WooCommerce vs. Shopify: 2024 comparison and how to choose

Deciding on the right ecommerce platform for your business is a critical decision that directly impacts your online success.

Two leading contenders in the world of ecommerce are WooCommerce and Shopify. Both platforms offer robust features and an array of customizations that make them viable options for online stores, yet they cater to different needs and business models.

This article compares WooCommerce and Shopify in-depth to help you determine which platform aligns best with your ecommerce objectives.

• WooCommerce offers extensive customization and control but requires technical skills and additional costs for themes and plugins.

• Shopify provides an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution with robust support that is suitable for those prioritizing simplicity and scalability.

• Both platforms differ in pricing models: WooCommerce is cost-effective for smaller businesses, whereas Shopify offers predictable costs through subscription plans.

• Gelato's integration with both platforms enhances ecommerce stores by providing localized print on demand services, reducing shipping costs and carbon footprint.

• Choosing between WooCommerce and Shopify depends on factors such as business size, technical expertise, customization needs, and budget.

WooCommerce is an open-source ecommerce plugin designed for WordPress, one of the most popular content management systems. It allows businesses to transform their WordPress sites into fully functional online stores with considerable room for growth and customization.

Pros

• Being open-source, it offers complete control over every aspect of your online store.

• With a vast selection of themes and plugins, you can tailor your site to your brand and business requirements.

• The platform's seamless integration with WordPress makes it ideal for businesses with a WordPress website or plans to utilize content marketing heavily.

• WooCommerce also lets you maintain ownership of all your data, providing security that other platforms may not.

Cons

• The initial setup can be complicated for beginners, given its vast array of settings and options.

• Although WooCommerce is free, many necessary add-ons and professional themes come at a price.

• Since it's a self-hosted platform, you're responsible for handling updates, security, backups, and compliance, which may require technical knowledge or additional costs to manage.

Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms, enabling entrepreneurs to start, grow, and manage a business. With its user-friendly interface and wide range of tools, Shopify is designed to make running an online store as simple as possible, even for those with limited technical skills.

Pros

• The major strength of Shopify lies in its simplicity and ease of use. The platform provides a straightforward setup process and a sleek admin interface for managing your online store.

• It's a fully hosted solution, so you don't have to worry about managing software, installing updates, or ensuring your site remains secure.

• Shopify also offers reliable, 24/7 customer support, which can be extremely helpful for store owners.

• The platform has built-in SEO and marketing tools to help boost your store's visibility and attract more customers.

Cons

• The platform uses its coding language, Liquid, which might require hiring a Shopify expert for advanced customization.

• Although Shopify provides a host of free and premium apps that you can download from the Shopify app store to extend your store's functionality, some crucial features might require a paid app.

• Another potential drawback is the platform's transaction fees. While these fees are waived if you use Shopify Payments, businesses that opt for other payment providers must pay additional fees per transaction.

Let's jump into a comparative analysis of WooCommerce and Shopify across multiple dimensions to understand each platform's strengths and weaknesses.

User base

As of 2024, WooCommerce powers over 4 million websites, demonstrating its popularity among stores seeking customization and flexibility. This vast user base includes a diverse range of businesses, from small startups to large enterprises, all benefiting from WooCommerce's open-source nature and extensive plugin ecosystem.

In contrast, Shopify boasts over 2.1 million active users worldwide and is favored for its ease of use and comprehensive ecommerce solutions. This user-friendly platform particularly appeals to entrepreneurs as well as small- and medium-sized businesses looking to launch their online stores. Shopify's robust infrastructure, excellent customer support, and extensive app marketplace contribute to its widespread adoption.

Pricing

WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress, meaning there isn’t a monthly fee. However, there are costs associated with running a WooCommerce store, such as hosting, domain, SSL certificate, and premium extensions. These factors make WooCommerce a cost-effective choice for smaller businesses but potentially pricier for larger ones.

In contrast, Shopify operates on a subscription model with three main plans: Basic Shopify ($29/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced Shopify plan ($299/month). Each plan includes hosting, an SSL certificate, and access to Shopify's key features but differs in terms of additional features and transaction fees. Shopify can be a more predictable cost option for medium to large businesses.

