Round 1: Ease of Use
Shopify wins on simplicity—log in, pick a theme, sell. WooCommerce? It’s like IKEA—you get great flexibility but must build it yourself.
Round 2: Customization Power
WooCommerce: The Tinkerer’s Paradise
Want to sell in 12 currencies and link your CRM with custom automation? Woo can handle that. It just needs a few (dozen) plugins.
Shopify: Clean but Constrained
What you see is (mostly) what you get. Customization is limited unless you’re willing to shell out for Shopify Plus or dive into Liquid code.
Round 3: Payment Gateways & Fees
Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Woo? No fees, but you’ll need to manage gateways and compliance yourself.
Round 4: SEO Superpowers
- WooCommerce leverages WordPress SEO tools like RankMath and Yoast
- Shopify is solid but still a bit behind in meta customization and schema flexibility
The Verdict: WooCommerce for Power, Shopify for Speed
If you’re after control and customization, go WooCommerce. If you want fast setup with great UX, Shopify’s your guy. It all comes down to how deep your pockets (and patience) are.