Alibaba vs Shopify (BABA vs SHOP)
Alibaba (BABA) vs Shopify (SHOP) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Alibaba (BABA) and Shopify (SHOP) compete in retail. Here are Alibaba and Shopify side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Alibaba or Shopify.
Alibaba vs Shopify: the figures
| Figure | Alibaba | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $105.29 (November 4, 2026) | $153.03 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $261.9 billion | $196.9 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 25.5x | 93.9x |
| Forward P/E | 1.7x | 62.5x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +8.6% | +31.6% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 7.0% | 15.0% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | Net cash | Net cash |
| Dividend yield | 1.05% | 0.00% |
| Beta | 0.40 | N/A |
Alibaba and Shopify figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Alibaba or Shopify figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Alibaba and Shopify
- Valuation: Shopify trades at 93.9x its annual earnings and Alibaba at 25.5x; the market pays more for each dollar of Shopify profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Growth: Shopify grew sales +31.6% year on year in its latest quarter, against +8.6% for Alibaba.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Shopify keeps 15.0 as net profit and Alibaba keeps 7.0.
Alibaba or Shopify: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Shopify is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Alibaba pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Shopify has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Alibaba trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Alibaba nor Shopify wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Alibaba and Shopify make money
Alibaba (BABA)
Most of Alibaba's money comes from e-commerce in China through Taobao and Tmall, where it charges merchants for advertising and commissions, plus quick home delivery. Other key businesses are Alibaba Cloud, its cloud computing and AI services arm, and international commerce through AliExpress, Lazada and Trendyol. Its ADRs trade in New York. Full Alibaba analysis.
Shopify (SHOP)
Shopify provides merchants worldwide with software to build and run online and in-person stores. It reports two segments: Subscription Solutions, the monthly fees for its plans, and Merchant Solutions, the larger one, which takes a cut of payments processed through Shopify Payments and Shop Pay, plus shipping and merchant loans. The US is its main market. Full Shopify analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Alibaba vs Shopify
Is Alibaba or Shopify the better stock?
Choosing between Alibaba and Shopify depends on what you are looking for. Shopify is growing faster right now, and Alibaba trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Alibaba or Shopify: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Alibaba or Shopify?
As of November 4, 2026, Alibaba yields 1.05% and Shopify pays none. Also check how much of their profit Alibaba and Shopify pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Alibaba or Shopify?
On P/E, Shopify (93.9x) is more expensive than Alibaba (25.5x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Alibaba and Shopify?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Alibaba and Shopify, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Alibaba or Shopify.
More comparisons with Alibaba or Shopify
More companies like Alibaba and Shopify: retail stocks. Educational content about Alibaba and Shopify, not investment advice.