TikTok Shop vs Shopify: Marketplace vs Your Own Store
Comparing two different models: TikTok Shop's marketplace vs Shopify's independent store. Understand costs, control, and which fits your business.
⚠️ Important: These Aren't Direct Competitors
TikTok Shop is a marketplace (like Amazon). You sell to their audience.
Shopify is a store builder. You own everything and drive your own
traffic.
Many sellers use BOTH: Shopify as their main brand store + TikTok Shop for discovery and
extra sales.
True Cost Comparison
| Cost Type | TikTok Shop | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $39-299/month |
| Per-Sale Fee | 6% referral fee | 0% |
| Payment Processing | Included | 2.9% + $0.30 per order |
| Marketing Cost | Optional (has built-in audience) | Required (no built-in traffic) |
| On $50 Sale | $3.00 | $1.75 + monthly fee |
Real Cost Example (1000 orders/month at $50 each):
• TikTok Shop: $3,000 in fees (6%)
• Shopify: $2,134 ($39 monthly + 2.9% + $0.30) + Marketing costs ($2,000-5,000+)
Control & Ownership
TikTok Shop
- ❌ No customer data/emails
- ❌ Limited branding options
- ❌ Must follow TikTok's rules
- ❌ Can't add custom features
- ✓ Built-in audience (150M+ users)
Shopify
- ✓ Full customer data ownership
- ✓ Complete branding control
- ✓ Your rules, your policies
- ✓ Thousands of apps/customizations
- ❌ No built-in traffic (you bring customers)
When to Use Each
Use TikTok Shop If:
- ✓ You're just starting and need to test products quickly
- ✓ You don't have a marketing budget for ads
- ✓ Your products are viral-worthy and visual
- ✓ You want to leverage creator marketing
- ✓ You prefer low startup costs (no monthly fees)
Use Shopify If:
- ✓ You're building a long-term brand
- ✓ You want to own your customer relationships
- ✓ You have (or can afford) marketing budget
- ✓ You need advanced customization and features
- ✓ You want to sell across multiple channels (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
Use BOTH If:
- ✓ You want your own branded store (Shopify) + marketplace visibility (TikTok)
- ✓ You can sync inventory across platforms
- ✓ You want to capture TikTok impulse buyers AND brand-loyal customers
- 💡 This is what most successful sellers do!
The Verdict: Not Either/Or
These platforms serve different purposes. TikTok Shop is great for discovery and quick wins. Shopify is for building a sustainable, owned brand.
Recommended Strategy: Start on TikTok Shop to validate products, then expand to Shopify as you scale and build your brand.
Calculate Your TikTok Shop Profit
See exactly what you'll make per sale on TikTok Shop before you decide.
Use the Profit Calculator →