Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Shopify VS PayPal Braintree

Compare Shopify VS PayPal Braintree and see what are their differences

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Shopify logo Shopify

Shopify is a powerful ecommerce platform that includes everything you need to create an online store and sell online. Try it free for 14 days.

PayPal Braintree logo PayPal Braintree

An all-in-one solution to accept, process, and split payments in your mobile app or online - from small business to large enterprise.
  • Shopify Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-09-04
  • PayPal Braintree Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-10

Shopify features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Shopify offers a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface, which makes it accessible even for those with minimal tech skills. Store setup and management can be performed with little technical knowledge.
  • Extensive App Ecosystem
    Shopify's App Store features thousands of apps and integrations, allowing users to extend the functionality of their online stores. From marketing tools to inventory management, there's likely an app for almost any need.
  • Customizable Themes
    Shopify offers a wide range of professionally designed themes that are easily customizable. This allows businesses to create unique and visually appealing online stores without needing a designer.
  • Secure and Reliable
    Shopify provides robust security features and ensures your website's uptime. This means you don't have to worry about your store's security or dealing with downtime issues.
  • Comprehensive Customer Support
    Shopify offers 24/7 customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and phone. This ensures that help is available whenever you need it.
  • Mobile Responsiveness
    All of Shopify's themes are mobile-responsive, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers regardless of the device they use.
  • Built-in SEO Features
    Shopify provides built-in SEO features and analytics tools that help with search engine rankings and tracking the performance of your store.

Possible disadvantages of Shopify

  • Transaction Fees
    Although Shopify offers its own payment gateway, Shopify Payments, it charges additional transaction fees if you choose to use an external payment gateway.
  • Customization Limitations
    While Shopify does offer a lot of customization options, it can be restrictive for businesses with very specific needs or those that require deep customization capabilities. Advanced customizations often require knowledge of Shopify's proprietary coding language, Liquid.
  • Cost
    Shopify's monthly subscription fees can add up, especially for advanced plans or when additional paid apps are used. This can be a significant cost for small businesses.
  • Content Management Limitations
    Shopify is primarily an e-commerce platform, and it may lack some of the advanced content management features (like blogging capabilities) found in platforms specifically designed for content management such as WordPress.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic store setup is straightforward, mastering Shopify's more advanced features can take time and may require additional training or hiring a professional.
  • Limited Internationalization
    Shopify's multi-language and multi-currency capabilities are somewhat limited compared to other platforms dedicated to global e-commerce.

PayPal Braintree features and specs

  • Comprehensive Payment Options
    Braintree supports a variety of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more, giving businesses the flexibility to offer multiple payment options to their customers.
  • Global Reach
    Braintree offers support for multiple currencies and countries, making it suitable for businesses that operate or plan to operate internationally.
  • Developer Friendly
    Braintree provides extensive documentation, SDKs, and APIs, making it an excellent choice for developers looking for easy integration and customization.
  • Advanced Security
    Braintree offers robust security features such as PCI compliance, data encryption, and fraud detection tools to ensure transactions are secure.
  • Transparent Pricing
    Braintree offers straightforward and transparent pricing without hidden fees, making it easier for businesses to understand their costs.
  • Recurring Billing
    Braintree supports subscription-based billing and recurring payments, making it ideal for businesses that offer subscription services.

Possible disadvantages of PayPal Braintree

  • Complex Onboarding
    Some users have reported that the onboarding process can be complicated and time-consuming, especially for smaller businesses or those with less technical expertise.
  • Fees for International Transactions
    While Braintree supports global transactions, there are additional fees for currency conversion and international payments, which can add up for businesses with a large international customer base.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Some users have experienced difficulties with the limited availability of customer support, especially when dealing with urgent issues.
  • Complex Fee Structure
    While Braintree's pricing is transparent, it can still be complex with various fees for different types of transactions, making it harder for businesses to estimate their exact costs.
  • Settlement Times
    The time it takes for funds to be settled into the business's bank account can be longer compared to some other payment processors, which might be a concern for businesses needing quicker access to their funds.

Analysis of Shopify

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Shopify is a highly regarded and reliable e-commerce platform, especially suited for users who prioritize ease of use and a comprehensive feature set for online storefronts.

Why this product is good

  • Features
    It offers a wide range of features, including various payment gateways, customizable themes, and an app store with numerous plugins to extend functionality.
  • Community
    Shopify has a strong community and a wealth of online resources, including tutorials, forums, and user groups, which can be very helpful for new and experienced users alike.
  • Scalability
    Shopify provides scalability for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, with different pricing plans and advanced features available at higher tiers.
  • User friendly
    Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for store owners to set up and manage their online stores without needing technical expertise.
  • Customer support
    The platform offers 24/7 customer support, ensuring that users can get help whenever they encounter issues or have questions.