Since WooCommerce is a self-hosted solution, you must purchase web hosting. Hosting costs on WooCommerce are about $120 per year on average but can vary. Domain registration on WooCommerce is priced at $15 on average but can be more expensive if you purchase a domain from a private seller. In contrast, Shopify’s subscription model offers more predictable costs, packaging many of these essentials into its monthly fee. 

To summarize, Shopify offers a more streamlined and predictable pricing model that suits businesses looking to minimize technical overhead and focus on growth. WooCommerce presents a more flexible and potentially cheaper option for those willing to invest time in managing the technical aspects and customizations. 

User-friendliness

Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface and simplicity. It's designed to be accessible to non-technical users, offering a clean, intuitive dashboard for managing your online store. Onboarding is quick and helpful with guides and prompts.

WooCommerce, being a WordPress plugin, can have a steeper learning curve for non-technical users. However, it offers a highly flexible and customizable platform for those familiar with WordPress. The complexity of WooCommerce largely depends on how much customization you intend to do.

Shopify's intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows users to design their store layouts, add products, and manage sales without the need for coding knowledge. On the other hand, for users already familiar with the WordPress ecosystem, integrating WooCommerce into an existing site can be easy. The plugin supports many themes and extensions, allowing for a high degree of customization. 

In conclusion, evaluating your technical skills, the level of customization required, the time you can invest, and the type of support you need will help you determine whether Shopify or WooCommerce is right for you.

Setup time

Shopify is a hosted platform, making the setup process quick and straightforward. A basic Shopify store can be successfully set up in a few minutes. However, time can increase if you add many products or implement advanced customizations.

Setting up a WooCommerce store can take longer, because you’ll need to acquire WooCommerce hosting, install WordPress, and set up the WooCommerce plugin. The time needed can also increase depending on your familiarity with WordPress and the level of customization required.

To start with Shopify, you must create an account, choose a subscription plan, and follow the guided prompts to set up your store. The process includes selecting a theme, adding products, setting up payment options, and configuring shipping settings. 

With WooCommerce, you'll need to configure a domain name, choose a reliable hosting provider, install WordPress, and then add and configure WooCommerce. 

If you prefer a fast, hassle-free startup with minimal ongoing technical maintenance, Shopify is likely the better choice. If you value extensive customization capabilities and don't mind a steeper learning curve, WooCommerce is for you.

Customization

WooCommerce, open-source and built on WordPress, offers nearly unlimited customization options. It has a wide range of themes and plugins, both free and premium, to change the look of your store and extend its functionality.

Shopify also offers customization options through its theme store and App Store, but the level of flexibility isn't as high as that of WooCommerce. However, Shopify's customization features are more straightforward and user-friendly, making them more accessible to non-developers.

WooCommerce offers extensive customization capabilities, especially for those with some coding knowledge. Since WooCommerce is built on WordPress, you can modify the themes using custom CSS and PHP. Additionally, WooCommerce supports many plugins that can extend your site's functionality. 

Shopify, on the other hand, simplifies the customization process, making it accessible even for those without technical skills. The Shopify theme store offers a wide variety of free and paid themes. These themes are designed to be easily customizable through a user-friendly interface where you can modify basic design elements like colors, fonts, and layouts without touching a single line of code. 

Marketing features

Both WooCommerce and Shopify offer robust marketing tools. WooCommerce can leverage the vast ecosystem of WordPress plugins for email marketing, social media integration, SEO, and more.

On the other hand, Shopify has built-in marketing tools like discount codes, abandoned cart recovery, and email marketing. It also integrates seamlessly with major social media platforms for multi-channel marketing.

WooCommerce leverages the extensive WordPress ecosystem and has an impressive array of marketing plugins and extensions. For email marketing, tools like Mailchimp and Drip can be easily integrated, allowing you to create automated email campaigns tailored to specific customer segments. Shopify, in contrast, provides a more streamlined and user-friendly marketing suite directly within its platform. Shopify's marketing tools and dashboard enable you to create, execute, and track marketing campaigns from one central location, eliminating the need for multiple third-party tools.

If you prefer a fully integrated, user-friendly experience with minimal setup, Shopify's built-in tools might be more beneficial. However, if you require extensive customization and are comfortable managing multiple plugins, WooCommerce offers unparalleled flexibility and control.

