Shopify is easy. WooCommerce is yours. If you’re launching a small store with just a few products and want to get online fast, Shopify is a good starting point. But if you’re planning to grow, customize, and build a long-term growth engine, WooCommerce gives you more control.
Let’s break down the difference in the areas that matter most.
1. Ownership and Flexibility
| Feature | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | You choose and control it | Hosted by Shopify |
| Code access | Full code access | Limited access |
| Platform dependency | Fully independent | Shopify controls rules and roadmap |
Takeaway: WooCommerce gives you full digital ownership. Shopify rents it to you.
2. Transaction Fees and Payment Gateways
Shopify charges extra fees unless you use their native Shopify Payments. WooCommerce lets you use any gateway — Stripe, PayPal, or local providers — with no extra charges.
Estimated Impact (at $50k/mo revenue):
- Shopify (with external gateway): $750–$1,000/month in platform fees
- WooCommerce: $0 in platform fees
Takeaway: At scale, WooCommerce saves thousands in unnecessary processing costs.
3. Customization and Features
WooCommerce is built for flexibility:
- Multilingual stores
- Custom checkout logic
- Subscription models
- Wholesale pricing tiers
- Third-party API integrations
Shopify offers customization, but anything beyond the standard requires apps — and those apps add costs, complexity, and code bloat.
Takeaway: If your business model is unique, WooCommerce adapts. Shopify resists.
4. SEO and Content Marketing
| SEO Feature | WooCommerce + WordPress | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| URL customization | Full control | Limited |
| Metadata editing | Native + plugin support | Basic only |
| Schema integration | Easily added via plugins | Often requires paid apps |
| Blog features | Full WordPress CMS | Basic blogging features |
Takeaway: If content or SEO is a growth channel, WooCommerce gives you the edge.
5. Cost at Scale
| Expense Type | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | None | Monthly ($39–$399+) |
| Transaction fees | None | 0.5–2% |
| App costs | Optional | Common/required |
| Hosting | Flexible pricing | Included |
Example: At 10,000 orders/year and moderate app use:
- Shopify: $5,000–$10,000 in annual fees
- WooCommerce: $1,000–$3,000, depending on hosting/plugins
Takeaway: WooCommerce scales your freedom. Shopify scales your bills.
Visual: Platform Comparison Summary
| Category | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | WooCommerce | Total control over tech stack |
| SEO Flexibility | WooCommerce | Built on WordPress with deep SEO tools |
| Ease of Use | Shopify | Faster setup for beginners |
| Cost Control | WooCommerce | No forced upgrades or fees |
| Customization | WooCommerce | Anything is possible |
When We Recommend Each and Why
We’ve launched, scaled, and optimized online stores on both Shopify and WooCommerce — so our recommendations come from practical experience, not preference.
Choose Shopify if:
You need a fast launch, simple setup, limited ongoing changes, and don’t anticipate deep customization or long-term platform scaling.
Ideal for MVPs, testing offers, and single-product DTC funnels with standard needs.
Choose WooCommerce if:
You want full control over tech stack, advanced logic or third-party integrations, rely on organic traffic, or plan to scale operations across multiple markets.
Woo is our go-to when clients ask for something that Shopify comes up lacking for: more control without hidden fees or roadblocks.
What we see at 3MY:
8 out of 10 clients who start on Shopify eventually move to WooCommerce as scaling needs increase.
Not because Shopify breaks — but because it boxes them in.
Not Sure Which Platform Fits?
Book a Platform Planning Call
We’ll review your product mix, growth targets, required features, and operational model — and give you a platform strategy that fits the real business, not just today’s prototype.
No upsell. No bias. Just direction from a team that’s built on both sides.
