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Shopify vs Shopware: Secure E-commerce Platforms Compared

Explore how US-based Shopify and Germany's Shopware handle data privacy. Discover which platform better safeguards your online store's sensitive information.

Last updated: February 1, 2026•Reviewed by Built in EU Team

Should You Switch to Shopware?

What You Gain

Gain full GDPR compliance and better data protection.

Privacy advantage
Trade-offs

Fewer built-in features and integrations compared to Shopify.

Shopify has more features
Bottom Line

Switch if privacy is a priority over extensive features.

At a Glance

Data Location
🇺🇸US

US data laws

🇩🇪DE

GDPR protected

Pricing

Shopify

paid

Shopware

freemium

Migration
Hard difficulty

Privacy & Compliance Comparison

Critical data sovereignty factors at a glance

CriteriaShopifyShopware
Server Location
US (AWS), EU (optional)EU
GDPR Compliance
Partial (SCCs)Full
Open Source
E2E Encryption
OptionalOptional
Data Portability
Full exportFull export

CLOUD Act Notice

Shopify is a US company and must comply with CLOUD Act data requests, even for data stored in EU data centers. Shopware is not subject to US jurisdiction.

Switching from
Shopify logo

Shopify

🇺🇸

Shopify Inc.

VS
Switching to
Shopware logo

Shopware

🇩🇪

shopware AG

US Data Storage

Data subject to US CLOUD Act and may be accessed by US authorities

EU Data Protection

Data protected under GDPR with EU-only data residency

Certifications & Compliance

No certifications listed

GDPR Compliant
EU-Based
Open Source
ISO 27001
SOC 2 Type II
SOC 2
Self-Hostable

Reasons to Switch

  • ✓Shopware's open-source model allows for extensive customization.
  • ✓Shopware's B2B Suite supports complex pricing structures for businesses.
  • ✓GDPR compliance is built-in, ensuring data protection for EU customers.
  • ✓Shopware offers a drag-and-drop CMS for easier content management.

Things to Consider

  • !Migrating from Shopify requires data export/import, which can be complex.
  • !Shopware has a steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with coding.
  • !Some Shopify apps may not have direct equivalents in Shopware.
Migration difficulty:
Hard

Migration Overview

Full guide
Difficulty
Hard

Quick Steps

1

Plan migration timeline and backup all data

2

Set up Shopware with custom configuration

3

Migrate in phases, test thoroughly at each step

Ready to make the switch?

Start using Shopware today and take control of your data privacy.