Search engine optimization (SEO)

WooCommerce and Shopify both have robust SEO capabilities. Since it runs on WordPress, WooCommerce benefits from many SEO plugins, including Yoast SEO. Shopify has built-in SEO features and offers apps for advanced SEO functionalities, aiding your digital marketing endeavors.

Using WooCommerce, you can customize URL structures, metadata, and other SEO elements; it's also good for content marketing. SEO plugins like Yoast SEO offer intuitive ways to optimize your content, meta tags, and readability. Shopify's built-in SEO tools are designed to be easy to use, which is ideal for users without significant technical skills. Shopify includes a built-in blogging platform, making it easy to create content that drives organic traffic. 

Both WooCommerce and Shopify can be optimized for search engines; choose the platform that aligns with your business’s SEO goals and capacities.

Integrations

Both platforms support a wide range of third-party integrations. WooCommerce benefits from the extensive WordPress ecosystem, with plugins for virtually every functionality you can imagine. Shopify has a dedicated app marketplace with over 2000 apps covering many functionalities.

When evaluating integrations, consider your business's specific needs. WooCommerce's reliance on the WordPress ecosystem means that if you need something for your store—whether enhanced SEO tools, social sharing buttons, or advanced analytics—there's likely a plugin for it. On the flip side, Shopify's App Store boasts over 2000 apps designed to extend the platform's functionality, from marketing and sales to inventory management and customer service. 

Overall, WooCommerce provides depth and breadth through WordPress plugins, which might require more technical oversight, while Shopify offers streamlined, user-friendly integrations that are easier to manage. 

Payment processing

Shopify offers its payment solution, Shopify Payments, and supports various third-party payment gateways. However, transaction fees apply if you use a third-party payment gateway.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, supports a wide variety of payment gateways without additional transaction fees, offering more flexibility.

Shopify offers its built-in payment solution, Shopify Payments, which simplifies the setup process and eliminates transaction fees when using this method. WooCommerce is incredibly flexible and supports nearly any payment gateway via plugins. Setting up Shopify Payments is straightforward and involves minimal configuration; setting up payment gateways in WooCommerce requires a bit more effort. 

Using Shopify Payments means zero additional transaction fees. However, if you opt for other payment gateways, additional fees ranging from 0.5% to 2% per transaction will apply, depending on your Shopify plan.  WooCommerce does not impose transaction fees on top of what the payment gateways charge. 

Sales tools

WooCommerce and Shopify provide built-in sales tools, from inventory management to order processing. Shopify's tools are more user-friendly, while WooCommerce's sales tools can be extended through plugins.

Shopify offers several built-in sales tools designed to streamline your ecommerce operations. These include automatic inventory updates, bulk order processing, customized discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery features that help you recapture lost sales. WooCommerce, while rich in sales tools, relies heavily on extensions to expand its functionality. Basic sales features include inventory management, customer notifications, and reporting.

If ease of use and quick deployment are paramount, Shopify’s integrated solutions may be more attractive. However, if your business requires unique sales functionalities and you have the technical expertise or resources to manage them, WooCommerce can provide a more tailored experience.

Conversion rate

The average conversion rate varies widely between stores based on factors like industry, product type, and marketing efforts. Both WooCommerce and Shopify offer a range of tools and apps designed to help improve conversion rates, such as optimized checkout processes, product reviews, and email marketing tools.

Shopify's streamlined checkout process helps minimize friction, which can boost conversion rates. Features like auto-fill, guest checkout, and one-page checkout contribute to a smoother purchasing experience. WooCommerce, while highly customizable, requires more effort to optimize UX and checkout processes. 

Ultimately, if ease of use and faster setup are priorities for improving conversions, Shopify holds an edge. However, if you have technical prowess and seek deeper customization, WooCommerce can be tailored to meet conversion goals, though it might demand more resources.

Security

Shopify handles security on behalf of its users, offering SSL certificates and ensuring PCI compliance. WooCommerce, as a self-hosted platform, puts the responsibility of security on the user. However, there are various plugins and hosting options to enhance your WooCommerce store's security.

