WooCommerce is a better fit for merchants who want an open-source WordPress store and control over hosting and customization; Shopify suits merchants who prefer hosted ecommerce with core operations bundled into a plan. Neither is universally cheaper or better. Compare the full cost of running your store, payment fees, technical workload, customization needs, team tools, and whether you sell in person.
WooCommerce vs Shopify at a glance
| Decision | WooCommerce | Shopify | What it means for your store |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating model | Open-source ecommerce software built on WordPress; you choose hosting and extensions. | Hosted ecommerce service with hosting included in the subscription. | WooCommerce gives you more responsibility for the technical stack; Shopify bundles more of it. |
| Starting platform cost | The core platform is free. Hosting, extensions, and payment processing can cost extra. | Recurring plan subscription, with payment processing and potentially other fees. | Compare annual operating costs, not just the software’s starting price. |
| Payments | You choose a gateway or payment service; availability and processing fees depend on the provider and location. | Shopify Payments is integrated where available. External providers can incur a Shopify transaction fee in addition to the provider’s processing fee. | Calculate the total cost for your expected sales and preferred payment methods. |
| Customization | WordPress and extensions support extensive tailoring. | Plan features, themes, and apps provide customization within a managed service. | WooCommerce is suited to stores that need control over their stack; Shopify offers a more integrated route. |
| Team access and reporting | Depends on the WordPress setup, extensions, and reporting tools you select. | Staff seats and reporting capabilities vary by plan. | Check that the specific plan or setup provides the access and reports your team needs. |
| In-person sales | Depends on your chosen payment gateway and POS setup. | Shopify supports in-person selling through Shopify POS, with optional retail hardware. | Shopify has a documented POS route; hardware compatibility still depends on the device and region. |
How the platforms differ
WooCommerce: WordPress software you assemble
WooCommerce is open-source ecommerce software built for WordPress. You choose a hosting provider and combine WordPress, WooCommerce, and any extensions or services your store needs. That arrangement gives you control over more of the store’s setup, but you also take responsibility for the choices and maintenance that come with it.
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The core software being free does not make the whole store cost-free. Hosting, paid extensions, and payment processing can add recurring costs. Your final setup depends on the host, the features you add, and the services available for your location.
Shopify: hosted commerce on a plan
Shopify includes hosting in its subscription and combines store tools under a plan-based service. The service can reduce the need to choose and manage separate hosting, but features such as staff access and reporting depend on the plan. Apps, payment processing, and optional POS tools may add to the bill.
Shopify is not fee-free simply because hosting is bundled. Its subscription is only one part of the cost: payment rates and, in some cases, Shopify transaction fees for external payment providers also matter.
What each platform costs
WooCommerce costs
WooCommerce’s pricing page lists the core platform at $0 and estimates hosting at $25–$350 per month for most stores and paid extensions at $29–$299 per year per extension. These are estimates published by WooCommerce, not quotes or universal prices. Your hosting bill and extension needs may differ. Payment processor charges are separate, and WooCommerce says it does not take a platform revenue share.
Budget for the combination you will actually use: hosting, any paid extensions, and payment processing. A store that needs few paid additions will have a different cost profile from one that relies on several licensed extensions.
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Shopify costs and displayed payment rates
When reviewed in 2026, Shopify’s US pricing page displayed the following prices on annual billing, alongside these displayed starting card rates and third-party transaction fees. Prices and rates vary by region and can change; these figures are not universal or permanent.
| Plan | Subscription shown for annual billing (US) | Displayed starting card rate (USD) | Displayed third-party transaction fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $29/month | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2% |
| Grow | $79/month | 2.7% + 30¢ | 1% |
| Advanced | $299/month | 2.5% + 30¢ | 0.6% |
The displayed card rates are starting rates, not a guarantee that every store will qualify for those rates. Shopify says rates depend on location and plan. Hosting is included; optional apps or POS tools can affect the overall spend.
Why payment fees need a separate calculation
When a Shopify merchant uses an external payment provider, Shopify may charge a plan-dependent transaction fee in addition to the provider’s own processing fee. Shopify Payments avoids that extra Shopify transaction fee for listed payment types, subject to the documented terms and availability. Refunds may not return processing or transaction fees. WooCommerce’s own platform does not set the processor’s charges; the gateway or payment service sets its fees, and availability depends on location and store requirements.
