Shopify vs WooCommerce: Which E-Commerce Tool Is Better in 2026?
Shopify
From $29WooCommerce
From $0Quick verdict
Overall pick: WooCommerce
Choose Shopify if you want a hosted, all-in-one platform with a flat monthly fee and no setup cost for software itself. Choose WooCommerce if you need a free starting point, full customization on WordPress, and zero native transaction fees. Shopify charges a monthly fee but includes hosting and support; WooCommerce is free but requires you to manage WordPress hosting and maintenance.
- WooCommerce's entry plan ($0) is 100% cheaper than Shopify's ($29).
- WooCommerce has a free plan; Shopify does not.
- Only WooCommerce offers: 0% native transaction fees.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify · flat | $29.00 | $348 |
| WooCommerce · flat | $0.00 | $0 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-conscious startup with WordPress experience | WooCommerce | WooCommerce has a free plan and no native transaction fees, while Shopify starts at $29/month. |
| Brand wanting a fully managed, hosted solution | Shopify | Shopify is a hosted platform with a flat monthly fee, whereas WooCommerce requires self-hosted WordPress. |
| Store needing complete customization of code and design | WooCommerce | WooCommerce is open-source and built on WordPress, allowing full customization; Shopify is a hosted platform with limited backend access. |
| Business prioritizing zero transaction fees on sales | WooCommerce | WooCommerce has 0% native transaction fees, while Shopify does not offer zero native transaction fees. |
| Retailer needing integrated POS and multi-channel inventory | Tie | Both platforms support POS hardware, multi-channel inventory management, and abandoned cart recovery. |
Feature comparison: Shopify vs WooCommerce
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ | ✅ |
| Starting price | $29 /mo | $0 /mo |
| Multi-channel inventory management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Abandoned cart recovery | ✅ | ✅ |
| Point of Sale (POS) hardware & integration | ✅ | ✅ |
| 0% native transaction fees | — | ✅ |
| Custom domain with free SSL | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-currency international checkout | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rich third-party app marketplace | ✅ | ✅ |
| REST & GraphQL developer APIs | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
Shopify
- Flat monthly pricing starting at $29/month with no separate hosting costs
- Includes POS support, multi-channel inventory, abandoned cart recovery, and multi-currency checkout
- Rich third-party app marketplace and REST & GraphQL APIs
- No free plan; requires a paid subscription from $29/month
- Does not offer 0% native transaction fees
WooCommerce
- Free plan with no starting cost
- 0% native transaction fees
- Open-source and fully customizable on WordPress
- Includes POS support, multi-channel inventory, abandoned cart recovery, and multi-currency checkout
- Requires self-hosted WordPress, meaning you manage hosting and maintenance
- No flat monthly fee includes hosting; costs depend on your WordPress setup
Which tool would you pick for your stack?
Cast your vote to see real-time peer recommendations from other software buyers.
At a glance
The all-in-one global commerce platform powering millions of businesses.
Founded 2006 · From $29 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: scaling brands, dropshippers & retail
See Shopify alternatives →Open-source, fully customizable e-commerce platform built on WordPress.
Founded 2011 · From $0 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: WordPress users, complete store customization
See WooCommerce alternatives →FAQ
Is Shopify cheaper than WooCommerce?
No, Shopify starts at $29/month, while WooCommerce has a free plan.
Does WooCommerce charge transaction fees?
No, WooCommerce has 0% native transaction fees.
Which platform offers a free plan?
WooCommerce offers a free plan; Shopify does not.
Do both platforms support POS and multi-channel inventory?
Yes, both Shopify and WooCommerce support POS hardware and multi-channel inventory management.
Which platform is better for complete store customization?
WooCommerce, because it is open-source and built on WordPress, allowing full customization.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All E-Commerce tools →