E-Commerce/Dropshipping

Shopify vs WooCommerce: Which Platform Should You Choose in 2025?

Shopify and WooCommerce are two of the biggest names in e-commerce, but which one is right for beginners? I’ve tested both while building stores for dropshipping and print-on-demand, and in this guide I’ll share the real pros and cons of each.

When I first looked into starting an online store, the internet was split into two camps: Team Shopify and Team WooCommerce. Both are huge, both have their loyal fans, and both can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to pick one as a beginner.

I’ve tested them both for dropshipping and print-on-demand, so this is my honest breakdown – not which one is “better” overall, but which one might be right for you.

If you’re just getting started with dropshipping and E-commerce, make sure to check out my E-commerce and Dropshipping Beginner’s Guide first.

What’s the Main Difference?

Here’s how I like to explain it:

Shopify is like renting a fully furnished apartment. You move in, and everything works out of the box. You pay monthly, and Shopify takes care of hosting, security, and updates.
WooCommerce is like buying a house and renovating it. You own the land (a WordPress website), install WooCommerce for free, and then customize everything yourself. You’ll need hosting, but you have total control.

Both can support a serious online business. The decision comes down to your budget, comfort level, and goals.

Pricing

This was my first big question: how much is this going to cost me every month?

Shopify

Starts at $39/month for the Basic plan.
Includes hosting, SSL certificate, security, and Shopify Payments.
Apps (extra features) can cost more, but you can launch a simple store with just the base plan.

WooCommerce

The plugin itself is free.
You’ll pay for:
- Hosting ($5–15/month on providers like SiteGround or Bluehost).
- A domain ($10–15/year).
- Optional paid themes or plugins.
WooCommerce can look cheaper at first, but the costs add up if you need premium features.

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If you’re comparing this step by step, you might also want to check out my Guide to Building a Website for Dropshipping and E-Commerce.

Ease of Use

This was a huge one for me as a beginner.

Shopify: Honestly, it’s beginner-friendly. You log in, pick a theme, add products, and it just works. No need to think about updates or plugins breaking.
WooCommerce: More flexible, but more setup. You’ll install WordPress, configure WooCommerce, and sometimes troubleshoot plugins. If you’re not techy, there’s a learning curve.

Design and Themes

Shopify: Has free and premium themes (typically $150–$350 for premium). They’re polished and mobile-friendly out of the box.
WooCommerce: Thousands of free and paid themes. You can customize every detail, but it’s easy to get lost tweaking things.

My advice? Don’t spend weeks on design. Start with a clean theme and focus on your products and marketing.

Features and Apps

Both platforms let you extend functionality, but the ecosystems are different.

Shopify: Huge app store with one-click installs. Want print-on-demand? Add Printful. Want dropshipping? Add DSers. Apps are easy, but many cost monthly fees.
WooCommerce: Plugins galore. Many are free or one-time purchases. More flexibility, but you’ll sometimes have to fiddle with settings or updates.

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If you’re leaning toward dropshipping or POD, see my Dropshipping vs Print-on-Demand Guide.

Payments and Fees

Shopify: Has its own built-in system, Shopify Payments, which makes setup easy. If you use a third-party gateway (like PayPal), Shopify charges an extra transaction fee.
WooCommerce: No extra fees. You can integrate Stripe, PayPal, or any number of gateways without penalty.

SEO and Blogging

WooCommerce: Built on WordPress, which is still the king of blogging and SEO. You get powerful tools like Yoast SEO to optimize content.
Shopify: Solid but simpler SEO tools. It’s fine for product pages, but if blogging is a big part of your strategy, WordPress has the edge.

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If traffic is a focus for you, check out my SEO and Keyword Research Guide.

Scalability

Shopify: Scales smoothly. If your store grows from 10 sales a month to 10,000, Shopify can handle it.
WooCommerce: Also scalable, but you’ll need stronger hosting as you grow. More moving parts to manage.

Support

Shopify: 24/7 live chat and support. As a beginner, this was reassuring.

WooCommerce: No central support team, but a huge community and tons of tutorials. For paid themes or plugins, the developers usually provide support.

Shopify vs WooCommerce: Quick Comparison

Feature	Shopify	WooCommerce
Cost	$39/month + apps	Hosting $5–15/mo + optional plugins
Ease of Use	Beginner-friendly, all-in-one	Steeper learning curve, more control
Design	Polished themes, limited options	Thousands of themes, full customization
Apps/Plugins	App store, mostly monthly fees	Many free or one-time plugins
Payments	Shopify Payments or fees on others	Any gateway, no extra fees
SEO/Blogging	Basic SEO, limited blogging	Excellent SEO + blogging via WordPress
Scalability	Scales automatically	Scales with better hosting
Support	24/7 live support	Community + developer support

My Personal Take

Here’s how I’d decide if I were starting again today:

Go Shopify if…
- You’re brand new and want a simple, reliable setup.
- You’d rather focus on marketing than tech.
- You don’t mind paying a monthly fee for convenience.
Go WooCommerce if…
- You already use WordPress or want full control.
- You’re comfortable tinkering with plugins and hosting.
- You’re blogging heavily and want advanced SEO tools.

When I started, WooCommerce was cheaper for testing ideas. But when I wanted speed and less hassle, Shopify felt worth the price.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both Shopify and WooCommerce are powerful. The best choice depends on your personality and goals.

If you want plug-and-play simplicity, Shopify is your friend. If you want full customization and own-your-home flexibility, WooCommerce is a solid bet.

👉 If you’re still unsure, start with my Beginner’s Guide to Dropshipping and E-Commerce. It will help you see which platform fits the business model you’re leaning toward. If you’re considering other online business ideas, such as affiliate marketing, take a look at my Beginner’s Guide to Starting an Online Business.