WooCommerce or Shopify: which is better for your online store

Both platforms are excellent, but for different situations. Here is how we compare WooCommerce and Shopify when a client is planning an online store.

Costs

Shopify is paid as a monthly subscription, and extra features often come as paid apps, also billed monthly. WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin. You pay for hosting, the build and any paid add-ons, but there is no platform subscription.

Payments and local integrations

When selling in a local market, what matters is card payments through local banks, cash on delivery, bank transfers and local courier services. With WooCommerce we can build these integrations to measure; with Shopify you depend on whether a ready-made app exists.

Freedom to customise

• WooCommerce: full access to the code, database and server. You can build any feature, from B2B pricing to a connection with your warehouse software.
• Shopify: a fast start and less worry about servers, but changes are limited to what the platform allows.

Codema tip If you sell mostly internationally and don’t need connections to local systems, Shopify can be a faster start. For local markets and special requirements, WooCommerce is almost always more flexible.

Maintenance

Shopify maintains the platform for you. WooCommerce needs regular updates and backups, which is why we always offer it together with maintenance.

Conclusion

There is no universal winner. On the first call we go through your product range, payments and growth plans, and recommend whatever is more cost-effective for you, even when that isn’t WooCommerce.