Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce
Last updated: 2026-08-20
Three e-commerce platforms compared — pricing, features, scalability, and which fits your store.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular Shopify | best WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $39/mo | $0 (plugin free, hosting costs apply) |
| Free trial | 3-day free trial, then $1/mo for 3 months | No trial — plugin is free to install |
| Best for | E-commerce businesses of all sizes | WordPress users who want full control |
| Free plan | ✗ | Yes — free plugin |
| Starting price | $39/mo (Basic), $105/mo (Grow), $399/mo (Advanced) | $0 plugin + hosting ($5-$100+/mo) |
| Storefront builder | Drag-and-drop + Liquid | — |
| Payment processing | Shopify Payments + 100+ gateways | Stripe, PayPal, 100+ gateways |
| Inventory | Unlimited products | Unlimited products |
| App store | 8,000+ apps | — |
| Themes | Free + paid (premium) | — |
| Abandoned cart | Standard plan+ | — |
| SSL + PCI | Included | — |
| Support | 24/7 chat + email + phone | Community + paid support |
| Storefront | — | WordPress themes |
| Extensions | — | 700+ official extensions |
| Transaction fees | — | None (gateway fees only) |
| SSL | — | Must configure yourself |
| Customisation | — | Unlimited (open source) |
Shopify Pros & Cons
Pros
- All-in-one e-commerce — store, payments, shipping, marketing
- Shopify Payments — no need for third-party payment processor
- Massive app store (8,000+ apps) for extending functionality
- Excellent themes — free and paid (designed for conversion)
- Reliable and fast — hosted on Shopify's infrastructure
- Built-in SSL, security, and PCI compliance
Cons
- Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments (0.5-2%)
- App costs add up — many essential features need paid apps
- Limited blog functionality (not a WordPress replacement)
- Customising themes requires Liquid (Shopify's templating language)
- Abandoned cart recovery only on Grow plan ($105/mo)+
WooCommerce Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free plugin — no monthly platform fee (hosting costs apply)
- Full source code access — complete customisation possible
- No transaction fees (use any payment gateway)
- Integrates with all WordPress plugins and themes
- Huge ecosystem of WooCommerce extensions
- You own all your data (no lock-in)
Cons
- Requires WordPress hosting, security, and maintenance
- Setup is more complex than Shopify (not beginner-friendly)
- No built-in payment processor (must integrate Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
- Performance depends on your hosting quality
- Security is your responsibility (updates, SSL, backups)
- Premium extensions add up in cost
Final Verdict
Both Shopify and WooCommerce are solid choices in the E-commerce space. The right pick depends on your budget, team size, and specific feature needs. We recommend trying both via their free plans or trials before committing.
Our pick: WooCommerce
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses: Shopify or WooCommerce?
For small businesses, the better choice depends on your budget and specific needs. WooCommerce generally offers better value for money, while Shopify has more advanced features for growing teams.
Do Shopify and WooCommerce offer free trials?
Yes, both platforms offer ways to try before buying. 3-day free trial, then $1/mo for 3 months offers a trial, and No trial — plugin is free to install also offers a trial. We recommend trying both before committing.
Can I switch from Shopify to WooCommerce (or vice versa)?
Yes, most platforms offer data export tools. Contact lists, settings, and historical data can usually be migrated, though some manual setup will be required. Check each platform's migration documentation before switching.
Ready to try?
Start with a free trial and see which tool fits your workflow.