I’ve built websites on both WordPress and Shopify for hundreds of clients over 7 years.
The #1 question I get: “Which platform should I use?”
The answer depends on what you’re building:
– Selling physical products online? Shopify might be better.
– Need a content-heavy business site with a blog? WordPress wins.
– Want the easiest setup? Shopify.
– Want the most flexibility and control? WordPress.
In this guide, I’ll break down the REAL differences between WordPress and Shopify in 2026, based on actual client experiences (not just theory).
By the end, you’ll know exactly which platform is right for YOUR business.
(Spoiler: For most service businesses and content sites, WordPress is the better choice. For pure e-commerce stores, Shopify often wins.)
The WordPress Cost Breakdown
What You're Actually Paying For
- Domain name: $10-20/year
- Hosting: $5-30/month ($60-360/year)
- Theme: $0-60 (one-time)
- Plugins: $0-200/year
- Development/design: $500-5,000 (one-time)
- Maintenance: $50-200/month (optional)
At a Glance:
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best for | WordPress | Shopify |
| Ease of use | Business sites, blogs, complex sites | E-commerce stores |
| Monthly cost | Moderate (learning curve) | Very easy |
| Setup time | 5-10 days | 1-3 days |
| Flexibility | Unlimited | Limited to e-commerce |
| E-commerce | Possible (WooCommerce) | Built-in and excellent |
| Blogging | Excellent | Basic |
| SEO | Excellent (with plugins) | Good |
| Customization | Unlimited | Limited |
| Transaction fees | 0% (if using Stripe/PayPal) | 0.5-2% (unless using Shopify Payments) |
| Learning curve | Steeper | Easy |
| Support | Community-based | 24/7 official support |
What is WordPress? (Pros & Cons)
What WordPress Actually Is:
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that powers 43% of all websites on the internet.
Two versions exist:
- WordPress.com (hosted, limited, not what we’re talking about)
- WordPress.org (self-hosted, what 99% of developers use)
How it works:
- You buy hosting ($5-30/month)
- Install WordPress (free)
- Choose a theme (free or $30-60)
- Add plugins for features (free or paid)
- Customize everything
Pros
Complete Control
- You own everything
- No platform restrictions
- Can build literally anything
Lower Long-Term Costs
- Hosting: $5-30/month
- No transaction fees
- No monthly platform fee
Better for Content/Blogging
- Built for blogging originally
- SEO-friendly
- Unlimited pages/posts
More Flexible
- 60,000+ plugins
- Can add e-commerce later (WooCommerce)
- Custom functionality possible
Better SEO
- Plugins like Yoast/RankMath
- More control over technical SEO
- Better URL structures
No Transaction Fees
- Use any payment processor
- Keep 100% (minus payment processor fees)
Cons
Steeper Learning Curve
- Takes time to learn
- Admin panel can be overwhelming
- More technical knowledge needed
You Handle Maintenance
- Updates (WordPress, themes, plugins)
- Security monitoring
- Backups
- (Or hire someone like me)
More Moving Parts
- Hosting separate from platform
- Themes and plugins can conflict
- More troubleshooting needed
E-commerce Setup is Harder
- WooCommerce works but needs setup
- Payment gateway integration
- Shipping configuration
- Not as streamlined as Shopify
What is Shopify?
What Shopify Actually Is:
Shopify is an all-in-one e-commerce platform specifically designed for online stores.
How it works:
- Pay monthly subscription ($29-299/month)
- Everything hosted for you
- Built-in e-commerce features
- Add products and start selling
Pros
Extremely Easy to Use
- Drag-and-drop interface
- No technical knowledge needed
- Can launch in 1-2 days
All-in-One Solution
- Hosting included
- Security included (SSL)
- Payment processing built-in
- No separate services to manage
Built for E-commerce
- Product management is seamless
- Inventory tracking built-in
- Shipping integrations
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Discount codes
- Everything you need to sell
24/7 Support
- Live chat support
- Phone support
- Extensive documentation
Reliable & Fast
- Shopify handles all technical aspects
- Fast loading speeds
- 99.9% uptime
- No crashes during traffic spikes
Great Mobile Apps
- Manage store from phone
- Process orders anywhere
- Real-time notifications
Cons
Monthly Costs Add Up
- Base plan: $29/month ($348/year)
- Plus apps: $50-200/month
- Total: $500-2,400/year ongoing
Transaction Fees (If Not Using Shopify Payments)
- 0.5-2% per transaction
- Adds up fast for high-volume stores
- Can use Shopify Payments to avoid (but limited countries)
Limited Customization
- Locked into Shopify’s structure
- Can’t fundamentally change how it works
- Need to hire developer for advanced customizations
Not Great for Content/Blogging
- Blog is basic
- Limited SEO control
- Not ideal for content marketing
You Don't Own the Platform
- If Shopify raises prices, you pay
- If Shopify changes policies, you comply
- Can’t move easily to another platform
App Costs
- Most useful features require paid apps
- $20/month here, $50/month there
- Adds up to $100-300/month easily