If you are ready to start selling online, two names come up more than any others: WooCommerce and Shopify. Both are excellent and both power huge numbers of online shops around the world. But they work in very different ways, and the right choice depends on your business.
We build webshops on both platforms, so here is our honest comparison.
The basic difference
- Shopify is a hosted, all-in-one platform. You pay a monthly subscription and Shopify handles hosting, security and updates. You build your shop within their system.
- WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns a WordPress website into an online shop. You host it yourself (or with a hosting provider) and have full control over everything.
Think of Shopify as renting a fully serviced shop unit, and WooCommerce as owning your own building.
Ease of use
Shopify is generally easier for beginners. Setup is guided, and you do not need to think about hosting, updates or security.
WooCommerce has a steeper learning curve, especially if you are new to WordPress. But if you already have a WordPress site, adding a shop can feel natural.
Cost
Shopify:
- A monthly subscription, with higher tiers unlocking more features.
- Payment processing fees, plus extra transaction fees if you use a third-party payment gateway instead of Shopify Payments.
- Paid apps for extra features often add a meaningful amount each month.
WooCommerce:
- The plugin itself is free.
- You pay for hosting, a domain and any premium extensions you need.
- Payment processing fees apply through your chosen gateway (Stripe, PayPal, Redsys and others).
- Ongoing maintenance — either your time or a care plan.
In practice, costs can be similar for small shops. WooCommerce can be cheaper long-term if you avoid lots of paid extensions; Shopify is more predictable month to month.
Flexibility and control
WooCommerce wins here. You own your site and data, and almost anything can be customised. It is ideal if you need unusual product types, bookings, memberships, B2B pricing or close integration with content and blogging.
Shopify is flexible within its ecosystem, but some customisations require specific apps or developer work, and you are ultimately working within Shopify’s rules.
Content and SEO
WordPress is one of the best content management systems available, so WooCommerce shops benefit from strong blogging and SEO capabilities. Shopify has improved its blogging and SEO tools, and both platforms can rank well with the right setup. If content marketing is central to your strategy, WooCommerce has the edge.
Payments in Spain
Both platforms support major payment providers. In Spain, customers often expect to pay by card, and many also use Bizum. Check that your chosen platform and payment provider support the methods your customers prefer — Bizum integration typically comes via specific payment gateways or plugins.
Taxes and invoicing
Selling across borders brings VAT considerations, especially for sales to consumers in other EU countries. Both platforms offer tax settings, but you should take advice from your accountant or gestor on your obligations. If you are in Spain, also keep an eye on invoicing rules — see our guide to Verifactu.
Which should you choose?
Choose Shopify if:
- You want the simplest possible setup.
- You are selling physical products without complex requirements.
- You prefer not to deal with hosting or updates at all.
Choose WooCommerce if:
- You already have a WordPress website.
- You want full ownership and control.
- You need custom functionality or a strong content strategy.
- You prefer to minimise ongoing subscription fees.
Do not forget the essentials
Whichever platform you choose, your shop needs clear terms and conditions, a privacy policy, cookie consent and proper legal information. Read our guides to website legal essentials in Spain and the European Accessibility Act before launching.
Need help deciding?
Tell us what you sell, how many products you have and how you want to grow, and we will recommend the right platform — honestly. Get in touch to start your webshop project.
