Empire 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.
Refresh wins on more metrics
Mobile PageSpeed
70
Empire
82
Refresh
Desktop PageSpeed
83
Empire
93
Refresh
Empire
Metric
Refresh
5.0
Rating
-
465
Reviews
0
70
Mobile PageSpeed
82
83
Desktop PageSpeed
93
$340
Price
Free
Yes
OS 2.0
Yes
2.1
Top Store Adoption %
2.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Empire or Refresh?
Based on our data, Refresh edges ahead on more metrics. It has 82/100 mobile PageSpeed and N/A/5 rating. That said, the best theme depends on your niche and design preferences.
Is Empire or Refresh faster?
Refresh is faster with a mobile PageSpeed score of 82/100 vs Empire's 70/100. Faster themes improve Core Web Vitals, which can boost your Google rankings.
Which theme is more affordable: Empire or Refresh?
Refresh is free while Empire costs $340 as a one-time purchase.
The Verdict
Based on our data, Refresh wins on more key metrics.
Choose Empire if:
- • It suits marketplace aesthetics
- • It suits modern aesthetics
Choose Refresh 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 Refresh
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