The short answer: For most Shopify stores, ExperimentHQ is the best A/B testing tool. It has automatic revenue tracking, a lightweight script (<5KB), and costs $29/month. For enterprise stores doing $10M+ revenue, VWO or Optimizely may be worth the $10,000-50,000/year price tag.
Who this is for
- Shopify store owners looking to increase conversions
- E-commerce managers evaluating A/B testing tools
- Growth teams who need revenue-based optimization
- Anyone migrating from Google Optimize
Who this is NOT for
- Stores with under 1,000 monthly visitors (you need traffic to test)
- Enterprise teams requiring SSO/SAML (consider VWO or Optimizely)
- Headless Shopify (Hydrogen) stores (see our Hydrogen guide)
Key Features for Shopify A/B Testing
Revenue Tracking
Track actual revenue per variant, not just conversion rate. Know which test made you money.
Fast Loading
Lightweight scripts that don't slow down your store. Every 100ms delay costs 7% conversions.
Shopify Integration
Native integration that works with Shopify themes, checkout, and product pages.
Statistical Rigor
Proper statistical significance calculations. No false positives from peeking.
Tool Comparison Table
| Tool | Price | Revenue Tracking | Script Size | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExperimentHQ | $29/moTransparent pricing | < 5KB | Best Overall | |
| VWO | $10,000+/yrCustom quote | ~150KB | Best for Enterprise | |
| Optimizely | $50,000+/yrCustom quote | ~200KB | Overkill for most | |
| Google Optimize | DiscontinuedNo longer available | — | N/A | Discontinued |
| Convert | $699/moStarts at | ~80KB | Good alternative |
Detailed Analysis
ExperimentHQ
Best OverallBuilt specifically for e-commerce, ExperimentHQ automatically tracks revenue per variant—not just conversion rate. The script is under 5KB, so it won't slow down your store.
Pros
- Automatic Shopify revenue tracking
- Lightweight script (<5KB)
- Visual editor for non-developers
- Transparent pricing ($29/mo)
Cons
- No enterprise SSO (yet)
- Newer platform (less brand recognition)
Best for: Shopify stores doing $100K-$10M/year who want simple, effective A/B testing with revenue tracking.
VWO
Best for EnterpriseVWO is a full experimentation platform with heatmaps, session recordings, and surveys. It's powerful but expensive and complex.
Pros
- Full experimentation suite
- Heatmaps and session recordings
- Enterprise features (SSO, etc.)
Cons
- Expensive ($10,000+/year)
- Heavy script (~150KB)
- Complex setup
Best for: Enterprise Shopify Plus stores doing $10M+/year with dedicated CRO teams.
Optimizely
Overkill for MostOptimizely is the industry leader for enterprise experimentation. Unless you're a Fortune 500 company, it's probably more than you need.
Pros
- Industry-leading features
- Advanced statistical models
- Full enterprise support
Cons
- Very expensive ($50,000+/year)
- Long sales cycles
- Heavy implementation
Best for: Fortune 500 companies with dedicated experimentation teams and $100K+ budgets.
Common Mistakes When Choosing
❌ Choosing based on brand name alone
Optimizely and VWO are great, but they're built for enterprises. Most Shopify stores don't need (or can afford) their features.
❌ Ignoring script size and performance
A 150KB script can add 200-500ms to page load. On mobile, this costs you conversions. Always check script size.
❌ Optimizing for conversion rate instead of revenue
A test might increase conversions but decrease average order value. Always track revenue per variant for e-commerce.
❌ Not considering Shopify-specific features
Generic A/B testing tools don't understand Shopify's checkout, cart, or product pages. Look for native integrations.
Our Recommendation
For most Shopify stores: Use ExperimentHQ. It's built for e-commerce, has automatic revenue tracking, and costs $29/month.
For Shopify Plus stores ($10M+ revenue): Consider VWO if you need heatmaps and session recordings, or stick with ExperimentHQ if you just need A/B testing.
For enterprise ($50M+ revenue): Optimizely or VWO, but only if you have a dedicated CRO team to justify the investment.