Side by side
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A hosted shop platform you subscribe to | A free plugin that turns a WordPress website into a shop |
| Monthly cost | A subscription for as long as you have the shop, plus any paid apps | No platform fee: you pay for hosting and any paid plugins |
| Card fees | Payment processing fees, plus an extra transaction fee if you use a payment provider other than Shopify’s own | Your payment provider’s fees only, such as Stripe or PayPal |
| Ownership | You rent the platform; moving away means rebuilding | You own the website, the shop and the customer data |
| Flexibility | Good within what Shopify and its apps allow | Almost anything can be built or connected |
| Upkeep | Very little: Shopify handles hosting, security and updates | Updates, backups and security need looking after |
| Content and Google | Fine for product pages; blogging and content are more limited | WordPress is very strong for content, guides and SEO |
When Shopify is the better choice
- You want to start selling quickly and never think about hosting or updates.
- Your shop is a straightforward catalogue of physical products.
- You’re happy to pay a monthly fee for convenience, and the apps you need exist.
- You plan to sell in person too and want Shopify’s card readers.
When WooCommerce is the better choice
- You want to own your shop and customer data, with no monthly platform fee.
- You sell something unusual: made-to-order products, personalised items, digital downloads, bookings or complex options.
- Content matters: guides, a blog or lots of information pages to win Google searches.
- You want the shop connected to your own systems, such as stock, accounts or automations.
- You already have a WordPress website and want the shop to live in it.
The costs people forget
With Shopify, the subscription is only the start: many shops end up paying for several apps each month for things like reviews, subscriptions or product options. With WooCommerce, the hidden costs are good hosting and someone keeping it updated and secure. Either way, ask for the full yearly cost, not just the headline price.
Shops I’ve built, and why WooCommerce
I build shops on WooCommerce. Prompt Angel sells 600+ AI prompts as digital downloads, and Pawtrait Society sells made-to-order Victorian-style pet portraits, where every commission needs the customer’s photos and choices. Both are exactly the kind of shop that benefits from WooCommerce’s flexibility, and both owners own their shop outright with no platform fee on top of hosting.
When you don’t need me
If you sell a simple range of physical products and want zero upkeep, Shopify is a good choice and you can set it up yourself. If you need something more tailored, want to own your shop, or want it to win on Google, see my online shop service, from £4,995 with a fixed quote.
Written by Ben Brailsford-Chambers, the web designer behind Clever Rabbit in Oldbury. Last updated 25 October 2026. More guides