While Shopify manages core security aspects smoothly, it’s crucial to assess additional security features it offers, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and fraud analysis tools. These built-in features can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and fraudulent transactions.  For WooCommerce, though the user handles security tasks, there is flexibility in implementing advanced security measures. Plugins like Wordfence and Sucuri provide comprehensive security packages.

If hands-off convenience and built-in security are priorities, Shopify may be the optimal choice. For those looking for robust control and customization of security features, WooCommerce is ideal, provided you're prepared to manage these elements proactively.

Support

Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via email, live chat, and phone. In contrast, WooCommerce support is largely community-driven, with forums, documentation, and blogs. However, support for specific WooCommerce themes and plugins might be available through the theme or plugin developer.

Shopify’s 24/7 customer support is a significant advantage, particularly for new businesses and those without technical expertise. This all-around, immediate support can quickly resolve issues via multiple channels, ensuring minimal downtime for your online store.  With WooCommerce, relying on community-driven support means you’ll often turn to forums and documentation for solutions.

If round-the-clock support and quick resolutions are critical, Shopify’s structured support system will be invaluable. Conversely, if you have technical prowess or access to expert developers, WooCommerce’s community-driven support, complemented by specialized services, can be equally robust.

Scalability

Both platforms are highly scalable. Shopify's hosted infrastructure can easily handle high traffic volumes and product quantities as your business grows. WooCommerce, with the right hosting setup, can also scale to handle growth but may require more technical management.

Shopify’s hosted infrastructure eliminates the need for server management, ensuring your store can handle traffic spikes during sales or product launches without compromising performance. The platform also offers a variety of plans, allowing you to upgrade as your business grows, and provides built-in features for handling large inventories, multiple locations, and high sales volume. On the other hand, WooCommerce’s scalability depends largely on your hosting environment. Managed WordPress hosting solutions can offer robust performance, but they require more technical oversight. 

If ease of scalability is a priority and you prefer a hands-off approach, Shopify might be the better option with its automatic scaling and dedicated support. Conversely, if you have a capable tech team or are willing to invest in managed hosting services to customize and optimize your scaling process, WooCommerce can be a highly flexible solution.

Dropshipping

WooCommerce and Shopify support dropshipping business models through integrations with apps like Oberlo and plugins like AliDropship for WooCommerce. Each platform has pros and cons in this area, with Shopify offering more seamless integration and WooCommerce offering more flexibility. Both platforms also support print on demand as a dropshipping alternative, allowing you to sell custom products while outsourcing production, inventory, and shipping. 

Shopify offers integrations with popular dropshipping apps like Gelato, Oberlo and Spocket, making it incredibly user-friendly for beginners. WooCommerce, however, provides greater flexibility and control. While it requires more initial setup and technical knowledge, plugins like AliDropship and WooDropship offer extensive customization options. 

Ultimately, if you prioritize simplicity and support, Shopify might be the better choice. If you seek extensive customization and cost efficiency, WooCommerce could be more suitable.

Shipping and fulfillment

Shopify excels in shipping and fulfillment by easily integrating with major carriers and fulfillment services. Shopify Shipping allows users to access discounted rates with carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL. The platform offers a straightforward setup for managing shipping zones, rates, and methods directly from the dashboard. Shopify’s partnership with fulfillment centers like the Shopify Fulfillment Network (SFN) simplifies inventory management and order fulfillment. 

WooCommerce offers flexibility in shipping and fulfillment through various plugins and third-party integrations. While WooCommerce doesn't have built-in discounted rates with carriers, users can integrate with services like ShipStation, WooCommerce Shipping, and others to access competitive shipping rates. The platform allows for granular control over shipping settings, enabling users to configure shipping zones, classes, and methods to suit their needs. 

Multilingual support

Shopify offers multilingual support through third-party apps and its built-in capabilities. The platform supports multiple languages by allowing merchants to create translated versions of their store using apps like Langify or Weglot. Shopify Markets, a newer feature, enables merchants to tailor their stores to different regions, including language customization. While Shopify doesn’t natively support multiple languages out of the box, these integrations are relatively straightforward and provide a smooth experience for both merchants and customers. 

WooCommerce provides robust multilingual support primarily through plugins like WPML (WordPress Multilingual Plugin) and Polylang. These plugins allow users to translate every aspect of their store, including product descriptions, categories, and checkout pages. WPML, in particular, offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing multilingual content and SEO in multiple languages.

