Launching an online store is an exciting journey, but it all starts with one critical decision - choosing the best ecommerce platform. Among the many options available, ZenBasket and Shopify are two strong contenders. Both platforms promise to simplify online selling, but they cater to businesses in different ways when it comes to pricing, features, flexibility, and long-term value.
Whether you’re a new entrepreneur setting up your first store or an established brand looking to switch to a better solution, understanding these differences can make all the difference to your success. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into a side-by-side comparison of ZenBasket and Shopify, focusing on two important aspects: pricing and features. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of which platform aligns better with your business goals, budget, and growth plans.
ZenBasket vs Shopify: Pricing Overview
ZenBasket Pricing Plan
Shopify Pricing Plan
Free Trial – 14 Days
Start your business online with no upfront cost. Manage up to 200 products, one location, and two staff accounts.
Free Trial – 3 Days
Shopify offers a 3-day free trial with no credit card required. During this period, you can test the platform, explore themes, add products, and get familiar with the admin.
Standard Plan – $23/month
Ideal for growing stores, this plan supports up to 500 products, two locations, and five staff accounts with enhanced tools.
Grow Plan – $79/month
Ideal for growing teams, this plan includes all the features of the Basic plan plus five additional staff accounts.
Premium Plan (Most Popular) – $45/month
Perfect for expanding businesses, offering support for up to 3000 products, five locations, and 15 staff accounts.
Advanced Plan – $299/month
Tailored for scaling businesses, this plan provides enhanced support, more staff accounts, and lower card rates.
Unlimited Plan – $117/month
A complete solution for large-scale businesses with unlimited products, up to 10 locations, and unlimited staff accounts for online, mobile, and retail sales.
Plus Plan – Starting at $2300/month (on a 3-year term)
Designed for high-volume businesses, offering advanced features like customizable checkout, wholesale B2B capabilities, and priority support.
Why ZenBasket is a Better Deal in Pricing
When you compare ZenBasket and Shopify side by side, it’s clear that ZenBasket provides more value for your money, especially for businesses that want powerful features without breaking the bank. Here's why ZenBasket stands out:
1. Lower Monthly Cost: ZenBasket's pricing starts at a fraction of Shopify's cost. For example, the Standard Plan costs just $23/month, which is more affordable than Shopify’s Basic Plan at $29/month.
2. No Hidden Fees: ZenBasket doesn’t charge extra transaction fees when using third-party payment gateways, unlike Shopify, which imposes a fee unless Shopify Payments is used.
3. More Features at Lower Cost: ZenBasket provides features like unlimited products, staff accounts, mobile app support, and multiple locations in even its lower-tier plans. Shopify requires you to upgrade to more expensive plans or purchase additional apps for similar functionality.
4. Transparent Pricing: ZenBasket’s pricing structure is simple and predictable, with no surprises or hidden charges, unlike Shopify, where you might incur unexpected app charges or higher-tier requirements.
5. Designed for Local Businesses: ZenBasket’s pricing is tailored for the Indian market, with no need to deal with international taxes, currency conversions, or unpredictable charges.
ZenBasket vs Shopify: Overall Feature Comparison
While Shopify is a market leader with a robust, scalable ecosystem, ZenBasket positions itself as a cost-effective alternative with unique advantages, especially for small to medium businesses (SMBs) or those seeking simplicity. Below is a consolidated comparison of their features.
1. Core Ecommerce Tools
-
ZenBasket offers unlimited products and built-in email marketing without extra charges. It also simplifies checkout customization without requiring expensive upgrades.
-
Shopify offers best-in-class checkout but locks multi-language/currency and advanced features behind higher-tier plans.
2. Payments & Fees
-
ZenBasket has no transaction fees with third-party gateways, saving you money on every sale.
-
Shopify charges a 0.5% – 2% fee for transactions unless using Shopify Payments.
3. Marketing & Automation
-
ZenBasket includes abandoned cart recovery and CRM tools in mid-tier plans, while Shopify requires paid apps or higher plans for these features.
-
Shopify has advanced email and automation capabilities but relies on third-party apps for deeper features.
4. Customization & Apps
-
ZenBasket offers a lightweight API and fewer integrations, making it easier for SMBs to manage.
-
Shopify offers a vast number of apps (8,000+) but requires a steep learning curve to customize and manage.
5. Scalability & Support
-
ZenBasket democratizes B2B features, offering them in lower-tier plans, whereas Shopify restricts these to higher-priced plans.
-
Shopify excels in global scalability and offers 24/7 support for all plans.
Key Free Features in ZenBasket that Shopify Lacks or Requires Paid Apps to Access
-
Free POS for Offline Selling: ZenBasket includes a free basic POS for in-person sales. Shopify offers only POS Lite for $6/month, while POS Pro costs $70/month.
-
Multi-Channel Selling: ZenBasket may offer built-in marketplace integrations at no extra cost, while Shopify requires budget-friendly paid apps for multi-channel selling.
-
Abandoned Cart Recovery: ZenBasket likely includes abandoned cart recovery in its free or mid-tier plans, while Shopify requires you to be on the Shopify plan ($79/month) or use paid apps like Recart ($200/month).
-
B2B/Wholesale Features: ZenBasket may offer basic wholesale pricing for free, while Shopify requires a Shopify Plus plan, available with a 3-year term ($2300/month), or the use of paid apps like Wholesale Club ($29/month).
-
Advanced Discounts & Gift Cards: Both ZenBasket and Shopify include discounts and gift cards within their subscription pricing, but ZenBasket offers these features at a much more affordable price compared to Shopify’s higher-tier plans.
Technical Advantages of ZenBasket
1. Performance Optimization: ZenBasket utilizes Server-Side Rendering (SSR) technology, which offers:
- 3x faster page loads, especially on mobile devices.
- Maintains performance even on 3G networks.
- Improved SEO rankings through better Core Web Vitals, reducing bounce rates, and boosting conversions.
- In contrast, Shopify’s default client-side rendering often results in slower load times, particularly in regions with unreliable internet connections.
2. Local Market Advantages: ZenBasket is optimized for the Indian market, with several key benefits:
- Local payment gateway integrations without extra fees, including UPI and other India-specific payment methods.
- Better support for regional logistics providers, ensuring smoother shipping and delivery processes.
- Optimized for mobile-first shoppers, who are a large portion of the ecommerce market in India and emerging markets.
- Shopify, while robust globally, often requires additional configurations for local payment and shipping methods in India.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, ZenBasket provides an outstanding value proposition, especially for small to medium businesses. With its affordable pricing, no hidden fees, and powerful built-in features, ZenBasket allows businesses to grow without worrying about high overhead costs.
For local sellers, ZenBasket offers clear advantages, such as local payment integrations, optimized performance on mobile devices, and simplified scalability for the Indian market. Shopify, on the other hand, may be a better fit for larger enterprises with a budget for extensive customizations and global scaling
Ultimately, if you're looking for an intuitive, cost-effective platform that includes powerful features without the hefty price tag, ZenBasket is the ideal choice for your online store.
