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Head-to-Head Specification Audit
Shopify vs Paddle
E-Commerce Developers · South Africa
Specification Matrix
| Metric | Shopify | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $29/mo | CustomBetter |
| API Rate Limit | 2 req/min | N/A |
| Target Country | South Africa | Global |
| Category | E-Commerce Platform | Payment Processing API |
| Compliance | GDPR, CCPA, PCI-DSS | GDPR, CCPA, PCI-DSS, SOC2 |
| Hosting Regions | US, EU, AU | US, EU |
| Native Integrations | 7 listedBetter | 6 listed |
Shopify — Key Specs
- ✓Storefront API supports headless commerce with any frontend framework
- ✓Checkout extensibility via UI Extensions — no more checkout.liquid hacks
- ✓Built-in ZAR currency support and PayFast/Peach Payments gateway integration
- ✓Webhooks for 50+ event types with automatic retry on delivery failure
Paddle — Key Specs
- ✓Merchant of Record — Paddle handles VAT, GST, and sales tax in 200+ countries
- ✓Subscription billing with trials, proration, and pausing built-in — no Stripe Tax add-on
- ✓Available for ZA-registered businesses — no US entity required unlike Stripe
- ✓Built-in churn recovery: failed payment retry logic with smart dunning sequences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cheaper, Shopify or Paddle?+
Paddle starts at $0/mo, which is lower than Shopify at $29/mo.
Which tool is better for compliance — Shopify or Paddle?+
Both support GDPR, CCPA, PCI-DSS. Paddle additionally supports SOC2.
Which tool is better suited for South Africa?+
Shopify is evaluated for E-Commerce Developers in South Africa with hosting regions: US, EU, AU. Paddle has hosting regions: US, EU. For data residency in South Africa, check each vendor's data processing agreements.
Data last verified: 12 June 2026
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