Among hundreds of eCommerce website builders in the market, Shopify vs WordPress are two of the most reliable options available.
If you're confused about which one is better, don't look further because you're in the right place. In this article, we would love to provide an insightful comparison between Shopify vs WordPress for your consideration:
- Pricing
- eCommerce features
- Ease of use
- Website design
- Apps & plugins
- Search engine optimization
- Blogging functions
- Maintenance
- Security
- Help & support
Without further ado, let's check it out!
Shopify vs WordPress At A Glance
Shopify overview
Shopify is an all-in-one eCommerce platform. It helps businesses create and manage online stores without needing technical expertise. Founded in 2006, Shopify has grown rapidly and is now the home for over a million businesses worldwide. This makes it an excellent choice in the Shopify vs WordPress debate.
One key advantage of Shopify is its simplicity. The platform provides everything you need to launch an online store, including hosting, security, and built-in tools for sales and marketing. Moreover, by offering a good selection of well-designed Shopify themes, it also allows merchants to create a fully functional and mobile responsive and ensures your store looks great on any device.
When comparing Shopify vs WordPress, Shopify stands out for its user-friendly design. It is perfect for non-techie business owners who want an easy and efficient way to sell online.
WordPress overview
WordPress is a highly flexible and open-source platform that powers over 30 million websites worldwide, according to BuiltWith. It is well-known for its extensive customization options, allowing users to create fully functional eCommerce websites using its extensive selection of themes and plugins. Therefore, if your business is seeking a tailored solution that can adapt to unique needs, WordPress is just what you need.
WordPress stands out because it provides endless customization options, and users can fully control their store’s design, performance, and functionality. Nonetheless, unlike Shopify, WordPress does not come with hosting, so users need to select and manage their hosting separately. This can provide greater control, but it may require technical expertise to set up and maintain.
When considering Shopify vs WordPress, WordPress appeals to those who want maximum flexibility and are willing to manage the technical aspects of their website.
Who is Shopify and WordPress for?
Shopify is ideal for users prioritizing scalability | WordPress is geared towards users seeking flexibility and control |
With everything integrated into a single platform, Shopify is the go-to choice for users who prioritize ease of use and scalability. You can manage every aspect of your online store - from products and inventory to marketing and analytics - directly within the Shopify dashboard. This makes it exceptionally user-friendly, even for those without extensive technical expertise. | The combination of WordPress and WooCommerce is best suited for users who desire a high level of customization and control over their online store. While it requires more technical involvement and setup, this open-source solution offers greater flexibility in design, functionality, and integrations with third-party tools. |
Shopify vs WordPress – A Quick Comparison
Shopify | WordPress | The Verdict | |
Pricing | 3 pricing plans: $39 - $399/month | Free to download and install Cost of operation will range from $100 to $500 to $3,000 | WordPress wins (for its flexibility) |
Ease of use | Provides an all-in-one package with no technical skill required | Is rather easy to use but might require a bit of technology knowledge to set up | Shopify wins |
Sales features | Has built-in tools for upselling, discounts, and multi-channel sales. | Relies on plugins like WooCommerce to add sales features. | Shopify wins |
Payment gateway | Supports 100+ payment gateways, including Shopify Payments. Charges transaction fees. | Offers a wide range of payment gateways via plugins like WooCommerce. No transaction fees. | WordPress wins |
Inventory management | Provides built-in inventory tracking, low-stock alerts, bulk editing, and real-time updates. | Requires plugins for inventory management, which can vary in features and ease of use. | Shopify wins |
Design & customizability | Offers 180+ free and paid themes | More than 30,000 plugins are available | WordPress wins |
Apps & plugins | 8,000+ apps | 59,000+ plugins | WordPress wins |
SEO features | Basic SEO functionality | Advanced SEO functionality | WordPress wins |
Blogging features | Basic blogging function | Most powerful blogging in the world | WordPress wins |
Security | Built-in SSL certificates, PCI compliance, and automatic updates ensure strong security. | Depends on secure hosting, plugins, and manual updates to maintain security. | Shopify wins |
Help & Support | 24/7 customer support via phone call, live chat, and email | Community forums and third-party support. | Shopify wins |
Pricing – WordPress is More Cost-Effective
The first aspect I'd love to mention in our Shopify vs WordPress comparison is pricing.
⟡ Quick takeaway
For different types of businesses, Shopify has a fixed monthly cost, while WordPress.org has a variable cost that can be lower or higher depending on your needs.
