Store owners compare Shopify vs WooCommerce in 2025 to choose the right ecommerce platform.
Some users prefer a hosted platform like Shopify. Others choose WooCommerce for its flexibility.
This blog shows real facts and numbers. You’ll see how both platforms support ecommerce business growth.
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (Starting) | $39/month (Basic plan) | Free plugin + hosting (~$10–25/mo) |
| Platform Type | Easy setup, beginner-friendly | More technical setup, flexible |
| Hosting | Included in all plans | Requires separate hosting |
| Custom Domain | Included (with paid plan) | Needs to be purchased separately |
| Design Themes | 100+ free & paid themes | 1000+ themes (free & paid via WordPress) |
| Payment Options | Shopify Payments, PayPal, 3rd-party | PayPal, Stripe, 100+ gateways |
| Transaction Fees | 0% (with Shopify Payments), up to 2% | 0% (except payment gateway fees) |
| App Store / Extensions | 8,000+ apps | 60,000+ plugins (via WordPress) |
| Security (SSL, PCI) | Built-in SSL, PCI compliant | Depends on the hosting provider |
| Support | 24/7 live chat and email | Community-based + limited support |
| Inventory Management | Built-in | Built-in |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes (via WordPress or Jetpack apps) |
| Multilingual Support | Through apps | Plugin-based (like WPML, Polylang) |
| Scalability | High (managed by Shopify) | Depends on the hosting and setup |
| Blogging Features | Basic blogging built-in | Full WordPress blogging support |
Market share and usage stats
WooCommerce powers around 4.6 million ecommerce stores. This makes it the most used ecommerce plugin on any WordPress website. WooCommerce holds around 39% of the ecommerce platform market.
Shopify runs between 2.6 million to 5.5 million ecommerce stores. Shopify stores lead in the US. Shopify controls about 29% of the US ecommerce site market. WooCommerce stores follow at around 18%.
Shopify wins in hosted platform usage. WooCommerce leads in WordPress site integration. Store owners compare WooCommerce vs Shopify based on region, features, and control.
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Shopify vs WooCommerce: hosting and setup
Shopify offers web hosting, built-in security, and a complete setup. Shopify users sign up and launch a fully functional ecommerce store. Shopify makes onboarding simple. The Shopify dashboard handles everything.
WooCommerce needs a hosting provider. Users install WordPress, add the WooCommerce plugin, and manage updates. WooCommerce users set up their ecommerce store using custom steps. Unlike Shopify, WooCommerce gives more control.
Store owners choose Shopify for ease. Users choose WooCommerce to control every plugin and theme.
Cost comparison
The basic Shopify plan costs $39/month. Shopify offers more plans, including Shopify Advanced Plan. If users don’t use Shopify Payments, they pay transaction fees. Shopify offers discounted shipping rates and Shopify apps.
WooCommerce is a free plugin. But running a WooCommerce store involves costs. Users pay for web hosting, WooCommerce themes, WooCommerce extensions, and payment gateways. Average hosting costs $30–$60/month.
Shopify includes more tools in each Shopify plan. WooCommerce offers cost flexibility through plugin choices and free themes.
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Highlight real-time activities like reviews, sales & sign-ups.
Apps and features
Shopify offers over 8,000 apps in the Shopify App Store. These apps help with marketing features, email, analytics, and product displays. Shopify apps integrate easily with your ecommerce store.
WooCommerce supports over 60,000 plugins. You can install plugins for yoast seo, payment gateways, shipping methods, and product pages. WooCommerce extensions support deep customization.
Shopify offers fast setup without technical expertise. WooCommerce offers full control for users who want custom code and advanced features.
Themes and design
Shopify themes load fast and look modern. Users get access to free themes and premium themes. All Shopify themes work well with Shopify apps.
WooCommerce themes offer more layout options. WooCommerce users pick themes from the WooCommerce marketplace or upload custom code. You can change colors, fonts, and layout blocks.
Shopify makes design simple. WooCommerce gives freedom through theme settings and customization options.
SEO and performance
WooCommerce users install Yoast SEO or another seo plugin. WooCommerce improves search engine optimization by letting users control every setting. Integrations WooCommerce users pick help boost rankings.
Shopify includes built-in SEO settings. The Shopify admin lets users edit page titles, meta descriptions, and product URLs. Shopify makes your ecommerce site fast, which helps Google rank it better.
WooCommerce supports deeper SEO features. Shopify offers built-in tools for speed and ease.
Payments and shipping
Shopify Payments supports many countries. Shopify users avoid transaction fees if they use the built-in system. Shopify shipping includes discounted shipping rates.
WooCommerce supports popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal. WooCommerce shipping depends on the plugins installed. Each plugin adds new shipping methods and carrier options.
Shopify makes payments simple. WooCommerce supports more gateways and local options.
Flexibility and technical Skills
Shopify suits users who want to run a successful online store without tech work. Shopify users manage everything from the Shopify dashboard. It takes less time to build and launch a Shopify store.
WooCommerce fits users who want to install plugins, edit files, and adjust hosting settings. WooCommerce offers more customization options but needs technical expertise. Users who want control choose WooCommerce.
Both Shopify and WooCommerce help build a successful online store. Each ecommerce platform serves a different type of user.
2 Tools boost conversions on both platforms
Shopify and WooCommerce users need real-time tools to grow faster. Two smart tools are WiserNotify and WiserReview.
WiserNotify shows real-time social proof on your ecommerce site. It displays popups like “Someone just signed up” or “12 people viewed this product.” Shopify users can add WiserNotify from the Shopify App Store. WooCommerce users add it as a WooCommerce plugin. It supports both platforms and builds trust using real-time visitor data.
WiserReview collects customer reviews and displays them on your ecommerce store. You can show video, photo, or text reviews. WiserReview helps WooCommerce users and Shopify users improve credibility and SEO. It works well on any ecommerce site.
Both tools work with WooCommerce and Shopify. Use them to build trust, drive urgency, and increase conversions.
Collect & Show Real Customer Reviews
Build trust with video, photo, or text reviews on your Shopify or WooCommerce store.
Final thoughts
Shopify vs WooCommerce is a real decision for anyone starting or scaling an ecommerce business. Shopify offers a hosted platform with a clean dashboard and fast launch. WooCommerce gives complete control through plugins, themes, and a WordPress website.
Shopify works for users who want speed and simplicity. WooCommerce works for users who want deep control over every setting. Choose based on your budget, goals, and technical skills.
