Answer · Ecommerce (WooCommerce)
Why WooCommerce Instead of Shopify?
The short answer
WooCommerce wins on TCO above $250K GMV (no transaction surcharge, lower app fees), customization ceiling (full PHP/MySQL access), and platform lock-in (you own the code). Shopify wins on managed convenience and ease of use under $250K GMV.
№ 01The longer answer
Shopify charges a 2% transaction surcharge on every order if you use any payment processor other than Shopify Payments (1% on Shopify Plus). On a $2M store using Stripe or Authorize.net, that’s $20K-$40K/year leaking to Shopify for nothing — you’re paying them to use your own processor. WooCommerce charges zero transaction surcharge. Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30 is what you pay Stripe, period.
App costs compound on Shopify. A typical $2M Shopify store runs $400-$900/month in app fees (Klaviyo, Recharge, Bold, ShipStation, B2B apps). WooCommerce equivalents are typically one-time or yearly extension licenses ($400-$1,200/year combined). Over 3 years, the OpEx delta is $30K-$50K for the same feature set.
Customization ceiling. Shopify themes use Liquid, a Shopify-proprietary template language. You can edit it, but you’re inside Shopify’s rendering pipeline, hosting, and CDN. WooCommerce is PHP on your hosting — full code access, full database access, full ability to integrate with anything that speaks HTTP. For B2B logic, ERP integration, custom checkout flows, WooCommerce has no real ceiling.
We’re not anti-Shopify. For stores under $250K GMV without dev resources, Shopify’s managed nature is genuinely valuable and we refer those buyers to Shopify specialists. Above $250K GMV, the math switches and WooCommerce wins.
№ 02Is WooCommerce harder to use than Shopify?
For day-to-day admin (orders, products, inventory), they’re similar. WooCommerce’s admin is functional but less polished than Shopify’s. The trade-off: WooCommerce is more capable for non-vanilla workflows.
№ 03What about Shopify Plus?
Plus drops the surcharge to 1% (still leaks money) and adds B2B features. At $2,300/mo + 1% surcharge on a $5M store, 3-year cost is $145K-$175K. Same store on WooCommerce: $35K-$50K all-in.
№ 04Can WooCommerce handle the same scale as Shopify?
Yes, up to ~5,000 SKUs on good hosting (Kinsta). Above that, both platforms require investment in performance infrastructure. WooCommerce headless on Next.js scales to any size.
Go deeper
Related questions
Three Ways to Start · No Sales Pitch
Want this answered for your business?
$500 audit. 5-day delivery. Refundable on engagement.