With what began as an idea to sell snowboards digitally, Shopify has turned out to be a multi-billion-dollar platform in this era. Undoubtedly, millions of businesses, whether large or small, use the famous platform to sell and promote their products worldwide. But how exactly did Shopify transform from a simple into a full-fledged platform? For this reason, Shopify version history can smartly answer your queries.
This blog post will explain Shopify version history and other crucial aspects of the top-tier e-commerce platform.
Shopify Version History (2006 to Present)
As for Shopify version history, the leading platform started its journey in June 2006, nearly two decades ago. This means that the platform has been the cornerstone behind the advancement and growth of the e-commerce industry globally. Remember, Shopify does not follow the usual version history sequence, including 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.5, 4.0, and so on.
Like other platforms, Shopify gets updated frequently, offering users a great mix of impactful features and enhancements. Unsurprisingly, various characteristics have their own versioning systems. The key characteristics of Shopify include:
Shopify Editions
You can call the Shopify editions platform updates. The platform launches crucial updates two times in a year or every six months. As you may be aware, these updates are known as “Editions.” In these editions, users receive major features and improvements that help enhance the performance of the popular CMS, Shopify. They are marked by the year and season, depending on their releases.
- Winter ’25
- Summer ’24
- Winter ’24
- Summer ’23
- Winter ’23
- Summer ’22
- Winter ’22
- Summer ’21
- Winter ’21
- Summer ’20
The above Shopify version history explanation suggests that the platform takes no half measures when updating its features, delighting users with top-notch experiences at all times.
Shopify API Versions (Developers-Centric)
The platform usually releases its APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) after every three months. As a result, the API versions are released four times during a year.
These API version releases allow developers to enhance the productivity of their current and potential apps in the right direction.
Regarding these versions, a date-based format is used to indicate them.
- 2025-07
- 2025-04
- 2025-01
- 2024-10
- 2024-07
- 2024-04
- 2024-01
- …and several Shopify previous versions of APIs
Every API version that is stable gets at least 12 months of support. Therefore, developers must take advantage of the above stable Shopify API versions list when updating their apps to the newest versions.
This will help them experience a plethora of amazing features and abide by the desired compatibility requirements.
Theme Architecture
Developers and store owners should comprehend theme architecture appropriately when creating online e-commerce stores. Unlike API versions, it is not numbered. Theme architecture comprises vintage themes and online store 2.0 themes (OS 2.0).
Vintage themes relate to the old theme architecture in which different themes were available for users. However, this is no longer the case as they are unavailable in the theme store.
Online store 2.0 Themes (OS 2.0) is the most updated and improved theme architecture, which introduced several stunning features like dynamic sources, app blocks, sections on every page, and more.
Through these features, store owners don’t need to change code and optimize their online stores tailored to their specific needs.
Other Versioning
The history of the Shopify version reveals that the leading platform contains other versions, such as Shopify CLI, individual apps, and theme versions.
The Shopify CLI is updated regularly to assist developers, specifically when they want to create, examine, and manage Shopify apps, themes, and custom storefronts from a local environment in real time.
Likewise, Shopify apps have their designated version numbers like the Smart Product Wishlist, or Shopify POS apps in the App Store. These version numbers are regularly updated like API versions.
If we discuss theme versions specifically, the role of individual themes becomes handy. For instance, the default “Dawn” theme has its designated version number, such as Dawn 15.4.0.
These version numbers are regularly updated, containing new features, improvements, and bug fixes.
Major Differences Between Shopify 1.0 and Shopify 2.0
Shopify 1.0 and 2.0 are, in reality, not different versions of Shopify. That said, these Shopify versions help denote Shopify’s architecture. The below-mentioned Shopify version history table explains various key differences between Shopify 1.0 and 2.0:
| Key Features | Shopify 2.0 | Shopify 1.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Development Tool | Shopify CLI | Theme Editor |
| Coding Structure | Application of dynamic sources to include resource properties and meta fields for setting defaults. | Application of hardcode meta fields in the theme. Or Depend on APIs to edit or update product pages. |
| Theme Performance | Lighthouse CI GitHub Action | Shopify Theme Inspector for Chrome and Theme Check |
| Theme Updates | Different methods to update the hierarchy of the page effortlessly. | Store managers or owners require visitors to visit various sections to update the page’s hierarchy. |
| Default Theme | Dawn | Debut |
| Default Sections | All Pages | Exclusively on Home Page |
| App Integration | Theme App extensions through app block | Develop integration logic for each theme |
| File Picker | Whole features of Shopify 1.0 alongside PDF files and images | JSON, Color data and time, rating, text true or false, URL, reference. |
| Shopify App Assets | Shopify CDN will host the assets submitted through the theme app extension. | Developers must host the assets. |
According to the above Shopify version history list, the leading e-commerce solution has smoothly turned into a more user-conducive, convenient, logical and simple platform from the previous rigid and cumbersome platform.
If we say various salient features have allowed Shopify to become one of the most sought-after platforms in recent times, we are correct to a certain extent.
Shopify 2.0 has offered users a wide range of compelling features, allowing the platform to switch itself from developer-friendly to merchant-friendly solution. For instance, store owners can use Shopify CLI, an advanced and simplified development tool.
Shopify Revenue in Q2 2025
Shopify has empowered millions of existing and potential store owners, earning a humongous revenue of $2.68 billion in Q2 2025. The 31% increase in revenue is a testament that new e-commerce business owners can still untap the hidden opportunities in the e-commerce industry using Shopify.
Shopify Updates 2025 (What’s in Store for Us)
Shopify’s updates 2025 comprise the Summer and Winter Editions, improving e-commerce capabilities, which result in improved user reach and expanded worldwide reach.
These latest updates consist of various new functionalities, such as AI shopping agents, an enhanced POS app, and an out-of-the-box theme foundation named Horizon.
Consequently, these functionalities will likely help store owners and developers enhance the performance of their online stores through robust system resiliency, deeper unification, and improved productivity.
When Was Shopify 2.0 Launched?
The launch of Shopify 2.0, also called online store 2.0, marked a notable milestone in Shopify. Shopify 2.0 was launched on June 29, 2021.
What Year Did Shopify Come Out?
Lütke benefited from the open source web application framework Ruby on Rails to develop Snowdevil’s online store. In addition, Snowdevil’s online store was launched after two months, named Shopify, in June 2006.
Wrapping Up
We expect you to appreciate our exploration regarding Shopify version history. When enhancing users’ experiences, online store owners should not underestimate the significance of a famous e-commerce platform. Besides, they must benefit from both versions of Shopify 1.0 and 2.0.
When deciding on increasing customer bases and exceeding their expectations, understanding the features of Shopify versions becomes mandatory.
There is no harm in asking for professional help or support from an experienced yet results-driven Shopify store management company.
