WordPress.com vs Shopify
WordPress.com vs Shopify is a common dilemma for anyone building a website. I've created the same site on both platforms to give you a true apples-to-apples comparison. Shopify scores 9.4/10, but the right choice depends on what you're building.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
Quick Answer
Shopify beats WordPress.com for most users. It scores 9.4/10 vs 8.4/10 and best-in-class e-commerce features. Choose WordPress.com if you need wordpress without hosting hassle.
WordPress.com
Hosted WordPress with no technical setup
Starting from
$4/mo
Shopify
WinnerLeading e-commerce platform for online stores
Starting from
$29/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.4/10 | 9.4/10 |
| Starting Price | $4/mo | $29/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Resources | ||
| Templates | 200+ | 100+ |
| Storage | 1GB (free) | Unlimited |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Features | ||
| Custom Domain | ||
| E-commerce | ||
| SEO Tools | ||
| Mobile Editor | ||
| App Market | ||
| Security & Analytics | ||
| SSL Certificate | ||
| Analytics | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
WordPress.com
- WordPress without hosting hassle
- Great for blogging
- Free plan available
- Plugin support on higher tiers
- Strong SEO capabilities
- Large community
- Limited customization on free plan
- Plugins only on expensive plans
- WordPress.com ads on free tier
Shopify
- Best-in-class e-commerce features
- Massive app ecosystem
- Excellent payment processing
- Multi-channel selling
- Great for dropshipping
- 24/7 support
- Transaction fees on external payments
- Themes can be expensive
- Monthly cost adds up
Key Difference
The most significant difference is value positioning. WordPress.com offers excellent quality at a lower price point ($0.00/mo), while Shopify ($29.00/mo) targets users who want premium features and are willing to pay for them.
Which Should You Choose?
WordPress.com
Choose WordPress.com if you prioritize wordpress without hosting hassle, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value great for blogging.
Shopify
Choose Shopify if you prioritize best-in-class e-commerce features, need unlimited usage, or value massive app ecosystem.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Shopify is our winner with a rating of 9.4/10 compared to WordPress.com's 8.4/10. Shopify stands out for its best-in-class e-commerce features and massive app ecosystem. While WordPress.com is more affordable, Shopify's advantages justify the price difference for most users. However, WordPress.com remains an excellent choice if wordpress without hosting hassle is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Moving between website builders essentially means rebuilding your site. You can transfer content and images, but the design and structure will need to be recreated. Plan for significant time investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WordPress.com better than Shopify?
Shopify scores higher in our testing (9.4/10 vs 8.4/10). Shopify excels at best-in-class e-commerce features, while WordPress.com is better for wordpress without hosting hassle.
Which is cheaper, WordPress.com or Shopify?
WordPress.com is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $29.00/mo. WordPress.com offers 100% savings.
WordPress.com vs Shopify: which should I choose?
Choose WordPress.com if you prioritize wordpress without hosting hassle. Choose Shopify if you need best-in-class e-commerce features. Both are solid website builders options.
What's the main difference between WordPress.com and Shopify?
The main difference is WordPress.com offers hosted wordpress with no technical setup, while Shopify focuses on leading e-commerce platform for online stores.