Shopify vs WooCommerce: Transaction Fees in 2025
When choosing an eCommerce platform, understanding transaction fees is key to maximizing your profits. Here's a clear, breakdown of how Shopify and WooCommerce compare in 2025.
Shopify Transaction Fees
- Monthly Subscription: Starts at $25 (Basic), up to $399 (Advanced)
- Shopify Payments (Shopify's own gateway):
- Basic: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- Shopify: 2.6% + $0.30 per transaction
- Advanced: 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction
- Third-Party Gateways (e.g., PayPal, Stripe):
- Extra platform fee: 0.5%–2% per transaction, depending on your plan
- You pay both the gateway's fee and Shopify's extra fee[2][4][5]
WooCommerce Transaction Fees
- Platform Cost: Free (open-source)
- Hosting: $10–$30/month (varies by provider)
- Platform Transaction Fees: None, regardless of payment gateway
- Payment Gateway Fees: Only what your chosen gateway charges (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, Payfast)
- WooPayments (Stripe-based): 2.9% + $0.30 per U.S. transaction[2][3][4]
Real-World Example (South Africa, R1,000 Sale)
- Shopify with Payfast:
- Payfast fee (3.5%): R35
- Shopify platform fee (2%): R20
- Total: R55 (5.5% of sale)
- WooCommerce with Payfast:
- Payfast fee (3.5%): R35
- WooCommerce platform fee: R0
- Total: R35 (3.5% of sale)
That's a 2% savings per sale with WooCommerce. For R100,000 in monthly sales, that's R2,000 saved each month, or R24,000 per year.
Shopify vs WooCommerce Transaction Cost Table
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|
| Platform Fee | $25–$399/month | $0 (open-source) |
| Hosting Costs | Included | $10–$30/month |
| Platform Transaction Fee | 0.5–2% (non-Shopify gateways) | None |
| Payment Gateway Fees | 2.9% + $0.30 (Basic) | Gateway fee only (no markup) |
| Total Fee (3rd-party) | 4.9% + $0.30 (Basic) | 2.9% + $0.30 (typical) |
| Multi-currency Support | Shopify Payments only | Any gateway |
| Gateway Flexibility | 100+ (with fees) | Unlimited (no extra fees) |
Why WooCommerce Is More Cost-Effective
- No Platform Transaction Fees: WooCommerce never adds its own fee, no matter which gateway you use[2][4].
- Payment Gateway Flexibility: Use any gateway, any region, with no penalties or restrictions[4][5].
- Scalability: As your sales grow, WooCommerce's savings become more significant since fees don't increase with volume.
When Shopify Might Be Better
- Ease of Use: Shopify is simpler for beginners and those who want an all-in-one solution.
- Shopify Payments Only: If you use only Shopify Payments, you avoid extra platform fees.
- Small Stores: For very low sales volume, Shopify's convenience may outweigh the cost difference.
Other Costs to Consider
- Shopify: App subscriptions, premium themes, higher-tier plans for advanced features.
- WooCommerce: Hosting, SSL (often included), premium plugins/themes, technical maintenance.
Conclusion
WooCommerce is the clear winner for merchants who want to avoid extra platform fees, use regional gateways, or process high sales volumes—especially in countries where Shopify Payments isn't available[2][4][5]. Shopify remains a strong choice for those prioritizing simplicity and support.
"WooCommerce, on the other hand, does not charge any transaction fee for credit/debit card payments from either third-party gateways or its first-party payment solution."[2]
Choose based on your business needs, technical skills, and growth plans. WooCommerce offers more financial efficiency for those ready to manage their own store, while Shopify provides convenience and ease of use.
Citations
WooCommerce better than Shopify?
