WooCommerce, Shopify, or custom e-commerce: which should you choose?
Honest comparison between WooCommerce, Shopify, and custom e-commerce platforms: cost, control, SEO, integrations, payments, couriers, and ERP connection.
For online stores choosing a platform and wanting to avoid expensive migrations after 6-12 months.
WooCommerce / Shopify / Custom
Short verdict
WooCommerce is strong for control and budget; Shopify for fast launch; custom for complex workflows, ERP, and scale.
Decision criteria
Important note
There is no universal winner. The choice depends on products, integrations, budget, and growth plan.
Comparison by criteria
| Criterion | WooCommerce / Shopify / Custom | Decision criteria | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting cost | WooCommerce from β¬1,200; Shopify has a monthly fee; custom usually from β¬5,000+ | Look at 12-24 month total cost, not only launch | WooCommerce for budget |
| Control and ownership | WooCommerce/custom give more control; Shopify is hosted SaaS | Important for SEO, checkout, ERP, and custom UX | WooCommerce or custom |
| Integrations in Bulgaria | Couriers, payments, inventory, ERP, accounting | WooCommerce/custom are often more flexible for local integrations | WooCommerce/custom |
| Scale and unique workflows | Custom platform for marketplace, B2B pricing, ERP-driven catalog, complex checkout | Ready platforms hit limits with non-standard logic | Custom |
Choose WooCommerce if:
- you want a good cost/control balance and launch from β¬1,200
- SEO, blog, local couriers, and easy admin are important
- the catalog is standard and there is no complex B2B process
Choose Shopify if:
- you want the fastest launch and accept monthly SaaS fees
- you do not need deep local ERP/inventory logic
- the team prefers a hosted solution with less technical maintenance
Choose custom e-commerce if:
- you have B2B pricing, marketplace, ERP-driven catalog, or complex permissions
- checkout, delivery, or product logic is non-standard
- you plan to scale and want full code control
Next step
If you are considering e-commerce development, start with a 30-minute call. We will compare ready-made, custom build, and the real total cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper: WooCommerce or Shopify?
WooCommerce is often cheaper over 12-24 months because there is no mandatory platform fee. Shopify can be faster to launch but has monthly fees and add-ons.
When is custom e-commerce worth it?
When you have complex checkout, B2B pricing, ERP/inventory logic, marketplace, or workflows limited by ready platforms.
Can we migrate later?
Yes, but migration costs time and money. That is why we plan catalog, URL structure, SEO, products, orders, and integrations upfront to avoid lock-in.