Ecommerce Comparisons

Side-by-side breakdowns for the most common ecommerce decisions.

ROAS vs MER

When platform ROAS misleads vs blended marketing efficiency.

LTV vs CAC

How the ratio works, what 3:1 actually means, and why payback period matters more.

Amazon FBA vs FBM

Amazon-fulfilled vs merchant-fulfilled. The 30% fee question.

Klaviyo vs Mailchimp

Email platform decision for ecommerce — pricing, features, and switching cost.

Meta Ads vs Google Ads

Where each platform wins, audience differences, and the right budget split.

In-house vs Agency

When to hire vs retain. Total cost, ramp time, and break-even.

About these comparisons

The most expensive marketing decisions aren't between good and bad — they're between two reasonable options that look similar on the surface. ROAS and MER both measure marketing efficiency, but use them interchangeably and you'll misallocate budget. FBA and FBM both fulfill Amazon orders, but the fee structure determines whether your unit economics work.

These comparisons name the criteria that actually decide the question, the typical winner under each criterion, and the conditions where the "loser" actually wins. Each comparison links to relevant free calculators that help you run the numbers on your specific situation.