We have migrated seven Shopify stores to MedusaJS in the last eighteen months. Three were on Shopify Plus. All of them hit the same wall: the platform that got them started was now holding them back.
Here is what we look for when a client asks if it is time to move.
1. Checkout speed is killing conversions
Shopify checkout reloads the page on every step. With three apps and a custom theme, we regularly see checkout times of 3-4 seconds. That is death on mobile. MedusaJS with Next.js keeps everything client-side. Sub-second checkouts are standard.
2. You need custom logic Shopify cannot touch
B2B pricing tiers, complex bundling, subscription logic - Shopify handles the basics. When your business model gets interesting, you start fighting the platform. MedusaJS is Node.js under the hood. We write the logic you need, not workarounds.
3. The app tax is getting ridiculous
$300/month for reviews. $200 for search. $150 for email capture. One client was paying $1,100/month in app subscriptions alone. MedusaJS has plugins for most needs. The rest we build in a sprint. You own the code.
4. Multi-region is a nightmare
Selling in Europe with proper tax handling, multiple currencies, and localized stock? Shopify Markets helps, but you are still locked into their rules. MedusaJS lets us build exactly the multi-region setup your business needs.
5. Your developers are frustrated
Liquid is fine for themes. It is a cage for complex products. When your team is spending more time fighting the platform than building features, that is a signal. React, TypeScript, and a real API - that is what modern teams want.
The migration reality
Moving from Shopify is not a weekend project. We typically run 8-12 week migrations: parallel storefronts, staged rollouts, zero downtime. The investment pays off in year one through lower fees, higher conversion, and faster feature shipping.
Not every store needs to move. But if you checked three or more boxes above, it is worth a conversation.