Shopify vs WordPress – where should you set up your online store?
Our team of experts and researchers rigorously test and evaluate website builders through transparent, in-depth testing procedures and methods using both in-house and industry-approved tools.
Drawing on cybersecurity insights, we provide unbiased, empirical rankings and analysis to help users make informed digital platform choices.
Learn more
Shopify and WordPress are both excellent platforms for building an online store, but they take different approaches. Shopify is a website builder designed specifically for eCommerce, offering robust built-in tools to help you run and grow your business. On the other hand, WordPress is a CMS that stands out for its flexibility, giving you endless customization options through its plugins.
In this Shopify vs WordPress comparison, I break down the key differences between the two. I tested and compared their pricing, templates, business features, and performance to help you choose the right platform.
Shopify vs WordPress: the verdict
Shopify outperforms WordPress in ease of use and eCommerce features, making it a winner in this comparison. Shopify is my personal favorite because it makes setting up a professional-looking store easy even for beginners. WordPress offers more control through plugins but requires more technical know-how.
| Feature | Shopify | WordPress (with WooCommerce) |
| Best for | eCommerce | Blogs, complex sites, eCommerce |
| Rating | ||
| Coupon | Get Shopify deal - 25% OFF | Cybernews Website Builder Coupons |
| Hosting included | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (self-hosted) |
| Ease of use | ✅ Beginner-friendly | ❌ Steeper learning curve |
| Design flexibility | Limited to templates | High (thousands of themes) |
| eCommerce features | Built-in | Requires plugins |
| Cost (estimate) | $29.00-$299.00/month | $5-$50/month + plugins |
| SEO capabilities | Strong | Excellent with plugins like Yoast |
Our in-house research team and expert writers work hand in hand to regularly test website builders and provide accurate and fact-checked information. Discover the ins and outs of how we test and evaluate website builders.
In this comparison, I compare WordPress.org, not WordPress.com. That’s because WordPress.org gives you full control over your site, including access to plugins, themes, and custom code, making it the better choice for eCommerce.
Pricing comparison
Comparing Shopify vs WordPress pricing is tricky because WordPress itself is free. However, the total cost of hosting a WordPress website depends on the hosting provider and plugins. On the other hand, Shopify's pricing is much more predictable since all essential features are included.
Shopify pricing
Shopify offers 4 plans, all of which include the essential features needed for selling. Higher-tier plans offer lower transaction rates and more resources.
| Plan | Monthly price | Includes |
| Basic | $29.00/month | Domain name, SSL certificate, POS Lite, 10 inventory locations |
| Grow | $79.00/month | Domain name, SSL certificate, POS Lite, 5 staff accounts, 10 inventory locations |
| Advanced | $299.00/month | Domain name, SSL certificate, POS Lite, 15 staff accounts, 10 inventory locations |
| Plus | $2,300.00/month | Domain name, SSL certificate, POS Pro, unlimited staff accounts, 200 inventory locations, customizable checkout |
Shopify doesn’t have a free version, but you can try it out with a 3-day free trial. After that, you can continue using it for just $1.00 for the first 3 months. By using these offers you can fully test out the platform and its fuctionalities.
All Shopify plans include hosting and 24/7 live chat support. If you’re on the Plus plan, you’ll also get access to priority phone support.
When it comes to payments, you can use Shopify Payments or connect a third-party payment processor. Shopify Payments charges different rates based on your plan and the payment type. As for third-party payments, Shopify charges additional transaction fees: 2% on the Basic plan, 1% on the Grow plan, 0.6% on the Advanced plan, and 0.2% with the Plus plan.
WordPress pricing
While WordPress itself is free, you need some things to get your website up, such as a hosting provider and a domain name.
| Cost type | Estimated price | Notes |
| Hosting | From $1.00/month to $10.00/month | Hosting pricing depends on the provider you choose. Check our list of the best hosting providers. |
| Domain | From free to $20.00/year | Some hosting providers include a free domain with their plans. Otherwise, you can buy a domain from a domain registrar. |
| Theme | From free to $100.00 | Free themes are available, but paid ones can give a more unique look. |
| Plugin | From free to $50.00/month | Some essential plugins like WooCommerce are free, but paid ones can enhance some functionalities. |
| Developer help | From $100.00 to $10,000.00 | The price highly depends on the project scale. |
Overall, the cost of running a WordPress website can range from as little as $1.00/month to around $15.00/month. However, the final price can vary depending on how you customize your site. Since WordPress is highly flexible, it’s you who gets to decide what features are worth paying for.
WordPress vs Shopify: ease of use
Shopify and WordPress have very different user experiences. Shopify is designed with beginners in mind. Its interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and manage a store. The main dashboard provides useful insights about your products and customers, while the website builder is simple to use. However, customization options are limited to what Shopify has built in. You can edit the HTML and CSS, but this requires coding knowledge and isn’t ideal for beginners.
