Shopify vs Amazon SmartBiz (2025): Which E-commerce Platform is Right for You?
If you're planning to start an online store in India, two powerful options stand out in 2025 — Shopify and Amazon SmartBiz (also known as Amazon SmartCommerce).
Both let you build your own e-commerce website — but they serve different needs.
This blog gives you a detailed comparison of Shopify vs Amazon SmartBiz, focusing on setup, features, pricing, and scalability, to help you decide which platform is right for you.
Quick Comparison Table
Feature | Shopify | Amazon SmartBiz (SmartCommerce) |
|---|---|---|
Platform Type | Global e-commerce platform for building branded stores | Indian e-commerce website builder powered by Amazon |
Target Audience | Entrepreneurs, DTC brands, global sellers | Indian small businesses, local retailers, first-time digital sellers |
Custom Domain | Yes | Yes |
Monthly Platform Fee | From ₹2,000/month (Basic Plan) | Free until June 2025 |
Commission per Sale | 0% (excluding payment gateway fees) | 0% (no commissions charged) |
Payments Integration | Multiple global gateways (PayPal, Razorpay, etc.) | Razorpay, Pine Labs, UPI, Net Banking, COD |
Shipping | Integrated with Shiprocket, Delhivery, etc. | Integrated with Shiprocket |
Setup Time | 1–2 days | Within minutes |
Technical Skills Needed | Low to Medium (depends on customization) | Very Low (no coding required) |
App Ecosystem | 8,000+ apps and extensions | Limited integrations |
SEO & Analytics | Full SEO control, Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel | Basic analytics and marketing tools |
Customer Data Ownership | Full access to customer info and data | Yes, you own your customer data |
What is Amazon SmartBiz?
Amazon SmartBiz (also known as SmartCommerce) is Amazon's free e-commerce website builder designed for Indian small businesses.
You can:
Set up your online store in minutes
Add unlimited products
Use Amazon's delivery partners (via Shiprocket)
Accept UPI, Net Banking, COD
Share your store via WhatsApp, Instagram, and other social platforms
It's Amazon's response to India's growing D2C movement.
1. Store Setup and Customization
Shopify
Offers hundreds of free and premium themes
Full design control (custom code supported)
Global developer and agency ecosystem
Amazon SmartBiz
Theme-based templates (basic, clean layouts)
Quick setup; ideal for non-tech founders
Limited customization but fast to launch
Verdict: Shopify offers more design flexibility. SmartBiz wins on speed.
2. Product & Inventory Management
Feature | Shopify | Amazon SmartBiz |
Product Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Bulk Upload | Yes | Yes |
AI Description Tools | Limited | Yes (AI-assisted listings) |
Inventory Tracking | Advanced | Basic |
SmartBiz simplifies listing creation using AI, while Shopify provides more granular control.
3. Payments and Checkout
Shopify
Supports multiple payment gateways
Custom checkout flows
Supports international currencies
Amazon SmartBiz
Razorpay, Pine Labs, UPI, Net Banking, COD
Quick 2-day settlement
Checkout is simple and mobile-friendly
Verdict: If you need global support and advanced checkout, go with Shopify. If you sell in India only, SmartBiz works well.
4. Shipping & Logistics
Feature | Shopify | Amazon SmartBiz |
Logistics Integration | Shiprocket, Delhivery, custom APIs | Shiprocket |
Pickup & Delivery | Available | Available |
Returns Management | Seller-managed | Seller-managed |
Both platforms support Shiprocket, which works well for Indian sellers.
5. Marketing, SEO & Analytics
Feature | Shopify | Amazon SmartBiz |
SEO Tools | Advanced (title, meta, sitemap) | Basic |
Blog & Content | Built-in blogging | Not available |
Facebook/Google Integration | Yes | No direct integration |
Email Marketing | Apps like Klaviyo, Mailchimp | No native support |
Verdict: Shopify offers better long-term growth tools. SmartBiz is ideal for plug-and-play sellers.
6. Customer Relationship Management
Feature | Shopify | Amazon SmartBiz |
Customer Data Access | Full | Full |
Retargeting Tools | Yes (via Meta, Google, email) | Not integrated |
Newsletter Support | Yes | No |
Shopify is better if you plan to build a community or email list.
FAQs
1. Is Amazon SmartBiz good for beginners?
Yes. It's free, easy to set up, and made for non-technical sellers.
2. Can I move from SmartBiz to Shopify later?
Yes. Product data and images can be exported if you want to switch platforms.
3. Is Amazon SmartBiz really free?
Yes, it's free until June 2025. After that, pricing details are expected.
4. Can I use both platforms?
Yes. Many sellers use SmartBiz to test the waters and move to Shopify when they scale.
Final Recommendation
If You Want To... | Go With |
Start quickly with no upfront cost | Amazon SmartBiz |
Build a long-term brand | Shopify |
Customize your store extensively | Shopify |
Sell only in India | Amazon SmartBiz |
Run global ads, blogs, and email flows | Shopify |
Both platforms are excellent — choose based on your goals.
You can even start with SmartBiz to validate your idea and shift to Shopify when you’re ready to scale.