Shop+ gives you two ways to let a customer choose something about a product: variants and modifiers. They look similar at the register, but they do different jobs. This guide explains the difference, gives a quick test for deciding, and lists the common situations with the right answer for each.
The short answer
A variant is a different item on the shelf. A Small Black hoodie and an XL Navy hoodie are two physical items. Each can have its own price, its own SKU or barcode and its own stock count.
A modifier is something you do to the item. Embroidery, gift wrap, oat milk, medium rare, extra cheese. It can add to the price, but it is not a separate item you count on a shelf.
What each one looks like in Shop+
Variants are set up on the product itself, in the Product Variants section of the product form. You add an option (Size), type its values (S, M, L, XL), and Shop+ builds every combination for you. Each combination gets its own row with a price, an available count and a SKU.
Modifiers are built once as a modifier group on the Modifiers tab, then attached to as many products as you like in the Product Modifiers section of the product form. One "Gift Options" group can be attached to every item in the shop.
When the item is rung up, both appear in the same prompt. Variants come first and are always marked Required. Modifier groups follow, each showing its own rule such as Pick 1 or Up to 2.
The four-question test
Ask these questions about the choice you are setting up. If you answer yes to any of the first three, use a variant. Otherwise use a modifier.
Do you count stock for each choice separately? If you need to know you have 3 Larges and 0 Mediums, it is a variant. Only variants carry their own available count.
Does each choice have its own SKU or barcode? If the Large has a different barcode on the tag than the Small, it is a variant.
Must the customer always pick exactly one, and does the pick define what the item is? A shirt always has a size. That is a variant.
Is the same list of choices reused across many products, or can the customer pick several, or none? That is a modifier group. Toppings, sauces, add-ons and gift options are built once and attached wherever they apply.
Side-by-side comparison
Question | Variant | Modifier |
Where it is set up | On the product, under Product Variants | Modifiers tab, then attached to products |
Reusable across products | No, each product has its own | Yes, one group serves many products |
Own SKU and stock count | Yes, per combination | No |
How many can be chosen | Exactly one value per option, always required | You decide: optional, pick one, pick exactly two, up to five and so on |
Effect on price | Each combination can have its own full price | Each option can add an upcharge to the item price |
Can ask a follow-up question | No | Yes, an option can open follow-up groups |
Common situations and the right choice
T-shirt, hoodie or shoe sizes and colors. Variant. Each size and color is a separate item with its own stock.
Coffee or fountain drink sizes (Small, Medium, Large). Either works. Use a variant if you want each size reported as its own line and priced as a full price. Use a required pick-one modifier group ("Size") with upcharges if the same size list applies to twenty drinks and you want to maintain it in one place. Most cafes and quick-service restaurants use the modifier approach for this reason.
Milk choice, steak temperature, salad dressing. Modifier, required, pick one.
Toppings, add-ons, extra shots. Modifier, optional, pick several.
"Choice of two sides". Modifier, required, pick exactly two.
"Make it a combo". Modifier with follow-up groups for the side and the drink.
Gift wrap, engraving, embroidery, monogram. Modifier. Nothing changes about which item comes off the shelf.
The same candle in three scents, each with its own barcode. Variant.
A 6-pack versus a single can, where each is stocked separately. Variant, or two separate products if they are priced and received differently.
A color that is only cosmetic and you do not count stock by color. A required pick-one modifier is fine and is quicker to set up. If you ever need stock by color, move it to a variant.
Using both on one product
A product can have variants and modifier groups at the same time. The Cardinal Cafe Hoodie in the screenshots uses Size and Color variants for the item itself, then two optional modifier groups for embroidery and gift options. Variants answer "which hoodie", modifiers answer "what do we do to it".
Things to know before you choose
Variants and modifiers are both switched off on a product when Open Price is turned on.
With inventory tracking on, a variant combination with 0 available cannot be selected at the register. Modifier options have no stock count.
Changing a shared modifier group changes it on every product that uses it. Changing a variant only affects that one product.
Common questions
Should color be a variant or a modifier? A variant if you stock or barcode each color separately. A modifier only if color is cosmetic and you do not track it.
Can a modifier have its own stock count? No. If you need a count, make it a variant or a separate product.
Can I reuse a set of variants on another product? Variants belong to one product. For a list of choices you want to reuse everywhere, build a modifier group.
Can a variant be optional? No. Every variant option is required. For an optional choice use a modifier group with no minimum.
Where do I learn to build each one? See "Product variants: sizes, colors and combinations" and "Creating a modifier group" in this collection.