Are you looking for the best solution to create and manage your ecommerce store? Then you’ve come to the right place!
With millions of businesses online around the world, choosing the right ecommerce platform can make all the difference to your success.
Shopify and WooCommerce are two of the most popular solutions for creating and managing an online store.
While both offer similar functionality, there are key differences between them that can make one more suitable for your business than the other.
So in this article, we’ll examine:
- The key features of each platform,
- How easy they are to use,
- Their cost,
- Their customization
- And scalability.
This will allow you to make an informed choice about which platform is right for you.
Whether you’re a young business owner or looking to scale your business, this guide will help you determine which ecommerce platform is right for your business.
So, let’s go ahead and compare Shopify and WooCommerce to find the perfect ecommerce solution for you!
Table of Contents
Shopify and WooCommerce: what exactly are these 2 platforms?
Shopify
Shopify is an online platform that allows businesses to easily create their online store.
It offers an intuitive system that allows users, who have no prior technical knowledge, to build an online store on their own.
The platform is compatible with all major banking services, allowing customers to make purchases securely via PayPal, Stripe or other options.
It also gives you access to a wide range of professionally designed themes to easily customize your website and visually stand out from your competitors.

WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an open source WordPress plugin that transforms a WordPress blog into a full-featured and functional business store.
This plugin offers users an endless variety of options to create their own websites using the PHP / MySQL WordPress CMS system.
Websites can thus be customized with hundreds of plugins available on the platform, giving users almost complete control over the design and functionality of their website.
As you can see, the goal of our 2 competitors of the day is the same. However, there are differences between them. The 2 will not necessarily suit you.
But to find out, let’s get to the heart of the matter and start by comparing their features.
WooCommerce vs Shopify features: who is the most complete?
To begin our comparison, we’ll review the main features offered by each of these 2 solutions starting with Shopify.
What are the basic features of Shopify?
Shopify comes with everything you need to create a professional website with :
- Your own domain name,
- An integrated hosting solution,
- A full range of SEO tools,
- And an intuitive system for managing inventory, products and customer orders.
The important thing to note is that Shopify supports multiple currencies. This means that your customers will be able to buy your products from any country in the world.
Moreover, Shopify also comes with a built-in SSL certificate, which ensures the security of your customers’ information.
Not bad, right? But let’s see what WooCommerce has to offer in comparison.
What are the main features of WooCommerce?
WooCommerce has all the tools you need to create and manage an online store.
- It supports all major banking services, including PayPal, Stripe, Amazon Payments, and Apple Pay, so your customers can make their purchases securely.
- It allows you to add third-party plugins to your website to make it perfectly match your needs.
- It is very flexible and can be custom modified to best fit your specific wants/needs.
As you can see, both WooCommerce and Shopify have all the essential features for your ecommerce store. Therefore, it can be tricky to choose one of them… Don’t worry, the following will help you to see more clearly.
Detailed comparison of the features of Shopify and WooCommerce
Let’s move on to a detailed comparison of the features offered by Shopify and WooCommerce.
Features | Shopify | WooCommerce |
Domain name | Yes | Yes |
SEO Tools | Yes | Yes |
Inventory management | Yes | Yes |
Product management | Yes | Yes |
Customer orders | Yes | Yes |
Multiple currencies | Yes | No |
Integrated SSL certificate | Yes | No |
Payment integration | Yes (PayPal, Stripe, Amazon Payments, Apple Pay) | Yes(PayPal, Stripe, etc.) |
Customization | Limited | Very high |
Flexibility | Medium | Very high |
Open source | No | Yes |
In summary, Shopify makes it quick and easy to create an ecommerce store. On the other hand, WooCommerce is an open source solution for WordPress that offers almost unlimited customization and flexibility thanks to its numerous plugins.
Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and WooCommerce will depend on the specific needs of your online business, your budget, and your preferences for customization and flexibility.
Ease of use: which platform is right for you?
