Shopify or WooCommerce?
Short answer: if you want to launch quickly without dealing with technical work and prefer a predictable monthly subscription, Shopify fits better; if you want the code, data and server to be entirely yours, with flexible integration with local payment, shipping and e-invoicing systems, WooCommerce fits better. Below we compare the two on cost, payments, flexibility, maintenance and growth.
| Criterion | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A ready-made e-commerce platform used by subscription, with hosting, security and updates managed by Shopify. | A free, open-source e-commerce plugin installed on WordPress; you choose and manage the server and maintenance. |
| Cost structure | Monthly plan fee + payment processing fees + paid themes and apps. An extra transaction fee, depending on the plan, if a third-party payment provider is used. | The plugin is free; hosting, domain, theme, paid extensions and ongoing maintenance effort are counted separately. |
| Payments | Shopify Payments is only available in certain countries; where it is not (including Turkey), a local payment provider is connected through an app. | Most widely used payment providers offer a plugin; there is no platform-imposed extra transaction fee. |
| Flexibility | Broad through themes and apps, but the checkout and server side can only be customised as far as the platform allows. | The code and database are yours; every step, integration and business rule can be changed as needed. |
| Maintenance and security | Platform updates, hosting and PCI-compliant payment infrastructure are handled by Shopify; content and app choices remain with you. | WordPress, plugin and theme updates, backups and server security are your responsibility or your maintenance team's. |
| Data and portability | Product, customer and order data can be exported; the theme and app setup cannot be moved to another platform. | The database and files are entirely yours; you can move them to any server you like. |
| Who is it for? | Shops that want to launch quickly, have no technical team and work with a standard sales flow. | Businesses with custom business rules, heavy local integration needs or a content-heavy site that can take on maintenance. |
- 01
The real difference: a rented shop or your own shop?
With Shopify you rent the infrastructure: servers, security, updates and the upkeep of the payment infrastructure sit with the platform, and you focus on selling. In return you are bound by the platform's rules and price changes. With WooCommerce the shop is yours: it is an open-source plugin running on WordPress and the code and data are entirely yours; in return, you or a maintenance team must take care of the server, updates and security. The right choice depends on how much technical responsibility you want to carry and how well your business model fits a standard pattern.
- 02
Calculating the real cost
Shopify's monthly plan fee may look low at first, but the total cost adds payment processing fees, a paid theme and commonly used paid apps; in countries where Shopify Payments is not available, an extra transaction fee depending on the plan is charged for third-party providers. With WooCommerce the plugin is free, but there is hosting, security plugins, paid extensions and, most importantly, ongoing maintenance effort. Compare total cost over two years and transaction fees based on expected revenue, not monthly fees. Always check current prices on the provider's official pricing page.
- 03
Payment, shipping and e-invoicing integration
Payment options vary by country. Shopify Payments is only offered in certain countries; where it is not, local payment providers are connected through integrations in the app store, and which payment methods are supported depends on the app. With WooCommerce, most widely used payment providers offer a plugin and a custom integration can be built when needed. The same logic applies to integrations with local shipping companies, e-invoicing and accounting software: on Shopify it is quick if a ready-made app exists and limited if not; on WooCommerce every integration is possible but takes effort.
- 04
Notes by country
Turkey: Shopify Payments is not offered; payments are connected through a local payment provider's app, and e-invoicing and marketplace integrations must be planned separately. European Union: on both platforms, VAT settings, cookie consent and GDPR obligations rest with the shop owner. Gulf: Shopify Payments is available in the United Arab Emirates; in Saudi Arabia, local platforms (Salla, Zid) and local payment methods are also strong options. Russia: Shopify suspended its operations in Russia and Belarus in March 2022; local platforms are common in this market.
- 05
What changes as you grow?
On Shopify, growth usually means moving to a higher plan and adding more apps; the platform absorbs traffic growth, but as the number of apps grows, monthly costs and site speed should be watched together. On WooCommerce, growth means scaling server resources, caching and database performance; a well-built setup works under high traffic too, but planning that and load-testing it is your job. In both cases, a large number of plugins or apps is the biggest enemy of speed and security.
- 06
Doki's impartial note
We work with both platforms and see that there is no single right answer. For a business with few products, a standard sales flow and no technical team we usually recommend Shopify; for a business with heavy local integrations, custom rules or a content- and SEO-heavy approach we usually recommend WooCommerce. Before deciding, answer three questions: are your payment and shipping integrations available, what is the total cost over two years, and who will take care of maintenance and security? If you get stuck on these questions, we can look at them together in a free initial call.
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