Shopify Vs. WooCommerce: Who Comes Out On Top? (2023)

22% of online stores are backed by WooCommerce, whereas Shopify powers 17%.

The two eCommerce solution giants are back in the spotlight – this time for a sudden surge in the shopifywoo new industry (from $3.3 trillion today to $5.4 trillion in 2026).

As two of the most popular eCommerce platforms on the market, it’s no surprise that WooCommerce and Shopify are often pitted against each other. So, which platform is better? 

In this article, we’ll compare Shopify vs Woocommerce to help you decide which is right for your business.

Here’s a more detailed look at WooCommerce vs. Shopify:

WooCommerce

Looking to hit an eCommerce and affiliate program together? WooCommerce lets you do it under one single roof!

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that turns your WordPress website into a fully functioning eCommerce store. And if you are a WordPress person, you already have half of the skills to try this e-commerce giant. The platform comes with SEO features built in. It’s extremely versatile and can be customized to fit nearly any business need.

In addition to this, WooCommerce comes with a free trial of 7 days.

Pros:

• WooCommerce is free to use.
• Flexible to business needs.
• There are no transaction fees if you use a third-party payment processor like PayPal or Stripe.
• It integrates with WordPress so that you can use all of WordPress’ features on your WooCommerce store.
• It’s easy to set up.
• You can find a wide variety of plugins and themes to customize your store.

Cons:

• You’ll need to be familiar with WordPress in order to use WooCommerce.
• WooCommerce can be a bit resource-intensive, so it’s important to make sure your hosting plan can handle the extra traffic.

Shopify

With a 23 percent market share in the U.S. Shopify – the largest eCommerce platform in the USA – is a standalone eCommerce platform that starts at $29 per month.

The comprehensive eCommerce platform includes everything you need to run your online store. It’s a good choice for businesses that are looking for a comprehensive eCommerce solution with all the bells and whistles.

Pros:

• It’s easy to use, even if you’re not familiar with web development.
• Shopify offers 24/7 customer support.
• Shopify is a paid platform, but it offers a free trial.
• It’s easy to set up and use.
• You can customize your store with themes and apps.

Cons:

• Shopify is a monthly subscription, so it’s more expensive than WooCommerce in the long run.
• You’ll need to use Shopify’s payment gateway if you want to avoid transaction fees, which are an additional 2% per sale.
• Now that we’ve taken a look at the pros and cons of WooCommerce vs Shopify, let’s compare them side-by-side.

WooCommerce vs Shopify: Side-by-Side Comparison

Now that we’ve taken a look at the pros and cons of Shopify vs. Woocommerce, let’s compare them side-by-side.

Features

WooCommerce and Shopify are both feature-rich eCommerce platforms. However, the scalability of Woocommerce is more versatile since it’s a plugin for WordPress. This means that you can add any number of plugins or themes to customize your store. Plus, Shopify is a standalone platform, so it doesn’t offer as much flexibility when it comes to customization.

Pricing

WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress, so it’s more affordable than Shopify in the long run. However, you will need to pay for hosting and a domain name, which can add up. Shopify is a monthly subscription, so it’s more expensive upfront. However, it includes hosting and a domain name, so you don’t need to worry about those additional costs.

Ease of Use

Both WooCommerce and Shopify are easy to use, even if you’re not familiar with web development. However, WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress, so you’ll need to be familiar with WordPress in order to use it. Being a  standalone platform, Shopify is comparatively easier to use if you’re not familiar with WordPress.

Customer Support

Both WooCommerce and Shopify offer impressive customer support. However, Shopify offers 24/7 customer support, which can be helpful if you run into any issues outside of normal business hours.

Shopify vs. WooCommerce: Who uses those platforms?

While WooCommerce and Shopify are both eCommerce platforms, they each have their own distinct target audiences.

WooCommerce is popular among small businesses and individuals who want to set up an online store quickly and cheaply. On the other hand, Shopify is favored by larger businesses that need more robust features and support.

Plus, WooCommerce is an open-source platform, which means it’s free to use. However, you’ll need to pay for hosting, a domain name, and other necessary plugins and add-ons. On the other hand, Shopify is a subscription-based service that starts at $29 per month.

Both WooCommerce and Shopify are easy to use and offer a wide range of features.

However, if you’re looking for an affordable option with plenty of customization potential, WooCommerce is the better choice. Simply put, if you need a more comprehensive solution with better support, Shopify is the way to go.

Shopify vs WooCommerce: Which one is right for you?

As an eCommerce business owner, you have a lot of options when it comes to choosing the right platform for your store. Two of the most popular platforms are Shopify and WooCommerce. So, how do you know which one is right for you?

Here’s a quick rundown of the key differences between Shopify and WooCommerce:

• Shopify is a turnkey eCommerce solution that includes everything you need to set up and run your online store. WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that turns your WordPress site into an online store.
• Nextly, Shopify is a hosted platform, which means that you don’t have to worry about hosting fees or managing server space. WooCommerce is a self-hosted platform, which means that you’ll need to find a good web hosting provider and take care of all the technical details yourself.
• Shopify offers 24/7 customer support, while WooCommerce offers community-based support.
• The leading platform in the USA, Shopify, includes a built-in shopping cart and checkout process, while WooCommerce uses third-party plugins for these features.
• Shopify offers a wide range of beautiful, ready-made themes, while WooCommerce has a smaller selection of themes but more customization options.
• Finally, Shopify is more expensive than WooCommerce, but it’s also much easier to set up and use.

Website Application Distribution

The scalability of Woocommerce, when it comes to website categories, can be a bit extended compared to Shopify. However, both leading platforms are heroes in different markets where they meet their best needs.

Who wins the battle?

Shopify is the clear winner when it comes to ease of use. The platform is designed to be as user-friendly as possible and includes everything you need to get your store up and running. On top of that, you don’t need any technical knowledge or experience to use Shopify, which makes it a great choice for first-time eCommerce business owners.

What’s more, Shopify is also a good choice if you’re looking for a turnkey solution that includes all the bells and whistles. The platform comes with a built-in shopping cart and checkout process, a wide selection of beautiful themes, and 24/7 customer support.

The biggest downside to Shopify is the cost. The platform’s monthly fees can add up, and you’ll also need to pay transaction fees on each sale.

Conclusion

So, which platform is right for you? WooCommerce and Shopify are both great eCommerce platforms! It depends on your needs and budget. If you’re on a tight budget, WooCommerce is a great choice. In short, if you need more features and support, Shopify might be a better option.

If you’re still not sure which platform is right for you, we recommend trying out both WooCommerce and Shopify. They both offer free trials, so you can test them out before you commit to a paid plan.

Still not sure which platform to choose? We can help you decide. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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