Choosing the right theme for your Shopify store is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your theme determines your store’s design, functionality, and overall customer experience.
Two of the most popular options for Shopify themes are the Shopify Theme Store and ThemeForest, but deciding between them can be challenging.
In this blog, we’ll compare Shopify Theme Store and ThemeForest in terms of pricing, design, functionality, support, and real-world usability.
What is the Shopify Theme Store?
The Shopify Theme Store is the official marketplace for Shopify themes. It offers a curated selection of free and premium themes designed and vetted by Shopify and its trusted partners
Key Features of Shopify Theme Store:
High Quality Control: All themes are tested for speed, mobile responsiveness, and compatibility with Shopify’s ecosystem.
Built-in Support and Updates: Shopify themes come with ongoing support from developers and automatic updates for compatibility with Shopify’s latest features.
Seamless App Integration: Themes are designed to work effortlessly with Shopify apps like Giftkart (to manage gift card campaigns) or Byte (to create engaging product quizzes).
Example:
A popular theme like Dawn is free and provides a minimal, flexible design, making it a great starting point for small businesses.
Did you know? Shopify themes are built with scalability in mind. As your business grows, you can use apps like Fly Bundles to implement smart bundling strategies or Giftkart to add gift card options to enhance your theme's functionality.
What is ThemeForest?
ThemeForest is a third-party marketplace owned by Envato that offers thousands of Shopify-compatible themes created by independent developers. It caters to merchants looking for affordable and diverse design options.
Key Features of ThemeForest:
Budget-Friendly Options: Theme prices start as low as $19, making it a popular choice for cost-conscious merchants.
Extensive Variety: With over 1,200 Shopify themes available, merchants can find designs tailored to niche markets like fashion, electronics, or handmade crafts.
Developer Community: Themes are built by developers worldwide, offering unique perspectives and creative designs.
Example:
The Ella theme on ThemeForest is one of the highest-rated Shopify themes. Its multi-purpose design and customization options make it a favorite for niche stores.
Pro Tip: While ThemeForest themes are cost-effective, some may require manual adjustments or additional coding to integrate with Shopify apps like Checkout Wizard for upsells or Easy Bundles for dynamic bundling.
Shopify Theme Store vs ThemeForest: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a quick comparison to help you evaluate the two platforms:
Criteria
Shopify Theme Store
ThemeForest
Price
$100–$350 (one-time payment)
$19–$99 (may require extended licenses)
Quality Control
High: Themes are reviewed by Shopify
Varies: Depends on the developer
Design Options
Clean, optimized, and polished designs
Thousands of themes for diverse niches
Support
Includes ongoing support by Shopify
Limited support (varies by seller)
Updates
Regular updates included
Updates may require additional fees
Ease of Integration
Fully integrated with Shopify apps/features
May require manual adjustments
Stat: A study by Shopify revealed that stores using optimized themes see a 33% increase in customer retention compared to poorly optimized designs.
Detailed Comparison: Key Factors to Consider
1. Pricing and Value for Money
Shopify Theme Store: Themes have higher upfront costs but include lifetime updates and dedicated support.
ThemeForest: Themes are more affordable, but additional costs may arise for extended licenses, support, or updates.
Apps like Giftkart or Fly Bundles add functionality regardless of which theme you choose, helping you maximize ROI on your theme investment.
2. Theme Variety and Customization
Shopify Theme Store: Focuses on quality over quantity, offering around 100 curated themes.
ThemeForest: Boasts over 1,200 themes catering to every industry imaginable.
Real-World Example:
A beauty brand might use Shopify Theme Store’s Pipeline for a sleek and minimalist storefront, while a boutique electronics store might choose ThemeForest’s Avone for its dynamic homepage layout.
3. Support and Updates
Shopify themes include lifetime support and updates for seamless performance.
ThemeForest themes rely on individual developers for updates, and extended support often requires additional payment.
