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E-commerce · Buyer's guide

WooCommerce vs Shopify vs BigCommerce vs Wix: which should you pick?

A side-by-side look at price, features, quality and value across the leading e-commerce options — so you can choose the right one in minutes.

Visit woocommerce.com
The verdict
Editor's pick
WooCommerce

Open-source + free

Best value
WooCommerce

Free core + hosting $5-30 + plugins — lowest sticker price in this comparison.

Best for power users
Shopify

Self-hosting overhead

Feature & price comparison
Feature
WooCommercefeatured
E-commerce
Shopify
Alternative
BigCommerce
Alternative
Wix
Alternative
Pricing
Free core + hosting $5-30 + plugins
$39 Basic / $105 / $399 / Plus ~$2,300
$39 Std / $105 Plus / $399 Pro
$36 Core / $75 / $159 Elite
Apps
60k+ WP plugins
8,000+ vetted
1,400+ vetted
500+ Wix
Fees
0% — depends on gateway
0% w/ Shopify Payments
0% no extra
0% Wix Payments
POS
3rd-party plugins
Native Shopify POS
Square/Clover
Wix POS w/ Square
Best for
Devs wanting control
Scaling DTC
Mid-market + B2B
Small stores
Why shoppers pick WooCommerce
  • Open-source + free
  • 60k+ plugins
  • Full control
When to consider an alternative
  • Self-hosting overhead
  • Plugin quality varies
The short answer

WooCommerce is a e-commerce option built for wp-savvy stores starting at Free core + hosting $5-30 + plugins. Shoppers pick it for open-source + free, but it's worth comparing against Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix if self-hosting overhead.

Which one should you pick?
Pick if…
WooCommerce

Open-source + free. Pricing: Free core + hosting $5-30 + plugins.

Pick if…
Shopify

Best when you need scaling dtc. Pricing: $39 Basic / $105 / $399 / Plus ~$2,300.

Pick if…
BigCommerce

Best when you need mid-market + b2b. Pricing: $39 Std / $105 Plus / $399 Pro.

Pick if…
Wix

Best when you need small stores. Pricing: $36 Core / $75 / $159 Elite.

How to choose
Match the tool to your scale

WooCommerce is positioned for devs + wordpress sites. If your team or volume is materially larger or smaller, one of Shopify / BigCommerce / Wix may be cheaper or more capable.

Use the free tier to validate

At least one option in this comparison has a free tier — run a 1–2 week pilot before paying. Confirm the must-have feature actually works on free, not just trial.

Compare total cost, not sticker price

Look past the headline price: add seats, add-ons, integration fees and transaction fees. The cheapest option rarely stays cheapest at scale.

Stress-test the weakness

Known trade-off with WooCommerce: Self-hosting overhead. Confirm it isn't a deal-breaker for your specific use case before signing.

What to watch out for
  • Self-hosting overhead
    Confirm this isn't a deal-breaker for your team before signing — it's the most common reason shoppers switch from WooCommerce to Shopify.
  • Plugin quality varies
    Confirm this isn't a deal-breaker for your team before signing — it's the most common reason shoppers switch from WooCommerce to Shopify.
Frequently asked
Is WooCommerce worth it in 2026?

For devs + wordpress sites, yes — Open-source + free. For very different use cases, compare against Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix.

How much does WooCommerce cost?

WooCommerce pricing is Free core + hosting $5-30 + plugins. Competitors in this comparison range from $39 Basic / $105 / $399 / Plus ~$2,300 / $39 Std / $105 Plus / $399 Pro / $36 Core / $75 / $159 Elite.

What's the biggest downside of WooCommerce?

Self-hosting overhead. Most teams work around it, but verify it isn't a deal-breaker for you first.

WooCommerce vs Shopify — which should I pick?

Pick WooCommerce if you want open-source + free. Pick Shopify if you need a broader / cheaper / more established alternative — see the comparison table above for the side-by-side.

More buyer's guides in E-commerce

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See current pricing and plans on their site.

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