The Fastest Shopify
Video Solution
Over +150 tests comparing the 5 most popular video solutions on Shopify.
5 Top Solutions Tested
Deep-dive into VideoWise, Tolstoy, YouTube, Vimeo, and Shopify Native.
Empirical Speed Data
For each app we documented video compression, file sizes, and Homepage + PDP impact.
The Performance Winner
Conclusive results on LCP, CLS, and INP impact for each solution.
In-depth 16-page summary explaining all the tests and their findings. Summary at the bottom for which solution is the best choice for modern video.
Start HEREAccess the full spreadsheet with every metric tracked, including LCP, CLS, and INP across all solutions. Includes comparison of video compression (bitrate, resolution, and filesize).
See the DataThe Hidden Cost of Shopify Video Solutions
Each tool had a distinct approach to performance, with some being faster than others. This impact has a massive effect on the load time, and user experience of all stores.
We tested performance on Homepage heros and PDP videos. In both cases, they're the most important pages for conversion and the first thing the user sees on each page. This makes them the largest contributor to page load delay (LCP), which has a direct impact on revenue.
The Real Difference Between Solutions
We expected to see a larger difference in the video files themselves, but the compression and video quality was similar between all solutions.
The real difference in performance came down to how each solution was optimised for the specific page (or widget). In some cases, the page load (LCP) difference was huge. If you just looked at the file size, and compression - you would never know it.
How Site Speed Ties to Conversions
Site speed has a direct impact on conversions. For every 100ms of load time, CVR can drop ~7%. For hero videos and PDP videos - video will have the largest direct impact on page load (LCP).
See offiical publications from Google + Deloitte:
What we analyzed:
- Impact of popular Shopify apps on INP (Interaction to Next Paint)
- Video compression efficiency (Bitrate vs. Resolution & Filesize)
- Best load process for Homepage and PDP (LCP + CLS)
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Solution
Choosing the right video solution depends on your brand's priorities. If you need maximum speed, Shopify Native or a optimized VideoWise embed often wins.
Refer to our Raw Data Spreadsheet to see exactly how your current (or considered) video app stacks up against the competition.
LCP over File Size
Most solutions had simliar compression, but huge page load differences.
Specialism Matters
Ecom-first implementation is more important than technology.
Shopify is pretty good
A strong contender for video was the native Shopify experience.
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