It’s one of the most debated questions in Indian digital commerce: Shopify or WordPress?
Both are powerful platforms. Both power millions of websites globally. But they are built for very different purposes — and choosing the wrong one can cost your business in wasted money, poor SEO, and a platform you’ll want to rebuild in two years.
This is not a generic comparison. This is a guide written specifically for Indian business owners — factoring in Indian payment gateways, transaction fees, rupee pricing, local SEO needs, and the realities of building a business website in 2025 India.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which platform is right for your specific situation — and what to do next.
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Quick Verdict: Shopify vs WordPress at a Glance
Before the deep dive — here’s the 60-second answer:
| Factor | 🛍️ Shopify | 🌐 WordPress (WooCommerce) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🛍️ Shopify |
| Monthly Cost | ₹2,100–₹6,600/mo + fees | ₹250–₹800/mo (hosting only) | 🌐 WordPress |
| SEO Capability | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌐 WordPress |
| Ecommerce Features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tie |
| Design Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌐 WordPress |
| Content / Blogging | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌐 WordPress |
| Indian Payment Gateways | Via 3rd-party (+ fees) | Native integration (no extra fees) | 🌐 WordPress |
| Transaction Fees | 0.5%–2% per order | ₹0 (gateway fees only) | 🌐 WordPress |
| Hosting | Fully hosted (included) | Self-hosted (you choose) | 🛍️ Shopify |
| Scalability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tie |
| Customisation | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌐 WordPress |
| Service Business Use | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌐 WordPress |
| Overall for India | WordPress wins for most Indian businesses | 🌐 WordPress | |
Summary: Shopify wins on simplicity and hosting convenience. WordPress wins on cost, SEO, content marketing, customisation, and Indian payment gateway compatibility. For most Indian businesses — especially those with service components or SEO goals — WordPress is the smarter long-term platform.
Understanding the Platforms: What Are Shopify and WordPress?
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a fully hosted, dedicated ecommerce platform founded in 2006. It handles everything — hosting, security, updates, checkout, and cart functionality — out of the box. You pay a monthly subscription and Shopify manages the infrastructure. It’s designed to get a product store online fast with minimal technical knowledge.
Shopify is used by: D2C brands, fashion retailers, beauty product sellers, dropshippers, and businesses whose primary function is selling physical products online.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open-source CMS (Content Management System) that powers 43%+ of all websites on the internet. It started as a blogging platform but has evolved into the most flexible website-building ecosystem available. Ecommerce functionality is added through the WooCommerce plugin — itself the world’s most installed ecommerce solution.
Unlike Shopify, WordPress is self-hosted — meaning you own your platform completely. You choose your hosting, your design, your plugins, your payment gateways — with no platform-level restrictions or monthly subscription fees. Our WordPress development services cover everything from simple business sites to full-featured WooCommerce stores.
Shopify vs WordPress: Cost Comparison for India (2025)
This is where the decision often becomes clear for Indian business owners. Let’s look at real numbers.
Shopify Pricing in India
| Shopify Plan | Monthly Cost (USD) | Approx. INR/Month | Transaction Fee (non-Shopify gateway) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $25/mo | ~₹2,100 | 2% per order |
| Shopify | $65/mo | ~₹5,500 | 1% per order |
| Advanced | $399/mo | ~₹33,500 | 0.5% per order |
| Starter (social only) | $5/mo | ~₹420 | 5% per order |
⚠️ India-Specific Note: Shopify Payments is not available in India. All Indian merchants must use Razorpay, PayU, or Cashfree — which triggers Shopify’s third-party transaction fees (0.5%–2%) on top of the payment gateway’s own processing charges (typically 1.5%–2.5%). On ₹1,00,000 in monthly sales, this can add ₹2,000–₹4,500 in extra fees every month — that’s ₹24,000–₹54,000/year purely in transaction costs.
WordPress + WooCommerce Pricing in India
| WordPress Cost Component | Annual Cost (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress Software | Free | Open-source, always free |
| WooCommerce Plugin | Free | Core plugin is free |
| Domain Name (.com / .in) | ₹800 – ₹1,500 | Yearly renewal |
| Shared Hosting | ₹3,500 – ₹8,000 | For small-medium stores |
| VPS / Managed Hosting | ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 | For high-traffic stores |
| Premium Theme (one-time) | ₹3,000 – ₹10,000 | One-time purchase |
| Premium Plugins (annual) | ₹5,000 – ₹20,000 | Elementor, security, backup, etc. |
| Payment Gateway Fees (Razorpay) | 2% per transaction | No platform transaction fee added |
| Year 1 Total (SMB store) | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000 | Development + setup included in agency fee |
3-Year Total Cost Comparison
| Cost Type | Shopify Basic (3 Years) | WordPress WooCommerce (3 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform / Subscription | ₹75,600 | ₹0 |
| Hosting | Included | ₹18,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Transaction Fees (est. ₹50k/mo sales) | ₹36,000 (2%/order) | ₹0 (no platform fee) |
| Theme + Plugins | ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 | ₹12,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Development / Setup | ₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000 | ₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
| 3-Year Total (est.) | ₹1,57,000 – ₹2,52,000+ | ₹60,000 – ₹1,60,000 |
| Savings with WordPress | ₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000 over 3 years | |
💰 Want to Know the Exact Cost for Your Store?
