Shopify vs. iPage (2020)

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PJ Fancher Hosting Expert
“We tested iPage & Shopify — The winner is iPage!”

There are a number of factors that lead to a successful fishing trip. Lure choice, weather conditions, target species — all three have a huge impact on how many fish you’re going to bring over the rail. The world of web entrepreneurship is similar. To attract your target audience, you’ll need to employ the right tools under the right conditions to succeed. Enter Shopify and iPage. Shopify is a turnkey eCommerce site builder focused on online stores — think of it as a custom lure made specifically to attract bass. Then there’s iPage. The host delivers a more general-purpose offering (kind of like a rubber worm) that’s great for a number of use cases — from blogs to business and eCommerce sites. Here, we’ll hit the lake and see why our winning host reeled in the victory.

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iPage review
Overall Rating
4.9/5.0 ★★★★★
Visit iPage »
Shopify review
Overall Rating
4.6/5.0 ★★★★★
Visit Shopify »
Compare: Overall | Cheap Hosting | Dedicated | VPS | WordPress | Site Builder | Conclusion

Overall Hosting Comparison

iPage review

Best Overall Rating

★★★★★ 4.9/5.0

With an excellent price-versus-performance tradeoff, iPage has plans starting at around $2 a month. The company's shared offerings are hard to compete with, especially for folks that are new to web hosting... read more +

With an excellent price-versus-performance tradeoff, iPage has plans starting at around $2 a month. The company's shared offerings are hard to compete with, especially for folks that are new to web hosting and just need a simple site. With essentially unlimited everything, iPage is also a host that allows your site to grow with support, VPS, and dedicated server plans.

Aimed primarily at first-time site owners, iPage puts together an impressively deep feature set. Offering strong, custom site builder options, iPage brings what-you-see-is-what-you-get simplicity to the site-building experience. If ecommerce is your thing, an online store builder is also included. Don’t have a domain yet? Register one for free with iPage.

Once you have a new site, what do you do with it? To kick-start promotion for your site, iPage gives you $200 of marketing credits to get you started on Google and Bing, giving your online presence the exposure that any site needs.

Additionally, iPage offers a full security suite to keep your site running without worry. Daily malware scans, spam scans, and constant network monitoring are just some of the features. Full technical support is also part of the package by way of email or 24/7 phone support with a promise to answer calls in two minutes or less.

From site-building tools and a free domain to a jump-start on your marketing efforts, iPage has put together a very impressive package for their price and they should absolutely be considered for first-time users.

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  • Great hosting packages for first-timers
  • Drag-and-drop site builder included
  • FREE domain name registration and email accounts
  • 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email tickets
  • 75% OFF for HostingAdvice readers
  • Get started on iPage now.
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
Disk Space
Unlimited
Domain Name
FREE (1 year)
Shopify review

Best Overall Rating

★★★★★ 4.6/5.0

Shopify is easily one of the more well-known eCommerce web builder platforms in the hosting industry. Plans are fully hosted, include a free site builder tool, and allow you to showcase an unlimited number... read more +

Shopify is easily one of the more well-known eCommerce web builder platforms in the hosting industry. Plans are fully hosted, include a free site builder tool, and allow you to showcase an unlimited number of products with unlimited file storage as well. Compared to other web hosts, Shopify is not going to offer you the same level of robustness in terms of technological offerings, but the company's ecommerce features are on point. Online store building is Shopify's bread-and-butter service, and the company is darn good at it.

First of all, the Shopify theme store features hundreds of free and premium theme options that are relatively easy for customers to manipulate. Dev-savvy folks can further customize their storefronts and themes via the Shopify API. You can actually start building your online marketplace today — for free for 14 days — and select your plan later. The Shopify experts are on call and ready to help 24/7.

