Shopify vs WordPress
Last updated . Figures are approximate and change with the market, so check current prices before you decide.
The two are not the same kind of thing. Shopify is a service: you rent a store and Shopify runs the machinery. WordPress is software: you own the installation and someone has to run it. Most of the practical differences follow from that one fact.
Shopify vs WordPress at a glance
| Shopify | WordPress | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hosted store platform | Open source software you install |
| Monthly platform cost | €24 to €32 for Basic (yearly vs monthly billing) | Software is free; hosting is extra |
| Hosting and SSL | Included | You buy hosting and set up HTTPS |
| Selling products | Built in | Needs a plugin such as WooCommerce |
| Upkeep | Shopify updates the platform | You update core, themes and plugins |
| Add-ons | Apps, many with monthly fees | Plugins, many free, some paid |
| Best for | Shops that mainly sell products | Content-led sites and custom builds |
Shopify's prices come from Shopify's pricing page, which listed Basic at €32 a month on monthly billing and €24 a month billed yearly. WordPress facts come from WordPress.org.
Costs
For Shopify, the plan is the visible cost. On top of it you pay payment processing fees and any paid apps. The pricing page also lists a 2% third-party transaction fee if you use an outside payment provider instead of Shopify Payments. Our guide to what a Shopify website costs breaks down the plan, fees, apps and build.
For WordPress, the software costs nothing, but a site needs a host. WordPress.org says to run it your host should support PHP 8.3 or greater, MariaDB 10.11 or greater or MySQL 8.0 or greater, and HTTPS. WooCommerce is the common way to sell on WordPress, and its core is free too. The costs that appear are hosting, a premium theme or extensions if you want them, and the time or fees to keep it running. Our guide to what a small business website costs covers the build side for both routes.
Neither is cheap or expensive by default. A simple Shopify store can cost less to run than a WordPress shop that needs paid extensions, and a plain WordPress brochure site can cost less than a Shopify plan.
Ownership
You own your content and customer data on both, but the practical position differs.
With WordPress you hold the files and the database. WooCommerce says you keep ownership of your store's content and data. You can move host without asking anyone.
With Shopify your store runs on Shopify's servers under its terms. You can still take your data with you. Shopify's help centre explains that products can be exported to a CSV file as a backup or to move them to another store. Theme code and apps usually do not move with you, so plan on a rebuild if you ever leave.
Either way, make sure the domain and the accounts are registered in your name. That matters more than the platform.
Maintenance
This is the biggest difference in daily life.
Shopify handles hosting, platform updates and the checkout. You maintain products, your theme and your apps.
WordPress asks more of you. WordPress's own documentation says automatic background updates are enabled by default on most sites for core, while plugin and theme updates are automatic only in special cases. In practice you, your host or a care plan must keep plugins and themes current, take backups and fix what breaks after an update.
If that sounds like a job you do not want, factor in either a Shopify plan or a monthly care fee. Our care plans are €39 a month for simple sites and €199 a month for online stores, covering backups, updates and a set number of hours of changes.
Apps and plugins
Shopify's pricing page says you can integrate with thousands of apps. Many are paid monthly, and each adds a little load time and cost, so a short list is better than a long one.
WordPress.org says its directory offers over 76,000 free plugins. Free does not mean maintained. Check when a plugin was last updated, how many sites use it and whether it is still supported, because abandoned plugins can become a weak point.
SEO
Both can rank well. Search results depend on your content, site speed, structure and links more than on the platform.
WooCommerce's own page claims an SEO advantage for WordPress. Shopify includes a free SSL certificate on every plan. WordPress gives more control over page structure and is the better home for a large blog or many content pages. For a shop with a few dozen products, the difference is rarely what decides rankings. Do the work on page titles, descriptions, speed and useful text, whichever you pick.
Security
Shopify lists unlimited hosting and a free SSL certificate in every plan, and it runs the checkout. Security of the platform is Shopify's job; yours is staff access and app choice.
WordPress's own hardening guide frames security as risk reduction, not risk elimination. Your risk depends on your host, how fast you update, how many plugins you run and how strong your passwords are. A well-kept WordPress site is safe enough for a small business. A neglected one carries far more risk.
When to choose Shopify
- Your main goal is selling products with payments, shipping and tax in one place.
- You want little technical upkeep.
- You do not have a developer or someone who enjoys maintenance.
- You want to start selling in weeks. See our Shopify store service for what that looks like.
When to choose WordPress
- Your site is mostly content, services or bookings, with a few products at most.
- You want full control over layout, plugins and hosting.
- You already have a site and a developer who knows the setup.
- You expect unusual requirements that Shopify's structure makes awkward.
If you are still undecided, the shop you will run in two years matters more than the shop you launch with. A catalogue of dozens of products and regular orders points to Shopify. A content-led business with occasional sales points to WordPress.
How OnePDA helps
For stores we build on Shopify. Our Shopify website design service is €3,200 for a store with up to 30 products, built in four weeks, with payments, shipping, taxes, SEO basics and two automatic emails. The Shopify plan is about €27 a month, paid by you directly to Shopify. If you want a site without a shop, Website Business is €2,400 for up to five pages in three weeks. Prices exclude VAT where it applies, and the domain and accounts stay in your name.
We will tell you if the other route suits you better. We make no promise about rankings or sales.
FAQ
Is Shopify better than WordPress for a small business?
For selling products with little upkeep, usually yes. For content-heavy sites or full control, WordPress often fits better. The right choice depends on what you sell and who will maintain the site.
Is WordPress really free?
The software is free and open source. You still need hosting, a domain, and usually time or help to maintain it, plus any paid themes or extensions.
How much does Shopify cost a month?
As of October 2026, Shopify's entry plan is €32 a month on monthly billing or €24 a month billed yearly, plus payment processing fees and any paid apps.
Can I move from WordPress to Shopify later?
Yes. Products and customers can be exported and imported as CSV files. Design, plugins and apps are rebuilt, so budget time for it.
Which is better for SEO?
Neither wins by default. Content quality, speed and page structure matter more. WordPress offers more control, Shopify covers the basics out of the box.