Analytics and reporting

Shopify provides robust analytics and reporting tools directly from the dashboard. Merchants can access various reports covering sales, customer behavior, marketing, and finance. The platform offers real-time insights, allowing users to monitor store performance and make data-driven decisions. Shopify’s advanced reporting features are available on higher-tier plans, providing in-depth analysis and custom report creation. 

WooCommerce offers basic reporting features out of the box, including sales reports, customer statistics, and product analytics. For more advanced analytics, users can integrate with plugins like WooCommerce, Google Analytics Pro, or Metorik. These tools offer enhanced tracking, detailed reports, and real-time analytics. While WooCommerce provides powerful analytics capabilities, setting them up and maintaining them can be more complex than Shopify’s built-in solutions.

Selecting the right ecommerce platform is a crucial step that can shape your business's success. Both WooCommerce and Shopify have unique strengths and are suited for different types of businesses. Here's some guidance to help you match your business's needs and goals to the right platform:

WooCommerce store: Best for customization and content-heavy sites

WooCommerce is designed for businesses prioritizing customization and control over their online store. It's a great option for small and medium-sized businesses and startups that have unique requirements and want the flexibility to grow and change their online store as they evolve.

Given its seamless integration with WordPress, WooCommerce is also an ideal choice for businesses heavily relying on content marketing. If you already have a WordPress site and wish to add ecommerce functionality, WooCommerce can be a natural choice.

Shopify store: Best for ease of use and scaling

Shopify shines for businesses looking for a straightforward, all-in-one ecommerce solution. It's an excellent choice for startups and small to medium businesses that want to get up and running quickly without worrying about the technical aspects of managing a website.

For businesses that plan to scale quickly or are already at scale, Shopify's robust and reliable infrastructure can easily handle high traffic volumes and large product catalogs.

If you're running an ecommerce store on WooCommerce or Shopify and are looking for innovative ways to scale, cut costs, and reduce your carbon footprint, integrating with Gelato's print on demand platform could be an excellent strategic move.

Gelato is the world's largest platform for local print on demand production of customized items. It empowers entrepreneurs, creators, and global brands to sell their products worldwide and produces them locally in over 30 countries. This revolutionary model lets your business tap into a potential consumer market of up to five billion people practically overnight.

Its commitment to cost-efficiency, speed, and sustainability sets Gelato apart. By producing items locally, Gelato reduces shipping distances, leading to faster delivery times, lower shipping costs, and a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

By integrating Gelato with your WooCommerce or Shopify store, you can seamlessly manage the production and shipping of custom products. The simple process allows you to focus more on growing your business and less on logistics.

Are you ready to grow your ecommerce business, expand your product offerings, and reach a global market while keeping your carbon footprint low? Sign up for Gelato and become part of a vibrant and supportive community of creators and entrepreneurs.

Is it better to use Shopify or WooCommerce?

Shopify offers easy-to-use, robust security and 24/7 support, which is ideal for beginners or those seeking simplicity. WooCommerce provides greater flexibility and customization, which is suitable for those with technical skills or specific requirements. 

Is Shopify more SEO-friendly than WooCommerce?

Both Shopify and WooCommerce offer strong SEO capabilities, but WooCommerce has an edge due to its integration with WordPress, a platform known for its SEO-friendliness. WooCommerce allows for more detailed customization of SEO settings. 

Why switch from WooCommerce to Shopify?

Switching from WooCommerce to Shopify may benefit those seeking a more user-friendly, all-in-one solution with robust customer support and built-in security. Shopify handles technical aspects like hosting and updates, allowing business owners to focus more on growth and marketing. 

Why use WooCommerce instead of Shopify?

Use WooCommerce instead of Shopify if you need extensive customization, have specific technical requirements, or prefer a self-hosted solution. WooCommerce’s integration with WordPress offers greater flexibility and control over your site. 

Is it worth moving from WooCommerce to Shopify?

Moving from WooCommerce to Shopify is worth considering if you seek a more streamlined, user-friendly experience with comprehensive support and less technical maintenance. Shopify’s built-in features and ease of use can save time and reduce the complexity of managing an online store.