Compared
Twin Lakes vs Shopify
Shopify is the best tool there is for a business whose whole model is selling online. Most local businesses aren't that business.
When Shopify is the right call
If you're running an online store as the business, with hundreds of products, inventory across channels, shipping rules and a marketing stack, use Shopify. It's built for exactly that, and the app ecosystem is unmatched. We'd tell you so.
When Twin Lakes is the right call
If you're a cafe that wants online ordering for pickup, a shop with a few dozen products, a charter that takes bookings and payments, or a business that mostly needs a website with a bit of selling attached, Shopify is more platform than you need, and the monthly plan plus apps plus theme adds up. We build the ordering into your site, for the same $79.
What they charge
Shopify, priced as at 11 October 2026.
From Shopify's Australian pricing page, in Australian dollars, before GST.
Shopify adds 10 percent GST to Australian subscriptions at billing, so Basic on monthly billing comes to about A$61.60.
- Basic: A$42 a month billed yearly, or A$56 month to month. Online card rate 1.7 percent plus 30 cents. A 2 percent fee on top if you don't use Shopify Payments.
- Grow: A$114 a month yearly, A$149 monthly. Card rate 1.55 percent plus 30 cents; 1 percent third-party fee.
- Advanced: A$431 a month yearly, A$575 monthly. Card rate 1.35 percent plus 30 cents; 0.6 percent third-party fee.
- Plus: from A$3,700 a month.
- Trial: three days free, then A$1 a month for the first three months.
- Themes and most apps are extra and usually priced in US dollars.
Sources: Shopify pricing (Australia), Shopify fees in Australia 2026, Aspire (checked September 2026). Twin Lakes is $79 a month including GST, checked the same day because we set it.
Side by side
What you get, and what it costs you over time.
Prices quoted are as published on 11 October 2026. They change, so check the other side's page before you decide.
| What | Shopify | Twin Lakes |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | You, setting up a theme, products and apps. Or a Shopify agency you pay. | We do it, by hand, from what you tell us. |
| Upfront | A three-day trial, then A$1 a month for three months. Paid themes and setup help are extra. | Nothing. Your first $79 is paid when you approve the draft. |
| Ongoing | A$42 a month for Basic on yearly billing (A$56 month to month) before GST, A$114 for Grow, A$431 for Advanced. Plus apps for most extras, plus card processing from 1.7 percent plus 30 cents, plus a 2 percent transaction fee on Basic if you use a payment provider other than Shopify's. | $79 a month including GST. Domain, hosting, changes, bookings, forms, ordering and apps are all in it. Card processing is charged by the processor at its standard rate, and we add nothing on top. |
| Time to a site | Days to weeks, depending on how much you customise. | A working draft in 24 hours. Live in days. |
| Changes | You make them, or your agency does at an hourly rate. | Email them through. Done, usually the same day, no hourly rate. |
| Bookings, forms, ordering | Ordering is the whole point and it's excellent. Bookings and forms are apps. | Included. Bookings, quote forms, online ordering, a members' app if it genuinely helps. |
| Your domain | Can be bought through Shopify. Keep it in your name. | Registered in your name from day one. We pay the renewals while you're with us. |
| Hosting | Shopify's global infrastructure. | Australia. Fast for your customers, and their details stay in the country. |
| Leaving | Products and customers export as spreadsheets. The theme and settings don't. | Month to month. Your domain, content and data go with you. After 12 months, the code too. |
| Support | 24/7 chat and help centre. | Nick, by email or phone. The person who built it. |
Switching
Moving from Shopify
Products and customers come out of Shopify as spreadsheets and go into your new site. We rebuild the design around your business, keep your domain, and redirect the old product pages. If you genuinely need Shopify's depth, we'll say so before you move anything.
Straight answers
Can you really do online ordering for $79?
Yes, for the kind most local businesses need: a menu or catalogue, pickup or delivery options, card payment, order notifications and GST receipts. The card processor's fee applies on each sale; we take nothing.
What if I grow into needing Shopify?
Then you should use it, and we'll help you move. Your products and customers export cleanly from our side.
Do you handle stock?
Basic stock levels and sold-out states, yes. Warehouse-grade inventory across multiple channels is where Shopify earns its money.
See your draft tomorrow.
A few details is all it takes. You'll hear back from hello@twinlakes.au within 24 hours with a link to your draft.
- Draft in 24 hours
- Nothing to pay until you say yes
- Cancel any time
Rather talk first? Book a 30-minute call