1.23.2025

Shopify vs. WooCommerce: A full guide to choose the best platform

Today, almost two out of every three ecommerce sellers in the world uses either Shopify and WooCommerce, but deciding between which to use can be tricky. This guide provides a detailed comparison to understand the features, advantages, and drawbacks of both and which fits your business best.

Quick comparison table

Feature	Shopify	WooCommerce
Ease of use	User-friendly with minimal setup required	More complex, requires technical knowledge
Customization	Limited without coding or apps	Highly flexible with massive amounts of customizability
Cost	Subscription-based, with transaction fees on some gateways	Free core plugin, but costs vary for hosting, themes, and plugins
SEO	Some built-in tools; advanced SEO requires third-party apps	Better control with plugins like Yoast and Rank Math
Payment options	100+ gateways, transaction fees apply unless using Shopify Payments	Many free and paid gateways; no platform-specific transaction fees
Support	24/7 customer support with all plans	Community-driven support with optional paid assistance

Key advantages and disadvantages by platform:

Shopify

✅ All-in-one solution with hosting and security included
✅ Reliable 24/7 support
✅ Easy-to-use design tools and app integrations
❌ Higher costs with monthly fees
❌ Limited design freedom
❌ Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments

WooCommerce:

✅ Free and open-source
✅ Highly customizable
✅ Extensive library of free and premium plugins
❌ More complex setup (requires hosting and WordPress)
❌ Relies on third-party providers for security
❌ Steeper learning curve

Market share

Shopify powers over 10% of ecommerce websites globally, attracting over 4.4 million live sites (Statista, 2023).
WooCommerce (including Woo Themes) commands about 54% of the ecommerce market, with nearly 6.9 million active stores leveraging its WordPress integration.

Ease of store creation

Shopify: Easy setup with hosting, security, and onboarding steps built-in. Non-technical users can launch a store quickly with minimal effort.
WooCommerce: Requires purchasing hosting, registering a domain, and installing WordPress and WooCommerce. While more complex, it offers full customization options.

A small boutique store can set up Shopify in hours with pre-built themes, while a tech-heavy entrepreneur may prefer WooCommerce for complete control.

Store personalization and design

Shopify provides over 70 customizable themes and a drag-and-drop editor. More customization requires coding or apps.
WooCommerce integrates perfectly with WordPress themes, offering thousands of free and paid options. Plugins like Elementor enhance design flexibility.

Shopify excels in speed and simplicity, while WooCommerce offers limitless creative freedom.

Cost breakdown

Cost component	Shopify	WooCommerce
Base plan	$29/month and up	Free (requires hosting)
Hosting	Included	$5 to $30/month or more
Themes	Free and premium (up to $350+)	Free and premium (pricing varies)
Plugins/Apps	Paid apps for advanced features	Free and paid plugins
Transaction fees	Shopify Payments: None, others: up to 2%	Depends on payment gateway

Payment methods

Shopify supports 100+ payment gateways but charges transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments.
WooCommerce integrates with various gateways, most free or low-cost, without platform-specific fees.

Shopify Payments simplifies processing but adds costs for third-party providers.

Shipping and Dropshipping

Shopify integrates with tools like Oberlo and Spocket, offering built-in label printing and discounted carrier rates.
WooCommerce uses plugins like Printful, AliDropship, and WooDropship for dropshipping. Flexibility depends on your hosting.

Dropshipping beginners might prefer Shopify for simplicity, while experienced sellers may find WooCommerce’s flexibility more beneficial.

SEO performance

Shopify: Basic SEO tools included, advanced optimization through third-party apps.
WooCommerce: SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math.

Dondo enhances SEO on both Shopify and WooCommerce by automating product page optimization, improving metadata, and integrating best practices for ecommerce SEO, boosting search visibility and conversions.

dondo seo optmization for ecommerce and dropshipping — Listing SEO optimization with Dondo

Exporting between platforms

Migrating catalogs between Shopify and WooCommerce can be complex without proper tools.

Dondo simplifies this process by automating the export of product titles, descriptions, prices, images, and SEO metadata, removing the headache between posting on both platforms. Its AI-driven optimization refines listings during migration to improve performance on either platform.

export from shopify to woocommerce with dondo — Dondo's exporting system

Which Platform Should You Choose?

Shopify: Best for entrepreneurs prioritizing simplicity, fast setup, and reliable support.
WooCommerce: Ideal for users seeking full customization, control, and cost flexibility.

Store type	Best platform
Small businesses or startups	Shopify
Large-scale or highly customized stores	WooCommerce
Dropshipping beginners	Shopify
Tech-savvy businesses needing control	WooCommerce

Shopify vs. WooCommerce: who wins?

Both Shopify and WooCommerce have unique advantages; shopify provides ease of use/onboarding and scalability, while WooCommerce offers much more flexibility. Consider your business size, technical expertise, and growth plans to make an informed decision.