Honest Comparison
Section Store vs GemPages.
Sections, or a full visual builder?
GemPages is a popular visual page builder with AI-assisted templates and a large page template library. Section Store is a focused library of native Shopify 2.0 sections. Different jobs, different trade-offs — here is the side-by-side so you can decide honestly.
Section Store
by BrandUp Factory
A focused library of 50+ native Shopify 2.0 sections. Installed in one click. Edited in the native theme editor. Inherits your theme tokens by default.
- Native architecture · zero JS bundle
- Lives in the Shopify theme editor
- Inherits theme colors + fonts
- Free to install
GemPages
Visual page builder · 300+ templates
Popular drag-and-drop page builder. Strong full-page template library and AI-assisted page generation. Heavier framework — best for bespoke landing pages.
- Free-form drag-and-drop canvas
- AI page-generation features
- Adds JS framework on GemPages pages
- Editor lives outside Shopify
Side by side
Feature-by-feature.
Both tools have real strengths. Here is what each one does — without spin.
Section StoreRenders inline with your theme. No iframe, no proxy.
Loads its own renderer + editor SDK on every GemPages page.
Sections are Liquid blocks — no extra JavaScript bundle.
Most stores can absorb it; Core Web Vitals scores trend lower on GemPages-rendered pages.
Trust badges, comparison, social proof, FAQ — into any theme page.
Drag-and-drop composition of full pages, including AI-assisted templates.
Sections install as preconfigured blocks; theme editor handles settings.
GemPages' headline feature — free-form layout composition.
Conversion-tested blocks, not full pages.
Strong full-page template inventory — better for one-off landing pages.
Not a page-generation tool; sections are hand-designed.
GemPages ships AI features for page-from-prompt and content generation.
Configure entirely inside the Shopify theme editor.
Lives outside the Shopify theme editor.
Pulls your theme tokens by default — no extra brand setup.
GemPages has its own styling layer you maintain separately.
Free sections + premium sections inside the app.
Free plan is limited; serious use requires paid tier.
The honest take
When to pick which.
These two tools really do solve different problems. The decision usually hinges on whether you ship sections or full custom landing pages.
Pick Section Store when…
- You need professional sections — not full custom landing pages — for the bulk of your storefront.
- Page speed is non-negotiable and you don't want to add a third-party JavaScript framework to your theme.
- You prefer to work inside the Shopify theme editor over learning a second page builder.
- You want sections that automatically inherit your theme's typography and colors.
- You want predictable section-app pricing, not a tier ladder that scales with complexity.
Pick GemPages when…
- You need to ship a high volume of custom landing pages (campaigns, seasonal launches, bespoke product pages).
- You want an AI-assisted page generator to bootstrap layouts from a prompt.
- You're comfortable with the performance trade-off in exchange for a free-form drag-and-drop canvas.
- Your team owns design / marketing and prefers a visual builder over the Shopify theme editor.
FAQ
Common questions.
Sections first. Page builder only if you need one.
Free to install. Native to Shopify. Ship the storefront sections you need without committing to a separate page-building stack.