Shopify pricinghttps://litextension.com/blog/shopify-pricing/ has three main pricing tiers: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced. This platform offers a 3-day free trial for all tiers so you can discover the Shopify dashboard and experience it yourself. Below are some of Shopify's pricing tier features.
For more complex businesses, Shopify provides a Plus Plan starting from $2,300/month on a 3-year term or $2,500 per month for a 1-year term.
Besides the subscription plan, themes, apps, and domain registration can add to your monthly expenses. Basically, these fees on Shopify will be like:
- Domain name: $12/year.
- Themes: $0 – $400 (one-time, non-refundable purchases)
- Apps: start from $0 (most apps charge monthly subscription fees)
Meanwhile, because WordPress.org is open-source and 100% free for anyone to download and install, all I needed was a domain name and web hosting. However, this also means that I have to perform backups, security updates, and any necessary upgrades.
From there, the cost of a WordPress site when using WordPress.org:
- Domain name: $10-$15/year.
- Hosting: from $3-$25+/month (depending on provider & features)
- Plugins: $0-$1,000/year (ongoing or one-off charge).
- Themes: $0-$200+ (free themes available).
- Security: from $50/year (ongoing or one-off charge).
- Developer fees: vary.
The cost to start a WordPress.org site can vary greatly, from $100 to $30,000 or more. This flexibility allows merchants to tailor their expenses to their specific needs and budgets.
eCommerce Features – Both Platforms Are Feature-Rich
Sales features
When choosing between Shopify vs WordPress for your eCommerce business, sales features should be a crucial dimension to consider. Hence, in the following section, we will break down both platforms in terms of sales features to see how they compare.
⟡ Quick takeaway:
Shopify takes the lead in sales features between Shopify vs WordPress because of its user-friendly, all-in-one setup. It’s ideal for those who want a ready-to-use platform with minimal configuration.
Shopify offers a comprehensive set of built-in sales tools, making it a powerful option for beginners and small businesses. This platform simplifies creating discounts and promotions, whether it’s through coupon codes, automatic discounts, or flash sales. Its checkout process is optimized for conversions, offering a streamlined experience for customers, including mobile-friendly design and guest checkout options.
Another standout feature of Shopify is its seamless integration with multiple sales channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Amazon. This allows you to manage all your sales from one dashboard, saving time and improving efficiency. It also includes an abandoned cart recovery tool by default, which automatically sends reminder emails to customers who leave items in their cart, helping recover potential lost revenue.
WordPress, by contrast, relies on plugins like WooCommerce to provide sales features. While WooCommerce offers essential eCommerce functionalities, additional plugins are often needed to match Shopify's capabilities.
When it comes to multi-channel sales, WordPress provides flexibility but at the cost of complexity. While WooCommerce supports integrations with platforms like Facebook and Instagram, you’ll need to manage these connections through third-party tools. Similarly, creating discounts and promotions is possible but may require advanced plugins for features like Buy One Get One (BOGO) offers or tiered pricing. WordPress does offer unmatched flexibility in customizing checkout experiences, but this often involves coding or premium plugins.
Payment gateways
Payment gateways are a critical aspect of any eCommerce platform. Therefore, when comparing Shopify vs WordPress, we should not ignore this dimension.
⟡ Quick takeaway:
Shopify wins in terms of simplicity and ease of setup, especially for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution. Its Shopify Payments feature is particularly advantageous for reducing fees.
Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways, including popular options like PayPal, Stripe, and Square. Additionally, Shopify offers its proprietary payment solution, Shopify Payments, which eliminates transaction fees for businesses using it. This integration simplifies the payment process and reduces costs. However, if you choose to use a third-party gateway, Shopify charges additional transaction fees on top of the gateway’s fees, which can add to your expenses.
Another strength of Shopify is the ease of setting up payment options. The platform provides a straightforward interface for configuring payment methods, ensuring that even non-technical users can get started quickly. Shopify also supports multiple currencies and international payment gateways, making it suitable for global businesses.
On the other hand, WordPress, through WooCommerce, offers extensive flexibility in payment gateway integration. WooCommerce supports nearly all major payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.Net, and others. Unlike Shopify, WordPress does not charge additional transaction fees for using third-party gateways, which can be a significant cost-saving advantage for businesses.
However, setting up payment gateways in WordPress often requires installing and configuring plugins, such as the WooCommerce Stripe Payment Gateway or PayPal Payments. While these plugins are generally easy to use, they may require more effort compared to Shopify’s built-in system. On the positive side, WordPress offers greater flexibility in customizing the payment process, allowing businesses to tailor the experience to their specific needs.
