Choose between MicroCart and Shopify by testing real store work: entering a product, designing a page, processing an order and calculating costs. This guide helps you run the same trial for both platforms.
Product information and source links checked on 26 October 2026. Rates and availability can vary by country, account and billing period.
At a glance
| Topic | MicroCart | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One package: €39.95 per store per month or €399.50 per year, excluding VAT. | Check the official pricing page for your country, billing term and required features. |
| Payment costs | 0% platform transaction fees; payment processing is charged separately. | Costs depend on factors including the selected plan and payment route. |
| Daily operations | Test design, products, variants, orders and workflows during the trial. | Test the same tasks, including any apps and integrations you intend to use. |
| Support | Discuss your workflow and required integrations with MicroCart before choosing. | Check the support channel, language and support provided by any app suppliers. |
Compare the complete cost
MicroCart costs €39.95 per store per month or €399.50 per store per year, excluding VAT. All MicroCart apps and B2B are included. You can try the complete package for 14 days without a credit card. MicroCart charges 0% platform transaction fees; payment providers and external services charge their own rates.
Use the same budget structure for both platforms: subscription, payment processing, any platform surcharge, theme, apps, external services and management time. Monthly and annual billing are different commitments. Do not compare an annual total directly with one monthly payment.
Record the displayed currency, billing period, taxes and any introductory offer. Shopify’s official page may display a different currency than expected. We therefore do not repeat a fixed Dutch Shopify price here. Check current Shopify pricing and enter the applicable quote in your own budget.
Shopify’s third-party provider fee guidance explains when an additional platform charge applies. This is separate from payment processing. Check the conditions for your payment route; do not automatically add a third-party provider surcharge to every order.
Use your own order volume and payment mix. Our online store cost guide explains how to separate assumptions and cost categories.
Test your Dutch sales workflow
Use one test order as a shared checklist. Select a product with a variant, calculate delivery, check the order amounts and complete a payment. Include a cancellation and a return. A payment-method logo alone does not confirm availability for your account, country or product type.
- Ask your chosen payment provider which methods, payouts and rates apply to your business.
- Check business details, tax settings, delivery options and confirmation emails.
- Test the storefront language and the administration you will use each day.
This guide covers platform choice. Check tax and legal settings for your circumstances with the relevant authority or adviser.
Test features with your own catalogue
Bring three products: a simple item, one with sizes and colours, and one with a different shipping rule. Use the same images, SKUs and prices on both platforms. Record the outcome, help needed and extension required for each task. This compares the same shop even when demonstrations differ.
MicroCart combines the editor and store management. Shopify provides its platform and extensions. A long feature list cannot replace a successful test with your own data. Review how to build a store with MicroCart and try the same product and page in your other candidate.
When should you consider Shopify?
Include Shopify when a required integration, supplier or workflow is demonstrably available there. Ask the integration supplier about costs, support and limitations. Demonstrate your existing workflow before committing to a subscription or custom development.
Ask the supplier to demonstrate an interrupted integration in a test environment. Have them show how one stock change is safely processed again and duplicate orders are prevented. Agree who helps with a real error and what message to keep. Do not run this trial against live stock.
When should you consider MicroCart?
Include MicroCart if you want to assess whether its editor and store management fit your brand and daily work. Use the 14-day trial for a concrete task list rather than only browsing an empty store.
- Build a page with your own photography and a representative product.
- Set up variants, delivery and a test order.
- Check the workflow or B2B task you require.
- Ask which external accounts and services you must arrange yourself.
Then review the package and pricing conditions. A fixed platform charge does not make other business costs free.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform is cheaper?
You can determine that only by using the same assumptions for subscriptions, apps, payment mix, order volume and management. Keep one-off setup and migration costs separate. Do not treat a temporary introductory offer as a permanent monthly cost.
Does 0% MicroCart transaction fees mean payments are free?
No. MicroCart does not charge its own percentage per transaction. Your payment provider may charge processing, chargeback and other fees.
Does Shopify always charge extra transaction fees?
No. Applicable charges depend on the payment route and conditions. Check the official guidance on Shopify Payments and third-party providers for your situation.
Can I switch later?
Inventory products, customers, orders, content and URLs first. Check what the destination can import and test the result. Treat design, integrations and redirects as separate tasks. See MicroCart’s Shopify migration route; search rankings are not guaranteed.
Choose after a successful test
For both candidates, record three things: the required tasks that work, the complete cost calculation and the work remaining before launch. Choose the solution whose strengths and limitations you understand. This comparison is published by MicroCart; use official documentation and your own practical test to check your decision.
Need a broader comparison? Use the comparison page for the MicroCart workflow and the shortlist of seven Shopify alternatives to investigate other types of solution.
Further reading
Investigating Shopify costs · Calculating total online store costs