Recommended for

    {"entrepreneurs" => "With its flexibility and expanding app ecosystem, entrepreneurs can tailor their stores to meet unique business needs and test new ideas rapidly.", "growing_brands" => "Businesses experiencing growth can benefit from Shopify's robust infrastructure and scalability options, ensuring that the platform can grow alongside their business.", "small_businesses" => "Shopify is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that need an easy and effective way to start selling online quickly."}

Analysis of PayPal Braintree

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Braintree Payments is generally considered to be a good option for businesses looking for a reliable, secure, and flexible payment processing solution. It benefits from PayPalโ€™s infrastructure and reputation while providing a suite of advanced tools that are appreciated by both developers and end users.

Why this product is good

  • Braintree Payments, a division of PayPal, is highly regarded for its robust payment processing solutions that cater to both large enterprises and smaller businesses. It offers a wide range of features including support for multiple currencies, fraud protection, seamless integration options, and a flexible pricing model. Its developer-friendly platform includes comprehensive documentation and tools, making it easier to implement customized payment solutions.

Recommended for

  • E-commerce businesses seeking a robust payment gateway.
  • Merchants requiring multi-currency processing.
  • Startups and developers needing flexible integration options.
  • Companies looking for advanced fraud protection features.

Shopify videos

Shopify Review 2020 - Is it still worth it in 2020?

More videos:

  • Review - SHOPIFY REVIEW MID 2019 - Is Shopify Worth It For The Money? Pros & Cons
  • Review - THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE USING SHOPIFY (IN 2019)
  • Review - Shopify Review 2025 - Is It Right For You? Pros And Cons
  • Review - Shopify Review: Is It the Best eCommerce Platform for Your Store?
  • Review - Shopify Review 2025 - Is It Right For You? All Features Explained!

PayPal Braintree videos

Collect payments with the Braintree payment processor

More videos:

  • Review - Kai's Paypal vs Braintree vs Stripe tour

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Shopify and PayPal Braintree)
eCommerce
100 100%
0% 0
Online Payments
0 0%
100% 100
eCommerce Platform
100 100%
0% 0
Payment Platform
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Shopify and PayPal Braintree

Shopify Reviews

  1. Shopify - the best no code platform.

    Creating my online store for small dog products on Shopify was a remarkably smooth and rewarding experience. Shopify's user-friendly platform guided me through each step of the setup process, making it easy even for someone without prior experience. Their range of customizable templates gave my store a professional and appealing look, and the analytics tools provided have been invaluable for tracking my store's performance and customer trends. Additionally, Shopify's 24/7 customer support was always ready to assist whenever I encountered any roadblocks. Overall, launching my business on Shopify has been a positive experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to start their own online store.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Tilda, WooCommerce
  2. Lori Appleman
    ยท Founder at Redline Minds ยท
    Strong Option for New DIY Stores Serving Consumers

    Shopify is a powerful marketing machine that has driven incredible growth. It's an excellent choice for the store owner who needs to do it themselves, on a shoestring budget, who does not sell complex products and who does not plan to run a hybrid - a store that serves multiple customer bases such as retail and wholesale.

    Due to its sheer market share, there is a robust marketplace of apps that can be added to shape the store to fit most needs. There is an equally robust selection of themes and developers who can assist with any size project. They have a terrific knowledge base which I strongly recommend store owners use as it teaches the basics for e-commerce in general and online marketing. This learning should be done prior to developing a plan for your site. That will help root your project for success.

    Unfortunately, it's also oversold based on name recognition even when the platform is a poor choice for a specific business. There are both policy and technical limitations that impact suitability.

    Shopify stores require many apps, which adds monthly costs and can greatly slow your store down. While ALL online stores end up with some app use, because this allows you to choose the features you want and need, much of what is native in other carts like their most direct competitor, BigCommerce, is not. So you'll spend more money each month and it can be harder to get a fast site.

    Among the stores that should probably NOT use Shopify: - Sells items that are generally prohibited on the platform which includes weapons, weapon-related items, sex objects, tobacco (for some odd reason Vape is currently on the platform but for how long is anyone's guess), alcohol.
    - Sells items allowed but that don't qualify for Shopify Payments which expands the above list to include supplements, CBD, vape products and other items. - Just as above, any store that can't qualify for Shopify Payments or who has good reasons to use another payment gateway. Why? Because if you don't use their payment gateway which they profit from, they will take 1/2-2% of your gross revenues soley because you are using another gateway. For small merchants, this isn't much, for big ones it's a significant cost. - Stores with multiple price structures or catalogs - such as those who offer VIP tiers or wholesale clients. Why not? Because you can't create true customer groups which on other platforms let you segment the catalog and content for each customer group. Groups are really important for B2B. To accomplish multiple audiences on Shopify requires either a separate app (at an added cost) or multiple storefronts, or ShopifyPlus (which is still creating multiple sites). This can greatly increase your operational costs and work efforts. - Stores with complex products - these are items with many options, also known as configurable or customizable products. While Shopify does offer the ability to offer up to 3 options per product with a maximum of 100 skus per product, this limit is very easy to exceed. There is also no native path to add modifiers such as those one would use for personalized products (like custom embroidery. While these issues can be overcome with apps, that adds both load time and costs.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: BigCommerce, Magento, Miva, WooCommerce, Workflow
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Easy to use|Low price|Flexible|Large developer base|Great documentation|Reliable|Low maintenance
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Limited features|No customer groups for wholesale|Some product types forbidden|Must use their gateway or pay extra fees|Limited api calls|Limited capabilities for products with options