Ease of Use – Shopify Is More Friendly
Another important aspect when comparing WordPress vs Shopify is ease of use.
⟡ Quick takeaway
In my opinion, Shopify is more friendly and easy to use than WordPress with clear instructions in the back-end dashboard.
Shopify is a hosted solution, so you can start to create and set up your eCommerce store with ease. There's no need for technical hassles since Shopify handles hosting, security, updates, and maintenance for you.
Here's our quick tutorial on how to set up Shopify within a few minutes.
Shopify's dashboard is widely praised for its user-friendly design, intuitive navigation, and streamlined workflows. Even beginners with no technical experience can quickly grasp the basics of setting up and managing an online store.
With Shopify's dashboard, I can easily view all the components of the front and back end of my store in one place. From here, I can configure your store’s settings, view orders and customer information, add/delete/modify products, and design your site.
Besides, Shopify has a 3-day free trial, so you can take this opportunity to see how Shopify works and whether it is suitable for you. Thanks to Shopify's policy, you could even reactivate your store after canceling the Shopify free trial. Your store name (domain) and all your data will be saved in 30 days.
If you choose WordPress, you first need to choose and manage your web hosting. Then, you will need to download the WordPress package and install it on your web hosting server, and handle updates and security, which can be daunting for non-technical users.
Once WordPress.org is installed, the process becomes much easier.
The WordPress dashboard is straightforward.
The main navigation menu on the left-hand side provides clear access to essential areas like Post, Media, Pages, …
The central area of the dashboard provides an overview of your site's activity, including recent posts and comments, as well as quick draft options. You have the flexibility to customize the dashboard widgets to prioritize information relevant to you.
Overall, I find that WordPress offers great flexibility for design and functionality through thousands of themes and plugins. However, mastering WordPress can be challenging due to its complexity at the set up phase.
Website Design – WordPress Has Better Customizability
Moving to the next part of Shopify vs WordPress comparison, let's take a look at store design and customizability.
⟡ Quick takeaway:
WordPress wins over Shopify for the vast array of flexibility and customizability and grants users direct code editions for unique designs.
If you want to make your online store stand out, check out the Shopify Theme Store. Shopify offers 180+ professionally designed themes, all of which are mobile-ready. All Shopify themes are easy to customize in all aspects (e.g., colors, fonts), and there's no need to touch a line of code.
If you need further customization, you can use Liquid – the coding language of Shopify. With Liquid, I can possibly change the existing Shopify template or layout or add a new one. Unlike ordinary HTML/CSS languages, Liquid is a bit different. It will take your time to accommodate or hire a Shopify technical expert to do it for you.
WordPress.org has a huge truckload of templates. Its theme directory offers thousands of free themes and a vast array of premium options for the most popular WordPress themes. They are all highly customizable and allow me to modify every aspect of your website's appearance and functionality through code or page builders.
You are free to edit the source code as you wish. You can also utilize plugins that allow you to create a theme using drag-and-drop tools. WordPress also lets you change the body page (the center part) such as changing colors, uploading the logo, changing the background, or creating beautiful sliders. Or else, you have the option to hire WordPress experts to create a fully customized website design for you.
But the flexibility comes at a cost. WordPress themes can be challenging to customize if you're not familiar with coding or page builders. With so many themes available, it can be hard to find the right one for your store. Additionally, keeping WordPress themes updated for security and compatibility can be time-consuming, especially for non-technical users.
Apps & Plugins – WordPress Offers More Extensions
An essential aspect we need to pay great attention to when analyzing key differences between Shopify vs WordPress is Apps/Extensions/Plugins.
⟡ Quick takeaway:
According to the number of plugins, WordPress outranges Shopify as you can approach more than 59,000 plugins. Moreover, you can have more flexibility to add custom plugins/apps with WordPress.org.
Shopify users have access to numerous APIs that empower merchants to expand their stores by seamlessly integrating with various apps. They can integrate third-party plugins or develop and integrate their own extensions.
What's more, there are over 8,000 apps available, including paid and free apps. Most of the Shopify apps are subscription-based and will vary based on tier and features.
When you have a self-hosted WordPress.org site, you have the flexibility to choose from 59,000+ WordPress plugins. These plugins allow you to enhance and personalize your website to your needs.
SEO & Marketing Features – A Tie
⟡ Quick takeaway
Is WordPress or Shopify better for SEO? Since WordPress is a strong blogging platform, its SEO options are more optimized than Shopify. Despite that, Shopify is an SEO-friendly platform where you can enhance your SEO with many apps and add-ons besides primary functions.