We’ll now look at the ease of use of each platform for users without prior technical experience.
Shopify ease of use: it’s super intuitive
Shopify is a very intuitive platform that can be set up in minutes. Most of the tools are accessible via the user interface, which is ultra intuitive.
So, this allows users to quickly get familiar with the platform.
WooCommerce’s ease of use: it’s a bit more complex, but there are more possibilities
WooCommerce is quite easy to get started. Most of the features are accessible from the WordPress CMS system interface.
Developers can also modify the source code of the software to fit their specific needs. This makes it a great solution for businesses looking to create a custom online store.
Functionality | Shopify | WooCommerce |
User Interface | Intuitive and easy to use | Intuitive and easy to use |
Customization | Professionally designed themes for easy customization | Hundreds of plugins available for further customization |
Technical skill level required | No prior technical knowledge required | Some technical knowledge is required to maximize the platform’s functionality |
Community support | Large support community available to help users | The WordPress community offers additional support for all WordPress projects |
In summary, Shopify is easier for beginners with its intuitive user interface and professionally designed themes.
On the other hand, WooCommerce requires some technical knowledge, but offers more flexibility for customization thanks to its many plugins and WordPress community.
Payment method: Is Shopify better than Woocommerce?
Both Shopify and WooCommerce offer various payment methods to their users. But you may prefer one or another according to the favorite payment method of your customers.
This table will help you to see which platform is better for you concerning the payment methods.
Shopify: | WooCommerce: |
Shopify Payments (credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more)Third-party payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, and more)Manual payment methods (cash on delivery, bank deposit, and more) | PayPalStripeSquareAmazon PayAuthorize.netApple PayGoogle PayManual payment methods (cash on delivery, bank transfer, and more) |

WooCommerce vs Shopify: which one costs less?
Now that we’ve looked at the features and ease of use of each of these solutions, let’s move on to the nagging question: price.
Shopify Subscription plan
Shopify offers three main subscriptions plans. You’ll find them in the table just below.
Plan | Monthly plan pricing | Commissions on payments received | Reports | Inventory locations | Employee accounts |
Basic plan | $29/month | 1,8% + $0,30 online | Basic Reports | Up to 1 000 | 2 |
Shopify plan | $79/month | 1,6% + $0,30 online | Professional reports | Up to 1 000 | 5 |
Advanced plan | $299/month | 1,4% + $0,30 online | Customized report editor | Up to 1 000 | 15 |
Costs associated with using WooCommerce
One of the main advantages of WooCommerce is that it is a free open source solution, which means that you don’t have to pay a monthly subscription fee to enjoy the software.
However, users will need to purchase a domain name and web hosting to run the software on their website. Also, if you want to add additional plugins or customize your website with HTML / CSS code, you will have to pay additional fees for these extra services.
Here is a table with the main costs to consider.
Service | Cost |
Domain name | $25/year |
Hosting | $140/year |
Website creation | Up to $15 000 |
Maintenance operations | Up to $200/month |
Add-ons | Up to $100 and more |
In summary, WooCommerce normally costs less. However, depending on the options chosen and the additional services, it may cost you more.
Shopify and WooCommerce Customization: which one will best suit your needs?
Let’s continue our comparative review and see how the platforms compare in terms of flexibility and customization.
Shopify’s customization: you have access to multiple themes
Shopify offers users a wide selection of themes, so they can easily customize their website.
Customers can also change the HTML / CSS settings so that their websites match exactly what they need.
Moreover, Shopify lets you add additional extensions to your website to get extra options if needed.
WooCommerce’s customization: it’s ultra flexible
WooCommerce is very flexible and can be custom modified to meet your specific needs.
You have the ability to customize your website directly by modifying the software’s source code using HTML / CSS and adding additional plugins.
Basically, if you have a little bit of technical mastery, WooCommerce will allow you to really have a site that reflects your image. Shopify is more limited but will still be perfectly suitable, especially if the technique is not your forte.
