Shopify vs WooCommerce Pricing 2026
The e-commerce showdown: Shopify's all-in-one hosted platform vs WooCommerce's self-hosted flexibility—which platform is cheaper and best for your store?
Key Price Comparison
- Shopify Basic: $29/month (hosted + domain + payment processing)
- WooCommerce Plugin: $0 (but add $10-50/mo hosting + domain + payment fees)
- Total cost at $10K/mo sales: Shopify = $389/mo, WooCommerce = $160/mo (hosting + processing)
- Break-even: ~$5K/mo in sales; below that, WooCommerce is cheaper; above that, Shopify's % fees hurt
- Best for: Shopify = new stores, simplicity; WooCommerce = scaling, high-volume, customization
Full Pricing Breakdown
Shopify Plans (2026)
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Payment Processing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $29/month | 2.9% + 30¢ online, 2.7% in-person | New stores, testing |
| Shopify | $99/month | 2.7% + 30¢ online, 2.5% in-person | Growing stores, mid-tier |
| Advanced | $399/month | 2.4% + 30¢ online, 2.4% in-person | High-volume stores |
| Plus | $2,300/month | Custom | Enterprise |
WooCommerce Total Cost of Ownership
| Component | Cost (Basic) | Cost (Scalable) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce Plugin | $0 | $0 | Free (core) + extensions $50-500+ |
| Web Hosting | $10-25/mo (shared) | $50-200/mo (managed) | Bluehost, SiteGround, etc. (WordPress compatible) |
| Domain Name | $12/year | $12/year | Usually included or cheap |
| SSL Certificate | $0-50/year | $0-50/year | Usually free via hosting |
| Payment Gateway (Stripe/Square) | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ (or lower) | Stripe, PayPal, Square (you choose) |
| Extensions/Plugins | $0-50/mo | $100-500/mo | SEO, email marketing, inventory, support, etc. |
| Maintenance/Support | $0 (DIY) | $50-200/mo | Security updates, backups, optimization |
True Cost Comparison (Annual)
Based on different sales volumes and store complexity:
Scenario 1: New Store ($3K/mo sales)
| Cost Component | Shopify Basic | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Platform/Hosting | $348/yr (29/mo) | $180/yr (hosting) |
| Payment Processing ($3K × 12mo) | $1,051 (2.9% + 30¢) | $1,051 (2.9% + 30¢) |
| Extensions/Plugins | Included | $200/yr (email, SEO) |
| Domain | Included | $12/yr |
| TOTAL (Annual) | $1,399 | $1,443 |
Scenario 2: Growing Store ($15K/mo sales)
| Cost Component | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Platform/Hosting | $1,188/yr (99/mo) | $600/yr (managed) |
| Payment Processing ($180K/yr) | $5,256 (2.7% + 30¢) | $5,256 (2.9% + 30¢) |
| Extensions/Plugins | Included | $600/yr (advanced) |
| Support/Maintenance | Included | $600/yr (basic) |
| TOTAL (Annual) | $6,444 | $7,056 |
Scenario 3: High-Volume Store ($100K/mo sales)
| Cost Component | Shopify Advanced | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Platform/Hosting | $4,788/yr (399/mo) | $2,000/yr (enterprise) |
| Payment Processing ($1.2M/yr) | $30,960 (2.4% + 30¢) | $34,800 (2.9% + 30¢, or negotiate) |
| Extensions/Premium Apps | Included | $2,000/yr (advanced) |
| Support/Dedicated Dev | Included | $3,000/yr (support team) |
| TOTAL (Annual) | $36,748 | $41,800 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | ✓ (1 hour) | ◐ (few hours) |
| Customization | ◐ (themes + apps) | ✓ (unlimited) |
| Inventory Management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Channel Selling | ✓ (Facebook, TikTok, Amazon) | ◐ (via plugins) |
| Marketing Tools | ✓ (email, SMS, ads) | ◐ (via extensions) |
| SEO Control | ◐ (limited) | ✓ (full control) |
| Data Ownership | ◐ (Shopify owns) | ✓ (you own) |
| Scalability | ✓ (handles millions) | ✓ (if configured right) |
| Mobile Experience | ✓ (excellent) | ✓ (theme-dependent) |
| Hosting/Infrastructure | ✓ (managed by Shopify) | ◐ (you choose/manage) |
When to Choose Each
Choose Shopify If:
- You want zero setup hassle — Shopify is ready in 1 hour; WooCommerce takes days
- You want built-in support — Shopify has 24/7 support; WooCommerce is DIY
- You're not technical — Shopify's UI is beginner-friendly; WooCommerce requires WordPress knowledge
- You want multi-channel selling — Shopify integrates TikTok Shop, Amazon, Facebook, etc. natively
- Your sales are under $50K/mo — Shopify gets cheaper relative to WooCommerce below this volume
- You value managed security — Shopify handles PCI compliance, backups, updates
Choose WooCommerce If:
- You're technical or have a dev — Full control, customization, no limits
- Your sales are over $50K/mo — WooCommerce becomes significantly cheaper
- You need SEO control — WooCommerce gives you complete site ownership and SEO optimization
- You want to avoid vendor lock-in — With WooCommerce, your data and store are yours; switch hosts anytime
- You need custom features — WooCommerce's plugin ecosystem is massive (20,000+ extensions)
- You're selling high volumes — WooCommerce can scale indefinitely with the right hosting
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WooCommerce really free?
The plugin is free, but you need hosting ($10-200/mo), a domain ($12/yr), and likely extensions ($50-500/yr). Total: $200–300/yr minimum. Shopify Basic is $29/mo ($348/yr) plus payment fees. For low-volume stores, both are similar; for high-volume, WooCommerce wins.
Which is easier to migrate away from?
WooCommerce is easier—your store is on your own server, so migration is simpler. With Shopify, you're locked into their platform (though they offer data exports). If you're unsure about long-term, WooCommerce is safer.
What about Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus starts at $2,300/mo for enterprise. For most stores, this is overkill. WooCommerce on enterprise hosting ($200-500/mo + support) is usually cheaper.
Can I run both Shopify and WooCommerce?
Yes. Some stores use Shopify for managed selling + WooCommerce for custom experiences. But most choose one. If you're torn, WooCommerce offers more freedom; Shopify offers more convenience.
What about payment gateway fees?
Shopify: 2.9% + 30¢ (Basic), 2.7% (Shopify plan). WooCommerce: You choose Stripe (2.9% + 30¢) or Square (2.6% + 30¢). WooCommerce allows negotiation at scale.
Which is better for dropshipping?
Shopify. Apps like Printful, Spocket, and AliExpress integrate natively. WooCommerce requires more manual setup. For dropshipping, Shopify's simplicity is worth the cost.
Related Comparisons
- Shopify Pricing — Full Shopify plans and app costs
Last updated: May 2026. Pricing and features accurate as of publication. Check vendor websites for current details. This comparison is informational; not a recommendation.