Empire vs Impulse: 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.
Impulse wins on more metrics
Mobile PageSpeed
70
Empire
72
Impulse
Desktop PageSpeed
83
Empire
85
Impulse
Empire
Metric
Impulse
5.0
Rating
-
465
Reviews
0
70
Mobile PageSpeed
72
83
Desktop PageSpeed
85
$340
Price
Free
Yes
OS 2.0
Yes
2.1
Top Store Adoption %
3.2
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Empire or Impulse?
Based on our data, Impulse edges ahead on more metrics. It has 72/100 mobile PageSpeed and N/A/5 rating. That said, the best theme depends on your niche and design preferences.
Is Empire or Impulse faster?
Impulse is faster with a mobile PageSpeed score of 72/100 vs Empire's 70/100. Faster themes improve Core Web Vitals, which can boost your Google rankings.
Which theme is more affordable: Empire or Impulse?
Impulse is free while Empire costs $340 as a one-time purchase.
The Verdict
Based on our data, Impulse wins on more key metrics.
Choose Empire if:
- • It suits marketplace aesthetics
- • It suits modern aesthetics
Choose Impulse if:
- • You want faster mobile performance
- • You want a free theme
- • You want a lower-cost theme
- • It suits minimal aesthetics
- • It suits clean aesthetics
Related Theme Comparisons
Learn More About Empire
Learn More About Impulse
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