Empire vs Prestige: 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.
Prestige wins on more metrics
Mobile PageSpeed
70
Empire
75
Prestige
Desktop PageSpeed
83
Empire
88
Prestige
Empire
Metric
Prestige
5.0
Rating
-
465
Reviews
0
70
Mobile PageSpeed
75
83
Desktop PageSpeed
88
$340
Price
Free
Yes
OS 2.0
Yes
2.1
Top Store Adoption %
3.8
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Empire or Prestige?
Based on our data, Prestige edges ahead on more metrics. It has 75/100 mobile PageSpeed and N/A/5 rating. That said, the best theme depends on your niche and design preferences.
Is Empire or Prestige faster?
Prestige is faster with a mobile PageSpeed score of 75/100 vs Empire's 70/100. Faster themes improve Core Web Vitals, which can boost your Google rankings.
Which theme is more affordable: Empire or Prestige?
Prestige is free while Empire costs $340 as a one-time purchase.
The Verdict
Based on our data, Prestige wins on more key metrics.
Choose Empire if:
- • It suits marketplace aesthetics
- • It suits modern aesthetics
Choose Prestige if:
- • You want faster mobile performance
- • You want a free theme
- • You want a lower-cost theme
- • It suits minimal aesthetics
- • It suits modern aesthetics
Related Theme Comparisons
Learn More About Empire
Learn More About Prestige
Not sure which theme to pick?
Get a free recommendation based on your store's niche, product catalog, and performance goals.
Get Free Recommendation