WooCommerce vs Shopify
Verdict
Shopify wins for ease, reliability, and speed to launch as a fully hosted platform; WooCommerce wins for control, ownership, and flexibility on WordPress. Choose Shopify to focus on selling, WooCommerce to own your stack.
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| Starting price | Free | $39/mo |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| API available | ||
| Best for | WordPress users & developers | DTC brands & growing stores |
| Open-source plugin | ||
| Full ownership | ||
| Thousands of extensions | ||
| Custom development | ||
| REST API | ||
| Hosted storefront | ||
| Shopify Payments | ||
| Huge app store | ||
| POS & omnichannel | ||
| Checkout optimization | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Which should you choose?
Pick Shopify for a fast, hosted, hassle-free store
Pick WooCommerce for full control and ownership on WordPress
WooCommerce
Pros
- Free & open source
- Total control
- Huge extension library
Cons
- You manage hosting/security
- Costs add up via extensions
Shopify
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Massive app ecosystem
- Reliable & scalable
Cons
- Transaction fees off Shopify Payments
- Apps add up in cost
Frequently asked questions
Is WooCommerce better than Shopify?+
Shopify wins for ease, reliability, and speed to launch as a fully hosted platform; WooCommerce wins for control, ownership, and flexibility on WordPress. Choose Shopify to focus on selling, WooCommerce to own your stack.
Which is cheaper, WooCommerce or Shopify?+
WooCommerce starts at Free, while Shopify starts at $39/mo.