Dropshipping : is it better to choose Shopify or WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is considered the better platform for dropshipping due to its flexible plugins and marketplace features.
Although Shopify has an edge in terms of shipping partnerships, both platforms allow for international shipping and support dropshipping.
- Shopify has dedicated apps for popular marketplaces, but these marketplaces have their own fees and charges that can affect profitability.
- WooCommerce’s flexible dropshipping plugins make the setup process easier, and you can create a marketplace allowing other vendors to sell on your website.
However, it’s important to factor in fees and charges from vendors and marketplaces on both platforms as they can affect your profitability.

WooCommerce vs Shopify : Conclusion
In conclusion, Shopify and WooCommerce are two very popular e-commerce platforms that offer businesses a wide range of options for creating their own websites.
Shopify is a very intuitive platform that can be set up in minutes and offers users a wide range of professionally designed themes to customize their website.
WooCommerce may be better for you if you already have some technical background and want a 100% customizable website.
Comparison Factor | Shopify | WooCommerce |
Type of Platform | Cloud-based eCommerce platform | Open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress |
Basic Features | Domain name, SEO tools, inventory & product management, SSL certificate, payment integration | Domain name, SEO tools, inventory & product management, payment integration, customizable with plugins |
Customization | Limited customization options | Highly customizable with hundreds of plugins and source code modifications |
Ease of Use | Very intuitive and easy to use | Requires some technical knowledge for maximizing platform’s functionality |
Community Support | Large support community available to help users | The WordPress community provides support and resources for WooCommerce users |
Scalability | Good scalability, with plans available for larger businesses | Highly scalable and can handle larger businesses with the right customization and hosting options |
Price | Monthly plans starting at $29/month | Free to use, but additional costs for hosting, domain name, and plugins |
Multiple Currencies | Yes | No |
Open Source | No | Yes |
FAQs
Shopify vs WooCommerce : Which platform to choose for your business ? ›
If you are looking for a cost-effective solution, and you want to have full control of your online store, then WooCommerce is the best platform for you. If you want something that's completely hassle-free that has infinite scalability, then Shopify is the better platform for you.
Why use Shopify over WooCommerce? ›Shopify allows businesses to create an online store, accept payments and manage inventory as an all-in-one e-commerce solution. Shopify's biggest advantage over WooCommerce is that it takes the complicated technical aspects out of running an online business.
Should I switch from WooCommerce to Shopify? ›If we focus on how easy it is to create a fully-functioning store ready to accept orders, Shopify is the clear winner. With WooCommerce, you'll need to build a WordPress website if you don't already have one. You'll also have to provide web hosting and a domain name.
How do I choose between Shopify and WordPress? ›Shopify is easier to use. Unlike WordPress, you don't need to have an understanding of code, nor do you need to install extra software that allows you to sell online. With Shopify, all the necessary ecommerce features are built-in. Coding is the biggest difference when it comes to Shopify vs WordPress.
Which platform is best for dropshipping WooCommerce or Shopify? ›Sum up: If you just get started, Shopify is a better choice than WooCommerce in terms of costs. However, in the long run, WooCommerce might win over Shopify, especially if your dropshipping store generates lots of sales.
What are the disadvantages of WooCommerce? ›1- Bad Themes
This is one of the most important reasons why people hate WooCommerce these days. The themes and plugins offered with this content management system are outdated. They are not helpful for the users. Ecommerce sites have many demands that this platform is unable to fulfill in terms of themes.
Shopify POS is a top choice for the fact that it helps merchants capture customer data, and create customer profiles, ensuring that this data is managed across all online and in-person sales.
Is WooCommerce the best eCommerce platform? ›It was first launched in 2011 and is currently the most popular ecommerce platform in the world. WooCommerce offers a wide range of features that make setting up your online store hassle-free. It allows you to create product catalogs, accept payments from customers and manage orders.
