Most comparisons you'll find are written by someone who sells one of the two. We build on both, so we have no reason to push you in either direction. Here's what the differences that actually matter look like.
The fundamental difference
Shopify is a service. You pay monthly, they handle hosting, security, updates and scaling. You handle selling.
WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress. There's no license fee, but you're responsible for hosting, security, updates and performance — either directly or through someone who handles them for you.
Every other difference follows from that.
A comparison on what matters
| WooCommerce | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Startup cost | Lower (no license fee) | Lower (no heavy development) |
| Long-term cost | Predictable, doesn't grow with sales | Subscription plus transaction fee |
| Romanian integrations (SmartBill, Oblio, couriers) | Very good, mature modules | They exist, but fewer and sometimes via intermediaries |
| Control over the code | Full | Limited by the platform |
| Maintenance required | Yes, ongoing | Almost none |
| Content and blog | Native, powerful | Functional, but limited |
| Scaling under heavy traffic | Depends on hosting | Handled automatically |
When we choose WooCommerce
When integrations with Romanian systems are essential — automatic invoicing, stock sync with an ERP, pricing logic per customer group. The WordPress ecosystem covers these needs far better in the local market.
When you need real control over what happens in the store, or when content matters — a blog, guides, service pages that bring organic traffic.
And when you want predictable costs: if you sell 500,000 RON a year, the platform commission starts to matter.
When we choose Shopify
When you want to launch fast and never touch the technical side. When you also sell abroad and need multi-currency and multi-language without the hassle. When you don't have anyone to handle maintenance and would rather pay a subscription so it isn't your problem.
Shopify is also the better choice when your team is small and the time spent on technical administration would be worth more invested in selling.
Our rule of thumb: if the words “ERP”, “stock sync” or “automatic invoicing” come up in the first conversation, the answer leans towards WooCommerce. If it's “I want to launch next month” and “I don't want to deal with the technical side”, it leans towards Shopify.
The myth of zero cost
“WooCommerce is free” is technically true and practically misleading. The plugin costs nothing. Good hosting, maintenance, premium modules and someone's time keeping them running all cost. The difference from Shopify isn't free versus paid, it's where the money goes: into your own infrastructure or into a subscription.
Can you migrate later?
Yes, in both directions, and we do it fairly often. Products, customers and orders move across. The delicate part is keeping your Google rankings: if the URL structure changes without a complete map of 301 redirects, you lose organic traffic built over years.
Migrating isn't a disaster, but it isn't free either. It's worth choosing well from the start, even if that means a longer conversation up front.
The conclusion
There's no better platform, only a better fit. The right question isn't “which is better”, but “what am I selling, which systems does the store need to talk to, and who looks after it a year from now”.
Whichever platform you pick, the build looks the same: see what building an online store involves and which integrations with ERP, couriers and payment processors come into play. If you're moving off an existing platform, read about migration without losing Google rankings.
If you want an answer for your specific case, write to us. We'll tell you which one fits you — including when the answer is the one we don't build.