Selling online in Ireland and stuck between Shopify and WooCommerce? It's the question we get most often, and the internet is full of fanboys shouting past each other. Here's the plain-English version, what each one is good at, and how to pick without regret.
The short answer
Shopify is the easiest way to start selling and stay stress-free, it's fully hosted, secure, and it simply works. WooCommerce (built on WordPress) gives you more control and no monthly platform fee, but you look after more of it yourself. For most Irish small businesses we lean Shopify; for shops that need something unusual, WooCommerce.
Both are excellent. The "best" one is the one that fits how you want to work.
Shopify, the quick, sturdy option
Best for: most retailers who want to sell without fighting technology.
- Hosting, security and software updates are all handled for you
- A slick, trusted checkout that converts well, shoppers already recognise it
- Works out of the box with Stripe, Apple Pay, and Irish couriers like An Post and DPD
- A huge app store for reviews, subscriptions, loyalty and the rest
The trade-offs: there's a monthly fee (plus transaction costs if you don't use Shopify Payments), and you work within Shopify's way of doing things. For most shops, that structure is a feature, not a limit.
WooCommerce, the flexible option
Best for: shops that need custom rules, unusual products, or that already live on WordPress.
- No platform fee, you pay for hosting instead, which can be cheaper at small scale
- Endless plugins and total control over how you sell and how it looks
- Your shop and your content live together if you're already blogging on WordPress
- Brilliant when paired with the right integrations, invoicing, delivery, stock and accounting all talking to each other
The trade-offs: it's your responsibility (or ours) to handle updates, security, backups and speed. Left unattended, a WooCommerce site drifts, which is exactly what our Care plans exist to prevent.
Shopify vs WooCommerce: the honest comparison
- Ease of setup, Shopify wins; you can be live in days.
- Running cost, WooCommerce can be cheaper monthly; Shopify is more predictable.
- Maintenance, Shopify handles it; WooCommerce needs looking after.
- Flexibility, WooCommerce wins for unusual requirements.
- Speed & security, a tie if WooCommerce is built and maintained properly; Shopify if it isn't.
What each costs to run
Beyond the build, the monthly maths differs:
- Shopify, a fixed monthly plan (roughly €30-€100 a month depending on tier), plus card fees on every sale. Predictable, all-in, nothing to maintain yourself.
- WooCommerce, no platform fee, but budget for hosting (from around €10-€40 a month for a shop), the odd paid plugin, and someone to keep it updated and secure.
Rough rule: Shopify costs a little more each month to save you time; WooCommerce costs less in fees but asks for attention. Factor in your own hours, they're rarely free.
Which should you pick?
- Just want to start selling, simply? Shopify.
- Need unusual features, custom pricing, or total control? WooCommerce.
- Already on WordPress and happy there? WooCommerce.
- Not sure? That's literally our job. We'll ask a few questions about how you sell and point you straight, no agenda, we build both.
What a shop costs to build
A new store on either platform typically starts around €3,000 + VAT, depending on the number of products, the design, and how much needs to connect to your other systems. Get an instant guide from our estimator, or have a chat and we'll help you choose the right platform before you spend a cent.
Building a shop in the capital? Here's our web design Dublin page.