The platform you choose to build your e-commerce website significantly impacts its success. With plenty of e-commerce platforms available, choosing the best among them is no less than a hassle and full of challenges. While some will suggest WordPress, others will make you believe there is no better platform than Shopify. But what would you choose between Shopify vs WordPress?

Well! We know your search for the best e-commerce platform has landed you here and we won’t distress you too. If you find yourself juggling to choose between Shopify vs WordPress, this detailed comparison guide is all you need. At a glance, WordPress is a CMS that helps in building a variety of websites, be it e-commerce, business, portfolio, personal, or news. On the other hand, Shopify is a SaaS platform that specializes in building online e-commerce stores to sell products and services. 

Both platforms have their benefits and downsides. Your choice depends on the fact that how compatible they are, depending on your requirements. So, without wasting much time, let’s get started!

Key Statistics on Shopify vs WordPress

• WordPress powers over 43% of all live websites on the internet. (Source: Web3Techs)
• WordPress offers over 9,000 free themes in the WordPress theme repository. (Source: WordPress)
• 36.28% of the total top 1 million websites are powered by WordPress. (Source: BuiltWith)
• As of 2024, Shopify has over 4.6 million active stores worldwide. (Source: Popupsmart)
• Shopify holds a significant e-commerce market share, capturing 23% of the top 1 million websites and surpassing WooCommerce (19%). (Source: Popupsmart)
• Shopify has facilitated a staggering $650 billion in total sales from its millions of businesses. (Source:)

Understanding the Basics of Shopify vs WordPress

What’s the point of comparison when you don’t even know what they actually are? So, to assist you, we have broken down the basics of both platforms.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows entrepreneurs to start, manage, and expand a business. It provides the tools to set up an online store, oversee sales, promote to customers, and process payments in both virtual and physical settings.

Shopify stands as a leader in the commerce world due to its attentiveness to the experiences of millions of business proprietors. 

By catering to individual entrepreneurs and large-scale brands, Shopify has developed features and products that drive current businesses and pave the way for the future of commerce.

Pros and Cons of Using Shopify

Let’s break down the advantages and disadvantages of opting for Shopify as your e-commerce platform.

Advantages Of Using Shopify

• Ease of Use: Shopify is a user-friendly e-commerce platform that is designed keeping in mind entrepreneurs with limited technical skills. Its intuitive interface and well-structured dashboard make it easy to manage your online store.
• Quick Setup: Shopify understands that time is a valuable asset. Its setup process is straightforward and quick, allowing you to transform from a novice to an e-commerce pro in a flash. Simply select a template, list your products, adjust a few settings, and —your online store is ready for customers.
• In-Built E-Commerce Tools: Shopify is equipped with a range of built-in features crucial for operating an online store. These include a secure shopping cart, payment processing, inventory management, and order tracking. It’s akin to having a toolbox with all the necessary tools neatly arranged.
• Robust Customer Service: Ever found yourself with an urgent query in the middle of the night? Shopify provides round-the-clock customer support. Whether you’re dealing with a technical glitch or seeking tips to enhance your store, assistance is just a phone call or chat away.

Disadvantages Of Using Shopify

• Restricted Customization: Shopify is great for beginners looking to set up a professional online store. However, it may not be the perfect fit for seasoned designers and developers seeking extensive customization. Its customization options are somewhat limited compared to platforms like WordPress.
• Transaction Costs: Shopify’s ease of use comes with a price tag. In addition to your monthly subscription, you pay transaction fees for each sale you make, particularly if you opt for a third-party payment gateway. 
• Ongoing Subscription Fee: Unlike open-source platforms that are free to use, Shopify charges a monthly subscription fee. This fee covers hosting and support, but it’s a continuous cost that may not be attractive to those operating on a tight budget.
• Limited Flexibility: If you want more sophisticated web design and functionality, Shopify might feel a bit restrictive. The platform’s closed ecosystem means you’re confined to what Shopify permits, and significant customization may necessitate more advanced technical skills.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is an open-source platform that enables anyone to create and manage websites effortlessly. Initially created as a blogging tool, WordPress has grown to support the development of a wide range of sites, from personal blogs and portfolios to online shops.

Currently, WordPress powers over 63.1% of all websites that use a CMS, and it accounts for 43.1% of all internet sites. The widespread use of WordPress speaks volumes about its user-friendly nature, adaptability, and robust worldwide community. 

Pros and Cons of Using WordPress

Now that you know the capabilities of Shopify, it’s time to understand the powers and limitations of WordPress. So, here are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing WordPress as your preferred e-commerce solution: 

Advantages of Using WordPress

• Highly Customizable: With an abundance of themes and plugins, you have the flexibility to mold your website into anything, be it a sophisticated online shop or a blog brimming with content.
• A Wealth of Plugins and Themes: WordPress offers a vast collection of plugins and themes, both free and premium. These tools enable you to boost functionality, enhance visual appeal, and customize your site to reflect your distinctive brand.
• Cost-Effective: The basic WordPress software is open-source and free of charge. This can be a game-changer for startups and entrepreneurs who are mindful of their budgets. While premium themes and plugins might cost money, the basic framework is easy on the pocket.
• Ideal for Content Marketing: Content is indeed king. WordPress shines in content management, making it a perfect choice for businesses that prioritize content marketing. 

