{"id":12490,"date":"2025-11-15T12:20:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T12:20:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redtrack.io\/blog\/?p=12490"},"modified":"2025-11-15T12:20:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T12:20:50","slug":"amazon-vs-shopify","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redtrack.io\/blog\/amazon-vs-shopify\/","title":{"rendered":"Amazon vs Shopify: Where to Sell Products in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Picking between Amazon<\/strong> vs Shopify<\/strong> isn\u2019t just another business decision \u2013 it\u2019s the<\/em> fork in the road for most eCom founders, and it will be, especially in 2026. With the global B2C e-commerce market expected to reach $7.69 trillion<\/strong><\/a> in 2025, choosing where to build your store can make or break your brand\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With<\/strong> <\/strong>310+ million<\/strong><\/a> active users and sitting at a whopping<\/strong> <\/strong>$790 billion<\/strong><\/a> in gross merchandise volume, Amazon <\/strong>is an online marketplace and the world’s biggest global seller. Shopify, <\/strong>on the other hand, is an e-commerce platform whose full-year revenue for 2024 came in at $8.88 billion. <\/strong>It’s different to Amazon because it lets you create your own online store, where you call the shots and run the show your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While they are both stars in their own right, it’s not easy to choose one over the other. Mostly, because they operate in two entirely different ways, and the costs and control levels involved differ vastly, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that’s where this guide will help. We’re going to break down all the differences, tell you how much each one truly costs to sell through, and<\/em> we’ll reveal how smart brands are using both to reach a wider market!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick platform comparison<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/strong> is a monster retailer\/marketplace. It puts your products in front of 310+ million active shoppers. However, as impressive as this sounds (and realistically it is), you’re actually just renting some space on their<\/em> platform. Sure, you’ll get that instant traffic and the trust the brand has built out for itself, but you’ll also have to part with 8-15%<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>in referral fees for every sale (on top of the monthly subscription cost). The other thing you need to be ready to give up is the customer relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopify<\/strong>, on the other hand, is your own<\/em> digital storefront where you build your shop and own the customer relationships. Starter plans begin at $32 monthly<\/strong> subscription fee, and you get to control everything \u2013 from branding to customer data to pricing. But unlike Amazon, you\u2019ve got to bring in your own traffic through SEO, ads, and content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of it like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazon = fast sales, low control.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopify = slow build, full ownership.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The smartest sellers play both sides. They use Amazon for exposure and quick wins, then funnel that traffic into their Shopify store<\/strong> to build a lasting brand they actually own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platform fundamentals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To really get the difference between Amazon<\/strong> and Shopify<\/strong>, you\u2019ve got to look at how each one works at its core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopify<\/strong> does the opposite. It gives you your very own e-commerce platform (your own shop), with your own domain, design, and you choose the rules. Also, your shop isn’t stacked up alongside your competitors; instead, it’s a standalone shop where you can provide a unique experience for your customers. However, this comes with a downside. Traffic is also your responsibility \u2013 your shop won’t magically be overwhelmed with visitors. You’ll need to do the work to bring customers to your own store through ads, SEO, or other means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, while Amazon sellers get convenience<\/strong>, Shopify’s standalone online stores give you brand and relationship-building <\/strong>with your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Amazon’s business model, shoppers get to see and compare prices, and<\/em> they get to pick and choose the quickest delivery option. On Shopify, customers buy their products online, through your branded store, because they genuinely trust you, the person running the ecommerce store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Business Insider, a typical Amazon shopper places around 72 orders<\/strong> per year (that’s a mind-boggling figure for one person!) – while Shopify boasts over<\/strong> <\/strong>5.54 million<\/strong><\/a> online stores, globally<\/strong>. Even though they serve the same purpose for sellers (to sell products online), they do it in two completely different ways, with very different levels of control over the outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazon marketplace model<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The biggest draw of Amazon<\/strong> is obvious \u2013 several billion monthly visitors<\/strong>, who are already in shopping mode. You don\u2019t have to chase traffic or build awareness. People come to Amazon ready to buy, not browse. For businesses aiming at new customers, that\u2019s a dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone plays on the same field. Search results generate product listings that follow a standard format, so your item can appear right next to a global brand\u2019s. Success comes down to smart pricing, strong reviews, and solid optimization \u2013 not fancy web design or marketing tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But here\u2019s the catch: with Amazon sales, you don\u2019t own your audience.<\/strong> Amazon keeps all the customer data, including email and purchase history. You get sales, but Amazon gets the relationship, and the customer experience is not within your control. If your account ever gets suspended, your entire customer base disappears overnight. Poof!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)<\/strong> program is another huge win for convenience. If you sign up for the program, you essentially outsource all your logistics to Amazon. You send your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and they take care of the rest; they store your inventory, handling the packing, shipping, returns, and even<\/em> customer service. You pay a fee, and in return, your products get the \u201cPrime\u201d badge, meaning you can compete with the big guys on delivery speed and trust (something small businesses usually can’t go head-to-head on with larger sellers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short: Amazon gives you reach and simplicity \u2014 but at the cost of ownership.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopify store ownership model<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shopify<\/strong> gives you the lock and key to your online store. You have the freedom to create and shape every single aspect of your store. You design it, choose the branding, and<\/em> set the foundations for the overall customer experience. Shopify offers up all the controls and puts them in your court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Shopify store isn’t just another standardized product listing on a web page; it has your strong brand identity built into the entire buyer’s journey. You decide how every listing looks and feels. And you get to support customers on their online journey every step of the way, from curiosity to checkout. So Shopify focuses on you owning everything. Potential and actual buyers see your brand’s story, not Amazon’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another thing that might also entice you to lean towards Shopify is the impressive 8000-strong app and integration library sellers can take advantage of via the Shopify App Store<\/strong>. So if you want to, you can customize and amp up your Shopify store into just about anything you imagine. The list of apps covers everything from SEO tools to shipping apps, store design, selling apps, and more. These add-ons will help you set up automations to stay on top of email marketing and help create custom product builders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also own your data<\/strong>. Every email, every order, every click belongs to you, not some middleman. That means you can build real relationships through email marketing, loyalty programs, and retargeting campaigns. Over time, that customer data becomes one of the most valuable assets for your business online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short: Shopify gives you ownership, freedom, and long-term growth, but only if you\u2019re willing to do the work to earn your traffic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing and fee structure comparison<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to Amazon vs. Shopify<\/strong>, the headline prices don\u2019t tell the full story. The real difference shows up once you factor in all the hidden costs. The ones that quietly eat into your margins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let\u2019s strip it down. What does it actually<\/em> cost to sell a $100 product<\/strong> on each platform? Here\u2019s how the math really works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazon fees breakdown<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Amazon gives you two ways to sell:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazon<\/strong> is a massive digital mall where shoppers come ready to buy. In September, the seller had a whopping 2.54 billion visitors<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>Here, your products appear alongside competitors on the same search pages, giving you instant exposure but<\/em> zero exclusivity. You tap into Amazon\u2019s audience and trust, but you\u2019re also one of millions fighting for the same clicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n