Shopify vs WooCommerce

Shopify is a hosted shop that someone else maintains. WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that gives you full control and full upkeep. Pick by whether you already run WordPress and who will look after it.

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The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

If you have no developer and want the shop to just work, I'd pick Shopify. If your content, brand and SEO already live on WordPress, and you have a developer or agency to keep it healthy, I'd pick WooCommerce. A second store on a different platform means two logins and two designs. Price the real set-up on both. Shopify's plan is only part of the bill, and WooCommerce's core being free hides hosting, extensions and developer time. The MCP integration on WooCommerce is still a developer preview, so treat it as something to test. There is no single winner. Choose by who will own the upkeep.

What the data says

Both cover 1 of the 1 features we compared.
Both have a free plan, so you can try each before you pay.
Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
In our Website ranking, Shopify places 4 and WooCommerce 9 of 11.

Side by side

Shopify and WooCommerce compared
5 points compared	Shopify	WooCommerce
Starts at	€21/mo	Not known yet
Free plan	Yes	Yes
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	Yes	Yes
Native ecommerce	Yes	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Shopify

Basic€28/mo
Grow€78/mo
Advanced€384/mo
AgenticFor selling in AI channels; no monthly fee and you only pay when you make a sale.Free

WooCommerce

WooCommerce coreFree and open source, no platform fee or revenue share; hosting, payments and extensions cost extra.Free

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Shopify if…

Pick Shopify if you sell products and want checkout, payments, tax set-up and security off your plate. It suits small and mid-size brands without a developer, and anyone who wants a large app ecosystem and point of sale. Subscriptions, reviews and advanced email flows often come from third-party apps, so fewer apps keeps the store faster. Skip it if you already run WordPress and want the shop inside that site, or if you want full control of your own code.

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Choose WooCommerce if…

Pick WooCommerce if WordPress is already your site and you want the store inside it. It works well for content-heavy stores, unusual products, and teams with a developer or trusted agency. You control hosting, data and payments, and the REST API and Store API give you room to build. Skip it if nobody wants to maintain updates, backups, security and speed. Choose good hosting and a plan for updates before you launch, and tally extension costs before you compare it with a hosted platform.

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Other options worth a look

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Webflow
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Wix
Builds business websites and online stores without coding, with hosting, payments and blogging built in.
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Squarespace
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Framer
Build and host responsive marketing sites with a visual canvas, built-in CMS and AI.
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From $10/moFree plan
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Carrd
Builds simple responsive one-page websites without any code, using templates and drag-and-drop design.
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From $0.75/mo yearlyFree plan
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BigCommerce
Hosted e-commerce platform for online stores, with B2B features, open APIs and plans tied to your sales volume.
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From $29/mo yearly
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