Once you've built your online store with Shopify, build your business by processing product transactions through a myriad of payment methods. Shopify users can sell via social media, by integrating a Buy Now button, or by using the Shopify POS system. Serious ecommerce folks may opt to purchase the retail package add-on, which includes a cash register, receipt printer, and barcode scanner.

All in all, Shopify offers everything you need to run an efficient and lucrative online business. The commerce-oriented features are many, and they only advance with each upgrade in service package. Also, you can buy or transfer your domain name, or park your online store at a free MyShopify.com subdomain. If you're ecommerce-focused, trust Shopify for your online store building.

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  • Sell via social media or fully hosted commerce platform
  • FREE website builder and hundreds of elegant themes
  • Showcase unlimited products on unlimited bandwidth
  • Integrate PayPal or Shopify point-of-sale systems
  • Advanced reporting and real-time shipping available
  • Try Shopify FREE for 14 days.
Money Back Guarantee
14-Day FREE Trial
Disk Space
Unlimited
Domain Name
FREE subdomain

Cheap Hosting Comparison

iPage review

Cheap Rating

★★★★★ 4.7/5.0

#5 out of 10 in Cheap Hosting reviews

Whether you're a first-time website owner or a web veteran, iPage’s excellent hosting services and a fantastic list of extras make the brand one of the best values in web hosting. ... read more +

Whether you're a first-time website owner or a web veteran, iPage’s excellent hosting services and a fantastic list of extras make the brand one of the best values in web hosting.

Unlimited disk space, bandwidth, and emails are just a part of what makes iPage’s shared hosting plans a great deal. The company offers very good suites of extras focusing on web hosting necessities like security, marketing, and support.

If you don’t yet have a site, iPage includes a free domain and website builder to get you rolling quickly. We especially love the company's inclusion of ecommerce templates and online shopping carts for the same low price.

Support is one factor that’s very important to us, as it should be to you. For customer support, iPage has phone, email, and chat available 24/7. For the DIY crowd, the company also has an extensive list of tutorials and helpful documents.

One of the very best budget web hosts out there, iPage offers great hosting features and server performance for a low price. If you are searching for a cheap, reliable web host, iPage should definitely be near the top of your list.

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  • Featuring easy setup and superb reliability since 1998
  • FREE domain and FREE Google marketing included
  • Unlimited disk, bandwidth, and emails
  • FREE site builder and shopping cart
  • Get more than 75% off today (was $7.99/month)
  • Get started on iPage now.
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
Disk Space
Unlimited
Domain Name
FREE (1 year)
Shopify review

Cheap Rating

★★★★★ 4.6/5.0

The great thing about Shopify is how the feature set centers around ecommerce, a focus of many shared hosting shoppers. Shopify plans are fully hosted, but even the company's most basic plan is... read more +

The great thing about Shopify is how the feature set centers around ecommerce, a focus of many shared hosting shoppers. Shopify plans are fully hosted, but even the company's most basic plan is significantly more costly than a majority of the shared hosts we've come across. The 14-day free trial is key to Shopify's success, giving customers a chance to try out the platform before committing to such an expense.

If you're serious about building an online store, however, Shopify offers a superb range of plan options and feature additions to make successful stores happen within a reasonable budget. Plus, you can host your business at a complimentary MyShopify.com subdomain, or at a new or existing domain of your own.

All plans allow you to showcase an unlimited number of products, and you can sell them via Facebook, a Buy Now button, or the Shopify POS system. Accept payments via Shopify Stripe and ask for help when you need it, because the Shopify experts are available around the clock to help with anything from Shopify theme development to transaction issues. As you're building your online marketplace, you have hundreds of customizable themes to choose from, and the more technically inclined user can manipulate themes via the Shopify API.

Shopify is great for online store building. It's a one-stop shop for building and hosting an online marketplace and should be considered as such. If you're looking for a super cheap shared hosting option, there are other providers to consider, but if you want a leading ecommerce platform, Shopify may be your winner.

