Shopify vs WooCommerce
Last updated July 6, 2026
Deciding between Shopify and WooCommerce? Here's how they stack up on price, fit and migration effort — so you can pick the right e-commerce platform tool without second-guessing.
Pricing disclaimer: All prices are list prices in USD, shown for general information only as of July 6, 2026, and may have changed since. Plans, tiers and features vary by region and are frequently updated by each vendor. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice — always confirm current pricing and terms on the provider's official website before you buy.
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $39/mo (Basic) | Free |
| Free tier | — | Yes |
| Best for | Established users on its plans | Merchants who want full control and no platform fees, and can handle WordPress. |
| Migration effort | — | Hard |
| Rating | — | 4.3 ★ |
Why teams switch from Shopify
- ✕Transaction fees on top of the monthly plan unless you use Shopify Payments.
- ✕Essential features often require paid apps, inflating the true monthly cost.
- ✕Plans climb steeply — Advanced is $399/mo and Plus starts at $2,300/mo.
- ✕Hosted and somewhat locked-in — you don't own the platform or fully control costs.
Where WooCommerce wins
- ✓No monthly platform fee or transaction cut
- ✓Fully own your store and data
- ✓Endlessly customizable
…and where it doesn't
- ✕You manage hosting, security & updates
- ✕Costs shift to hosting + extensions
- ✕Steeper technical setup
The verdict on WooCommerce
WooCommerce is the answer for Shopify merchants whose real grievance is fees and lock-in. As an open-source WordPress plugin, the core is free — there's no monthly platform fee and no forced transaction cut — and you own your store and data outright. The catch is that responsibility shifts to you: hosting, security, updates and premium extensions become your cost and your job, and setup is more technical than Shopify's turnkey experience. For a merchant with some technical comfort who wants control and to escape platform fees, WooCommerce is the classic destination. Migration tools exist but plan for real setup work.
Try WooCommerce freeWhat real users say: Shopify vs WooCommerce
Real Shopify-vs-WooCommerce discussions from Reddit — click any thread to read it at the source.
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Frequently asked questions
Is WooCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
WooCommerce starts at Free, including a free tier, compared with Shopify from $39/mo (Basic). Core platform is free and open source (verified Jul 6, 2026). You pay for hosting, a domain, and any premium extensions/themes.
Is it hard to migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce?
Migration difficulty is rated Hard. Migration tools exist but plan for real setup work.
Who should choose WooCommerce over Shopify?
WooCommerce is best for: Merchants who want full control and no platform fees, and can handle WordPress. If that describes your situation, it's a strong Shopify alternative.
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