Two approaches to the same goal
WooCommerce is an extension for WordPress. You install it on your own hosting and have full control over code, data and extensions. In return, you – or your developer – are responsible for hosting, updates and security.
Shopify is a rented platform (software as a service). You pay a monthly fee and Shopify takes care of servers, updates and security. In return, you work within the limits Shopify sets.
Side by side
| WooCommerce | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Base cost | Plugin free, hosting from a few euros a month | Monthly subscription by plan |
| Revenue fees | No platform fee, only payment provider fees | Extra transaction fee if you don't use Shopify Payments |
| Extensions | Tens of thousands of plugins, custom code anytime | App Store, often with monthly fees |
| Data & ownership | Everything is yours | Data lives with Shopify, export possible |
| SEO control | Full control over URLs, code and markup | Good, but some things are fixed |
| Maintenance | Your responsibility | Handled by Shopify |
| Content & blog | WordPress – very strong | Available, but more limited |
Cost: think in years, not months
Shopify looks cheaper at first because there is no setup for servers and updates. Over several years, though, subscription, app fees and possibly transaction fees add up. WooCommerce often costs more to set up but has more predictable running costs – and no share of your revenue. A fair comparison looks at three to five years and the features you actually need.
Flexibility: where Shopify hits limits
- Complex pricing such as tiered prices, customer groups or B2B terms,
- product configurators and custom ordering flows,
- integrations with inventory and ERP systems using your own rules,
- stock across several locations – as with our plugin WooCommerce Multi Inventory,
- shops tightly connected to a content-rich website or members' area.
Checklist for your decision
These questions help you choose the right system. The more you answer with yes, the more likely WooCommerce is the better fit:
- Do you need features beyond a standard shop, such as B2B prices or configurators?
- Should the shop be connected to an ERP, inventory system or marketplaces?
- Is it important to you that data and code belong to you?
- Do you want to connect content such as guides and a blog closely with the shop?
- Are you planning to grow over several years without fees growing too?
Ongoing costs compared
With Shopify you pay a monthly base fee, often fees for apps and, depending on the payment provider, additional transaction fees. With WooCommerce there are no platform fees; instead, hosting, plugin licenses and maintenance are added. Which model is cheaper depends on revenue, features and time frame. We recommend calculating both options over at least three years.
When we would recommend Shopify
We build WooCommerce plugins, so we're not entirely neutral. Still, there are cases where Shopify is the better choice: a small, simple catalogue, no need for special features, no budget for ongoing maintenance and the wish to deal with as little technology as possible. In that case we'll tell you.
When WooCommerce is the better choice
As soon as your shop has special requirements, needs to work with other systems or is meant to grow long term, WooCommerce plays to its strengths: no revenue share, full control and practically unlimited extensibility. More on WooCommerce development. Already on Shopify? Read Moving from Shopify to WooCommerce.