WordPress vs. Proprietary Site Builders: What to Know Before Starting a Website Development Project
Shopify: Shopify does not natively offer a backup option for user data. Although product data, orders, and customer details are stored, full-site backups must be managed manually or with paid third-party apps. Restoration options are limited, requiring users to rely on Shopify support or third-party solutions if data is lost.
Comparing 9 WordPress alternatives & competitors in 2024
Shopify specializes in ecommerce sites, managing customer data, payments, and content without the need for plugins. Store themes allow you to customize pages and create a consistent branded look. Shopify lets brands focus on global, local, and B2B sales right from their website's dashboard, with metrics like total sales and average order value.
Source: webflow.com
19 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2025
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that offers a wide range of features for online businesses. From setting up an online store to managing inventory and marketing, Shopify provides a comprehensive solution.
Source: www.pixpa.com
Top 5 Headless Ecommerce Platform For B2B Business (2024 Reviews)
Known for its stability and security, Shopify Plus provides businesses with a robust platform and extensive app store, along with complete control over design and functionality. With enterprise-level features and a flexible app-based system, Shopify Plus allows companies to expand their operations according to their unique needs. It enables API-driven experiences by smoothly...
Top 10 Shopify Alternatives for Ecommerce in 2024
When running an e-commerce business, choosing the right platform can make a significant difference in your success. While Shopify is a popular choice, there are several other e-commerce platforms that might better suit your business needs. Let's explore the top Shopify alternatives that cater to a variety of users, from small startups to large enterprises.
Source: www.attrac.io

PayPal Braintree Reviews

What to Use Instead of PayPal? 10 Best PayPal Alternatives
Braintree is a PayPal service, but it is still one of the PayPal alternative payment methods worth considering. There is no monthly fee for using this payment service. Accepting payments from credit or debit cards or digital wallets costs 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction. You can also use Braintree to accept Venmo payments in the United States, but this costs 3.49% + $0.49....
Best payment gateway: Top 7 best payment gateways
Braintree, which belongs to PayPal, offers both in-store and online payment processing. Itโ€™s a simple service that accepts all the most popular payment methods, with a sleek interface.
Source: wise.com
Would you use Paddle, Chargebee, Chargify, or just Stripe?
The value that those services provide is a single solution for both PayPal and Stripe. It's tempting, but paying someone forever like that isn't ideal. I would roll Stripe to start, then implement Braintree for PayPal at a later time.
Australian Payment Gateways
Ideal for companies who want to want to expand globally (similar to Stripe mentioned above), Braintree (a subsidiary of PayPal) accepts payments in more than 130 currencies, with minimal fees. They also offer a premium mobile experience, accepting cards, PayPal and Apple Pay, and have flexible features including the ability to split payments between you and your...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Shopify seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 44 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Shopify mentions (44)

  • Material 3 Expressive: Better, Easier, Emotional UX
    I donโ€™t think is ugly, it is just that it feels like every trendy company webpage copied and pasted the same design: http://shopify.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • 11 real-life PWA examples you can learn from in 2025
    Shopify is one of the easiest platforms for selling products online, and turning your store into a PWA with installation and push notifications takes just a click, thanks to the Shopify app store. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • shopify.com vs store.link, what do you think is better one?
    Shopify.com vs store.link which one is better? Source: about 2 years ago
  • Forget Shopify Why MedusaJS Is the Future of Headless Ecommerce
    With a traditional e-commerce platform like Shopify, you're locked into their ecosystem. You have to use their templates, checkout, and backend. Headless platforms like MedusaJS give you the freedom to build the front end however you want, using any framework or library. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Allow Rules not given priority over block?
    For example, if you want to load firewalla.com, just allowing "firewalla.com" will not work, you will have allow shopify.com and few other stuff ... You can see what sites loaded using chrome dev mode. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

PayPal Braintree mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PayPal Braintree yet. Tracking of PayPal Braintree recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Shopify and PayPal Braintree, you can also consider the following products

WooCommerce - A freely available eCommerce plugin that enables shop facilities on your WordPress website. Functionality enabling extensions & beautiful themes available.

PayPal - PayPal is the faster, safer way to pay online without sharing financial details, send and receive money or accept credit and debit cards as a seller

BigCommerce - BigCommerce provides ecommerce software solutions and shopping cart software for online businesses. Try it free and start selling your products online today!

Stripe - Online payment processing for internet businesses. Stripe is a suite of payment APIs that powers commerce for online businesses of all sizes. Use Stripeโ€™s payment platform to accept and process payments online for easy-to-use commerce solutions.

Magento - Magento is the eCommerce software and platform trusted by the world's leading brands. Grow your online business with Magento.

Payoneer - Whether making international payments, receiving funds, managing your digital business, or accessing capital, Payoneer opens your business up to the world.