Why WooCommerce is best for an online store? ›WooCommerce is an easy-to-use eCommerce platform, but it also gives you the flexibility to develop and expand how you handle your store, goods, and clients. Users can easily modify templates, for instance, whether they want to do so directly through the theme files or by using a variety of hooks and filters.
Why is Shopify the best platform? ›The Shopify platform allows easy integration with Square, Clover, and others. This is one simple shortcut for selling your products or services that can even include pictures, descriptions, discounts, and prices. Along with Shopify Chat, the platform also allows easy integration with various live chat applications.
Is WordPress still relevant 2023? ›
As we enter the year 2023, some may question whether WordPress remains relevant in an ever-changing digital landscape. Yes, absolutely! WordPress remains the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, it powers over 40% of all websites on the internet.
Is it easy to switch from WordPress to Shopify? ›How to migrate from WordPress to Shopify? It isn't a long or time-consuming process migrating WooCommerce to Shopify. Shopify's import tool: Opt to import all your customer and product data manually although Shopify's import tool easily automates the entire process.
Can you sell on WordPress with Shopify? ›Sell on WordPress using the Shopify Ecommerce Plugin
Plus, you'll get a slick pop-out shopping cart for your site, so customers can purchase multiple products at once. The Shopify WordPress Ecommerce Plugin is free and can be used with any WordPress theme.
With ExportYourStore, migrating your WooCommerce products into Shopify is simple, fast, and intuitive. To get started, you'll need to link your WooCommerce store and target Shopify account with ExportYourStore's migration app.
What percentage does WooCommerce take? ›WooCommerce Payments has no setup charge and no monthly fees. You pay 2.9% + $0.30 for each transaction made with U.S.-issued credit or debit cards. For cards issued outside the U.S., there's an additional 1% fee.
Is there anything better than WooCommerce? ›What Shopify does better than WooCommerce? Being a hosted solution, Shopify is easier to set up and manage on a day-by-day basis. Hence, if you're new to eCommerce and you have little or no coding experience, Shopify suits you better than WooCommerce.
Does WooCommerce report to IRS? ›Form 1099-K is an information filing required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States. WooCommerce Payments is required to issue a 1099-K to U.S. persons with payments processed that exceed the following thresholds: For returns for the calendar year 2022: Gross payments that exceed $600.
Does WooCommerce handle taxes? ›WooCommerce will collect consumption taxes for you, but you must configure your store to do so. Here are the instructions for setting up taxes in your WooCommerce store.
What are the pros and cons of WooCommerce? ›What are the pros and cons of WooCommerce? WooCommerce is 100% customizable and flexible. It has a large community of users and numerous extensions to enhance the look and functionality of your store. However, the learning curve is quite steep and it won't fit eCommerce newbies.
Is Shopify worth it for a small business? ›Is Shopify worth it? This depends on your ambitions and vision for your online shop, but essentially yes. While it might be pricier than a non-ecommerce specific builder, its rich sales features are all but essential for businesses that want to build large scaling online stores.
Why Shopify is best for small business? ›
Integrates with many third-party platforms and apps
Shopify has built-in integration with popular platforms like WordPress, Google Analytics, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and more. Plus, many apps are available in the Shopify App Store to help you automate your business and work more efficiently.
- Pricing. Hosting your online business on Shopify may cost more than you bargained for. ...
- Difficulty With Content Marketing. promoting your business is as important as starting the business. ...
- Limited Customization. We stated earlier that Shopify is customizable. ...
- No Email Hosting. ...
- Difficult Exit.
- Porter and York.
- Barefoot Buttons.
- Underwear Expert.
- The Good Batch.
- Untold Wish.
- Root Science.
- Marché du Pre.
- Bluestar Coffee Roasters.
BEST IN TEST | ||
---|---|---|
Wix | Shopify | Squarespace |
Overall rating 4.7 | Overall rating 4.6 | Overall rating 4.5 |
Starting Price $27 $24.30 with code “GET10!” | Starting Price $29 | Starting Price $23 |
Transaction Fees None | Transaction Fees 0% – 2% | Transaction Fees 0% – 3% |
- Ecwid: Best for Existing Sites.
