# Shopify Classic vs Enhanced: which should I use?
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/90200000000203-shopify-classic-vs-enhanced-which-should-i-use
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/90200000000203-shopify-classic-vs-enhanced-which-should-i-use
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/90200000000203-shopify-classic-vs-enhanced-which-should-i-use.md
Updated: 2026-05-27

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt).

> Understand the difference between Shopify Classic and Shopify Enhanced, and choose the right version for your store.

Starshipit's Shopify integration has two versions: **Shopify Classic** and **Shopify Enhanced**. They connect to the same Shopify store, but they work differently, and that difference affects import behaviour, filter options, local pickup support, and how writeback happens.

## The core difference

**Shopify Classic** is order-based. It imports each Shopify order as a single Starshipit shipment.

**Shopify Enhanced** is fulfillment-order-based. Shopify internally splits orders into fulfillment orders — one per location or fulfillment group — and Starshipit imports each fulfillment order as its own shipment. This means one Shopify order can become two or more Starshipit shipments.

That single difference explains most of the variation in how the two versions behave.

## Which version should I use?

| Scenario | Recommended version | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New setup with no existing Classic workflow | **Enhanced** | Follows Shopify's fulfillment model; more flexible for modern workflows. |
| Existing Classic setup that is working well | Classic is fine to keep | No benefit to switching if your workflow does not need Enhanced features. |
| Multiple Shopify locations | **Enhanced** | Import can be filtered by the Shopify assigned fulfillment location. |
| Local pickup or local delivery orders | **Enhanced** | Can import pickup orders without a shipping address. Classic requires a shipping address. |
| One order may ship from more than one location | **Enhanced** | Shopify can split the order into fulfillment orders; Starshipit creates a separate shipment for each. |
| Partial fulfillment writeback | **Enhanced** | Writeback targets the specific fulfillment order and can specify individual line items. |
| Using Shopify only for checkout rates | Either | Enable checkout-rates-only; order import is disabled regardless of version. |

## Full comparison

| Area | Classic | Enhanced |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Import model | Shopify order | Shopify fulfillment order |
| Shipments per Shopify order | One (usually) | One or more |
| Split fulfillment support | Limited | Supported |
| Import identifier | Shopify order ID | Shopify fulfillment order ID |
| Status filter | Order status (Open, Paid, Closed, Cancelled, Any, Partially Refunded) | Financial status (Authorized, Pending, Paid, Partially Paid, Refunded, Voided, Partially Refunded, Any, Unpaid) |
| Location filter | A single fulfillment location for writeback | Filter by Shopify assigned fulfillment location |
| Delivery method filter | Not available | Shipping, Local Delivery, Local Pick Up |
| Local pickup without address | Not supported | Supported — uses sender or assigned location address |
| Writeback target | Parent Shopify order | The imported fulfillment order |
| Partial fulfillment writeback | Not available | Supported — can specify fulfillment order line items |
| Webhooks | Subscribe using create-order webhook | Subscribe using update-order webhook |

## What happens when you switch

If you switch between Classic and Enhanced on an existing integration:

- The **webhook subscription** may be replaced. Resave your settings and resubscribe to webhooks after switching.
- **Order references** will change format for new imports. Enhanced appends a suffix when one Shopify order produces multiple Starshipit shipments (for example, `#1001-1` and `#1001-2`). Existing Starshipit orders are not affected.
- **Import filters** change. Location and delivery method filters are only available in Enhanced. Classic order status and Enhanced financial status are different fields — review your import settings after switching.
- Orders already in Starshipit are unaffected by the switch.

:::warning
Switching from Classic to Enhanced (or back) changes how future orders are identified and imported. Test with a small batch of orders before relying on the new version fully.
:::