Shopify vs WooCommerce 2026: Which Is Cheaper (Really)?
Pay monthly for convenience or own full control? Platform cost comparison, transaction fees and SEO capability.
It’s the eternal debate. Shopify is like an iPhone — works out of the box, but you live in a “walled garden.” WooCommerce is like Android (or Linux) — you control everything, but you have to get your hands oily.
Hidden costs (transaction fees)
Shopify advertises a low monthly fee (€29), but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
- Shopify tax: If you don’t use Shopify Payments (not available in every country), you pay an extra 2% on every transaction. It’s a “success tax.”
- WooCommerce: No platform transaction fee (you only pay the payment provider, e.g. Montonio or Stripe). On €1,000,000 revenue, the difference is €20,000.
SEO: which one does Google love?
There is a clear winner here.
Shopify’s URL structure is rigid (e.g. /collections/red-shoes). You can’t change it.
WooCommerce runs on WordPress, the king of SEO. You can tweak everything: URLs, schema.org data, robots.txt. For technical SEO, WooCommerce is better.
B2B sales?
If you want different prices for different customer groups (“Wholesale discount -20%”), Shopify requires the expensive “Plus” plan (€2,000/month). WooCommerce does it with a free plugin.
FAQ: Ecommerce platforms
Is WooCommerce insecure? +
Only if you don’t maintain it. With our maintenance service, it’s as secure as a bank. Shopify is secure by default because they handle maintenance for you.
Which is easier? +
For merchants (admin panel) both are easy. For developers, Shopify is limited, WooCommerce is unlimited.
We help you choose the right one
There’s no “right” platform — only the right platform for your business. We’ll run the numbers and build a store that profits.
Ecommerce consultation →Related guide
Ecommerce Store 2026: Step-by-Step Guide →
Stiven
Web developer / technical lead
Graduated in web development and has 10+ years of experience with servers, web development and infrastructure. Focused on performance, security, SEO and automation.
Learn more about the SIA DESIGN team →
