On this page
Shopify and WooCommerce are two of the names most Indian business owners come across when they plan an online store. They are different kinds of product, so comparing plan prices alone can mislead you.
Prices and features were verified on 7 November 2026, so check the official sites for the latest. Quoted prices may or may not include tax. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
What is the difference between Shopify and WooCommerce?
Shopify is a hosted e-commerce service that you pay for monthly. WooCommerce is free, open-source software that adds a store to a WordPress website, which you host yourself. In simple terms, Shopify is closer to renting a ready shop, while WooCommerce is closer to fitting out a shop on your own premises.
| Point of comparison | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Software price | Basic ₹1,499 a month billed yearly, or ₹1,994 billed monthly | Free core, no monthly subscription |
| Hosting | Included in the plan | You choose a host, $25 to $350 a month for most stores |
| Platform share of sales | 2% on Basic with a third-party provider | 0% revenue share |
| Add-ons | Apps, priced by each seller | $29 to $299 a year per paid extension |
| Razorpay support | Razorpay's Shopify integration | Razorpay's WooCommerce integration |
| Upkeep | Mostly handled by Shopify | You or your developer arrange updates and backups |
| Best suited to | Owners who want less technical work | Owners who want more control and have support |
WooCommerce's page shows dollar prices without naming the currency, so treat them as a rough guide and confirm the amount in your host's or seller's checkout.
How much do Shopify plans cost in India?
Shopify's plans for India start at ₹1,499 a month on yearly billing. Its India pricing page lists the following:
| Plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly | Third-party provider fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₹1,499 a month | ₹1,994 a month | 2% |
| Grow | ₹5,599 a month | ₹7,447 a month | 1% |
| Advanced | ₹22,680 a month | ₹30,164 a month | 0.6% |
The page also advertised a short trial and a ₹20-a-month introductory offer when we checked. Offers change, so read the terms before you sign up. Basic includes hosting and a free SSL certificate, the security layer that encrypts traffic to your store, but no additional staff accounts.
What payment fees apply to an Indian store?
Expect to pay your payment provider on both platforms, and Shopify's own fee as well on Shopify. India is not on Shopify's list of Shopify Payments countries, and the page says other countries need a third-party provider.
As an example, Razorpay's standard rate is 2% per domestic transaction, with 18% GST on that fee and no setup or yearly charge. Some payment methods and business cards carry a different rate, so check the page for yours.
Which costs less at ₹2,00,000 of monthly sales?
It depends on your costs, but here is one illustration. It uses Razorpay's standard rate for every sale and billing on yearly Shopify plans. The WooCommerce hosting and extension figures are made-up assumptions, so replace them with real quotes.
| Example monthly cost | Shopify Basic | Shopify Grow | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan or assumed hosting | ₹1,499 | ₹5,599 | ₹2,000 |
| Assumed paid extensions | None | None | ₹1,000 |
| Shopify provider fee | ₹4,000 | ₹2,000 | None |
| Razorpay fee with GST on it | ₹4,720 | ₹4,720 | ₹4,720 |
| Total | ₹10,219 | ₹12,319 | ₹7,720 |
WooCommerce looks cheapest here, but the table leaves out paid apps and the time or fees for upkeep. If a developer's monthly bill is more than the ₹2,499 difference from Shopify Basic, that advantage disappears.
On fees alone, Grow overtakes Basic at ₹4,10,000 of monthly sales, because it costs ₹4,100 more a month and saves 1% of sales. That is before any other benefits of either plan.
Is Shopify or WooCommerce easier to run?
Shopify is usually easier for an owner without technical help, because hosting and much of the upkeep come with the plan. WooCommerce gives you more control, along with more jobs to manage. WordPress recommends backing up regularly and before any upgrade, and those jobs need an owner. Our website maintenance guide explains what is involved.
When should you choose Shopify or WooCommerce?
These are our recommendations, and they are opinions rather than rules. Both are capable products, and the better one depends on your situation.
Shopify may suit you if:
- You want to launch soon without managing hosting.
- Your catalogue, pricing and delivery rules are fairly standard.
- You would rather pay a predictable plan than arrange your own support.
WooCommerce may suit you if:
- You already run a WordPress site and want the store to sit inside it.
- You want more control over your hosting, data and customisation.
- You have a developer or a team member who can handle updates and backups.
Look at something else if:
- You sell a few items and take orders by chat. The WhatsApp Business app may be enough for now, and our free GST invoice generator can handle the billing.
- You mainly want to test demand. A marketplace or simple page may teach you more before you invest in a full store.
Before you decide, list your products, payment methods, delivery rules and the person responsible for the store. You can then ask each provider the same questions.
Brand names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Criza Labs is not affiliated with the companies mentioned unless stated.
Sources
All pages were accessed on 7 November 2026.
- Pricing, Shopify India
- Shopify Payments supported countries, Shopify Help Center
- Pricing, WooCommerce
- Pricing, Razorpay
- Shopify integration, Razorpay Docs
- WooCommerce integration, Razorpay Docs
- WordPress backups, WordPress Developer Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is WooCommerce really free?
The core software is free, with no monthly subscription and no revenue share. You still pay for hosting, your domain, any paid extensions and payment processing. WooCommerce's own pricing page lists hosting at $25 to $350 a month for most stores.
Can I accept UPI on Shopify and WooCommerce in India?
Payment gateways such as Razorpay offer integrations for both platforms, and Razorpay's Shopify listing names UPI among its methods. Check the current methods and approval requirements with your chosen provider before you launch.
Does Shopify charge a fee if I use Razorpay?
Shopify's India pricing page lists a third-party payment provider fee of 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow and 0.6% on Advanced. That is in addition to what the payment provider charges you.
Can I move from one platform to the other later?
Usually yes, but plan for work. Products and customers can often be moved, while design, add-ons and old page addresses may need rebuilding or redirecting. Ask for a written migration scope before you commit.
Which is better for SEO?
Neither guarantees a ranking. Both can support a well-structured store, and results depend more on your product pages, content, speed and reputation than on the platform name.
Should I build a custom store instead?
Usually not at the start, in our opinion. A custom build makes more sense when pricing, B2B terms or fulfilment rules cannot be handled cleanly on a ready-made platform. Test the idea on the simplest setup that works, if you can.
