Since its release in 2021, Shopify’s Dawn theme has been a reliable foundation for thousands of merchants. It set a new standard with its fast loading speed, clean design, and flexible code.
But as eCommerce has grown, so have the needs of store owners.
In May 2025, Shopify introduced Horizon, a new default theme that brings a more advanced, user-friendly framework to the table. It’s more than just a visual upgrade; Horizon is built for the modern merchant who wants greater control, better performance, and less reliance on third-party apps.
Let’s explore what makes Horizon a step forward, and why it might be the right choice for your brand.
From Dawn to Horizon: What’s Changed?
Dawn was designed to be lean and fast, but it had its limits, especially when it came to flexibility.
Horizon, on the other hand, offers:
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Page-wide sections: You’re no longer limited to customizing just your homepage. Horizon allows flexible sections across all pages, including product, collection, and landing pages.
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AI-assisted editor: Merchants now get intelligent layout suggestions, making design changes quicker and more intuitive.
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Unified updates: All Horizon-based themes receive consistent updates, reducing theme maintenance headaches.
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Better performance and SEO: Pages load faster, and the structure is optimized for search engines.
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Improved accessibility and mobile design: A smoother experience across all devices.
If Dawn was about giving merchants a solid start, Horizon is about giving them room to grow.
Horizon vs. Dawn: A Quick Comparison
|
Feature |
Dawn |
Horizon |
|
Editor |
Basic Shopify editor |
AI-powered editor with layout suggestions |
|
Custom Sections |
Homepage only |
All pages (product, collection, etc.) |
|
Performance |
Fast |
Faster and more stable |
|
SEO & Accessibility |
Standard |
Enhanced SEO + mobile & accessibility-ready |
|
Theme Updates |
Theme-specific |
Shared across all Horizon-based themes |
|
App Dependency |
Moderate |
Reduced need for third-party apps |
10 Free Horizon-Based Themes to Choose From
With the launch of Horizon, Shopify also introduced 10 new free themes, each catering to specific industries or design needs:
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Horizon – A flexible base theme suitable for most stores
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Fabric – Made for fashion and accessories with rich visuals
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Dwell – Ideal for home and lifestyle brands
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Atelier – Designed for artists and creatives
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Vessel – Clean and calm, perfect for wellness brands
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Savor – Built for food, recipes, and bundles
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Pitch – Bold and dynamic for youth or streetwear brands
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Heritage – Great for storytelling and legacy brands
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Tinker – Suited for handmade or tool-based products
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Ritual – Minimal and premium, ideal for beauty and skincare
Each theme is built on the Horizon Framework, which means you get consistent performance, smart layout options, and long-term support, no matter which one you choose.
Why We Recommend Horizon for Modern Shopify Stores
At Propero Consulting, we work with fast-growing D2C brands every day. Many of them outgrow their current themes and need something that’s easier to scale, without compromising design or performance.
That’s where Horizon shines.
Here’s why we recommend it:
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Lower dependency on apps: Features like content sections, media blocks, and layout variations are already built in.
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Faster go-to-market: With smarter defaults and easier customizations, we can launch or upgrade stores more quickly.
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Future-proof architecture: Horizon is designed to evolve with Shopify’s platform updates, giving your store long-term stability.
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More control for your team: You don’t need to call your developer every time you want to change a product layout or create a new landing page.
In short, Horizon gives brands more flexibility and creative freedom, while reducing development time and cost.
Thinking of Switching to Horizon?
Whether you’re planning a new store launch or thinking about redesigning your existing one, Horizon is a strong place to start.
At Propero, we help brands:
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Rebuild their store using a Horizon-based theme
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Customize layouts and features to match their brand story
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Improve speed, SEO, and mobile performance
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Set up smart product pages, bundles, and advanced visuals
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Ensure a smooth transition without downtime
We don’t just install a new theme, we make sure it works for your business goals.
Final Thoughts
Horizon isn’t just a visual upgrade to Dawn, it’s a shift in how Shopify stores are built. With more power in the hands of merchants and developers alike, it opens up new possibilities for faster, better, and more engaging shopping experiences.
If you want your store to be ready for what’s next in eCommerce, Horizon is the foundation to build on.
Need help planning your switch or exploring what’s possible with the new themes? We’re here to guide you.
Let’s build something better, together.