Key takeaways
- Microcart and Shopify are both easy to use; the difference is in cost and focus.
- Microcart charges 0% of its own transaction costs. Payment provider costs are separate from this.
- Microcart focuses on Dutch and European entrepreneurs; You connect payments via Mollie, Stripe or Adyen.
- Choose based on the features you need and your total costs.
Shopify and Microcart solve the same problem — building and managing an online store — but they are made for different entrepreneurs. Shopify is a large, international platform with a huge ecosystem. Microcart is a Dutch all-in-one platform with one fixed price. Which one is right for you depends on where you sell and how predictable you want to keep your costs. Below is the fair comparison.
At a glance
| Topic | Microcart | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | build for free; Growth €39.95 per shop for live sales | multiple subscriptions, priced in euros in the Netherlands |
| Transaction fees | 0% Microcart transaction fees; payment provider costs separately | percentage if you don't use Shopify Payments |
| iDEAL, VAT, Chamber of Commerce | iDEAL via your payment provider; Set up VAT and company details yourself | iDEAL via Shopify Payments upon eligibility or an external provider; VAT settings available |
| Features | webshop editor, products, variants and orders | built-in webshop functions plus free and paid apps |
| Language and market | aimed at Dutch and European entrepreneurs | international; management and webshop also in Dutch |
| Support | Dutch-speaking | international; check the language and channel of support |
Costs and predictability
Compare the full bill. Shopify offers subscriptions in euros in the Netherlands. Additional transaction costs may apply with an external payment provider, depending on your subscription. Paid apps and themes are optional and increase costs if you need them — see how much does Shopify really cost in the Netherlands.
You build your Microcart shop for free. For live sales, choose Growth for €39.95 per shop. Microcart charges 0% of its own transaction costs; You pay the usual rates of your payment provider separately.
Dutch market
Both platforms support sales in the Netherlands. At Shopify you can offer iDEAL via Shopify Payments when you meet the conditions, or via an external provider. Dutch language and VAT settings are also available. In Microcart you connect Mollie, Stripe or Adyen for payments and set up your shop for your company. Check for both solutions which payment methods your provider supports.
Features: ecosystem versus all-in-one
Shopify combines built-in webshop functions with a wide range of free and paid apps. Microcart brings the webshop editor, products, variants and orders together in one environment. Compare per function whether it is included and which connection you need. A large ecosystem gives more choice; a clear environment can simplify daily management.
Who is Shopify the better choice for?
- You sell internationally and want to scale up on a large scale.
- You want deep customization and specific apps that only exist in a large ecosystem.
- You'll need an integration that's available within the Shopify ecosystem.
For whom is Microcart the better choice?
- You mainly sell in the Netherlands and Europe.
- You want a fixed price per shop and 0% of your own platform transaction costs.
- You want to manage your webshop and products from one clear environment.
- You want to build for free and only choose Growth when you start selling live.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest difference between Microcart and Shopify?
The pricing model and the way you set up your store. At Microcart you build for free and sell live with Growth for €39.95 per shop, with 0% own transaction costs. Shopify offers several subscriptions in euros; any apps and third-party provider fees depend on your choices.
Does Microcart charge transaction fees?
Microcart charges 0% of its own transaction costs. You do pay the usual rates of your payment provider.
Does Shopify have iDEAL?
Yes. iDEAL is available via Shopify Payments when your shop meets the conditions. You can also use an external provider; additional Shopify transaction fees may apply.
Which one is cheaper?
That depends on your subscription, payment provider, turnover and any apps. Microcart Growth costs €39.95 per shop with 0% own transaction costs. Add up all costs for both platforms.
Is Shopify a bad platform?
No, Shopify is a mature platform with extensive options. Whether it's right for you depends on your desired features, integrations and total costs.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an extensive app ecosystem and international capabilities, Shopify is a strong candidate. If you want to build for free and then sell live with a fixed Growth price per shop, check out Microcart. In both cases, calculate your total monthly costs — see what a webshop costs — and also view the other Shopify alternatives.
