Impulse 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.
Mobile PageSpeed
72
Impulse
82
Refresh
Desktop PageSpeed
85
Impulse
93
Refresh
Impulse
Metric
Refresh
-
Rating
-
0
Reviews
0
72
Mobile PageSpeed
82
85
Desktop PageSpeed
93
Free
Price
Free
Yes
OS 2.0
Yes
3.2
Top Store Adoption %
2.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Impulse or Refresh?
Impulse and Refresh are very evenly matched. Compare PageSpeed scores, pricing, and style to find the best fit for your store.
Is Impulse or Refresh faster?
Refresh is faster with a mobile PageSpeed score of 82/100 vs Impulse's 72/100. Faster themes improve Core Web Vitals, which can boost your Google rankings.
Which theme is more affordable: Impulse or Refresh?
Both Impulse and Refresh are free themes. You can use either without any upfront cost.
The Verdict
Both themes are evenly matched. Your choice should depend on your store's industry, design preferences, and whether you need OS 2.0 features.
Related Theme Comparisons
Learn More About Impulse
Learn More About Refresh
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