WooCommerce vs Shopify: the full comparison for your e-commerce business

«How much do WooCommerce and Shopify really cost over five years?» This is the first question our e-commerce clients ask, and the answer rarely fits into a marketing table. We’ve analysed the costs of both platforms using real-life examples from the shops we support, ranging from small, self-managed catalogues to high-volume, managed shops. The result is more nuanced than the usual «WooCommerce is free, Shopify is simple».

A comprehensive comparison of WooCommerce and Shopify

Two cost figures, not just one: this is where most comparisons fall short. A simple shop that you run yourself is nothing like a bespoke, managed shop. Let’s break down the two cost scenarios that make up the table.

Actual costs over 5 years (managed shop)

Traditional comparisons often overlook Shopify’s hidden costs (apps, transaction fees, forced upgrades). Here is a detailed breakdown for a high-volume shop managed by a service provider.

WooCommerce: actual cost over 5 years

• Managed hosting: €59/month × 60 = €3,540
• Bespoke theme (initial): €5,000
• Premium plugins (WooCommerce Subscriptions, etc.): ~€500/year × 5 = €2,500
• Monthly maintenance: €149/month × 60 = €8,940
• Total over 5 years: ~€20,000

Shopify, actual cost over 5 years (Advanced plan)

• Subscription: 299 $/month × 60 = ~€16,700
• Transaction fees (0.5 % on €100,000 per month): ~€6,000 per year × 5 = €30,000
• Premium theme: 200 $
• Shopify apps (email, subscriptions, loyalty schemes): ~150 $/month × 60 = ~€8,400
• Total over 5 years: ~€55,000

The difference of €35,000 over five years is considerable, and it stems mainly from transaction fees and app costs – two items that increase as your turnover grows. For a shop with a monthly turnover of €100,000, WooCommerce is clearly more cost-effective. Conversely, for a simple shop with turnover of less than €5,000 per month, these costs remain marginal and the difference narrows to the «simple shop» range shown in the table.

Our verdict

• Choose WooCommerce If: you want to keep your costs under control in the long term, you need technical flexibility, your turnover exceeds €10,000 per month, you’re actively pursuing editorial SEO, or your data must remain in Europe.
• Choose Shopify If: you’re just starting out and want to give it a quick go without any technical skills, you’re doing pure dropshipping, your market is international (including English-speaking customers), and your turnover is less than €5,000 per month.

One final point that many people overlook: once your online shop is up and running, the real cost lies in the time spent managing it. This is precisely where WooCommerce comes into its own, as it offers unlimited automation. We set out five practical workflows in our guide to Automate your e-commerce with Make and n8n. And if you’re still undecided between several CMSs, our WordPress vs Webflow vs Shopify: A Comparison broadens one’s perspective.

The right choice depends on your specific model, not on a generic ranking. If you’d like us to provide a 5-year forecast for your specific scenario, find out more our bespoke WooCommerce shop support.