Introduction
Shopify or WooCommerce? Behind this seemingly technical choice lies a major strategic decision for any business looking to sell online in 2025. Hidden costs, platform dependency, search engine visibility, security, scalability: Every detail matters. This guide compares both solutions in depth, with up-to-date data and a real-world case study.
You've probably heard a colleague praise Shopify’s simplicity, or a developer tout the freedom of WordPress and WooCommerce. Beyond the noise, the real question is simple: which option truly maximizes your margin, visibility, and autonomy?
Why does this duel fascinate entrepreneurs?
The numbers speak for themselves: WooCommerce dominates the market.
In 2025, WooCommerce powers more than one out of every two e-commerce websites, over 50% market share according to Pootlepress. Shopify holds steady around 10%. No surprise that more than 3.5 million websites have adopted this model.
Own or rent: The question too many SMEs overlook
WooCommerce: The shop keys are in your pocket
WooCommerce runs on WordPress, an open-source platform. You choose your hosting provider, retain your database, and can migrate whenever you want. No lease, no exit penalties.
Shopify: A precarious lease that can be terminated overnight
With Shopify, you're a tenant: the platform hosts your data and can cut off access without notice. Dozens of merchants have reported sudden suspensions that caused their revenue to drop overnight (testimonial)
The real battleground: Avoid the silent price hike
WooCommerce: Flexible budget, no transaction fees
Reliable hosting starts at €10/month. Most extensions are free or available for a one-time fee. Most importantly, WooCommerce takes no commission on your transactions.
Shopify: Subscriptions, commissions, and paid markets
After a 34% price increase in 2024, the Basic plan costs $39/month. The platform includes three “markets”, localized storefronts with language and currency. Each additional market costs $59/month (details). Add 2% transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments, plus paid apps, and your margin quickly evaporates.
Security: Who really holds the firewall?
WooCommerce: Open-source audits and custom defenses
Open code is continuously reviewed by the community. You can reinforce security using tools like Wordfence and define your own backup strategy.
Shopify: Data leaks and app dependency
In July 2024, a third-party app exposed 180,000 customer records (report). The more apps you install, the bigger the attack surface becomes.
Platform ecosystem: Free abundance or pay-per-feature?
WooCommerce: 60,000 free plugins at your fingertips
The official WordPress repository lists over 60,000 free plugins, from local payment gateways to CRMs. You can also have custom features developed without any monthly subscription.
Shopify: Every feature is another monthly subscription
Most apps on the App Store cost between $9 and $29/month. Over a year, this can easily total more than $1,500.
Real-life example: A Moroccan SME makes the switch
The interior design agency Maison Zellige, based in Casablanca, was using Shopify. Between product variation apps, the Monétique payment gateway, and the 3-market limit, the monthly bill exceeded €220. After migrating to WooCommerce, first on shared hosting, then a VPS, ROI was achieved in just 4 months: Net margin up 8%, and organic traffic up 32%, thanks to optimized URLs and the Rank Math plugin.
Conclusion: Freedom has a name, and it’s not Shopify
WooCommerce means ownership, controlled costs, and scalability. Shopify is attractive for its all-in-one setup, but it charges for every step and can shut down your store without notice. Do you want to own your online business, or just rent it? The choice is yours and the time is now.
