Shopify and WooCommerce run a huge share of the world's online stores, and both can sell almost anything. The difference is in how they work: Shopify is a hosted service you rent, while WooCommerce is free software you run on your own WordPress site. That one difference drives everything else: cost, effort, flexibility and who fixes things when they break.
Here's how they compare in 2026, using current figures from each company's own pricing pages.
Shopify vs WooCommerce at a glance
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hosted ecommerce platform, monthly subscription | Free plugin that adds a store to WordPress |
| Starting price | $29/month billed yearly ($39 monthly) on Basic | Free plugin; you pay for hosting |
| Hosting and security | Included | Your responsibility (hosting about $25 to $350/month for most stores, per WooCommerce) |
| Online card fees (US, entry level) | 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic with Shopify Payments | 2.9% + 30¢ with Stripe, plus 1.5% for international cards |
| Extra fee for other payment providers | 2% on Basic, down to 0.2% on Plus | None from WooCommerce |
| Ease of setup | Easier, no technical setup | Needs WordPress and some technical comfort |
| Flexibility | High, within Shopify's rules; apps fill gaps | Very high; you control the code |
| Maintenance | Shopify handles updates | You handle plugin, theme and WordPress updates |
| Best for | New stores, dropshipping, brands that want to focus on selling | Existing WordPress sites, complex products, full control |
How much does Shopify cost?
Shopify's pricing page lists these plans in 2026:
| Plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly | Online card rate | Fee if you don't use Shopify Payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $29/month | $39/month | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2% |
| Grow | $79/month | $105/month | 2.7% + 30¢ | 1% |
| Advanced | $299/month | $399/month | 2.5% + 30¢ | 0.6% |
| Plus | From $2,300/month | n/a | 2.25% + 30¢ | 0.2% |
Two things to know. First, Shopify Payments has no separate transaction fee, but it's only available in certain countries; if you use another payment provider, the extra percentage in the last column applies. Second, most stores add a few paid apps for reviews, email, upsells or dropshipping, which can add up to more than the plan itself.
How much does WooCommerce cost?
The WooCommerce plugin is free. WooCommerce's own pricing page is upfront about what you still pay for:
- Hosting: about $25 to $350 a month for most stores, depending on traffic and performance.
- Extensions: optional add-ons at about $29 to $299 a year each.
- Payment processing: fees from whichever processor you choose. Stripe's standard US pricing, for example, is 2.9% + 30¢ per domestic card payment, plus 1.5% for international cards and 1% if currency conversion is needed.
You'll also need a domain, possibly a premium theme, and someone to keep WordPress, the theme and plugins updated and backed up. That last item is the real hidden cost: either your time or a maintenance plan.
Which is easier to use?
Shopify. You sign up, pick a theme, add products and connect payments, all inside one dashboard. There's nothing to install or update, and Shopify handles security and uptime.
WooCommerce means setting up hosting and WordPress first, then the plugin, a theme and the extensions you need. It isn't hard for someone who knows WordPress, but there are more moving parts, and more things that can conflict when you update.
Which is more flexible?
WooCommerce, because you control the code. Unusual pricing rules, complex product options, B2B and wholesale setups, or deep integration with a WordPress content site are all easier when nothing is off limits.
Shopify is flexible enough for most stores, and its app store covers a lot of ground, but you work within Shopify's structure. Some customizations that are a few lines of code on WooCommerce need a paid app or a Plus plan on Shopify.
Which is better for SEO?
Both can rank well. What matters far more is the work: fast pages, unique product descriptions, sensible collection structure, good internal linking and real reviews. WooCommerce gives you finer control over URLs and technical details; Shopify's defaults are solid and harder to break. Neither platform will rank a store with thin, copied product descriptions.
When to choose Shopify
- You're starting a new store and want to launch quickly.
- You don't want to manage hosting, security or updates.
- You're running a dropshipping or print-on-demand store; apps like AutoDS connect easily.
- You plan to sell on social channels and marketplaces from one dashboard.
When to choose WooCommerce
- You already have a WordPress website and want the store inside it.
- You need product rules, pricing logic or integrations Shopify can't handle without costly workarounds.
- You want to own and control every part of your store's code and data.
- You have someone, in house or on a care plan, to maintain WordPress.
Our recommendation
For most small businesses opening their first store, start with Shopify. You'll be selling sooner, and you won't spend your evenings updating plugins. Choose WooCommerce when you already run WordPress or your products genuinely need the extra flexibility.
We build both. If you're not sure which fits, tell us what you sell and how, and we'll recommend one in your free quote. You can also see our Shopify store development service, or how we combine store builds with ads for ecommerce brands.