- Shift4Shop: Best Free E-Commerce Platform.
- Shopify: Best for Dropshipping.
- Wix: Best Drag-and-Drop Editor.
- Weebly: Best Value.
- BigCommerce: Best for Boosting Sales.
- WooCommerce: Best for Versatility.
- Big Cartel: Best for Creatives.
WooCommerce Standout Features | |
---|---|
Support | Live chat (via Helpdesk) Email (via Helpdesk) |
Best for | Midsize and large businesses looking to centralize and scale their operations |
Product Management
Luckily, WooCommerce allows users to add in types and categories for every product they sell, which helps product management. Users can also freely customize the product by adding specific attributes such as size, color, and other types and categories.
While other online eCommerce platforms restrict the number of products or variations you can have, WooCommerce has no built-in limits. Your platform is your own, and you have full control over all aspects. There are no rules when it comes to how many products you can have in your shop.
Why do people prefer Shopify? ›Shopify has integrated with dozens of payment gateways, but also offers its own which is powered by Stripe. If you choose to use this you will not incur any transaction fees plus you will benefit from lower credit card fees. It also doesn't require a merchant account to use.
How much does Shopify take per sale? ›With Shopify Payments, their credit card rates / payment processing rates for online transactions are as follows: Basic Shopify Plan – 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. Shopify Plan – 2.6% + 30 cents per transaction. Advanced Shopify Plan – 2.4% + 30 cents per transaction.
Is Shopify the best choice? ›
Overall rating. Shopify is one of the best ecommerce platforms on the market today, especially if you run a larger business. It's designed to help people build their own, scalable online store with hundreds of built-in features, and tons of apps.
Why not to choose WordPress? ›If it's that easy for spammers to know your site is WordPress, it's just that easy for malicious bots to find out as well. As it turns out, the majority of WordPress websites are hacked by bots. So you're not really being targeted because of something you said, or because of your great business success.
What is the disadvantage of WordPress website? ›WordPress is still a slow platform due to all the added plugins, oversaturated databases, and codebases. However, those are not the only things that can slow down your website. Large images, a lot of wording on a page, and unreliable hosting can impact your website speed. Page speed is crucial to your website.
Do professionals use WordPress? ›Although the software is free, many people hire professional WordPress developers for high-quality website design and development.
Is WordPress better for SEO than Shopify? ›The choice of platform should depend on your business needs. While WordPress provides complete control over your SEO aspects, Shopify lets you finish it in no time. On the other side, WordPress has much space to add your content, while Shopify comes with plenty of useful apps.
How do I migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce? ›- Step 1: Set Up WordPress. ...
- Step 2: Install WooCommerce. ...
- Step 3: Export Products From Shopify. ...
- Step 4: Import Your Shopify Products Into WordPress. ...
- Step 5: Point Your Domain to WooCommerce. ...
- Step 6: Configure Your WordPress Permalinks.
Yes, you can use your own domain name with Shopify. If you have an existing domain name, you can connect it to Shopify from your store's admin. Learn more about connecting an existing domain to a Shopify store. If you don't have a domain name yet, you can either buy one through Shopify or a third-party provider.
How do I legally sell on Shopify? ›You can run your Shopify store as a sole proprietor and use your SSN (social security number) or SIN (social insurance number) for tax purposes. The federal government does not require business licenses for all types of businesses. Instead, it only requires them for businesses operating in certain industries.
Is Shopify compatible with WooCommerce? ›The Shopify Connector for WooCommerce lets you easily migrate your Shopify store data to your WooCommerce store. Import products, customers, and orders with all new and updated Shopify Connector for WooCommerce.
Can I make money with WooCommerce? ›With WooCommerce, selling an online course is a perfect way to make money online. The most significant advantage of selling a digital course is that you need to make your coursework once, and then you can sell it as much as you want.
