WooCommerce vs. Shopify: Extended Comparison

Written on October 30, 2024 by Julia Lozanov

Estimated read time 5 minutes

WooCommerce vs. Shopify: Extended Comparison

WooCommerce and Shopify are two of the most popular ecommerce platforms on the market.

They both offer a lot of features and capabilities, but which one is the best for your business?

To find out, we put them head to head.

If you're leaning towards WooCommerce, you'll need to find reliable hosting for WordPress and explore top extensions to enhance your store.

On the other hand, Shopify offers a robust platform with features beneficial for any eCommerce outfit.

WooCommerce vs. Shopify: Common Features

Shopify vs WooCommerce is one of the most popular comparisons since both are top platforms for ecommerce.

However, both platforms have common features that make them suitable for ecommerce:

Both are ecommerce tools, so you’ll get a ready-made store to sell your products and services online.
You can find a range of plug-ins and extras across the two which will provide analytics tools, improve sales and generally enhance your site.
Both platforms offer customizable themes and templates to give your online store a unique appearance.
They both support multiple payment gateways, allowing you to accept payments from various sources.
Both WooCommerce and Shopify provide built-in SEO tools to help your store rank higher in search engine results.

WooCommerce vs. Shopify: Key Differences

While these two platforms offer many features to help you start and grow your business, they still have several differences, which we’ve highlighted below.

Pricing structure

On paper, WooCommerce is much cheaper (even offering a free version) while Shopify comes with a monthly pricing structure.

However, WooCommerce is more customizable and the costs will mount up the more extensions and features you add.

Shopify prices are static, so you'll never have to worry about surprise expenses.

Ease of use

Shopify has a much more out-of-the-box feel to it and is easier to get to grips with.

WooCommerce on the other hand offers a wide range of ways to tinker with your store and it supports multiple third-party extensions.

WooCommerce vs. Shopify: Point By Point Comparison

Let’s have a deeper look at how these top dogs compare side-by-side.

Criteria	Shopify	WooCommerce	Verdict
Ease of Use	Easy setup from dashboard; no web development skills required.	Relatively user-friendly but requires time to learn; needs third-party extensions.	Shopify wins for its simple user interface and ease of setup.
Build Time	Pre-built features; instant store setup; hosting included.	Requires finding a host; need to select multiple extensions before starting.	Shopify wins for faster setup time.
Design and Themes	Offers around 100 free and paid themes; premium themes can be expensive.	Thousands of templates and themes through extensions; highly customizable.	WooCommerce wins for a wider choice of themes.
Sales Features	Comprehensive features ready out of the box, including abandoned cart recovery, email marketing, customer follow-up.	Offers similar features but requires finding and installing plug-ins.	Tie; both offer similar sales features.
Plug-ins and Integrations	About 1,200 free and paid apps; customer reviews available.	Over 50,000 plug-ins and integrations; highly customizable.	WooCommerce wins for a vast number of extensions.
Marketing Tools	Robust tools ready out of the box; automated email campaigns; integration with MailChimp; multi-channel selling.	Similar tools available but require separate extensions for each.	Shopify wins for convenience of built-in tools.
Payment Options and Transaction Fees	Over 100 payment gateways included; Shopify charges a 2% processing fee.	Similar number of payment options; no additional fees charged by WooCommerce; requires plug-ins.	WooCommerce wins for no transaction fees.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)	Offers SEO add-ons; customizable URLs; SEO boosters; content optimization tools.	Code optimized for SEO; benefits from WordPress integration.	WooCommerce wins narrowly due to SEO optimization and WordPress integration.
Security	Built-in security measures; SSL certificate included; compliant with data protection regulations.	No built-in security; depends on hosting provider's security measures.	Shopify wins for built-in security features.
Customer Support	24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone; support from Shopify as host and provider.	Support via incident tickets; additional support from hosting provider; many agents are WooCommerce experts.	WooCommerce wins for multiple support avenues.
Pricing	Plans from $29 to $299 per month; includes hosting and features.	Free platform; hosting costs $3–$20/month; plug-ins average $39 each.	WooCommerce wins for free entry-level option.
Customization	Limited customization options; designed for simplicity.	Highly flexible with thousands of plug-ins and templates; allows for unique websites.	WooCommerce wins for extensive customization capabilities.
Business Size	Ideal for small businesses; quick setup for users with little web knowledge.	Suitable for both small and large businesses; flexible and scalable but may have a learning curve.	WooCommerce wins for versatility across business sizes.

