By the Tuncer Technologies team ·
If you want to sell online, you will quickly meet two camps. One says "just use Shopify". The other says "build your own store so you are not locked in". Both are right for different businesses.
This guide compares the two honestly: cost, fees, flexibility and ownership, including when a hosted platform is simply the better choice.
The short answer
- Choose a hosted platform like Shopify if you sell standard products, want to launch quickly, and prefer paying a monthly fee over managing technology.
- Choose a custom store if your selling process is unusual (custom quotes, complex bundles, bookings mixed with products, B2B pricing), if you need deep integration with your own systems, or if long-term platform fees matter more than speed.
- Choose neither yet if you have only a handful of products. A good website with a simple order or enquiry form, or a payment link, may be all you need for now.
How Shopify pricing works
Shopify charges a monthly subscription, with lower monthly rates when billed yearly. On top of that you pay card processing fees, and Shopify adds a transaction fee if you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments (Shopify Payments is not available in every country). Many stores also pay for apps and a premium theme.
Plan prices and fees change, and they differ by country, so check Shopify's own pricing page for your country before you compare.
The real cost of Shopify is the monthly total over three years: subscription, apps, theme and fees together.
How a custom store costs work
A custom store has a larger upfront cost: design, building, payment integration and testing. After launch, you pay for hosting, maintenance and any changes. There is no platform subscription, but there is ongoing work, because someone must keep the software secure and up to date.
"Custom" also ranges from fully hand-built code to a configured open-source platform. The more unique the build, the higher the upfront and maintenance cost.
Side-by-side comparison
| Hosted platform (e.g. Shopify) | Custom store | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | Higher |
| Monthly cost | Subscription, apps and fees | Hosting and maintenance |
| Time to launch | Days to weeks | Weeks to months |
| Flexibility | Limited to the platform and its apps | Built around your process |
| Security updates | Handled by the platform | Your developer's job |
| Lock-in | Moving away takes work | You control the code and data |
| Best for | Standard retail products | Unusual workflows and integrations |
Questions to decide
- How many products, and how often do they change?
- Do you sell anything that is not a simple product, such as bookings, quotes or subscriptions?
- Which payment methods do your customers use? In the Philippines, for example, many buyers expect e-wallets such as GCash.
- Who will run the store day to day? A non-technical team usually prefers a hosted platform.
- What is your three-year budget, not just your launch budget?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing on launch price alone. A cheap start with expensive monthly apps can cost more than a custom store by year three, and the reverse is also true.
- Adding too many apps. Each app on a hosted platform adds a fee and can slow your store down.
- Forgetting the boring parts. Shipping rules, taxes, returns and stock levels take more setup time than the design.
- Not owning your domain. Whatever platform you choose, register the domain in your own name.
- Ignoring speed on mobile. Most small-business shoppers browse on a phone. A slow store loses sales on either platform.
Our options (Tuncer Technologies)
Prices are as of 23 October 2026; the checkout always shows the current price.
| Item | What you get | USA / Australia | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online store (/store/W04) | Up to 30 supplied products, standard cart and checkout configuration | USD 1,495 | PHP 39,900 |
| Standard gateway integration (/store/I01) | One supported payment provider, checkout, webhook and test flow | USD 500 | PHP 15,000 |
| Store/booking website care (/store/R03) | Routine checks and up to 5 technical hours a month | USD 249 / month | PHP 6,000 / month |
| Requirements discovery (/store/T01) | Up to 2 meetings, prioritised scope and estimate | USD 199 | PHP 5,000 |
If your needs fit a standard store, we will tell you so in discovery, and we will not sell you a custom build you do not need. Your products, photos and descriptions are supplied by you.
Already selling online? Our free website audit checks your store's speed and search basics.
FAQ
Is Shopify cheaper than a custom website?
At the start, usually yes. Over several years it depends on your subscription plan, apps and transaction fees compared with the hosting and maintenance of a custom store. Compare three-year totals.
Can I move from Shopify to a custom store later?
Yes. Products, customers and orders can usually be exported, though redirects, design and integrations take work. Plan the move instead of rushing it.
What does your online store package include?
Up to 30 of your products, a standard cart and checkout configuration, delivered in 3 to 5 weeks, for USD 1,495 in the US and Australia or PHP 39,900 in the Philippines.
Do you build on Shopify?
We recommend the platform that fits after discovery. If a hosted platform is the better choice for you, we will say so.
Which payment gateways can I use?
It depends on your country and platform. Our gateway integration covers one supported provider with checkout, webhook and a test flow.