Choosing the right platform for your online store is a big decision. Both Shopify or WordPress (shopify vs woocommerce) have their strengths, and the best choice depends on your needs, budget, and technical skills. In this guide, we’ll break down their key differences to help you decide which one is the right fit for your business.
Shopify or WordPress: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | WordPress + WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ✅ Very easy to use | Requires more setup & technical knowledge |
| Pricing | Monthly fee, includes hosting | Hosting & plugins add up over time |
| Sales Features | ✅ Built-in eCommerce tools | Requires plugins like WooCommerce |
| SEO & Marketing | ✅ Good, but somewhat limited | ✅ More control & advanced options |
| Apps & Extensions | ✅ Large App Store | ✅ Extensive plugin options |
| Design & Themes | Limited but high-quality | ✅ Highly customizable |
| Security | ✅ Fully hosted & secure | Requires manual updates & security plugins |
Both platforms have pros and cons, but Shopify is built specifically for eCommerce, while WordPress offers more flexibility and customization.
What Do I Need to Sell on WordPress?
If you decide to go with WordPress for your online store, here’s what you’ll need:
- A domain name and web hosting (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround)
- A WordPress installation
- The WooCommerce plugin for eCommerce functionality
- Additional plugins for SEO, security, and marketing
While WordPress gives you more control over your website, it requires more setup and maintenance compared to Shopify.
Which Offers the Best Value for Money? – Shopify
At first glance, WordPress seems cheaper because it’s free to install. However, when you factor in hosting, themes, plugins, and security, the costs can add up quickly. Shopify, on the other hand, provides an all-in-one package with built-in tools and support.
Shopify is 36% Cheaper Than WooCommerce
Shopify’s Total Cost of Operation (TCO) Calculator has shown that running a Shopify store is 36% cheaper on average compared to WooCommerce when factoring in all the hidden costs. Plus, Shopify removes the hassle of managing multiple third-party services, making it a more convenient option.
WordPress Pricing
WordPress itself is free, but running an online store comes with various costs:
Website Hosting Costs
- Shared hosting: $5 – $20/month
- Managed hosting: $30 – $100/month
WordPress Themes
- Basic Templates: $35 – $50 (one-time)
- Premium Templates: $80 – $200 (one-time)
- Custom Design: $5,000+
Plugin Costs
- eCommerce plugins: $50 – $500 (one-time)
- Payment processing tools: $30 – $80/month
- Email marketing tools: $5 – $99/month
When all costs are considered, a fully functional WordPress store can range from $15 to $200+ per month, depending on features and hosting.
Shopify Pricing
Shopify offers five pricing plans, all including essential eCommerce features:
- Starter – $5/month (billed annually)
- Basic – $29/month (billed annually)
- Shopify – $79/month (billed annually)
- Advanced – $299/month (billed annually)
- Plus – $2,300/month (on a three-year term)
Bonus: New users get a 3-day free trial, then 3 months for just $1/month!
Additional Shopify Fees:
- Apps & Plugins: $13 – $75/month
- Themes: $70 – $380 (one-time)
- Transaction Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per credit card transaction (lower with higher plans)
- Extra 2% fee if you use a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments
With Shopify, all essential tools are included in one package, saving time and effort.
Which Has the Best Sales Features? – Shopify
Shopify is built for selling online, with features like:
- Integrated payment gateways
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Multi-channel selling (Amazon, Facebook, Instagram)
- Built-in analytics & reporting
With WordPress, you need multiple plugins to achieve the same functionality, which can be more complicated to manage.
Who Has the Best Apps? – Shopify
Shopify has a dedicated App Store with thousands of eCommerce tools. WordPress, while having a much larger plugin ecosystem, often requires more customization to work smoothly for online stores.
Who Wins in SEO & Marketing? – It’s a Tie!
- WordPress: More flexibility with SEO plugins like Rank Math and Yoast
- Shopify: Built-in SEO tools but less control over customization
Both platforms support email marketing, social media integration, and paid ads, making them strong contenders for marketing tools.
Which Is Easier to Set Up? – WordPress Takes More Effort
- Shopify: Easy setup, hosting, and security handled for you.
- WordPress: More customization but requires extra setup and maintenance.
If you’re not tech-savvy, Shopify is the better choice.
Which Has the Best Templates? – WordPress
WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes, giving you unlimited design flexibility. Shopify’s themes are professional but have fewer customization options.
Shopify vs WordPress: Final Verdict
Choose Shopify if:
✅ You want a hassle-free, all-in-one eCommerce solution ✅ You prefer built-in sales tools without needing extra plugins ✅ You want reliable security and customer support
Choose WordPress + WooCommerce if:
✅ You need complete design & functionality control ✅ You have technical experience or access to a developer ✅ You want lower long-term costs (if managed well)
At the end of the day, Shopify is best for ease of use and convenience, while WordPress is ideal for those who want total control and customization.
💬 Which platform are you considering? Let us know in the comments!