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  • Site builder with 100s of FREE and premium themes
  • Unlimited bandwidth, storage, and products
  • Easy-to-use dashboard for managing orders, shipping, and payments
  • Tons of ecommerce features, including discount codes
  • FREE MyShopify.com subdomain or use your own
  • Try Shopify FREE for 14 days.
Money Back Guarantee
14-Day FREE Trial
Disk Space
Unlimited
Domain Name
FREE subdomain

Dedicated Hosting Comparison

iPage review

Dedicated Rating

★★★★★ 4.3/5.0

#9 out of 10 in Dedicated Hosting reviews

If you need a fast and flexible dedicated server, iPage offers a very solid option. Whether you’ve outgrown your previous host, or know you have larger-than-average needs, iPage has you covered without... read more +

If you need a fast and flexible dedicated server, iPage offers a very solid option. Whether you’ve outgrown your previous host, or know you have larger-than-average needs, iPage has you covered without breaking the bank.

Built on the company's cloud technology, server resources are provisioned instantly and migration is seamless. If you are unsure if you require a dedicated server, you can start with a VPS option and instantly scale up to a dedicated option. What’s even better is that iPage doesn’t charge overage fees if you go over your plan, because no one wants to be punished for getting popular.

Folks who are new to hosting should be pleased to hear that iPage offers fully managed support for dedicated servers, including access to all the latest development tools and languages. This includes help with the configuration of Apache, MySQL, Email, DNS, and other programs, to save you time and effort. Each server runs on CentOS and includes cPanel in the pricing.

Hardware setups are modern and robust with multi-core Intel Xeon CPUs, RAID-1 mirrored storage, and plenty of RAM.

The dedicated servers of iPage hosting are excellent choices and should satisfy most users' needs. At a price that’s very reasonable, with a somewhat rare money-back guarantee, iPage's dedicated hosting plans are truly a high-value deal.

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  • Enjoy total control via cPanel and CentOS
  • Managed services and updates with support available 24/7
  • Extensive security and mirrored storage for data protection
  • Save 20% your first month by ordering today
  • More discounts available with long-term plans
  • Get started on iPage now.
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
Disk Space
500 GB - 1 TB
Domain Name
FREE (1 year)
Shopify review

Dedicated Rating

★★★★★ N/A

Shopify does not currently offer this type of hosting. We would not recommend choosing this host for this hosting category.

VPS Hosting Comparison

iPage review

VPS Rating

★★★★★ 4.6/5.0

#7 out of 9 in VPS Hosting reviews

If you are looking for affordable VPS hosting and cPanel support, iPage offers a great deal. It's perfect for those savvy enough to know they need VPS hosting, but who don’t have the time or skill to... read more +

If you are looking for affordable VPS hosting and cPanel support, iPage offers a great deal. It's perfect for those savvy enough to know they need VPS hosting, but who don’t have the time or skill to mess with a self-managed system. The company's managed services support will help with installation and common issues related to essentials like Apache, MySQL, email, DNS, and many other programs.

High-speed, mirrored SAN storage is at the heart of iPage’s modern hardware. Each VPS plan comes with semi-private resources and guaranteed memory. For the price, the hardware specs offered are excellent.

The company also offers remarkable 24/7 support, accessible via chat, email, or phone. Predictable monthly costs come without usage overage charges, which is great for growing sites. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also standard.

For the cost and all the flexibility, features, and security you want in a VPS host, iPage has excellent hardware. When selecting a managed VPS host, you should feel confident giving these guys a try.

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  • Includes cPanel, CentOS, and optional root access
  • High-speed mirrored SAN storage and guaranteed memory
  • Pre-installed scripts: PHP, Perl, Python, Rails, and more
  • Get 20% off your first month when you sign up today
  • More discounts available with long-term plans
  • Get started on iPage now.
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
Disk Space
40 GB - 120 GB
Domain Name
FREE (1 year)
Shopify review

VPS Rating

★★★★★ N/A

Shopify does not currently offer this type of hosting. We would not recommend choosing this host for this hosting category.