The platform has favorable SEO functionality, which makes it easy to create content that search engines love. As someone who has little knowledge of coding, I can easily edit the meta titles and descriptions, add 301 redirects, and change page URLs to boost my website's SEO results. Not to mention, Shopify has already prompted your products with SEO best practices.
Besides, Shopify comes with a wide range of apps and add-ons that I can use for store optimization and to ensure its ranking on search engines like Google or Bing. If picking up a suitable app is too difficult, why don't you take a look at our recommendations about the best Shopify SEO apps?
But what if you need further customization? That brings us to Shopfiy's main drawbacks.
Shopify's inflexible structure presents some major challenges:
- URL structure (e.g., /collections/product-name) can't be fully customized.
- The lack of subcategories within blog posts makes organizing content difficult. This can result in duplicate URLs (multiple URLs pointing to the same page), leading to potential SEO issues like content cannibalization.
However, you can overcome this difficulty by discovering and applying suitable SEO tips and tricks for your store. Let's take a look at 8 effective eCommerce SEO strategies that we've compiled as your reference.
WordPress offers great flexibility for SEO optimization. You have full control over your site's structure, meta tags, URLs, and other technical aspects.
For technical SEO, WordPress grants users a vast variety of SEO controls, such as:
- Create clean, descriptive URLs that incorporate target keywords.
- Add and edit meta titles, descriptions, and other meta tags.
- Manage how search engines crawl and index your website via customizable files.
- Implement structured data to enhance search result listings with rich snippets.
Also, there is a vast library of SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math, which provide powerful tools for on-page optimization, keyword research, sitemaps, redirects, and more.
Blogging Features – WordPress Is Better for Blog
⟡ Quick takeaway
Like SEO features, WordPress wins the battle between Shopify vs WordPress with its blogging foundation. It creates an ideal place for you to create and develop your content and blog.
For many eCommerce merchants, Shopify's built-in blogging platform hits a balance between functionality and ease of use. It's a simple solution that covers the essentials without overwhelming users with complex features.
I find that Shopify offers strengths for tech-savvy merchants with:
- User-friendly blog editor, even for those without extensive blogging experience.
- Automatic SEO optimization for titles and descriptions.
- Seamlessly embedding images and videos enhances the visual appeal of blog posts.
- The ability to schedule posts and use tags streamlines content management and organization.
Yet, if your eCommerce strategy relies heavily on blog content or complex content structures, WordPress may offer more flexibility.
WordPress offers a comprehensive suite of tools that simplify content creation, from drafting and editing to previewing and publishing. For eCommerce merchants with technical know-how, WordPress provides a powerful foundation for content marketing and brand building.
Basically, you can:
- Craft engaging blog posts, product descriptions, and other content with extensive formatting options.
- Embed images, videos, audio, and other media types to enhance your content.
- Deeply customize your blog's design and functionality through themes, plugins, and custom code.
- Add custom fonts to enhance your site's aesthetics and brand identity. This article explains why typography is important in attracting customers' attention and explains how to add custom fonts to WordPress.
So, if your online store relies on content to attract and engage customers, WordPress provides the tools and flexibility you need to manage and deliver that content effectively.
Maintenance – Shopify Requires Less Effort
⟡ Quick takeaway
In my estimation, Shopify gains the upper hand in this area as Shopify does the maintenance work automatically and regularly while you need to update everything by yourself with WordPress.org.
As a fully hosted solution, Shopify ensures the highest level of server maintenance. This platform regularly pushes out technical upgrades and bug fixes, so you'll always benefit from the latest features and security fixes. When working with Shopify, I only need to devote a few days per year to maintenance issues.
WordPress is a fast-moving platform, and new features are added and improved regularly. Frequent updates bring new features, performance enhancements, and security patches that ensure your website stays current and competitive. This is crucial for tech-savvy merchants who want to use the latest technologies and trends to improve their online stores.
Using WordPress does require regular attention. For busy merchants, this can be an additional task to manage. However, if you're tech-savvy, you may find this less burdensome as you are likely already comfortable with software updates and maintenance procedures.
Yet, in rare cases, updates can cause conflicts with themes or plugins. This is where technical knowledge becomes crucial for troubleshooting and resolving any issues that may arise.
Here, we provide comprehensive instructions on how to update WordPress. Check it out!
Help & Support – Shopify Is More Attentive to Users
⟡ Quick takeaway
Shopify surpasses WordPress in terms of providing exceptional and committed support.