As for WordPress, it offers much more flexibility but takes more effort to get started. Unlike Shopify, which works out of the box, WordPress requires you to set up web hosting, purchase a domain, and install the WordPress software before you can begin building your site. The WordPress editor itself is quite basic, but you can add functionalities using plugins. You can also use web builder plugins like Elementor, which offer more flexibility.
When it comes to support, Shopify offers 24/7 live chat, with priority support available on higher-tier plans. WordPress support options vary based on your setup. WordPress.org offers community forums, while WordPress.com includes email or live chat support depending on your plan. Also, many hosting providers offer help with WordPress, so the support options depend on the specific service.
All in all, Shopify is easier to use, while WordPress requires some technical knowledge but gives you complete control and customization.
eCommerce features comparison
Shopify has built-in eCommerce features and a user-friendly interface that make it much easier to run a store. WordPress, on the other hand, doesn’t include eCommerce functionality by default. To get started, you need to install a plugin like WooCommerce. You can expand your store’s features by installing plugins. However, it’s crucial to choose plugins carefully, as some can be malicious.
In this section, I take a close look at everything related to eCommerce and explore how each platform handles product management, payments, shipping, and the scalability options.
Product management
Both Shopify and WordPress with WooCommerce make it easy to add and manage products, but the initial setup is slightly more complicated with WordPress.
Shopify offers a clean, guided interface for product management. The product form includes sections for all essential information. Plus, you can import products via CSV files and update listings using AI tools or the bulk editor. Shopify supports up to three product options and automatically tracks inventory for each variant. In my experience, its inventory management is one of the easiest and most reliable ones.
On the other hand, WordPress with WooCommerce provides more flexibility but takes some time to set up. Adding a product is as straightforward as adding one on Shopify. You can add product name, price, description, image, as well as configure product type, inventory, shipping, and attributes. Some features, like variations or subscriptions, can be added only using plugins. When it comes to editing a product, you do so with the standard WordPress editor. Just like with Shopify, you can import products as CSV files. You also get native inventory tracking, which you can manage per any variation.
I found that WordPress with WooCommerce offers powerful customization, but the process is less intuitive than Shopify, as some functions require plugins.
Payment gateways
Shopify offers its own built-in gateway, Shopify Payments, which supports all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal Express, manual methods like cash on delivery (COD), and bank transfers. Activating Shopify Payments takes just one click. If you use a third-party payment provider, Shopify charges an additional 0.5-2% transaction fee, depending on your plan. As for setup, Shopify provides useful setup guides to help with third-party integration.
As for WordPress with WooCommerce, it supports core options like COD and checks and gives you access to over 140 region-specific payment extensions, including Stripe, PayPal, Square, and Amazon Pay. Plus, you can add any processor by installing a plugin. That said, plugins can impose security risks, so it’s crucial to do your research beforehand. WooCommerce, unlike Shopify, doesn’t charge any extra transaction fees for third-party payments. Setting up payments using the core options is easy, but the third-party gateways require API keys or plugin installation.
Overall, Shopify is easier and faster to set up, especially with Shopify Payments. WooCommerce offers more flexibility and no extra transaction fees, but takes more effort and caution when choosing plugins.
Shipping and taxes
Shopify and WooCommerce both support essential shipping and tax features, but Shopify offers more built-in options, while WooCommerce relies on manual configuration and plugins.
Shopify supports live shipping rates from major carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL through built-in integrations and apps. For taxes, default regional rates are applied automatically. Users in the US, EU, and UK can also enable Shopify Tax, which adds advanced tools like rooftop accuracy, tax holidays, and automated filing.
WordPress with WooCommerce, on the other hand, offers a more flexible but hands-on setup. It supports live shipping rates from USPS, FedEx, and UPS via extensions. You can also set flat shipping rates, enable free shipping for specific orders, or offer a local pickup option. For taxes, WooCommerce includes basic VAT/GST calculation by zone, but many users choose to install the WooCommerce Tax extension to integrate tools like Avalara for advanced needs.
eCommerce scalability
Both Shopify and WooCommerce can support business growth. Shopify provides built-in scalability, whereas WooCommerce scalability relies on your hosting provider.
Shopify is built to handle growth with ease. It’s used by major brands, like Gymshark, so it can process millions of orders without any issues. It's also Level 1 PCI compliant, which means it’s highly safe and reliable when handling payments. Shopify includes a global CDN for fast load times worldwide, and high-volume businesses can use the enterprise solution – Shopify Plus. You also get access to advanced tools like flow workflows, custom scripts, gift cards, and API access for deeper customization.