WordPress Hosting Comparison

iPage review

WordPress Rating

★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

#6 out of 10 in WordPress Hosting reviews

For those looking for an affordable and simple-to-navigate host for their WordPress site, definitely consider iPage. The company's budget offer gives you a nice list of extras and provides a great... read more +

For those looking for an affordable and simple-to-navigate host for their WordPress site, definitely consider iPage. The company's budget offer gives you a nice list of extras and provides a great alternative to shared hosting.

While not as robust and fast as more expensive options, iPage offers a great value in WordPress hosting. The company's platform has been designed to make page load speeds 2.5 times faster, with unlimited disk space, email accounts, and bandwidth. Other niceties include a free domain name and SSL certificate.

For those without a site design, iPage includes a number of curated WordPress themes for you to choose from. Each theme is tested for performance and usability. In addition, the company includes many pre-installed plugins such as W3 Total Cache and Jetpack. Finally, SiteLock keeps your site secure and free of malware. 24/7 phone support is included on all packages in case you ever run into any issues.

One of our favorite low-budget web hosts out there, iPage offers great hosting features and server performance for a low price. If you are searching for a cheap, reliable web host, iPage should definitely fall towards the top of your list.

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  • Unlimited disk space and email accounts
  • FREE WordPress themes and plugins included
  • Expert WordPress support and automatic malware removal
  • Enhanced security via SiteLock and custom firewall
  • Up to 60% faster site with W3 Total Cache pre-installed
  • Get started on iPage now.
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
Disk Space
Unlimited
Domain Name
FREE (1 year)
Shopify review

WordPress Rating

★★★★★ 3.8/5.0

Although Shopify isn't your traditional web host, WordPress fans can take advantage of Shopify's ecommerce capabilities without redoing their online store. For just $9 per month, you can integrate a... read more +

Although Shopify isn't your traditional web host, WordPress fans can take advantage of Shopify's ecommerce capabilities without redoing their online store. For just $9 per month, you can integrate a Shopify Buy Now button into your existing WordPress blog. The Shopify experts will generate a few lines of code for you and — voila — a stand-alone storefront is made for your site. Plus, you can customize via the Shopify API.

All you have to do is add your unlimited number of products and your Shopify/WordPress online store is officially in business. You benefit from all the easy payment processing solutions, including the Shopify Stripe Payment system, which accepts debit and credit cards. If you decide to upgrade your Shopify plan, the USPS shipping discounts and ecommerce features advance with you; you can even get a free SSL certificate.

Shopify is a fine option for implementing top-notch ecommerce functionality into your existing WordPress website. It's not necessarily the most cost-conscious option, but for those who are serious about online store building, Shopify is certainly worth considering.

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  • Add a Buy Now button to your WP site for $9/month
  • Easily copy and paste Shopify-generated code to sell unlimited products
  • Customize the button's colors to match your brand
  • 100+ payment gateways accepted with secure checkout
  • Process transactions easily with Shopify Stripe Payments
  • Try Shopify FREE for 14 days.
Money Back Guarantee
14-Day FREE Trial
Disk Space
Unlimited
Domain Name
FREE subdomain

Site Builder Hosting Comparison

iPage review

Website Builder Rating

★★★★★ 4.9/5.0

#2 out of 9 in Website Builder Hosting reviews

Do you want your website built today? If you answered "yes," you should look no further than iPage. In fact, it's possible for you to be online before you even finish reading this article. Thanks to... read more +

Do you want your website built today? If you answered "yes," you should look no further than iPage. In fact, it's possible for you to be online before you even finish reading this article. Thanks to iPage's user-friendly interface, instant provisioning, and free domain name, you can have a live, attractive website in mere minutes.

