Hello store owner! 😊 In 2024, we saw over 35,000 new online stores launched in Saudi Arabia, and the first question everyone asks is: "Which platform should I choose? Salla? Zid? Or Shopify?" Let's cut through the marketing and give you real insights.
The e-commerce platform you choose is the foundation of your business. It affects everything from your daily operations to your ability to scale. We've helped hundreds of Saudi stores choose their platforms, so here's our comprehensive comparison based on actual user experiences and technical capabilities.
Recent market insights show that Saudi Arabia now has one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the Middle East, with local platforms like Salla and Zid leading the charge alongside international giants like Shopify. Each serves different business needs and customer segments.
💰 Pricing Comparison
| Platform | Basic Plan | Mid Plan | Advanced Plan | Transaction Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salla | 99 SAR/month | 199 SAR/month | 399 SAR/month | 2.9% + 0.5 SAR |
| Zid | 99 SAR/month | 199 SAR/month | 499 SAR/month | 2.9% + 0.5 SAR |
| Shopify | 29 USD (~105 SAR) | 79 USD (~287 SAR) | 299 USD (~1,085 SAR) | 2.9% + 30 cents |
💡 Important Tip
If your store is new with under 50 monthly orders, Salla offers the most cost-effective solution. For growing stores with 100+ orders, Zid provides better value with advanced features included.
🛠️ Ease of Use & Setup
Salla - Easiest for Beginners
Strengths:
- 100% Arabic interface designed specifically for the Saudi market
- Complete store setup in under 30 minutes
- Beautiful ready-made templates optimized for Arabic customers
- Comprehensive Arabic customer support
- Built-in Saudi tax compliance and invoicing
Zid - Perfect Balance of Ease and Power
Strengths:
- User-friendly interface with advanced features when needed
- Excellent Arabic interface with bilingual support
- Powerful analytics and reporting tools included
- Superior mobile seller app for on-the-go management
- Advanced inventory management and automation
Shopify - Most Flexible and Scalable
Strengths:
- Over 6,000 additional apps and integrations
- Maximum customization flexibility and development options
- Global platform with international shipping capabilities
- Advanced development tools and APIs
- Excellent for multi-currency and international expansion
Challenges for Saudi Stores:
- Primarily English interface with limited Arabic support
- Steeper learning curve and setup complexity
- Higher total costs when including necessary apps
💳 Payment & Shipping Integration (Critical for Saudi)
This is where the differences really matter for Saudi businesses. Local platforms have significant advantages:
🏆 Salla Payment & Shipping
- ✅ Native integration with Mada, Tabby, Tamara, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- ✅ Seamless integration with Aramex, SMSA, Naqel, and all major Saudi couriers
- ✅ Instant funds transfer to your bank account
- ✅ Excellent local customer support in Arabic
- ✅ Built-in cash on delivery (COD) management
🥈 Zid Payment & Shipping
- ✅ Strong Mada support with Tabby and Tamara integration
- ✅ Comprehensive shipping integration with all Saudi delivery partners
- ✅ Advanced mobile app for real-time order management
- ✅ Detailed shipping and delivery analytics
- ✅ Multi-warehouse inventory management
⚠️ Shopify Payment & Shipping
- ⚠️ Requires additional apps for Mada and local payment methods
- ⚠️ Complex setup needed for Saudi courier integration
- ✅ Excellent for international payments and global expansion
- ⚠️ Limited local payment support without third-party apps
- ⚠️ English-only customer support for payment issues
📱 Mobile Apps & Customer Experience
With 80% of Saudi consumers shopping on mobile devices, this is crucial:
Customer Mobile Apps:
- Salla: Beautiful, intuitive customer app with Arabic-first design
- Zid: Advanced customer app with loyalty programs and push notifications
- Shopify: Requires Shop app or custom app development
Seller Mobile Apps:
- Salla: Good mobile app for basic order and inventory management
- Zid: Best-in-class mobile seller app in Saudi Arabia with full functionality
- Shopify: Multiple apps available depending on specific needs
📊 Analytics and Reporting
Analytics Comparison
Salla: Basic but sufficient analytics for most small to medium stores. Includes sales tracking, customer insights, and basic inventory reports.
Zid: Advanced analytics suite with predictive insights, detailed customer segmentation, and comprehensive business intelligence tools.
Shopify: Most comprehensive analytics, especially with additional apps. Advanced reporting, custom dashboards, and detailed performance metrics.
🎯 Which Platform Should You Choose?
🚀 Choose Salla if:
- You're new to e-commerce and want the easiest setup
- Your primary market is Saudi Arabic-speaking customers
- You want the most cost-effective solution
- You need reliable Arabic customer support 24/7
- You're selling primarily within Saudi Arabia and GCC
📈 Choose Zid if:
- Your store is growing (50-500 monthly orders)
- You want the best balance of ease and advanced features
- You plan expansion to other Gulf countries
- You need powerful analytics and business intelligence
- You want the best mobile selling experience
🌍 Choose Shopify if:
- You plan significant international expansion
- You need maximum customization and development flexibility
- You have a higher budget and technical resources
- You want access to the largest app ecosystem
- You're comfortable with primarily English interfaces
🆘 Customer Support Comparison
| Platform | Language Support | Response Time | Local Expertise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salla | 100% Arabic | 2-4 hours | Excellent for Saudi market |
| Zid | Arabic + English | 2-6 hours | Very good for GCC markets |
| Shopify | Primarily English | 24-48 hours | Good for technical issues, limited local knowledge |
🔮 Future-Proofing Your Choice
Consider these long-term factors when making your decision:
- Scalability: Can the platform grow with your business?
- Integration: How well does it work with your existing tools?
- Market Trends: Is the platform investing in features you'll need?
- Exit Strategy: How easy is it to migrate your data if needed?
🎯 Our Final Recommendation
Based on our experience helping hundreds of Saudi e-commerce stores:
- Start with Salla if you're new to e-commerce and want to test the waters with minimal investment
- Scale with Zid when you reach 100+ monthly orders and need advanced features
- Consider Shopify only if you have clear international expansion plans
- Test all platforms with their free trials before making a final decision
- Factor in total costs including apps, themes, and transaction fees
💡 Success Secret
Remember: 80% of successful Saudi e-commerce stores use either Salla or Zid. These platforms understand the local market, customer behavior, and business requirements better than international alternatives. Choose the one that fits your current needs and can grow with your ambitions.
🚀 Ready to Start?
The platform is just the foundation – success comes from great products, excellent customer service, and smart marketing. Whichever platform you choose, Isnaad is here to handle your fulfillment and logistics, so you can focus on growing your business.
Need help with fulfillment once you've chosen your platform? Contact Isnaad to learn how we can handle your logistics while you focus on building your brand.