With WooCommerce, scalability largely depends on your hosting provider. To scale effectively, you’ll need a WordPress-optimized host with strong caching and performance-enhancing tools. Luckily, most hosting providers offer easy migration options, so if your business outgrows your hosting provider, you can always get a different one. While WooCommerce doesn’t come with many built-in business features, you can add almost any functionality through plugins. You can expand functionality with tools for subscriptions, bookings, memberships, as well as B2B or wholesale features.
Marketing features
Marketing tools are a key part of any online store, and both Shopify and WordPress with WooCommerce offer plenty of them. Shopify has strong built-in SEO features like editable meta tags and automatic sitemaps. When it comes to WordPress, it all depends on the plugins you add. Tools like Yoast SEO and All in One SEO offer robust flexibility.
For email marketing, Shopify has its own email app with campaign templates and automations for abandoned carts and product browsing. WordPress with WooCommerce, on the other hand, offers extensions like MailPoet as well as integrations with mailing services such as Mailchimp and AutomateWoo for workflows. When it comes to automated emails, you can send abandoned cart and order notifications via Flow or use Shopify Email. As for WooCommerce, it offers order emails by default and supports advanced triggers via AutomateWoo.
Shopify supports subscriptions via its API or third-party apps like Recharge or Bold. WooCommerce offers an official Subscription extension that offers more native control. Both platforms offer nice additional features. Shopify has discount codes, gift cards, loyalty programs, and social media ads integrations. WooCommerce has a wide variety of features, including coupons, dynamic pricing, follow-ups, advanced coupon extensions, and social integrations via plugins.
Templates
Design plays a huge role in how professional and trustworthy your website looks. While hiring a web designer is an option, it’s often costly.
Shopify provides over 1050 themes, with about 17 available for free. These themes are mobile-optimized and easy to customize thanks to the drag-and-drop sections. Plus, there are themes specific to various industries, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for great design without touching code.
WordPress, on the other hand, offers thousands of themes that work with WooCommerce. You can also browse third-party marketplaces for professionally designed templates, which are usually much cheaper than hiring a designer. The official WooCommerce Storefront plugin also offers plenty of templates, both free and premium. All templates are fully customizable, using WordPress or any other web builder.
When it comes to customization, WordPress allows you to tweak nearly anything using the WordPress Customizer or any site builder like Elementor. Shopify offers a section-based editor and a theme customizer that lets non-developers build professional websites.
Shopify vs WordPress: final recommendations
Comparing Shopify vs WordPress isn’t easy, as both platforms have their own strengths. That said, when comparing these providers across various criteria, I found that Shopify is the better overall option. It’s much easier to use than WordPress, which requires managing hosting, buying domains, and installing plugins for various features. Shopify has most of its robust built-in features and is a leader in eCommerce.
| Feature | Shopify | WordPress | Verdict |
| Pricing | Shopify starts at $29.00/month, while WordPress itself is free. You can run a WordPress store for as little as $1.00/month, depending on your hosting provider. With WordPress, you pay only for what you need. | ||
| Ease of use | Shopify is easier to use, with most features built in. WordPress requires plugin installation and ongoing maintenance, which can be complicated. Some plugins may even pose security risks. | ||
| eCommerce features | Shopify is built specifically for eCommerce, offering powerful, scalable tools that are easy to manage. WordPress relies on plugins for most eCommerce functionality, and its scalability depends on your hosting provider. | ||
| Marketing features | Both platforms offer great marketing tools, including SEO, email marketing, subscriptions, and loyalty programs. However, WordPress often requires installing separate plugins to access these features, making the setup more complex. | ||
| Templates | WordPress provides a wider range of templates across various industries, but they come from multiple sources, making things a bit all over the place. Shopify’s themes are all on one platform, optimized for eCommerce, and offer plenty of well-designed options tailored to online selling. |
Shopify vs WordPress FAQ
Is Shopify better than WordPress for beginners?
Yes, Shopify is better for beginners, since it has all the features built in, is more intuitive, and doesn’t require any web building or hosting knowledge. WordPress, on the other hand, involves buying a domain, setting up hosting, and installing multiple plugins, which can be overwhelming for someone just starting out.
Can I switch from Shopify to WordPress?
Yes, you can switch from Shopify to WordPress. To do this, install a migration plugin like Cart2Cart or LitExtension on your WordPress site. Alternatively, you can use a WooCommerce tool such as Import Export Suite for WooCommerce. Once installed, follow the plugin’s instructions to transfer your store.
Is WordPress good for eCommerce?
Yes, WordPress is a solid option for eCommerce, especially when paired with the WooCommerce plugin. It’s a budget-friendly option that offers strong customization, good scalability, and access to excellent SEO and marketing tools through plugins.
Can I have the functionality of Shopify on WordPress?
Yes, you can add Shopify’s eCommerce functionality to your WordPress site using the Shopify Buy Button, which costs $5/month. You can add it by pasting the HTML code into your WordPress site.
