Two of the biggest eCommerce platforms compared honestly — with no bias towards either.
The Definitive Shopify vs WooCommerce Comparison
Both Shopify and WooCommerce power millions of online stores worldwide. Neither is universally "better" — the right choice depends on your specific situation.
At a Glance
| -------- | --------- | ------------- |
| Cost (starting) | £25/month | Free (+ hosting) |
| Cost (scaled) | £200-500+/month | £50-200+/month |
| Security | Managed | Self-managed |
| Performance | Consistent | Depends on setup |
Choose Shopify If...
- You want a turnkey solution with minimal technical overhead
- You don't have (or want to hire) developers
- You value reliability and uptime guarantees
- You sell physical products with straightforward requirements
- You want access to Shopify's ecosystem (POS, Payments, etc.)
Choose WooCommerce If...
- You need maximum flexibility and customisation
- You already have a WordPress website
- You want full ownership of your data and code
- You have complex product configurations
- You want to keep long-term costs lower
The Hidden Costs
Shopify hidden costs:
- Apps can add £50-300+/month for essential functionality
- Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments
- Premium themes cost £150-350
- Custom development requires Liquid expertise
WooCommerce hidden costs:
- Quality hosting: £20-100/month
- Premium plugins for advanced features
- Developer time for updates and maintenance
- Security monitoring and SSL
Our Recommendation
For most small to medium businesses selling physical products, Shopify offers the best balance of simplicity and capability. For businesses needing heavy customisation, complex product types, or tight budget control, WooCommerce is often the better long-term choice.
We build stores on both platforms and can help you make the right decision. Explore our eCommerce services or get a recommendation based on your specific needs.