When to Migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce and Vice Versa

You’ve outgrown Shopify

If your business has grown to the point Shopify’s features are no longer enough, you might want to consider scaling up to WooCommerce.

Cost comparisons

Some users can easily overspend on WooCommerce plugins and find switching to the more consistent subscription model of Shopify helps them budget more easily.

You’re looking for simplicity

If WooCommerce is too much to handle, switching over to Shopify can really help simplify your business.

Limited technical knowledge

Suppose managing WooCommerce feels too complex, switching to Shopify with its easy interface and built-in features can simplify running your store.

Advanced customization needs

If your store needs advanced customization, WooCommerce’s flexibility and large plugin library might be better for creating a unique eCommerce experience.

Voice Commerce: How WooCommerce and Shopify Are Adapting to Voice Search

Voice search is becoming an increasingly popular way for customers to interact with online stores.

As voice devices like Amazon Echo and Google Assistant grow in popularity, WooCommerce and Shopify are adapting to support voice commerce for store owners.

Here’s how each platform is embracing voice search:

	Feature	Details
WooCommerce	Custom Solutions with Plug-ins	WooCommerce offers flexibility through third-party plug-ins like Jetpack for voice search optimization.
WooCommerce	WordPress Voice SEO	WooCommerce benefits from SEO plug-ins like Yoast SEO to optimize content for voice queries.
WooCommerce	Voice-Activated Commerce	WooCommerce can support voice-enabled shopping actions, such as search, add to cart, and purchases via voice commands.
Shopify	Native Shopify Integration with Google	Shopify partners with Google for streamlined voice shopping through Google Assistant.
Shopify	Shopify Ping and Kit	Shopify's Kit helps merchants with conversational commerce, while Shopify Ping allows customer interaction through voice commands.
Shopify	Voice Search-Optimized Themes	Shopify provides SEO-optimized themes, including those for voice search.

There are also a couple of common voice commerce features across both platforms;

Mobile-first approach: WooCommerce and Shopify are focusing on mobile and voice commerce as more people shop on phones and voice devices.
Voice-optimized descriptions: Store owners can tailor product descriptions for natural language, matching how customers speak in voice searches.

Suffice it to say that voice search is transforming online shopping, and WooCommerce and Shopify are adapting with tools to help businesses stay competitive.

Other Ecommerce Platforms You Can Consider

There are a number of popular eCommerce website builders that offer customizable packages that include themes, plugins, and a selection of layouts.

These builders make it easy to create a website that looks and feels exactly the way you want it to, without having to learn coding.

This includes Magento, BigCommerce and Squarespace.

Magento stands out from the crowd thanks to its top-level customization support and is a go-to choice for enterprise clients and large organizations

That said, you'll need tip-top web development skills to get the most out of the platform.

Check our blog post on WooCommerce Vs. Magento to learn more about this enterprise-level ecommerce platform.

FInal Remarks

Choosing between WooCommerce and Shopify ultimately depends on your business needs, as both platforms cater to different market niches.

Shopify is user-friendly but less flexible, while WooCommerce offers more customization and extensions.

Evaluate how each platform integrates with your business, and choose the one that supports your goals.

With Verpex managed hosting for WordPress you can be assured your eCommerce store is in good hands.

Our team will guide you along the process with 24/7 support, making sure it goes smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need web developer skills to use Shopify or WooCommerce?

No. Both platforms welcome beginners, but you might get more out of WooCommerce’s extensions if you’ve got some previous experience.

Are both platforms mobile friendly?

Yes, both options have been optimized to work well on mobile devices.

Is hosting a WooCommerce site complicated?

Not at all. We can arrange managed hosting here at Verpex and can provide advice and guidance on getting the most out of the platform.

Which platform is right for my business?

Generally, Shopify is good for entrepreneurs looking for a simple, easy-to-use platform. WooCommerce is better for those looking for a fully customizable web store.

Is WooCommerce a good website builder?

Yes, WooCommerce is a good website builder, especially for WordPress users.

It's flexible, highly customizable, and perfect for those who want control over their online store's design and functionality.

That said, it requires more technical know-how compared to some other platforms like Shopify.

Can I make money with WooCommerce?

Yes, you can make money with WooCommerce by selling products or services online

It helps you set up a store where you can sell physical items, digital products, or even offer memberships. You have full control over how your store looks and works.