PJ's Verdict
Shopify wins for speed, simplicity, and reliability — especially for businesses without a developer. WooCommerce wins for full control and lower cost at scale, but requires WordPress hosting and technical maintenance.
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly platform fee | $29–$299/mo (includes hosting) | $0 plugin (+ $15–50/mo hosting) |
| Transaction fees | 0.5–2% (waived with Shopify Payments) | None beyond payment processor |
| Payment processing | Shopify Payments (2.9% + 30¢) or gateway | Your choice of gateway |
| Technical maintenance | None — fully managed | You manage WordPress + plugins |
| Customization | Theme-based, good app store | Unlimited if you have dev skills |
| Theme/plugin costs | $0–$350/yr for themes | $0–$500+/yr for plugins/themes |
| Learning curve | Low — very beginner-friendly | Moderate — WordPress familiarity needed |
| Best for | Businesses that want fast setup, no tech overhead | Businesses with dev resources wanting control |
Common Questions
Is Shopify or WooCommerce better for a small business?
For most small businesses without a developer, Shopify is the better choice — it's faster to launch, fully managed (no hosting headaches), and has excellent support. WooCommerce is better if you have WordPress experience, want lower platform costs at scale, or need deep customization that Shopify's theme system doesn't support.
What does Shopify actually cost per month?
Shopify's Basic plan is $29/month, the main Shopify plan is $79/month, and Advanced is $299/month. Add Shopify Payments (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction) or a 0.5–2% transaction fee if using a third-party gateway. Apps and premium themes add $50–200+/month. Realistic total: $80–250/month for most small stores.
Is WooCommerce really free?
The WooCommerce plugin is free, but you still need WordPress hosting ($15–50/month), domain ($15/year), SSL certificate, and often paid plugins and themes. A realistic WooCommerce setup costs $50–150/month when you include hosting, security plugins, and necessary extensions. It's cheaper than Shopify at scale but requires more management.
Can I switch from Shopify to WooCommerce or vice versa?
Yes, but it requires exporting products, customers, and orders and reimporting them — which can be messy. Most businesses that switch regret the disruption more than the savings. Choose the right platform for your 2-year plan, not just today. Text PJ at 858-461-8054 if you want help evaluating which platform fits your roadmap.
Not sure which one fits your setup? Text PJ — same-day answer for your specific situation, no forms, no call required.
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