Free Is Wonderful, But Sometimes You Need More.
Shopify’s latest theme Horizon is clean, fast, and easy to use. For anyone starting out, it’s a helpful tool, but once you start growing, free themes can become limiting.
Let’s go through what the theme offers, where it excels and holds back, and when it’s time to switch to something stronger.
What Is Shopify’s Horizon Theme?
Just released and one of Shopify’s free themes. It works well for new merchants wanting to get online. It’s mobile-friendly and has a simple design.
You don’t need to know code. You can launch a store quickly. But that speed comes with tradeoffs.
Why Some Merchants Start With Free Themes
- It loads fast. That helps with SEO.
- You can change sections on the homepage without touching code.
- It looks modern and works for general products.
- It’s free — no upfront cost.
If your store is small and you’re testing things out, this theme gets you online fast.
Where Free Themes Fall Short
- Limited control as a store grows.
- Weak filtering for stores with lots of products.
- Not built for advanced layouts or strong branding.
You can’t fully change how your pages look. If you want a custom homepage or unique product display, this latest theme may struggle. That’s where themes like Impulse and Empire do better.
Comparing Free and Premium Shopify Themes
| Feature | Horizon (Free) | Empire (Premium) | Impulse (Premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced Custom Filters | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced Product Page Layout | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hight-Conversion Features | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Price | Free | $340 | $350 |
Premium themes help you grow. Free themes help you start.
When Paying for a Theme Makes Sense
If you're getting sales and want to grow, it’s time to upgrade.
Themes like Symmetry, Enterprise, Empire, and Impulse offer more features. They give you better product layouts, better filtering, and stronger branding tools.
These themes don’t just look great, they help maximize conversions.
Alternatives to Free Themes Worth Considering
- Empire: Great for big catalogs. Comes with advanced filters.
- Impulse: Focused on mobile shoppers. Easy to shop and scroll.
- Symmetry: Clean and content-focused. Good for branded stores.
- Enterprise: Strong features for B2B or large stores.
Each of these gives you more control and more ways to sell.
How to Choose Between Horizon and a Premium Theme
Think about:
- How many products you sell.
- Whether you need custom page layouts.
- If you plan to run ads or boost SEO.
- Whether your store feels basic or pro.
Starting with Horizon is great option, but as you grow you may want to ditch the apps and find a theme with everything built it!
How to Make Horizon Work for You
If you want to grow with Horizon:
- Use apps to add upsells, reviews, or countdowns.
- Make small code changes to adjust layout (or hire a dev).
- Keep your images small for faster load times.
But these are workarounds, not solutions. If you plan to grow, free themes may slow you down.
Key Takeaway : Horizon Is a Great Offering From Shopify
Horizon is a good choice if you're a new merchant and looking to see where your ecommerce venture takes you.
But for premium brands looking for growth, conversion, and branding, a premium theme will save you time and help increase conversation rates. Themes like Impulse, Empire, Symmetry, or Enterprise are worth the cost.
Free is okay. Smart is better.
👉🏼 Try Premium Shopify Themes Free
