Shopify in short
Shopify is a hosted platform. Hosting, security updates and checkout are handled for you, so it is quick to launch and easy to manage. Apps extend it, and you pay a subscription plus any app and payment fees.
WooCommerce in short
WooCommerce is a plugin that turns a WordPress site into a store. It offers a lot of flexibility and ownership, but you are responsible for hosting, updates, backups and security, or for paying someone to handle them.
Choose Shopify if
- You want to launch quickly with less technical upkeep.
- Your catalogue and checkout needs are fairly standard.
- You prefer a predictable, managed platform.
Choose WooCommerce if
- You want deep customisation or content-heavy pages alongside the shop.
- You are comfortable managing hosting and updates, or have support for them.
- You already run a WordPress website.
Compare total cost, not just price
Add up hosting or subscription, theme, plugins or apps, transaction fees and ongoing maintenance for each option. The cheapest start is not always the cheapest year.
Not sure?
We build on both platforms. Tell us your products, budget and goals and we will recommend the better fit.