The WooCommerce vs Shopify debate has a clear answer for most scenarios — but "it depends" is not helpful. Here is our framework for making the decision.
Choose WooCommerce when
- You need deep customisation of the checkout flow
- You sell B2B with complex pricing rules, net terms, or purchase orders
- You need tight integration with an existing WordPress content site
- You want to own your data without platform lock-in
- Your average order value is high enough to absorb development costs
Choose Shopify when
- You are a DTC brand that needs to launch fast and scale fast
- You do not have technical resources in-house
- You want predictable monthly costs with hosting included
- You primarily sell standard physical products
The total cost of ownership
Shopify's advertised pricing (Basic: $29/month) understates the real cost. Add Shopify Payments fees (2.9% + 30¢), apps ($50–300/month for typical functionality), and themes ($180–400). A real Shopify build for a medium store runs $500–1,500/month all-in. WooCommerce hosting runs $50–200/month, but requires development investment upfront.
