If you’re planning to sell products online, WooCommerce and Shopify are two of the most popular ecommerce platforms, but they work in very different ways. Choosing the right one can save you time, money, and headaches as your business grows.
Here’s how they compare.
What They Are
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WooCommerce is an open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress. You add it to your WordPress site to turn it into a store.
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Shopify is a fully hosted ecommerce platform designed specifically for online selling.
1. Ease of Setup and Use
Shopify is generally easier for beginners.
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Everything is handled for you: hosting, security, updates, and ecommerce tools are built in.
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You can launch a store quickly with little technical knowledge.
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You need a WordPress site first, plus hosting, a domain, and security.
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Because it’s more DIY, setup takes longer and can be more technical.
Winner: Shopify for beginners and quick setup.
2. Customisation and Control
WooCommerce shines here.
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Because it’s open-source, you can customise almost anything.
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You can choose from thousands of WordPress themes and plugins to add features.
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You control your hosting, checkout, and data.
Shopify is more limited in deep customisation:
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It has themes and apps, but you’re somewhat restricted to what the platform allows.
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Advanced changes often require paid apps or developers.
Winner: WooCommerce for flexibility.
3. Cost and Pricing
Shopify works on a subscription model (starting around $29/month).
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Pricing is predictable and includes hosting and support.
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Many useful apps cost extra.
WooCommerce itself is free, but you must pay for:
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WordPress hosting
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Domain name
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Security (SSL)
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Plugins for extra features
Costs can stay lower, but they vary depending on your setup.
Winner: Depends on your situation: Shopify is predictable, WooCommerce can be cheaper if you manage it well.
4. Hosting and Security
Shopify includes hosting and takes care of security for you, including PCI compliance for payments and data protection.
With WooCommerce, you choose your host and are responsible for keeping everything updated and secure. This gives more control but also more responsibility.
Winner: Shopify for built-in hosting and security.
5. Apps and Extensions
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Shopify has a huge app marketplace with thousands of apps that add features (shipping, marketing, reviews, etc.).
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WooCommerce has many plugins through WordPress, but generally fewer than Shopify’s app store, and quality varies.
Winner: Shopify for choice and ease of apps.
6. SEO and Content
Because WooCommerce runs on WordPress, which started as a blogging platform, it’s generally better for content and SEO customization, especially if you want a content-driven store.
Shopify has solid basic SEO features, but it’s not as flexible as WooCommerce for things like URL structure and advanced content strategies.
Winner: WooCommerce for SEO and content control.
7. Support
Shopify offers 24/7 direct support, helpful if you’re not technical.
WooCommerce support mainly comes from the WordPress community, documentation, and third-party developers, not centralised support.
Winner: Shopify for reliable support.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Shopify if:
✔ You want a quick, easy setup with minimal maintenance
✔ You’re less technical or want built-in support
✔ You prefer predictable pricing and hosting included
✔ You want a platform that handles security and updates for you
Choose WooCommerce if:
✔ You already have a WordPress website or plan to blog heavily
✔ You want full control and customisation
✔ You’re comfortable managing plugins, hosting, and updates
✔ You want flexibility without platform lock-in
Final Thought
There’s no universally “best” choice, it depends on your business goals, technical comfort, and priorities. Shopify excels at simplicity and support, while WooCommerce offers flexibility and control for those willing to manage the technical side.
Both powers thousands of stores and can help you sell successfully online, it’s about picking the right tool for your business.
