COMPARISON
Shopify vs WooCommerce for a store that has to grow.
We have moved dozens of stores from WooCommerce to Shopify and built a few the other way. Here is the honest version.
OUR VERDICT
Pick Shopify if you want to run a store, not a server. Pick WooCommerce if you need total control, have a developer on staff, and the content site matters more than the store.
SIDE BY SIDE
Shopify vs WooCommerce, row by row.
Green marks the better option for most DTC stores; amber means it depends on your setup.
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting & upkeep | Included; Shopify runs itBetter | Your host, your updates, your security |
| Setup cost | Theme $0–$400; build from $10kBetter | Theme + plugins; build from $8k but ongoing dev |
| Monthly cost | $39–$399 + appsDepends | Hosting $30–$300 + plugin renewalsDepends |
| Checkout | Hosted, Shop Pay, converts bestBetter | Self-hosted; you own PCI and speed |
| Apps / plugins | Vetted App Store, deeper commerce appsDepends | Huge WordPress ecosystem, uneven qualityDepends |
| Content & blog | Good enough; headless for content-heavy | Best in class (it is WordPress)Better |
| Speed | Fast by defaultBetter | Depends on host and plugins |
| Control & custom code | Liquid, Functions, Hydrogen | Anything, PHPBetter |
| Multi-currency / markets | Markets, nativeBetter | Plugins |
| Who edits | Your teamBetter | Your team, with a developer nearby |
FREE MIGRATION PLANNER
Plan your WooCommerce to Shopify redirects
Enter your store to list every URL, see which keep their path, and get the 301 redirect map.
Run the planner →FREE SEO & AEO CHECKER
Check your new Shopify store for AI answers
See if ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews can find, read and cite your store.
Run the checker →FAQ
Questions about Shopify vs WooCommerce
Still torn?
We’ll look at your store on a 30-minute call.
Book a callIs WooCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
WooCommerce is free to install, but hosting, plugin renewals, security and developer time add up, and those costs grow with the store. Shopify's monthly fee includes hosting, security and the checkout. Over two or three years, compare total cost of ownership, not the plugin price.
Can we keep our WordPress blog and move the store to Shopify?
Yes. Many brands keep WordPress for content and move the store to Shopify, linking the two or embedding products in posts. We set up the links and redirects so both sides keep their rankings.
How long does a WooCommerce to Shopify migration take?
A WooCommerce to Shopify migration typically takes eight to twelve weeks, depending on catalogue size, customer and order history, and whether the design changes at the same time. The proposal fixes the timeline before we start.
Will we lose rankings moving from WooCommerce?
Not if redirects and on-page signals are handled properly. Every changed URL gets a one-to-one 301, titles and schema are carried over, and we track rankings, 404s and indexing against the pre-launch baseline.
Which has the better checkout?
Shopify. Its hosted checkout, with Shop Pay, is fast, PCI compliant and maintained by Shopify. A WooCommerce checkout can be good, but its speed, security and compliance are yours to keep up.
You've reached the end, so now…
Tell us what you're selling.
Send us your store. Within one business day you get a short Loom from a senior: the three things we'd fix first, what it would cost, and whether we're the right team for it.
- No pitch deck, no discovery-call theatre
- You keep the audit whether or not you hire us
- Fixed-scope quotes, no hourly surprises
Prefer to talk? Book 20 minutes with Haniel or call +1 855-764-4977