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Shopify vs WooCommerce
Shopify vs WooCommerce
A side-by-side look at Shopify (the paid SaaS) and WooCommerce (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Hosted e-commerce platform for online stores. | E-commerce plugin on top of WordPress. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | GPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Basic from $29/month plus transaction fees. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 2/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Web only |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | iOS, Android |
Best for
Store owners already on WordPress or wanting maximum plugin choice.
WooCommerce strengths
- Huge extension marketplace.
- Mature — powers millions of stores.
- Full ownership of code and data.
WooCommerce weaknesses
- Performance tuning required at scale.
- Extension costs can add up.
- Depends on WordPress stack.
What's the catch with Shopify?
- App ecosystem pushes costs higher than advertised.
- Transaction fees if you skip Shopify Payments.
- Checkout customization is limited on lower plans.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Shopify: see Shopify alternatives, or learn more about WooCommerce on its project page.
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