Shopify vs WooCommerce for UK businesses
Shopify is the better choice for most UK businesses that want to sell without managing hosting, security and plugin updates. WooCommerce suits businesses already on WordPress that want full control of their code and are happy to maintain it or pay a developer to.
By Abdullah Ashraf, Shopify expert · Last updated: October 2026
Side-by-side comparison
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Hosted, ready in minutes | Install on WordPress, arrange hosting |
| Monthly cost | Plan from £25 (or £19 yearly) | Plugin is free; hosting, plugins and maintenance extra |
| Security and updates | Handled by Shopify | Your responsibility |
| Speed | Global hosting included | Depends on hosting and plugins |
| Payments | Shopify Payments, no extra fee | Stripe, PayPal or WooPayments |
| Flexibility | Themes and apps, some limits | Full code control |
| Support | 24/7 Shopify support | Hosting provider, plugin authors, developers |
Costs in the UK
Shopify's UK plans are £25, £65 or £344 a month on monthly billing, plus card fees from 1.5% to 2% + 25p with Shopify Payments. WooCommerce itself is free, but you pay for hosting, a theme, premium plugins, security and developer time for updates, which often adds up to a similar or higher total for a growing store.
Prices change. Check each provider's current UK pricing page before deciding.
Which should you choose?
Choose Shopify if…
- You want to focus on selling, not maintenance
- You don't have a developer on hand
- You want built-in payments and fast checkout
Choose WooCommerce if…
- Your site already runs on WordPress with lots of content
- You need unusual custom features
- You have a developer for ongoing updates
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify cheaper than WooCommerce?
Not always upfront, but often once hosting, plugins and maintenance are counted.
Can I move from WooCommerce to Shopify?
Yes, with products, customers, orders and redirects. See the migration service.
Which is better for SEO?
Both can rank well. Content, speed and structure matter more than the platform.
Let's grow your store
Tell me what you sell and where you're stuck. You'll get honest advice and a fixed quote, even if we don't end up working together.