Disadvantages Of Using WordPress

• Technical Expertise Required: White WordPress offers flexibility but also demands a certain level of technical knowledge. If you’re not comfortable navigating through themes, plugins, and occasional code snippets, you might need to seek help from a developer.
• Dependent on Hosting Quality: WordPress’s performance is heavily reliant on the quality of your chosen hosting provider. If you compromise on hosting, you may face issues such as slower loading times, performance glitches, and even potential downtime. 
• Potential Security Threats: As a popular CMS, WordPress can be a magnet for cybercriminals. Regular updates and security measures are crucial to safeguarding your site. While numerous security plugins are available to strengthen your site’s defenses, constant vigilance and proactive measures are required.
• Lacks Inbuilt E-Commerce Features: WordPress doesn’t have built-in e-commerce features, unlike Shopify. To transform your site into an online store, you’ll need to depend on plugins like WooCommerce. While WooCommerce is a powerful tool, it introduces an additional layer of complexity to your setup.

Key Differences between Shopify vs Shopify

To help you choose between Shopify vs WordPress, here’s a head-to-head comparison based on various aspects, including pricing, ease of use, storage, services, etc. So, let’s get started!

Transaction Fees

Both Shopify and WordPress charge a transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents for online credit card transactions. For example, if a customer made a purchase worth $100, the transaction fee would be $3.20.

The difference between these two platforms lies in the charges for in-person transactions. Shopify charges 2.7%, whereas WordPress charges 2.6% plus 10 cents. For purchases below $100, Shopify turns out to be more economical. However, WordPress could be more cost-effective for high-value goods due to its lower fees.

Product Limitations

Both Shopify and WordPress allow you to list unlimited products on your website. Shopify also offers the option to disable inventory tracking for specific products, which can be helpful if you’re selling intangible items like digital files.

While WordPress doesn’t limit the number of products you can list, it’s important to note that it only provides up to 50GB of storage. You might quickly run out of storage space if you have numerous product files and documents.

Storage 

Shopify provides unlimited storage and bandwidth, making it ideal if you want to add your product listings with high-resolution images. However, it does restrict the maximum file size to 20MB.

On the other hand, WordPress provides up to 50GB of storage. You have the option to purchase additional storage in increments of 50GB and 100GB, but the total storage per account is capped at 200 GB.

Integration Options

Shopify offers over 8,000 apps, including integrations for marketplaces, social media platforms, subscription handling, design modifications, and more. 

When combined with WooCommerce, WordPress offers 820 dedicated e-commerce extensions. WordPress also provides nearly 60,000 free plugins, although not all of them may apply to online stores.

Customer Support

Neither Shopify nor WordPress offers telephone support, which can be inconvenient when immediate assistance is required. However, both platforms provide 24/7 live chat and email support. 

With WordPress, email support is available starting with the Starter plan, and live chat support is included from the Premium plan onwards. On the other hand, Shopify offers live chat and email support across all its plans.

Pricing

WordPress offers plans that range from free to $70 per month with monthly billing. However, it comes down to as low as $45 per month with annual billing. However, businesses serious about e-commerce will likely require the $70 Entrepreneur plan. If you’re comfortable with installing plugins for each functionality, the $40 per month Creator plan would be enough. There is also the $18 per month Explorer plan and $9 per month Starter plan, but these may not be robust enough for large-scale businesses.

Similarly, Shopify offers a $5 per month Starter plan suitable for selling products at events and on social media. However, most users will likely need at least the Basic plan, which costs $39 per month. For additional features, you can choose the Shopify or Advanced plans, which cost $105 per month and $399 per month, respectively.

User Feedback and Reputation

Shopify and WordPress have a lot of feedback feedback from their users. On Trustpilot, Shopify has a rating of 1.5 stars, with customers frequently expressing dissatisfaction with billing procedures and customer service. On the other hand, WordPress has a slightly higher rating of 1.8 stars, with users often complaining about frequent account cancellations or suspensions.

However, both platforms have been rated 4.4 stars on G2. Users appreciate Shopify for its intuitive interface and diverse template options. WordPress, on the other hand, is lauded for its adaptability in creating responsive and mobile-optimized websites.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

When it comes to SEO, both Shopify and WordPress offer tools to enhance your website’s visibility on SERP. Shopify’s built-in SEO features include customizable metadata, clean URLs, and mobile-friendly themes, which can increase your website’s visibility.

At the same time, WordPress offers more control and flexibility over SEO. With plugins like Yoast SEO, users can optimize individual pages and blog posts for specific keywords and generate XML sitemaps.

Conclusion

After this detailed comparison between Shopify vs WordPress, it is clear both these platforms can help build online e-commerce stores that can lure customers. However, both of these platforms have their own set of benefits and downsides. Ultimately, your choice between WordPress vs Shopify depends on your specific needs. 

If you’re still unsure about what to choose between Shopify vs WordPress, here’s a quick checklist for you.

Shopify is the optimal choice for:

• Businesses seeking a quick and efficient start
• Companies looking for a comprehensive, all-in-one solution
• Businesses that lack extensive knowledge of website design

On the other hand, WordPress is ideal for:

• Businesses wanting a high degree of customization for their online storefront
• Companies equipped with the time and expertise to manipulate code and manage plugins
• Enterprises possessing extensive libraries of content

FAQs

Which One is Better, Shopify or WordPress?

Shopify and WordPress serve different purposes. Shopify is an all-in-one e-commerce platform, ideal for businesses wanting to start selling quickly. WordPress, a popular content management system, offers more customization and is suitable for content-heavy sites.

What are the Disadvantages of Shopify?

Shopify has limited design customization, charges transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments, offers limited free themes, and can become expensive with added apps.

Can you Sell on WordPress with Shopify?

Yes, you can sell on WordPress using Shopify. This Shopify WordPress integration allows you to leverage Shopify’s e-commerce features while maintaining your WordPress website.

Can Shopify and WordPress Integrate?

Yes, Shopify and WordPress can be integrated, allowing you to sell products directly from your WordPress site and manage your store via Shopify.