For those that have been around the web for a while, you may remember when it took a day to get your server online; thankfully those days are gone. Your site is live the second you complete your order with iPage. A domain name is also included, so the ordeal of purchasing a domain name, setting name servers, and waiting for them to propagate is also extinct. Once that's completed, you are taken to the incredibly user-friendly interface, where you can begin your site creation process.

Powered by their own proprietary builder, iPage makes it easy to have a professional-looking site created in minutes. It all starts with your choice of template — with hundreds of options available. From there, you can customize color schemes, fonts, and sizes, and add your own pictures and videos. Adding forms for comments, RSVPs, or business contacts is just as simple. Before you know it, you have an attractive, functional website.

From the ease of use to the speed at which you are able to get a site live, iPage leaves us with little doubt as to why we've ranked the company near the top of our list of web hosts with site builder functionality. An already incredible value, the company's 30-day money-back guarantee means that you can feel at ease knowing that iPage stands behind its product, and the team is confident you will be happy with their service.

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  • Choice of Weebly or WebsiteBuilder by iPage
  • Mobile-optimized options and easy-to-use setup wizards
  • 100s of professionally designed, customizable themes
  • FREE online store, shopping cart, and blogging platform
  • Get +75% off your first month
  • Get started on iPage now.
Money Back Guarantee
30 days
Disk Space
Unlimited
Domain Name
FREE (1 year)
Shopify review

Website Builder Rating

★★★★★ 4.5/5.0

Shopify is a fully hosted web building platform that specifically serves the ecommerce niche. All plans include a free site builder tool and you can browse the Shopify theme store for a design that most... read more +

Shopify is a fully hosted web building platform that specifically serves the ecommerce niche. All plans include a free site builder tool and you can browse the Shopify theme store for a design that most closely matches your brand. Themes are fully customizable, with drag-and-drop elements or the Shopify API. Best of all, you can start building your store at no cost with Shopify's 14-day free trial.

Host your online store at a new or existing domain name, or take advantage of the free MyShopify.com subdomain the company provides. The Shopify experts have made it simple to display and sell an unlimited number of items online, and processing them is a snap. The Shopify Stripe Payments system allows merchants to accept and process credit and debit transactions after customers make a purchase via Facebook, by clicking on a Buy Now button, or on other social media platforms. Depending on which plan you sign up for, you can get advanced reporting, shipping, and shopping cart features as well. All plans include the option to entice customers with discount codes, too!

If you're shopping for a web builder to build an online store, look no further than Shopify. Build your business, build your brand, and boast an unlimited number of products with ease. Online store building is Shopify's specialty, and the team is available to help you any time of day.

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  • Plans include a website builder with tons of Shopify themes
  • Get help with your name, logo, and online presence
  • Sell unlimited items via social media, a button, or POS
  • Developers can easily build on the platform via the API
  • Shopify experts available 24/7 to assist you
  • Try Shopify FREE for 14 days.
Money Back Guarantee
14-Day FREE Trial
Disk Space
Unlimited
Domain Name
FREE subdomain

iPage vs. Shopify - Our Conclusion

PJ Fancher Hosting Expert
“We tested iPage & Shopify — The winner is iPage!”

Grab the net — it’s a keeper! Shopify is an industry leader when it comes to eCommerce hosting and site building. The company’s comprehensive plans come packed with hundreds of features, including shopping carts, templates, and POS solutions, to name a few. And, even though the price seems high at first glance, the value adds deliver high returns on investment. However, while iPage isn’t solely focused on eCommerce, the host does include a store builder and other merchant solutions in its package — and, with the low monthly premiums, sticker shock is not an issue. We chose our winner based on the bang you get for your buck. But be sure to evaluate each host’s features yourself to see which offering best aligns with your online mission.

iPage review
Overall Rating
4.9/5.0 ★★★★★
Visit iPage »
Shopify review
Overall Rating
4.6/5.0 ★★★★★
Visit Shopify »

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