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WordPress

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Shopify

WordPress vs Shopify

WordPress vs Shopify: which is right for your project? WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web. Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — WordPress and Shopify serve different use cases well. Choose WordPress for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control. Choose Shopify for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store.

Official docs: WordPress REST API Docs · Shopify Developer Docs

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureWordPressShopify
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

WordPress

Pros

  • Massive plugin ecosystem with 59,000+ plugins
  • Huge community — easy to find developers and tutorials
  • Visual block editor (Gutenberg) for non-technical users
  • Works for any site type from blogs to e-commerce

Cons

  • PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML
  • Requires constant security patches and plugin updates
  • Database-driven architecture limits scalability under load
  • Plugin conflicts can break your site after updates

Shopify

Pros

  • Complete e-commerce solution — payments, shipping, inventory
  • Largest app ecosystem (8,000+ apps) for any e-commerce need
  • Handles Black Friday-level traffic without configuration
  • Shopify Payments eliminates third-party gateway complexity

Cons

  • Transaction fees on non-Shopify Payments orders
  • Liquid templating language is proprietary and limited
  • Content management beyond products is very basic
  • Monthly costs escalate with apps and higher plans

Platform Details

DetailWordPressShopify
Language / Stack
PHPLiquid (templating) / Proprietary
Type
traditional cmsecommerce
Pricing
Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs$39-399/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full controlE-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store
Export Method
REST API or WP All Export pluginCSV export or Admin API (GraphQL/REST)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose WordPress if…

  • You need content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Choose Shopify if…

  • You need e-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store
  • Your team is comfortable with Liquid (templating) / Proprietary
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between WordPress and Shopify depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. WordPress is a traditional cms built with PHP, while Shopify is a ecommerce built with Liquid (templating) / Proprietary. That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, WordPress's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, WordPress is open-source (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs), while Shopify ($39-399/month) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress better than Shopify?
They're closely matched (22/30 vs 23/30). WordPress is best for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control, while Shopify excels for E-commerce businesses of any size that want a managed, reliable store. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.
Can I migrate from WordPress to Shopify?
Yes. Export your WordPress content via REST API or WP All Export plugin, then import it into Shopify. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between WordPress and Shopify?
WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web, while Shopify is leading hosted e-commerce platform. Key differences: performance (WordPress: 2/5, Shopify: 4/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs vs $39-399/month), and scalability (WordPress: 3/5, Shopify: 5/5).
How much does WordPress cost compared to Shopify?
WordPress: Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs. Shopify: $39-399/month. WordPress is open-source and free to self-host, while Shopify is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, WordPress or Shopify?
They're similarly approachable (both 4/5). WordPress uses PHP, while Shopify uses Liquid (templating) / Proprietary. Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, WordPress or Shopify?
Shopify has the performance edge (4/5 vs 2/5). Shopify has strong performance characteristics. WordPress PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML.

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