The next part of our Shopify vs WordPress comparison is the customer service of these two giants.
Shopify offers outstanding customer service. I can get help with 24-hour support via phone call, support ticket, or chat live with a customer care representative.
In case you don’t want to contact support for each tiny question you have, there is also self-service that offers the knowledge base, video tutorials, and webinars.
WordPress.org does not offer direct support channels like phone or live chat. This can be frustrating for merchants who encounter urgent issues or complex problems requiring expert assistance.
If you're a tech-savvy merchant, while resourceful, you might still prefer a more direct line of communication for critical situations.
Apart from the official support channels, the web offers a wealth of advice and tutorials on WordPress-related topics. Other system users have compiled multiple text and video manuals, guidelines, and tutorials.
Final Words – Which Platform is Right for You?
We hope that this Shopify vs. WordPress comparison has helped you better understand the key differences between these two giants.
Let's once again clarify which is better for your specific needs!
Shopify is Ideal For
- Beginners and non-technical users
- eCommerce businesses of all sizes (small to medium-sized or even enterprise businesses)
- Businesses that need a wide range of built-in eCommerce features
WordPress.org is Ideal For
- Users who want complete control of eCommerce sites with eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce
- Users with some technical knowledge
- Complex websites with large catalogs, multiple languages, and various integrations
WordPress and Shopify Alternatives
Hosted eCommerce platforms | |
 | Wix is a user-friendly website builder and a robust eCommerce platform with various templates and features. It's an all-in-one solution that's great for beginners and small businesses. Price: Free plan | Paid plan starts from $17/month |
 | Big Cartel is a platform specifically designed for artists and creators. It offers a simple and affordable way to sell unique products. Price: Free plan | Paid plan starts from $9.99/month |
 | Ecwid is a highly flexible eCommerce platform. It’s ideal for businesses that already have an online presence and want to expand into eCommerce. Price: Free plan | Paid plan starts from $25/month |
 | BigCommerce is a comprehensive platform suitable for businesses of all sizes with a wide range of features and scalability. Price: 14-day free trial | Paid plan starts from #39/month |
Open-source eCommerce platforms | |
 | PrestaShop is a well-known open-source platform with a user-friendly interface and extensive customization options. |
 | Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, is a platform for large businesses with complex needs. It offers many features and integrations but has a higher price tag. |
 | OpenCart is a widely used open-source platform. It is valued for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for beginners. |
 | Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a comprehensive enterprise-level platform that streamlines business management by integrating with other Salesforce products. |
Shopify vs WordPress – FAQs
Is Shopify better than WordPress?
Shopify is better than WordPress for users who want an all-in-one eCommerce solution with minimal setup and technical requirements. It offers built-in tools for sales, inventory management, and payment processing, making it user-friendly and efficient. However, WordPress is superior for users who prioritize customization and have the technical expertise to manage plugins and hosting. The choice depends on your specific needs and resources.
What is the disadvantage of Shopify?
The main disadvantage of Shopify is its additional transaction fees for using third-party payment gateways. While Shopify Payments eliminates these fees, businesses using other gateways may face higher costs. Additionally, Shopify’s customization options are limited compared to WordPress, as it relies on a proprietary framework, which may not suit users seeking complete design control.
Can WordPress be used in Shopify?
No, WordPress cannot be directly used within Shopify. However, you can integrate a WordPress blog with your Shopify store by using third-party apps or embedding Shopify’s buy buttons into WordPress pages. This allows businesses to combine WordPress’s blogging capabilities with Shopify’s eCommerce features.
Is WordPress the best for eCommerce?
WordPress is a great option for eCommerce if you prioritize flexibility, customization, and control. With plugins like WooCommerce, WordPress can handle advanced eCommerce needs, making it ideal for businesses with unique requirements.
Final Verdict
Our comparison of Shopify and WordPress is based on a rigorous assessment of key factors crucial for eCommerce success. We evaluate ease of use, customization options, pricing structures, built-in features, scalability, and overall performance.
We go beyond theory and put both platforms to the test. Our method involves hands-on building and managing stores on WordPress and Shopify, providing insights based on real-world experience.
Learn more about our methodology here.
Hopefully, you’ve already identified some key differences that will determine whether Shopify or WordPress is the right website builder for you. Our team at LitExtension – #1 Shopping Cart Migration Expert offers an optimal solution to help you switch to another platform speedily and entirely your data. In case you need any assistance with migrating, please contact us. We are always here to help.
And, if you like this blog, don't forget to check out other articles related to Shopify that we carefully crafted for you.
