Dawn vs Refresh: Which Is Faster & Better for Shopify? (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of PageSpeed, pricing, store adoption, and features to help you choose the right Shopify theme.
Dawn wins on more metrics
Mobile PageSpeed
85
Dawn
82
Refresh
Desktop PageSpeed
95
Dawn
93
Refresh
Dawn
Metric
Refresh
-
Rating
-
0
Reviews
0
85
Mobile PageSpeed
82
95
Desktop PageSpeed
93
Free
Price
Free
Yes
OS 2.0
Yes
4.2
Top Store Adoption %
2.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Dawn or Refresh?
Based on our data, Dawn edges ahead on more metrics. It has 85/100 mobile PageSpeed and N/A/5 rating. That said, the best theme depends on your niche and design preferences.
Is Dawn or Refresh faster?
Dawn is faster with a mobile PageSpeed score of 85/100 vs Refresh's 82/100. Faster themes improve Core Web Vitals, which can boost your Google rankings.
Which theme is more affordable: Dawn or Refresh?
Both Dawn and Refresh are free themes. You can use either without any upfront cost.
The Verdict
Based on our data, Dawn wins on more key metrics.
Choose Dawn if:
- • You want faster mobile performance
- • It suits minimal aesthetics
Choose Refresh if:
- • It suits minimal aesthetics
- • It suits modern aesthetics
Related Theme Comparisons
Learn More About Dawn
Learn More About Refresh
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