The Differences Between Free & Paid Shopify Themes

Each situation is different, and while investing in a Shopify paid theme is usually worth it, there are cases where it might be an unnecessary expense. In this article, I’ll explain the differences to help you make an informed decision when you should and should not buy a paid theme.

What’s the Difference Between a Free and Paid Shopify Theme?

A paid Shopify theme typically offers more advanced features, customization options and professional designs compared to a free theme. Paid themes often come with better support, faster loading times, and built-in features reducing the need for extra apps.

Free themes, on the other hand, are more basic but still functional, making them a good choice for beginners or those with simpler store needs.

To help clarify, here are the main differences between free and paid Shopify themes that you should consider:

Aspect	Free Theme	Paid Theme
Design and Customization	Generic designs with limited customization options. Functional but may lack a unique brand identity.	Sophisticated, unique designs with extensive customization options for a professional, personalized storefront.
Functionality and Features	It may not be optimized for the fastest loading times and responsiveness across devices.	Advanced features like customizable checkouts, integrated SEO tools, and improved navigation options.
Support and Updates	Limited direct support; less frequent updates. Supported by Shopify but may lag behind in updates.	Ongoing support and regular updates, ensuring compatibility with the latest e-commerce trends and Shopify changes.
Loading Speed and Mobile Responsiveness	May not be optimized for the fastest loading times and responsiveness across devices.	Optimized for faster loading and fully responsive across various devices, enhancing user experience and SEO.
Uniqueness	Higher chance of encountering similar-looking stores due to wide accessibility.	Increased likelihood of a unique storefront, helping brands stand out in a crowded e-commerce space.

8 Benefits of a Paid Shopify Theme

Paid Shopify themes are often $400 or higher. For that amount of money, they want to have many benefits that can justify the steep price. I’ve given you a quick rundown of the main benefits so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth your initial investment.

1. Far Superior Design

Paid themes often offer more professional and unique designs. This higher design quality significantly improves your brand’s image and credibility, which is important for building trust.

With so many spammy dropshipping stores using free themes, you want a design that seperates you from them stores as much as possible.

2. More Customizable

Paid themes offer more flexibility and control over your store’s design. They come with a wider range of customization options, making aligning every detail with your brand and target audience easier.

3. Better User Experience

These themes prioritize both design and usability, featuring easy navigation, faster loading times, and mobile responsiveness. All these factors are for keeping customers engaged and lowering bounce rates.

4. Integrations and Features

Paid themes often include advanced tools and integrations not found in free themes, such as product search improvements, better social media connectivity and features like product filtering and wishlists.

5. SEO

A well-designed paid theme can also improve your store’s SEO. Cleaner code, faster loading speeds, and mobile optimization contribute to better search engine rankings and E-E-A-T signals which drives more free organic traffic.

6. Support and Updates

Purchasing a paid theme gave me access to dedicated support from the theme developer, which proved invaluable for troubleshooting and customizations. Regular updates also ensured that my theme stayed compatible with the latest Shopify features and e-commerce trends.

7. Standing Out from Competitors

Having a unique store is important so you don’t blend into the sea of spammy Shopify stores. A paid theme helps create a distinctive online business, setting your store apart from competitors and building a strong brand identity.

8. Better Quality Store

Shopify enforces strict guidelines for theme developers selling on its platform. Designers must follow a detailed checklist to ensure their themes meet Shopify’s functionality and performance standards.

You can check out the Shopify’s test theme checklist here if you want more information.

Free vs Paid Shopify Theme Features

As you would expect with free Shopify themes, the features are basic and minimal. Below is a list of features a free theme may come with and a list of features a paid Shopify theme may come with. For more details of Shopify’s theme features you can find them here.

Whilst a paid theme is a larger upfront investment, it can save you more in the long run if you plan on purchasing several of these features from the Shopify app store. A free theme comes with the bare basics and you’ll likely need some of the features at some point in your business.

If the features of Shopify’s paid themes are not adequate, there are several third-party themes that come with an abundance of features at similar prices.

Debutify comes with one of the largest selections of features I am aware of but it will come at a cost. The Pro plan will cost $90 per month but comes with 30 add-on features.

Booster theme is another option at costs $399 for lifetime access and comes with over 30 built-in features that can increase conversion rates.

Is it Worth Paying for a Shopify Theme?

When considering whether to invest in a paid Shopify theme, the decision depends on your specific business needs and the value you place on website functionality and design. If you’re starting out with a limited budget, a free theme might be enough.

