⚖️ Comparison · Updated for 2026

Shopify vs WooCommerce (WordPress)

Side-by-side comparison, when-to-use-each guide, and instant conversion. Reviewed for 2026.

Quick answer: Shopify: hosted, all-in-one, starts at around £19/month (annual billing) + transaction fees, fastest setup, best for non-developers. WooCommerce: free plugin on WordPress, your hosting, unlimited customisation, no transaction fee beyond payment processor. For non-technical founders: Shopify. For developers or complex requirements: WooCommerce.
Decision guide — when to use which
Use Shopify when…

Non-technical founders, fastest time to market, managed platform, simple ongoing maintenance.

Use WooCommerce (WordPress) when…

Full control, lower long-term cost at scale, existing WordPress site, complex customisation needs.

📊 Side-by-side comparison
Aspect Shopify WooCommerce (WordPress)
Monthly cost £19-259+ (billed annually) plus 0.2-2% third-party gateway fees £5-20 hosting + optional paid plugins
Technical skill needed Low Medium-High
Transaction fees 0.2-2% (avoidable with Shopify Payments) None (beyond payment processor)
Customisation Good (with apps) Unlimited (with dev skills)
Scaling Easy Requires technical management

Frequently asked

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What are Shopify's actual total costs?

Basic Shopify: £19/month + 2% transaction fee on Basic (waived if using Shopify Payments). For a store doing £5,000/month: £19 + £100 transaction fees = £119/month. WooCommerce equivalent: ~£20 hosting + £0 transaction fee = £20/month. The gap grows with revenue.

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Is WooCommerce free?

The core plugin is free. You'll pay for: hosting (~£5-20/month), premium plugins (£0-200/year), a premium theme (£40-100 one-off), and payment processor fees (Stripe: 1.5% + 20p per transaction for standard UK cards). Total: ~£20-50/month for a typical small store.

Reviewed for 2026. This comparison is general guidance based on publicly available information. Prices, rates, rules and specifications change, so check current details with the provider or an official source before making a decision. Built by a UK-based qualified primary teacher and FA Level 2 coach as part of 247QuickTools' free utility-tools project. We don't sell SEO links or accept paid placements in this content.

Frequently asked questions

What are Shopify's actual total costs?

Basic Shopify: £19/month + 2% transaction fee on Basic (waived if using Shopify Payments). For a store doing £5,000/month: £19 + £100 transaction fees = £119/month. WooCommerce equivalent: ~£20 hosting + £0 transaction fee = £20/month. The gap grows with revenue.

Is WooCommerce free?

The core plugin is free. You'll pay for: hosting (~£5-20/month), premium plugins (£0-200/year), a premium theme (£40-100 one-off), and payment processor fees (Stripe: 1.5% + 20p per transaction for standard UK cards). Total: ~£20-50/month for a typical small store.