WooCommerce vs Shopify: Which is Better?
Thinking of starting an online store? Or maybe you’re rethinking your current platform? Two big names in ecommerce are WooCommerce and Shopify. Both have their perks, but choosing between them can be tricky. Let’s break it down and help you decide.
Did you know ecommerce made up nearly 20% of global retail sales in 2021? By 2025, it’s expected to hit 25%. If you’re not selling online yet, now’s the time to start. But first, you need the right platform. Let’s compare WooCommerce and Shopify.
What is WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin. It turns any WordPress site into an online store. It’s flexible, beginner-friendly, and has over 5 million installs. You get customizable pages, shop tools, payment options, and more.
Want to know more? Check out our detailed post on WooCommerce.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a standalone platform for building online stores. It’s subscription-based and designed for ecommerce. You get everything in one place: page customization, theme editing, SEO tools, and more. Unlike WooCommerce, it’s not a plugin but a full website builder.
WooCommerce vs Shopify: The Differences
1 – Platform
WooCommerce: A plugin for WordPress. Turns any WordPress site into a store. You need WordPresxs hosting.
Shopify: A standalone website builder. Designed for ecommerce. Allows drag-and-drop editing.
2 – Pricing
WooCommerce: The plugin is free. Hosting starts at £5/month. Some plugins and themes cost extra.
Shopify: Plans start at £19/month. No separate hosting needed. Domain and some apps cost extra.
3 – Ease of Use
WooCommerce: Easy to manage. Setup wizard guides you. More steps if self-hosted.
Shopify: Easy setup. Follow the wizard. New platform to learn if you’re used to WordPress.
4 – Performance and Speed
WooCommerce: Reliable and fast. You control hosting and speed improvements.
Shopify: Reliable and fast. Less control over speed improvements.
5 – Scalability
WooCommerce: Easy to scale. Choose a host with more resources.
Shopify: Upgrade to larger plans. Limited to Shopify’s packages.
6 – Security
WooCommerce: Hosting providers offer security. WordPress has built-in security features. Plugins add extra security.
Shopify: Built-in security. Free SSL certificate. PCI compliant.
7 – Plugins and Apps
WooCommerce: 700+ extensions. Access to 59,000+ WordPress plugins.
Shopify: 7,000+ apps. Limited compared to WooCommerce.
8 – Themes and Customization
WooCommerce: Free and paid themes. Access to 9,000+ WordPress themes. Easy to customize.
Shopify: Free and paid themes. Limited customization options.
9 – Payment Methods
WooCommerce: WooCommerce Payments and 100+ third-party gateways. No extra fees for third-party gateways.
Shopify: Shopify Payments and 100+ third-party gateways. Fees for third-party gateways.
So, Which is Better?
The answer depends on your needs. Both platforms are great for non-techies, but Shopify is more hands-off. If you want less setup work, Shopify might be for you. But it’s more expensive and offers less customization.
WooCommerce is cheaper, offers more customization, and has more plugins. It’s easier to scale and gives you more control over performance. Plus, it’s built on WordPress, the world’s most popular CMS.
Think WooCommerce is right for you? Try Progressive Robot’s WordPress Hosting. We’ll guide you through setup and pre-install WooCommerce. Enjoy unlimited bandwidth, 24/7 support, and scalable performance.
Ready to start your ecommerce journey? Consider a .shop domain to stand out.
In short, WooCommerce offers more flexibility and control, while Shopify is easier to set up but more limited. Choose based on your needs and budget. Happy selling!
