If you’re planning to launch an eCommerce store in 2025, chances are you’re choosing between Shopify and WordPress. Both are industry-leading platforms — but they cater to different needs. This guide breaks down the key aspects of each platform to help you decide what’s right for your business.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a widely used content management system (CMS), originally created for blogging, but now capable of supporting complex websites and full-scale eCommerce stores. There are two main versions:
Self-Hosted WordPress (WordPress.org)
You install WordPress yourself using a hosting provider of your choice. This option gives you complete control over your website — from how it looks, to what it can do. You’ll be responsible for web hosting, security, maintenance, and updates, but the upside is maximum flexibility and scalability.
Hosted WordPress (WordPress.com)
A simplified, hosted version managed by Automattic. Hosting, updates and maintenance are taken care of, but the platform comes with limitations. Advanced customisation and third-party plugins are only available on paid plans.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a fully hosted eCommerce platform designed specifically for selling online. It takes care of hosting, security, and backend performance, so you can focus on running your store. You don’t need technical knowledge to get started, making it a popular choice for beginners and growing brands alike.
Who Should Use Shopify or WordPress?
Shopify is ideal if:
- You want to launch a store quickly without worrying about hosting or maintenance
- You’re looking for a beginner-friendly, user-friendly experience
- You want integrated payment options and sales tools from day one
WordPress is a better fit if:
- You want full control over your site’s design and functionality
- You already have a WordPress website and want to add an eCommerce store
- You’re comfortable managing hosting, updates, and plugins yourself
Pros and Cons
Shopify
Pros:
- Fully hosted — no need for separate web hosting
- User-friendly dashboard with drag-and-drop tools
- Shopify Payments lets you accept credit cards without third-party fees
- Access to mobile-friendly templates
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Monthly fees starting at AU$56 (Basic)
- Additional charges for premium themes and apps
- Limited design freedom compared to open-source platforms
WordPress
Pros:
- Extremely flexible and customisable
- Thousands of plugins and themes available
- Strong blogging and content management features
- Greater control over SEO elements like metadata and structured data
Cons:
- Requires separate web hosting (cost varies by provider)
- Maintenance and security are your responsibility
- Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners
Shopify vs WordPress: Feature Comparison
Payment and Transaction Fees
Shopify pricing (2025):
- Basic: AU$56/month
- Shopify Plan: AU$149/month
- Advanced: AU$575month
- Shopify Plus (Enterprise): Custom pricing
Transaction fees range from 2.9% + 30c (Basic) to lower rates on higher plans. Using a third-party payment gateway (like PayPal or Stripe) can incur an extra 0.5%–2% fee unless you use Shopify Payments.
WordPress (WooCommerce):
Costs vary depending on your setup:
- Web hosting: AU$550/year (shared or managed)
- Domain: AU$44/year
- WooCommerce: Free plugin, but many extensions are paid
- Payment gateway fees depend on the provider (Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc.)
There are no platform transaction fees — just what the gateway charges.
Blogging
WordPress was originally built for blogging and still leads in this space. You can create categories, tags, and optimised blog posts using custom SEO plugins like Rank Math or Yoast SEO.
Shopify has a built-in blogging tool, but it’s limited in comparison — best suited for basic content like announcements or short updates.
Customer Support
Shopify offers dedicated 24/7 support via live chat, phone and email. WordPress itself doesn’t offer support, but you’ll usually get help from your hosting provider, plugin developers, or the large WordPress community.
Templates and Mobile Friendliness
Shopify offers professionally designed themes that are responsive across all devices. Around 12 are free, and 100+ paid themes range from AU$180 to AU$500. All themes are optimised for mobile.
WordPress offers thousands of themes, both free and premium. The mobile-friendliness and performance depend on the developer. You’ll often need to use a page builder (like Elementor or WPBakery) for drag-and-drop functionality.
Ease of Use
Shopify is simpler out of the box. Its onboarding process walks you through everything — from adding your first product to launching your store.
WordPress takes more effort to set up. You need to install WordPress, select a theme, install WooCommerce, and configure your store. But in return, you get full flexibility.
eCommerce Features
Shopify comes with:
- Inventory tracking
- Built-in analytics
- Discount code generator
- Cart recovery tools
- Inbuilt POS and shipping integrations
WordPress relies on WooCommerce and third-party plugins to offer similar features. This setup works well but may require more configuration.
Flexibility
WordPress wins here. You can change virtually anything — from your checkout process to your product page layout. You can also extend functionality with any of the 50,000+ plugins available.
Shopify restricts what can be changed within the platform. For deeper customisation, you’ll need to modify Liquid (Shopify’s templating language) or hire a developer.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
WordPress gives you more granular SEO control, especially with plugins that help manage schema, sitemaps, redirection, and on-page optimisation.
Shopify is good for SEO out of the box — fast-loading pages, mobile-friendly templates, and customisable metadata — but has some limitations (e.g. forced URL structure).
Security and Maintenance
With Shopify, all security updates, hosting, and PCI compliance are handled for you. It includes SSL by default and regularly performs updates.
With WordPress, you’re responsible for managing updates, installing an SSL certificate, and protecting your site from vulnerabilities. Managed WordPress hosting services can assist with this, but it still requires some oversight.
Final Thoughts
Both WordPress and Shopify are strong eCommerce website builders in 2025. Shopify offers simplicity, speed, and all-in-one hosting — ideal for those wanting to launch quickly with fewer headaches. WordPress, on the other hand, offers more control and is better suited for content-heavy sites or those needing complex custom features.
The right choice depends on your goals, budget, and how much control you want over the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shopify or WordPress better?
Shopify is better for people who want a plug-and-play solution to sell online. WordPress is ideal if you want more control over how your store looks and functions.
Is WordPress cheaper than Shopify?
It can be. WordPress itself is free, and hosting is relatively low-cost. However, premium plugins, themes, and developer costs can add up. Shopify’s costs are predictable but higher month to month.
Is WordPress better for eCommerce than Shopify?
WordPress offers greater flexibility through WooCommerce, but requires more effort to manage. Shopify is built solely for eCommerce and is easier to maintain.
Is the WooCommerce plugin worth it?
Yes. WooCommerce powers over 20% of all online stores and integrates seamlessly with WordPress. It’s free to start with, and there are many free or paid add-ons depending on your needs.
