Shopify vs WooCommerce for UK businesses: which should you build on?

This is the first decision most UK online businesses face, and it is easy to get stuck on it. The good news is that both platforms are mature and both can run a successful store. The right answer depends on who is going to look after the site and how unusual your requirements are.

The fundamental difference

Shopify is hosted software. You pay a monthly subscription, Shopify runs the servers, security, updates and payments, and you work within its structure.

WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress. You (or your agency) arrange hosting, install WordPress and WooCommerce, add plugins for the features you need, and you are responsible for keeping it all updated and secure. In return you can change almost anything.

Where Shopify is stronger

• Ease. Set up a store in an afternoon. The admin is clean and staff learn it fast.
• Reliability. Shopify handles traffic spikes, security and uptime. You do not think about servers.
• Payments. Shopify Payments is built in, with Apple Pay, Google Pay and Klarna easy to switch on.
• Apps. A large app store for reviews, email, subscriptions, loyalty and more.
• Support. 24 hour support from Shopify itself.
• Checkout. Shopify's checkout is well tested and converts well. See our guide on reducing cart abandonment.

Where WooCommerce is stronger

• Control. Every part of the site can be customised. Unusual product types, pricing rules and checkout flows are possible.
• Content. It is WordPress, so blogs, landing pages and content marketing are first class.
• No platform transaction fees. You pay only your payment gateway's fees.
• Ownership. The site is yours, on hosting you choose, with data you can export in full.
• Plugin ecosystem. Enormous, and often cheaper than Shopify apps, though quality varies.

The cost comparison people get wrong

Shopify looks more expensive because the subscription is visible. WooCommerce looks free because the plugin is. In reality a WooCommerce store needs good hosting, an SSL certificate (usually included), premium plugins for features Shopify includes, regular updates, backups and security monitoring. For a small store, annual totals are often similar. The difference is that with WooCommerce you are paying in time and responsibility as well as money. Our guide to eCommerce website costs in the UK gives ranges for both.

A simple decision rule

Choose Shopify if:

• You do not have a technical person on the team.
• Your products are reasonably standard.
• You want to focus on selling, not maintaining a website.
• You may use Shopify POS in a physical shop.

Choose WooCommerce if:

• Content is as important as products (publishing, courses, communities).
• You need customisation Shopify cannot do, such as complex configurators or unusual pricing.
• You have an agency or developer who will maintain it.
• Full ownership and portability matter to you.

What about Odoo eCommerce, or headless?

If you are also implementing an ERP, Odoo's own eCommerce app is worth considering, because the store, stock and accounts are one system with nothing to integrate. For larger brands with unusual front-end needs, a headless setup separates the shop front from the platform behind it; we explain when it is worth it in headless commerce explained. For most small and mid-sized UK stores, Shopify or WooCommerce is the right answer.

Connecting to the rest of the business

Whichever you choose, the store will need to talk to your accounts, stock and courier systems eventually. Both platforms have good integration options. See connecting Shopify to Odoo and Xero and Shopify integration.

We build on both platforms and will recommend the one that fits, not the one we prefer. Read about our eCommerce service or request a quote.

Frequently asked questions