Shopify and WooCommerce can both run a successful store. The difference is philosophy: Shopify is an all-in-one hosted platform, while WooCommerce is an open-source plugin that turns WordPress into a shop you fully control.
Shopify in short
Shopify handles hosting, security and updates for you. It's fast to launch, reliable and scales from your first sale to thousands of orders with little technical overhead — in exchange for a monthly fee and some platform limits.
WooCommerce in short
WooCommerce gives you total control and no platform fees, but you manage hosting, security and maintenance yourself (or with an agency). It's ideal when you want full ownership and deep customisation, especially if you're already on WordPress.
Side-by-side comparison
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Fast, guided | More technical |
| Hosting & security | Included | You manage it |
| Monthly cost | Fixed plan fee | Hosting + extensions |
| Customisation | High | Unlimited |
| Best for | Speed & simplicity | Control & ownership |
Which is right for you?
If you want to launch quickly and avoid technical maintenance, Shopify is usually the smart choice. If you want maximum control, no platform lock-in and you're comfortable with ongoing upkeep, WooCommerce wins. We build on both and recommend based on your products, team and growth plans — not on what's trendy.
Which is cheaper, Shopify or WooCommerce?+
WooCommerce has no platform fee but adds hosting, extensions and maintenance costs. Shopify bundles those into a predictable monthly plan. Total cost is often similar — the difference is where it goes.
Can I migrate from one to the other?+
Yes. Products, customers and content can be migrated between platforms while preserving SEO with proper redirects.