However, as your business grows, you may start to feel the limitations of a free theme, this is where a paid theme becomes beneficial, especially for stores who are trying to build a long term business.

The return on investment may be worth it down the track(ROI). While a paid theme may have a higher upfront cost, the benefits such as an enhanced user experience, higher conversion rates, and a more professional brand image can outweigh the initial expense.

User experience is crucial in e-commerce and paid themes to provide a smoother, faster, and more engaging shopping experience, which is essential for customer retention and conversion. Improving user experience can lead to increased sales, making the investment in a paid theme worthwhile.

A paid theme can offer unique designs and functionalities that set your store apart from competitors, which is important for brand recognition and customer loyalty.

While free themes are adequate for some businesses, investing in a paid Shopify theme can be a game-changer for others. It’s a decision that should be based on your current business needs, future growth plans, and the potential ROI from making your store more appealing and user-friendly.

Best Free Shopify Themes

If you’re on a budget and looking for the best free Shopify themes, here are my top three recommendations:

• Dawn
• Spotlight
• Sense

These themes are user-friendly, visually appealing, and can look unique and professional with the right images and features.

While free themes don’t offer the same features and customization options as paid ones, they are still more than capable of supporting a profitable e-commerce store. Many successful businesses run entirely on free themes.

Best Paid Shopify Themes

If you can afford to pay for a paid Shopify theme, these are my top picks.

Warehouse Theme

The Warehouse theme for Shopify, particularly its ‘Metal’ style, is ideal for stores with large inventories. It’s designed to handle large collections and showcase your products effectively with an easily navigable interface.

The theme has advanced filtering, quick buy options, and customizable promotional tiles. The warehouse theme also features a slideshow with video, a modular-style homepage, and an interactive cart that enhances the shopping experience.

It’s particularly suited for shops looking to display a wide array of products in an organized and professional way.

Motion Theme

The Motion theme in the ‘Classic’ style for Shopify is a visually rich theme ideal for brands looking to create an engaging online store.

It has smooth animations and video integrations, Motion allows for a visual storytelling experience. It features customizable, eye-catching layouts, quick-view product options, and a mobile-responsive design.

This theme is particularly suitable for stores that prioritize visual appeal and wish to showcase their products with classy elegance and interactivity.

Booster Theme

The Booster theme is a third-party Shopify theme but is one of my favorites. It’s designed to increase sales and conversions for e-commerce stores.

It’s known for its speed and mobile optimization, ensuring a premium shopping experience on any device. The theme offers a huge selection of marketing and conversion tools like sales notifications, product upsells, and cross-sell popups, all aimed at increasing average order values.

With its easy customization and focus on performance, Booster is well-suited for a range of online stores, from startups to established businesses.

You can read my full review of Booster theme here or check out the Booster theme website here.

Pros & Cons of a Free Theme

Pros

1. No Cost: Ideal for businesses with tight budgets.
2. User-Friendly: Designed for ease of use, especially for beginners.
3. Shopify Support: Reliable support from Shopify’s team.
4. Quick Setup: Often simpler and faster to set up.
5. Regular Security Updates: Maintained by Shopify, ensuring up-to-date security.

Cons

1. Limited Customization: Fewer options for personalization.
2. Common Designs: Higher chance of resembling other stores.
3. Basic Functionalities: Lacking advanced features.
4. Less Unique Brand Identity: Harder to stand out from competitors.

Pros & Cons of a Paid Theme

Pros

1. Advanced Features: Richer in functionalities and customization options.
2. Unique Designs: More variety for a distinctive look.
3. Ongoing Updates: Regular updates for new features and security.
4. Professional Look: Often offers a more polished and professional design.
5. Specialized Functionality: This may include industry-specific features.

Cons

1. Higher Cost: Requires an upfront financial investment.
2. Potential Complexity: Can be more complicated to set up.
3. Variable Support Quality: Depends on the theme developer.
4. Overwhelming Options: Extensive features can be daunting for beginners.

Summary

There are compelling reasons to choose both free and paid Shopify themes. However, in my opinion, the most significant factor favoring a paid theme is its impact on your store’s perception, especially in the dropshipping sector.

Dropshipping on Shopify is widespread, but often beginners use similar free themes for their stores that sell lower-quality products from AliExpress. This has made consumers more adept at recognizing and avoiding such stores.

Opting for a paid theme can help differentiate your store, lending it a more professional and trustworthy appearance. For those serious about their e-commerce venture, investing in a paid theme is often a wise decision, helping to elevate your store’s credibility and appeal.

You can check out Shopify’s Theme Store here.