Shopify vs WordPress
Shopify vs WordPress 2026 - Which is Better for Your Online Store?
Shopify provides merchants an out of the box solution that allows you to efficiently run a hosted online store with built-in fraud protection and security features.
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Why Choose Shopify vs. WordPress
| Key features | WordPress | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting included | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Designed for ecommerce | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Visual editor | WordPress Included | Shopify Included |
| Free SSL certificate | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Subdomain included | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Email included | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| 24/7 support | WordPress Included | Shopify24/7 in English |
| GDPR compliant | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Free trial | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| First-party POS system | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Automatic site maintenance | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Buyer facing app | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Easy customization | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Easy to use | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| PCI-DSS compliant | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Built-in CMS | WordPress Included | Shopify Included |
| Built-in fraud protection | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
| Out of the box solution | WordPress Not included | Shopify Included |
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10 Things Shopify Can Do vs WordPress
Built-in ecommerce tool
The key difference between WordPress and Shopify is that WordPress is free, open source publishing software you install on a web host, while Shopify is a hosted commerce platform with ecommerce built in. To sell on WordPress, stores add a plugin such as WooCommerce.
Hosted solutions
Shopify includes unlimited web hosting on every plan, so there's no separate hosting service to set up. WordPress is software you install on a web host of your choice, or use through a hosted service such as WordPress.com.
Fast to launch
Shopify is an out of the box solution, which allows store owners to set up their website quickly so they can focus on generating sales. With the theme editor, included hosting and subdomain, and other features, Shopify allows for a quick and easy setup.
Simplified subscriptions
Shopify has four plans, Basic, Grow, Advanced, and Plus, with no setup fees and unlimited products on every plan. The WordPress software is free to use, so your costs on WordPress depend on the hosting, domain, theme, and plugins you choose.
Easy to customize
Comparing Shopify vs WordPress, Shopify allows you to customize your website even if you don't know how to code. Update the typography, colors, and layout of your pages all in Shopify. If you know how to code—get into the HTML and CSS files with ease.
Embedded security
All stores powered by Shopify are PCI compliant by default, and every domain you add to Shopify gets a free TLS (SSL) certificate.
Includes subdomain
On Shopify, your store gets a free .myshopify.com address, and you can buy a custom domain through Shopify or connect one you already own.
Built-in email feature
Shopify includes email marketing tools, so you can create email campaigns and marketing automations from your Shopify admin.
Less site maintenance
Shopify is hosted, so platform updates are applied for you. On WordPress.com, plans include automated WordPress updates.
GDPR tools
GDPR compliance is the responsibility of each merchant, and Shopify's platform includes features that help you meet GDPR requirements.
Why Merchants Prefer Shopify to WordPress
Customer facing app
Shopify stores can reach shoppers through Shop, Shopify's customer-facing app, where customers discover brands, check out faster, and track their packages.
24/7 support
Shopify support is available 24/7 on every plan, with live chat on Basic. You'll also have access to help docs, webinars, and online courses to guide you along the way.
Free trial
Shopify starts with a free 3-day trial, with no credit card required, so you can design your store on its included .myshopify.com address before choosing a plan.
Limited technical knowledge needed
Shopify's theme editor lets you design and customize your store without knowing how to code.
More than 100 payment providers
Shopify Payments is built in, and you can also choose from more than 100 third-party payment providers.
Built-in SEO features
Shopify has built-in SEO features to help your online store rank on search engines. Like WordPress, Shopify has a content management system so you can create blog content to increase the number of pages on your website. Shopify also has features that allow you to include meta titles, descriptions, and more on your webpages.
First-party POS system
Shopify POS is Shopify's own point of sale system. It brings online and in-person sales into one place, and every Shopify plan includes casual in-person sales at pop-ups and events.
Built-in fraud protection
With Shopify Payments, built-in fraud analysis helps you decide whether to fulfill an order. You'll see what's triggering the analysis, such as a shipping address that doesn't match the billing address, and whether the risk is low, medium, or high.
Automatic site maintenance
Shopify applies platform updates for you, so your store stays online while updates roll out.
We’ve been able to build something in 3 years that a lot of brands haven’t actually gotten to in 10 years.
Learn More About Shopify
Compare Shopify
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Shopify Community
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Shopify Help Center
Find answers to all your Shopify questions fast
Start selling with Shopify today
Try Shopify for free, and explore all the tools and services you need to start, run, and grow your business.
FAQs
What's the difference between Shopify and WordPress?
WordPress is free, open source publishing software you install on a web host, and you add ecommerce to it with a plugin such as WooCommerce. Shopify is a hosted commerce platform: every plan includes an online store, checkout, and unlimited products, plus features such as discounts, gift cards, and fraud analysis. You can also run a blog on Shopify.
How to migrate from WordPress to Shopify?
Shopify's free Store Migration app imports your WooCommerce products and customers from the CSV files you export from WooCommerce. You can also move historical orders with a migration app from the Shopify App Store or a Shopify Partner.
Can I sell ebooks with Shopify?
Yes. You can sell ebooks and other digital products on Shopify. If you have a WordPress website, you can also sell your Shopify products there with the Shopify plugin or the Buy Button.
How to use the Shopify Buy Button on WordPress
You can use the Shopify Buy button on WordPress to sell products on your WordPress site. You’ll need to add the Buy Button sales channel to your Shopify store. Then, you’ll create the Buy Button, and embed the code onto your WordPress site.
What is the plug-in for connecting WordPress with Shopify?
The Shopify plugin for WordPress, built by Shopify. Install it, set up your products in Shopify, and add them to WordPress pages and posts from the WordPress Editor.
Page last updated: October 8, 2026
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