Shopify is a hosted commerce platform. WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns WordPress into a store. Shopify is simpler to run and scale. WooCommerce gives more control and stronger content publishing, with more maintenance. Compare them on how you will operate the store, not on the monthly fee alone.
Evidence labels on this page. Sourced comes from the platform’s own documentation or pricing page, checked October 5, 2026. Editorial is ShoutEx judgement. Not yet tested means the check is on our published test plan with no result yet. Method: how we evaluate platforms.
Choose Shopify if selling is the business, you want hosting, checkout and security handled, and you value apps and support over control. Choose WooCommerce if content and SEO drive sales, you need custom product logic, or you already run WordPress and have someone to maintain it. Both handle small and mid-size stores well.
| Area | Shopify | WooCommerce | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting and security | Included | Your host and you | Editorial |
| Checkout | Hosted, fast to set up | Customizable; depends on plugins and host | Editorial |
| Content marketing | Blog included; simpler | Full WordPress publishing | Editorial |
| URL structure | Fixed prefixes such as /products/ and /collections/ | Fully configurable | Editorial |
| Platform fee | From $29/mo billed yearly | Plugin is free | Sourced |
| Payments | Shopify Payments; extra fee for third-party providers | WooPayments or other gateways | Sourced |
Shopify, for most teams. Orders, inventory, shipping labels, taxes and staff accounts are in one admin, and the platform keeps the store online during traffic spikes. WooCommerce can do the same with extensions, but each extension is something to choose, update and test.
Shopify Basic is $29 a month billed yearly ($39 monthly), Grow $79 and Advanced $299, with online card rates from 2.9% plus 30¢ on Basic, according to Shopify’s pricing page. WooCommerce is free; WooPayments charges 2.9% plus $0.30 per US card payment, plus 1% for international cards, with no monthly fee.
| Line | Shopify Basic | WooCommerce + WooPayments |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | $29 | $0 |
| Card fees (2.9% + 30¢ × 600) | $760 | $760 |
| Hosting | Included | Varies (enter your host) |
| Paid apps or extensions | Varies | Varies |
The fees match at this level, so hosting, apps and maintenance hours decide the difference. Model your own numbers in the cost worksheet.
WooCommerce, when content drives sales. WordPress publishing, category templates and SEO plugins give more control over buying guides, comparison pages and internal links. Shopify’s blog and metadata cover the basics, but its fixed URL prefixes and simpler content tools limit large content programs.
Compare the full checklist in the SEO comparison.
Apps, payment fees and maintenance at your expected order volume decide the cheaper platform.
Shopify is easier to run and scale. WooCommerce gives more control and stronger content publishing, with more maintenance.
The plugin is free. You pay for hosting, payment fees, extensions and maintenance.
Basic is $29 a month billed yearly or $39 monthly, Grow $79 and Advanced $299 yearly, as listed on October 5, 2026.
Not with Shopify Payments. With a third-party payment provider, Shopify charges 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow and 0.6% on Advanced.
WooCommerce offers more control over URLs and content. Shopify covers the basics but has fixed URL prefixes.
Yes. Import products, customers and orders, then redirect every product and category URL.
Prices, plan limits and support dates change. These first-party sources let you check the facts on this page, last checked October 5, 2026.