Real-World Brand Examples: Shopify Theme Store vs ThemeForest
Shopify Theme Store:
Allbirds: A global footwear brand that uses a clean Shopify theme to emphasize sustainability and simplicity.
ThemeForest:
A small fashion boutique using ThemeForest’s Minimog theme for its unique product layout and affordable pricing.
Regardless of your choice, using apps like Byte to add product quizzes can help these brands create interactive shopping experiences that match their theme design.
Byte Quiz App
Product Recommendations Quizzes, Gift Finder Quiz & More.
Below are few Pros and Cons of using themes from Shopify theme store for your online store:
Pros:
High-quality, rigorously tested themes.
Dedicated support from Shopify.
Built-in compatibility with apps like Giftkart and Easy Bundles.
Cons:
Limited selection compared to ThemeForest.
Higher price point for premium themes.
Developer Details and Reviews on Shopify Theme Store
Pros and Cons of ThemeForest
Below are few Pros and Cons of using themes from Themeforest for your online store:
Pros:
Wide range of themes for every budget and niche.
Affordable pricing.
Flexible for advanced customizations.
Cons:
Quality depends on the developer.
Support is limited or requires additional fees.
May lack compatibility with certain Shopify apps.
Download and rating data availble for each theme on Shopify
Top Shopify Theme Store Themes
Shopify Theme Store offers high-quality themes that are rigorously tested, optimized for performance, and fully integrated with Shopify's ecosystem. Here are some of the best themes to get your store up and running.
ThemeForest provides a vast collection of affordable and versatile Shopify themes designed by independent developers. Below are some of the most popular options to suit various industries and budgets.
How to Choose the Best Theme for Your Shopify Store
1. Assess Your Budget
If you have a limited budget, ThemeForest might be more appealing.
For a long-term investment, Shopify Theme Store offers better support and reliability.
2. Consider Your Business Needs
If you’re scaling, choose Shopify themes for their scalability and compatibility with apps like Fly Bundles for product recommendations.
3. Test Themes
Use demo versions to evaluate how the theme will look and perform.
Conclusion : Shopify Theme Store vs Themeforest
Choosing between Shopify Theme Store and ThemeForest depends on your priorities. Shopify Theme Store is ideal for merchants seeking quality, support, and scalability, while ThemeForest caters to budget-conscious merchants who need more design options.
No matter which you choose, enhance your store’s functionality with tools like Giftkart (gift card management), Byte (product quizzes), or Easy Bundles (dynamic bundling solutions). These apps help take your theme to the next level.
Ready to build your dream store? Start by choosing the perfect theme and explore Skai Lama’s apps to boost conversions today.
Hurrify customers to buy within a given timeframe with a sales countdown timer & improve conversions
Another popular Shopify checkout app is Checkout Promotions. The app comes with the ability to leverage a collection of highly robust visibility rules that help show customers one-click post purchase upsell promotions after an order payment has been made. Some of its key features include:
Features
AI recommended and manual recommendations for upselling.
Complete branding control.
Checkout Upsell for increasing AOV.
AI recommended and manual recommendations for upselling.
Pricing
Development
Free
Monthly Plan
$99/ month
Plus Plan
$99/ month
Plus Plan
$99/ month
FAQs: Shopify Theme Store vs ThemeForest
Choosing the right theme for your Shopify store can feel overwhelming, and you may still have questions about pricing, customization, and compatibility. Below, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions to help you make a confident decision between Shopify Theme Store and ThemeForest.
Why are Shopify themes on ThemeForest cheaper?
Do Shopify Theme Store themes include free updates?
Can I customize ThemeForest themes easily?
Are ThemeForest themes compatible with Shopify apps?
What’s the best Shopify theme for small businesses?
Which platform is better for scaling?
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Sid B
Sid is the founder of Skai Lama and The Indian Dream Podcast. He is passionate about building SaaS and talks about eCommerce Growth, 0-1 Startups, Building Businesses and Brands, and Shopify.
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