Honest comparison
Mercader vs Shopify: storefront without checkout or full store
Shopify is a complete online store: checkout, inventory, shipping, taxes and apps. Mercader is a storefront for showing products, events and receiving enquiries. The decision is not about price: it is about whether you need to take payment inside the page.
We do not process payments · 0% on direct sales
Verified prices
Shopify publishes prices in euros for the EU; card rates are added to the subscription. Mercader does not process payments, so there is no card rate or checkout to maintain.
| Plan or concept | Price | How it is billed |
|---|---|---|
| Mercader · 14-day trial | $0 | No card required |
| Mercader · Basic | $6/month | Monthly, no lock-in |
| Mercader · Pro | $24/month | Monthly, no lock-in |
| Mercader · Commission on direct sales | 0% | We do not process payments |
| Shopify · Basic | €24/month | Billed annually; €32/month if billed monthly Card rates from 2.1% + €0.30. |
| Shopify · Grow | €69/month | Billed annually; €92/month if billed monthly Card rates from 1.8% + €0.30 and up to five staff accounts. |
| Shopify · Advanced | €289/month | Billed annually; €384/month if billed monthly Card rates from 1.6% + €0.30 and up to fifteen staff accounts. |
| Shopify · Plus | From €2,100/month | Custom quote For large operations; not the plan for a small studio. |
Card rates and plans checked on shopify.com/pricing for the EU. Mercader does not process payments: if you need to charge online, Shopify or an external payment gateway is the right option.
Verified on October 28, 2026 · Source: shopify.com
Mercader does not process payments or charge commission on direct sales. If your model requires charging on the website, this is not the tool: Shopify is.
What each one does
| Feature | Mercader | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Checkout | No: payment is agreed elsewhere. | Yes, with cards and local methods. |
| Catalog and inventory | Catalog with photo, price and description; no stock control. | Yes, with inventory and variants. |
| Shipping and taxes | No. | Yes, rates and labels depending on plan and apps. |
| Events and markets | Yes: a calendar on the storefront. | Not a native feature; requires pages or apps. |
| Direct contact | Enquiry form. | Form and customer account; the flow ends at checkout. |
| Commission on direct sales | 0%. | No sales commission, but a subscription and payment rates apply. |
| Maintenance | Mercader runs the storefront. | You configure themes, apps, shipping and taxes. |
When to choose Shopify
Shopify is the right answer if you need a real store:
- You need to take card payments without leaving the website.
- You regularly manage stock, variants, shipping and returns.
- You sell to other businesses or need staff accounts.
- You want to integrate carriers, taxes and marketing apps.
When to choose Mercader
Mercader is enough when the catalog is the visible part and payment happens elsewhere:
- You show your catalog and close on WhatsApp, Instagram or at the market.
- You do not want to configure shipping, taxes or a payment gateway.
- You have a small range and change prices often.
- You want to start without a full-store subscription or card fees.
Use case
A real example: Essie designs
A jeweller selling at design markets and taking commissions by message. Shopify requires her to configure shipping, taxes and checkout for sales that do not happen on the website. Mercader lets her publish the pieces and the next market, and talk to whoever asks.
Essie designs keeps one piece published on its storefront. It is a minimal example: enough to test whether the link and the catalog work before taking on the setup of a full store.
See the storefront
essie.mercader.app
Frequently asked questions
Is Mercader cheaper than Shopify?
Mercader's fee is lower than Shopify's, but it does not include checkout, shipping or taxes. Compare the total cost for what you actually need, not just the subscription.
Can I take card payments on Mercader?
No. Mercader does not process payments. You can agree payment by bank transfer, payment link, message or in person and use another tool to collect it.
Does Shopify charge a sales commission?
Shopify does not charge a marketplace commission; it charges the plan fee and payment gateway rates, which vary by plan and country.
Can I move from Shopify to Mercader?
You can recreate the catalog manually. There is no importer and Shopify URLs do not transfer; keep the store live until the storefront is complete.
Does Mercader handle shipping or stock?
No. The storefront shows products and prices, but it does not calculate shipping or track inventory. That remains your job or another tool's.
Keep reading
What it really costs to sell online as an artisan (without hidden fees)
Compare a custom website, a marketplace, and a storefront like Mercader. Includes commissions, time, and break-even.
How to create your digital storefront in 3 minutes (without a website or designer)
A step-by-step guide to a professional link with your products, next event, and contact details — no website build required.
Do you really need a cart?
If the order closes in a conversation, a clear storefront is enough. Publish your catalog and see whether people ask before paying for a full store.
Mercader does not process payments or charge commission on direct sales. If your model requires charging on the website, this is not the tool: Shopify is.