Shopify vs WooCommerce

If you’re looking to start your own business and set up an online store, there are several platforms that can help you get up and running. But how do you know which one to choose?

Here, we compare 2 of your options – Shopify and WooCommerce – to see what they offer and how they differ.

Main features

One of the biggest differences between Shopify and WooCommerce is that Shopify is a fully hosted e-commerce platform that can help you create an online store, while WooCommerce is a plugin for content management system (CMS) WordPress. WooCommerce can turn a regular website into an online store, but it’s up to you to take care of security updates and site protection – something that Shopify does on your behalf.

Both platforms offer customisable templates and themes, but WooCommerce generally provides greater design flexibility and a wider selection through WordPress, while Shopify’s themes are more streamlined and easier to set up.

In terms of payment options, both platforms allow you to accept payments from credit and debit cards, digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, PayPal, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services and bank transfers. Shopify has this built in via Shopify Payments, while WooCommerce has WooPayments which is offered in partnership with Stripe.

Both platforms also allow you to manage and track inventory and orders from the one dashboard, and both offer a variety of shipping options. However, Shopify offers a wider range of choice, while WooCommerce’s options are more limited unless you add additional plugins.

When it comes to SEO capabilities, Shopify provides a more user-friendly set of SEO tools that may suit those who want to handle the essentials such as page tiles and meta descriptions, without needing technical knowledge. As WooCommerce is built on WordPress, it offers more advanced SEO tools and a wider range of plugins.

Setup speed

How long it takes to set up your online store will partly depend on the type of store you’re establishing.

As Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform, you can get a basic storefront ready in as little as a few days. This will typically include basic branding, a few live products, a basic payment set up and standard shipping. However, to launch a functional, fully customised store with a greater range of products and professional branding, it typically takes 1 to 4 weeks.

WooCommerce can take longer to get fully established because you will be responsible for the technical side of things. While a very basic store can technically be installed in a few hours, this is usually only sufficient to start building the site. Establishing a fully customised store with theme styling and a greater range of products will typically take 2 to 4 weeks.

Pricing and fees

Shopify is subscription based so you’ll need to pay a monthly fee. Its cheapest Basic plan starts at £25 a month, or £19 a month if you pay annually, and is aimed at solo entrepreneurs. There are 3 other plans that come with a greater range of features but these cost considerably more. Its Plus plan is the most expensive plan and is designed for more complex businesses.

In addition, Shopify Payments charges a fee for processing each payment, with the fee depending on card type and location. If a third-party payment provider is used instead, additional platform fees can apply.

By contrast, WooCommerce is completely free to download. But you will still need to pay for hosting, a domain name and any extra plugins you require. You’ll also need to pay your chosen payment provider fees for processing transactions.

Selling internationally

Both WooCommerce and Shopify support international selling but they work differently.

Shopify offers Shopify Markets which enables you to sell to multiple markets from one store, allowing for customised pricing, languages and product availability. Shopify Payments also enables multi-currency checkout so that customers can pay in their local currency while you receive funds in your designated payout currency.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, relies more heavily on plugins to provide a fully localised international store. Features such as multi-currency payments, language translation and country-specific pricing are typically added through tools. WooPayments can accept payments in more than 100 different currencies too.

This means Shopify generally offers a more streamlined setup for international selling, while WooCommerce provides greater flexibility and customisation but more management is required.

Overall

Ultimately, the platform that’s best for your business will depend on what you’re looking for. Shopify is a good option if you’re looking for a hosted solution that allows you to focus on your products and marketing, rather than anything technical.

WooCommerce is likely to be more suited to those who are looking for flexibility and control. You’ll be able to choose how your store looks and build it up when you’re ready. Just remember you will be responsible for setting up and maintaining your website, including updates and security.

Written by

Rachel Wait

Writer

Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time. See full bio