Shopify vs WooCommerce

Which should you use to run an online store? Here’s how they differ, based only on facts we’ve recorded, each labelled with where it comes from. We don’t pick a winner: the right choice depends on what you need.

Last reviewed · desk research, not hands-on testing · How we compared these tools

Shopify

Ecommerce

A hosted ecommerce platform for building an online store and selling across channels, with an app store for extra features and point-of-sale options.

Best suited for

  • working from a phone or tablet Listed by vendor
    Shopify lists mobile apps; WooCommerce doesn’t.
  • adding apps from a marketplace Listed by vendor
    Shopify has an app marketplace.
  • larger organisations Our classification
    We classify Shopify as built for large organisations too; WooCommerce isn’t.
Visit Shopify

Not an affiliate link.

WooCommerce

Ecommerce

A free, open-source ecommerce plugin that turns a WordPress site into an online store. Payment gateways, shipping and other features are added through extensions.

Best suited for

  • extending with plugins Listed by vendor
    WooCommerce supports plugins or add-ons.
  • people who use WordPress Listed by vendor
    WooCommerce lists an integration with WordPress.
  • people who don’t want AI features Our classification
    We found no notable AI features in WooCommerce.
Visit WooCommerce

Not an affiliate link.

Key differences

  • Shopify: has ai features. WooCommerce: no notable ai features. Our classification
  • Platforms: only Shopify lists iOS, Android and API. Listed by vendor
  • Connections: Shopify lists app marketplace; WooCommerce lists plugins / add-ons. Listed by vendor
  • Notable integrations listed — WooCommerce: WordPress. Listed by vendor
  • Shopify also suits large organisation. Our classification

Comparison table

Shopify vs WooCommerce, feature by feature
FeatureShopifyWooCommerce
Pricing model Not yet verifiedFree & open source
Verified
Free plan Not yet verifiedYes
Verified
AI features (differs) Has AI features
Our classification		No notable AI features
Our classification
Team support Built for teams and growing organisations
Our classification		Built for teams and growing organisations
Our classification
Built for (differs) Solo / freelancer, Small business (2–50), Mid-size (51–250), Large organisation
Our classification		Solo / freelancer, Small business (2–50), Mid-size (51–250)
Our classification
Platforms (differs) Web, iOS, Android, API
Listed by vendor		Web
Listed by vendor
Connects via (differs) App marketplace, Public API
Listed by vendor		Plugins / add-ons, Public API
Listed by vendor
Notable integrations None recorded yetWordPress
Listed by vendor
Export options Not yet verifiedNot yet verified
Key features
  • Hosted online store
  • Product and inventory management
  • App store
  • Multi-channel selling

Publicly documented
  • Open-source WordPress plugin
  • Products, cart and checkout
  • Extensions for payments and shipping

Publicly documented
Use cases
  • Launching an online store
  • Selling on social channels
  • Managing inventory
  • Adding a shop to a WordPress site
  • Custom ecommerce builds
Hands-on reviewNot yet reviewedNot yet reviewed

Highlighted rows differ. “Not yet verified” means we haven’t got that fact yet, so it isn’t treated as a difference.

Supported platforms

Platform support
PlatformShopifyWooCommerce
WebListedListed
WindowsNot listedNot listed
macOSNot listedNot listed
LinuxNot listedNot listed
iOSListedNot listed
AndroidListedNot listed
ExtensionNot listedNot listed
APIListedNot listed

✓ listed by the vendor · — not listed · ? we don’t know yet. Not yet verified by ToolTarvern.

Pricing and free plan

Shopify

Pricing not yet verified by ToolTarvern.

Free plan: not yet verified.

Check current Shopify prices ↗

WooCommerce

Free & open source

Free plan: yes (verified).

Check current WooCommerce prices ↗

Limitations to check

Shopify

  • Free plan not yet verified Not yet known
    Check the official pricing page.
  • Pricing not yet verified Not yet known
    Prices change and vary by country — check the official site.
  • No plugins / add-ons listed Listed by vendor
    WooCommerce lists it.
  • Not yet tested hands-on by ToolTarvern Not yet known
    This comparison is based on public information and our classifications.

WooCommerce

  • Not listed for iOS, Android and API Listed by vendor
    Shopify lists them.
  • No app marketplace listed Listed by vendor
    Shopify lists it.
  • Not yet tested hands-on by ToolTarvern Not yet known
    This comparison is based on public information and our classifications.

Alternatives to consider

Wix

Website Builders

A hosted, drag-and-drop website builder with templates, plus add-ons for online stores, bookings and blogs. Hosting and security updates…

Main use
Small-business websites
Free plan
Not yet verified
Pricing
Not yet verified
Last reviewed
Not yet reviewed

WordPress

Website Builders

Free, open-source software that powers a large share of the web. You install it on hosting you choose, then extend it with themes and…

Main use
Business websites
Free plan
Yes
Pricing
Free & open source
Last reviewed
Not yet reviewed

Compare Shopify, WooCommerce and alternatives side by side

How we compared these tools

  • Desk research, not hands-on testing. This comparison uses the facts in each tool’s ToolTarvern profile. Neither tool has been tested hands-on by us yet.
  • Every value shows where it comes from: Verified means checked on the vendor’s own pages, and the date is recorded. Listed by vendor means as publicly listed, not yet verified by us. Our classification means ToolTarvern’s editorial judgement, explained in our editorial policy.
  • Only known facts count. A difference is listed only when we have the fact for both tools. Unknown values are shown as “Not yet verified”, never guessed.
  • “Best suited for” statements come from those recorded differences, using fixed rules. For example, if only one tool lists Linux, it’s best suited for Linux users. Each statement shows its basis. We don’t score, rank or declare a winner.
  • We only publish meaningful comparisons: the tools must do the same kind of job and differ in at least 3 separate areas. We choose pairs by hand and don’t generate pages for every combination.
  • Not compared yet: export options, customer support quality, security and compliance, performance and reliability, ease of use in practice, local (ZAR) pricing. Check these yourself, ideally with a free trial.
  • Affiliate links don’t affect the comparison. The same rules apply whether or not we earn a commission.
Comparison last reviewed
Shopify profile updated
· not yet reviewed hands-on
WooCommerce profile updated
· not yet reviewed hands-on

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