Shopify vs WooCommerce
A side-by-side look at Shopify and WooCommerce. On our scoring, Shopify comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 4.7/5 | 4.2/5 |
| User rating | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Reviews | 5,421 | 3,890 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $39/mo | Free |
| Pricing model | per month, billed monthly | free core + hosting & extensions |
| Transaction fees | 2.9% + 30¢ (0% with Shopify Payments) | 0% (payment processor fees apply) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Fully hosted (SaaS) | Self-hosted |
| Free trial | 3 days + $1/mo for 3 months | Free core plugin |
| Staff accounts | 2–15 by plan | Unlimited (role-based) |
| Product limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | 100+ gateways + Shopify Payments | 100+ via extensions (Stripe, PayPal, etc.) |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | 12 free, 100+ paid | Thousands (WP ecosystem) |
| App marketplace | 8,000+ apps | 900+ official extensions |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-language | Yes | Yes |
| POS included | Yes | No |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in blog | Yes | Yes |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Support channels | 24/7 live chat, phone callback, email | Docs, community forums, host/extension support |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick Shopify?
Shopify remains the platform to beat. Its polished admin, best-in-class checkout, and enormous app ecosystem make it the safest choice for most merchants — provided you are comfortable using Shopify Payments to avoid extra transaction fees.
Best for: Growing brands that want everything in one place
Read the full Shopify reviewWhy pick WooCommerce?
WooCommerce gives you total ownership and zero platform fees, but you trade convenience for responsibility. If you already live in WordPress and have some technical comfort, it is unbeatable on flexibility and cost of goods.
Best for: WordPress users who want full control
Read the full WooCommerce review