all times.
- Global Reach with Content Delivery Network (CDN): Shopify utilizes CDN technology, which ensures fast loading times for users worldwide.
Weebly Performance
Weebly delivers solid website performance for small businesses and beginners, offering reliable uptime and decent loading speeds across most templates. Built on a simplified infrastructure, Weebly is ideal for basic websites, blogs, or small eCommerce stores that don’t require heavy functionality.
Breaking down the performance highlights of Weebly:
- Reliable Uptime: Weebly provides solid uptime, ensuring that websites remain accessible around the clock.
- Fast Page Loading: While not the fastest on the market, Weebly delivers decent loading speeds, especially for content-light sites.
- Mobile Optimization: All Weebly websites are mobile-optimized by default.
- Integrated Hosting: Weebly includes built-in hosting, which removes the need for third-party services.
8. Shopify vs Weebly: Customer Support
Shopify Customer Support
Shopify’s customer support in 2025 continues to set a high standard in the world of eCommerce platforms. Known for its 24/7 support, live chat assistance, and rich self-help resources, Shopify ensures that users at every level—whether beginners or advanced store owners—have access to the help they need.
- 24/7 Live Chat & Email Support: Shopify provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, helping users resolve issues quickly—no matter the time zone or business hours.
- Phone Support (Selective Plans): Users on higher-tier plans can access phone support, making it easier to get direct assistance for complex or urgent issues.
- Extensive Help Center: The Shopify Help Center is loaded with guides, tutorials, and documentation on everything from setting up your store to customizing themes and using apps.
- Shopify Academy & Courses: For those looking to learn more, Shopify Academy offers free courses, videos, and webinars on eCommerce, digital marketing, and store growth.
Weebly Customer Support
Weebly customer support offers essential assistance for users building websites on this beginner-friendly website builder. In 2025, Weebly will provide support through a mix of email, live chat (for premium users), and a detailed knowledge base that covers tutorials, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides.
- Help Center: Access to a comprehensive library of articles and guides to quickly solve common problems.
- Video Tutorials: Learn how to use Weebly’s features through step-by-step video tutorials.
- Responsive Support Team: Weebly’s support team is known for quick response times, offering tailored solutions.
- Community Forum: Connect with other Weebly users to exchange tips, ideas, and solutions.
9. Shopify vs Weebly: Comparison Table
| Contents | Shopify | Weebly |
| Free Plan | ❌ | ✔ |
| Monthly Billed Starting Price | $39 | $13 |
| Annual Billed Starting Price | $29 | $10 |
| Templates | 70+ Themes | 50+ Templates |
| Features | Advanced eCommerce tools, Multi-channel selling | Drag-and-drop, eCommerce, Mobile-friendly |
| Security | SSL certificates, PCI DSS compliant | SSL certificates, Secure payments |
| Performance | Optimized for high traffic stores | Fast loading, mobile optimized |
| Best For | eCommerce stores of all sizes | Small businesses, personal sites |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support | 24/7 chat and email support, Help Center |
Conclusion
Finding the right website builder depends on your goals, technical comfort, and budget. Here’s a quick recap:
- Shopify remains the top choice for eCommerce entrepreneurs, thanks to its advanced sales tools, multi-channel integrations, and powerful performance optimization.
- Weebly is great for beginners or small businesses seeking an affordable, easy-to-use platform with solid security, decent performance, and helpful customer support.
Each builder shines in its own way. Focus on what matters most—customization, online store tools, speed, or ease of use. Try out a few, compare plans, and choose the one that aligns best with your business or personal project in 2025.
FAQ
1. Is Wix better than Weebly for beginners in 2025?
Wix offers more design flexibility and features, while Weebly is easier for complete beginners. If you’re just starting and want simplicity, Weebly is a good choice.
2. Can I use Shopify without any coding skills?
Yes, Shopify is beginner-friendly. You can build a professional eCommerce store using drag-and-drop tools, apps, and pre-designed themes—no coding needed.
3. Is Weebly still supported in 2025?
Yes, Weebly is still maintained by Square and works well for simple websites and small online stores. However, updates and features are less frequent than on newer platforms.
4. Which builder is best for SEO in 2025?
Wix and Shopify both have strong SEO tools, including custom meta tags, alt text, fast loading speeds, and sitemap generation. They’re ideal for improving search engine rankings.
5. Does Shopify charge transaction fees?
Yes, Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Fees vary based on your plan and payment processor.
6. Can I switch from Weebly to Shopify easily?
Yes, migrating from Weebly to Shopify is possible, but it may require manual steps such as transferring content, domain settings, and setting up your product catalog again.
7. Which platform is better for mobile-friendly websites in 2025?
Both Shopify and Wix offer fully responsive templates that ensure mobile optimization. Shopify especially shines for mobile commerce thanks to its streamlined checkout and fast loading speeds.