For a fair comparison, use the same sales assumptions for both platforms: expected order volume and value, customer payment methods, country, and chosen processor. Compare subscription or hosting costs plus payment-processing charges and any Shopify third-party transaction fees that apply. Do not compare WooCommerce’s free core price with Shopify’s subscription while leaving the other operating costs out.
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Customization, operations, and teams
Choose WooCommerce when control is worth the extra responsibility
WooCommerce’s open-source and extension model can accommodate extensive customization. You select the hosting and add the integrations and features that fit your store. This is useful when the ability to shape the underlying WordPress setup matters more than having a single managed service.
That control comes with operating work: selecting hosting, handling the WordPress and extension stack, and troubleshooting the components you choose. If your store depends on a particular plugin or payment gateway, that choice becomes part of your ongoing setup.
Choose Shopify when a bundled service matters more
Shopify provides managed hosting and plan-based store capabilities. It can be a better fit when you want ecommerce hosting included and prefer to choose from features offered through plans, themes, and apps rather than assemble the core stack yourself.
Plan choice matters for teams: Shopify ties staff seats and reporting capabilities to plan level. Confirm that the plan you select includes the access and reports your people need before treating its headline price as the relevant one.
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Match payment options to your location
Payment availability and fees are not identical everywhere. WooCommerce gateways are separate plugin or service choices, with availability and charges set by the provider. Shopify Payments is available only where supported, and Shopify’s fees and rates differ by location and plan. Before choosing, make sure your preferred payment methods can serve customers in your country and compare the combined processing and platform fees that apply.
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Account for point-of-sale needs
If you sell face to face as well as online, Shopify offers a defined route through Shopify POS and identifies retail hardware such as barcode scanners. Confirm regional and device compatibility before buying equipment. With WooCommerce, the gateway and POS arrangement depends on the setup you choose, so an in-person workflow is not established by the core platform alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which platform should you choose?
WooCommerce is the stronger fit if…
- You want an open-source store built on WordPress and control over hosting and extensions.
- You have the capacity to choose and maintain the store’s technical components.
- Your customization needs make the flexibility of WordPress and its extensions valuable.
- You want to select a payment gateway based on your location and store requirements.
Shopify is the stronger fit if…
- You want hosting included in a recurring ecommerce plan.
- You prefer a managed setup with plan-based features, themes, and apps.
- Your staff access and reporting needs fit the capabilities of a Shopify plan.
- You need a documented in-person sales option through Shopify POS.
Make the comparison on your own numbers
- List the requirements you cannot compromise on. Include payment methods, customization, staff access, reports, and any in-person sales workflow.
- Estimate the total operating cost for each setup. For WooCommerce, include hosting, paid extensions, and processor charges. For Shopify, include the subscription, card processing, and any third-party transaction fees that apply, plus optional apps or POS tools.
- Use the relevant country and billing terms. Shopify’s displayed subscription prices and payment rates vary by region; the prices above are US figures displayed on annual billing when reviewed in 2026.
- Factor in who will run the store. WooCommerce means selecting and maintaining a WordPress-based stack. Shopify includes hosting but gates some capabilities by plan.
- Check the exact payment and POS setup you intend to use. Provider availability, fee terms, payment methods, and hardware compatibility determine whether the proposed workflow works in your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WooCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
Not necessarily. WooCommerce’s core software is free, but hosting, extensions, and processor fees can add costs. Shopify has a recurring subscription and payment charges, and using an external provider can add a Shopify transaction fee on top of that provider’s fee. The lower-cost option depends on your chosen setup, sales, and payment methods.
Can I use WooCommerce without WordPress?
No. WooCommerce is ecommerce software built on WordPress, so a WooCommerce store uses WordPress as its platform.
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Yes. Shopify includes hosting in its subscription plan.
Does Shopify charge an extra fee if I use an external payment provider?
Shopify may charge a plan-dependent transaction fee when you use an external payment provider, in addition to that provider’s processing fee. The exact fee depends on plan and applicable terms; Shopify Payments avoids that extra Shopify transaction fee for listed payment types, subject to availability and documented terms.
Can either platform support in-person sales?
Shopify supports in-person sales through Shopify POS. WooCommerce can support an in-person workflow through a suitable payment gateway and POS setup, but the arrangement depends on the services you choose.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