How much does it cost to migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify? ›
You're free to migrate all product data from WooCommerce to Shopify. There is no limit on how many products data you can import. You don't need to pay any extra fee to import, just import as many as you want.
Is Shopify more expensive than WooCommerce? ›WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress, making it a more cost-effective option than Shopify. However, other costs include hosting plans, themes, and plugins. For example, a Cloudways managed WooCommerce hosting plan can cost at least $11 per month, and a paid theme can range from $30 to $300 or more.
Why Shopify is faster than WooCommerce? ›Shopify has a built-in SEO plugin and helps with basic SEO practices such as meta information and site copy. It's also important to note that Shopify sites load faster, on average, when compared to WooCommerce sites. This can give your site even more juice in the Google rankings.
Can I use WooCommerce without price? ›How to add product quick view without prices. Install WooCommerce Quick View Pro on your WordPress site. Go to the plugin settings page at WooCommerce → Settings → Products → Quick view. Activate your license key and disable the 'Show price' and 'Show add to cart button' options.
Does WooCommerce slow down a website? ›Each WordPress plugin or WooCommerce extension you install has the potential to slow down your store.
Who buys WooCommerce? ›WordPress Parent Automattic Buys WooCommerce, a Shopping Tool for Web Publishers. $30 million-plus for the e-commerce toolkit.
What is the best size for WooCommerce? ›Typically, the minimum resolution you should aim for with your WooCommerce product images is 800px x 800px. The maximum recommended resolution should be no higher than 1000px x 1000px. However, for better quality, you should aim as high as possible.
Why do customers use Shopify? ›Shopify allows merchants to sell anywhere they want and unites all sales, customers, products and business data within a central platform. Many sellers build an online store on Shopify, then add other sales channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, a brick-and mortar store or in-person mobile sales.
Is Shopify or WooCommerce cheaper? ›Shopify has set pricing, whereas WooCommerce is more flexible. Shopify's prices range from $29 to $299 per month. You unlock more advanced features, like professional reports, as you upgrade. WooCommerce is free, but comes with extra costs, including hosting, a domain name, and security.
What are the advantages of Shopify over other ecommerce platforms? ›- Quick, Easy Set-Up. ...
- Customer Service. ...
- Mobile Friendly. ...
- Incredible Marketing and SEO Tools. ...
- Security & Reliability. ...
- Flexibility. ...
- Integration Options.
Why do people buy from Shopify instead of Amazon? ›
Shopify is better at design than Amazon. Customizing your store is fast and easy, thanks to the theme editor and templates. Because of Amazon's limited design flexibility, sellers find it challenging to create a distinct brand identity. Shopify's ecommerce features are much more advanced than those of Amazon.
Who uses Shopify the most? ›Over 4.4 million websites globally use Shopify as of April 2023. Shopify registered a revenue of $5.6 billion in 2022. Shopify is used in over 175 countries globally. Shopify's biggest market is U.S.A. Second biggest is The United Kingdom.
Can I switch from WooCommerce to Shopify? ›Start the switch
Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify and get the all-in-one solution that simplifies your day-to-day. Try Shopify free for 3 days, no credit card required.
amazon.com is ranked number 1 as the most popular website in the eCommerce & Shopping category in March 2023. The average amount of time that users spend on the website is 00:07:09 minutes, and they see, on average, 9.11 pages per visit.
Why do large companies use Shopify? ›Shopify partners with a host of other service providers, to ensure large clients have 360-coverage of their business needs. For example, companies with established brands can use Shopify's tools and third-party plugins to enhance their traffic and sell more products across their social media platforms.
Is Shopify or WordPress better? ›Shopify is often a better fit for ecommerce businesses while WordPress is better suited to bloggers. Shopify is built for ecommerce and includes features such as discounts, gift cards, unlimited products, fraud analysis, staff accounts, and so much more. Like WordPress, you can also build out a blog on Shopify.