We’ll send you a detailed breakdown for both platforms — with your specific product count, traffic goals, and feature requirements factored in. Call +91-8580892163 or email info@shivahwebtech.com.
Shopify vs WordPress: SEO Comparison
SEO is often the deciding factor for Indian businesses who want consistent, free organic traffic. Here’s how the platforms compare — and it’s not close.
| SEO Feature | 🛍️ Shopify | 🌐 WordPress | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom URL Structure | ❌ Limited (forced /products/ /collections/) | ✅ Fully custom | 🌐 WordPress |
| Meta Title & Description Control | ✅ Basic | ✅ Full (Yoast / RankMath) | 🌐 WordPress |
| Schema / Structured Data | Basic product schema | ✅ Advanced — FAQ, Article, Local, Review, Breadcrumb | 🌐 WordPress |
| Blogging & Content Marketing | ⭐⭐ (very limited) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (built for it) | 🌐 WordPress |
| Page Speed Optimization | ✅ Built-in CDN | ✅ Plugins + hosting control | Tie |
| Internal Linking Control | Moderate | ✅ Complete | 🌐 WordPress |
| Image Optimization | ✅ Auto | ✅ With plugins (Smush, ShortPixel) | Tie |
| Canonical Tags | ✅ | ✅ | Tie |
| Robots.txt / .htaccess Control | ❌ Restricted | ✅ Full access | 🌐 WordPress |
| AI Overview / Featured Snippet Optimization | Limited | ✅ Full FAQ, How-To, Table schema | 🌐 WordPress |
| Local SEO Capability | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌐 WordPress |
| SEO Overall | Adequate for basic stores | Best-in-class for all website types | 🌐 WordPress |
WordPress with a plugin like Yoast SEO or RankMath gives you complete control over every SEO element on your site. Shopify’s rigid URL structure (forcing /products/ and /collections/ prefixes) alone is a known SEO disadvantage that limits your ranking flexibility. For businesses investing in SEO services, WordPress is always the recommended platform.
Shopify vs WooCommerce: Ecommerce Feature Comparison
| Ecommerce Feature | 🛍️ Shopify | 🌐 WooCommerce (WordPress) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Variants | ✅ Up to 100 per product | ✅ Unlimited with plugins |
| Inventory Management | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Built-in |
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Via plugin |
| Discount / Coupon Codes | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-Currency | ✅ (Shopify Markets) | ✅ With plugin |
| Digital Product Sales | ✅ Via app | ✅ Native WooCommerce |
| Subscription Products | ✅ Via app ($) | ✅ Via plugin |
| Indian Payment Gateways (Razorpay, PayU, Cashfree) | ✅ Via integration (+ transaction fee) | ✅ Native plugins (no extra fee) |
| UPI / COD Support | ✅ Via Razorpay/PayU | ✅ Native Razorpay / PayU plugin |
| GST / Tax Configuration | Manual / app required | ✅ WooCommerce tax settings + Razorpay GST |
| Shipping Integrations (Shiprocket, Delhivery) | ✅ Via app | ✅ Direct plugin integration |
| Product Reviews | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Built-in |
| Dropshipping | ✅ Oberlo / DSers | ✅ AliDropship / WooDropship |
| B2B / Wholesale Pricing | ✅ Shopify Plus (expensive) | ✅ WooCommerce B2B plugin (affordable) |
| Multi-Vendor Marketplace | Limited / expensive | ✅ Dokan / WCFM (very capable) |
| Ecommerce Overall | Excellent out-of-box | Equally capable — more flexible + no fee |
For Indian ecommerce stores, WooCommerce’s native Razorpay integration is a major advantage — you get UPI, cards, wallets, EMI, and net banking without paying Shopify’s extra 2% transaction fee. Our ecommerce development services cover full WooCommerce and Shopify store builds with complete Indian payment gateway integration.
Who Should Choose Shopify? Who Should Choose WordPress?
This is the most practical section of this guide. Use these scenarios to identify where you fit.
✅ Choose Shopify If…
You sell products exclusively — Your business is 100% product-based with no services, no blog strategy, and no complex SEO goals. Shopify’s structured product management is efficient for this use case.
You want zero technical involvement — Hosting, security, and updates are all handled by Shopify. If you want a truly hands-off platform and budget isn’t the primary concern, Shopify removes technical headaches.
You’re building a global D2C brand — Shopify’s ecosystem, multi-currency support, and global CDN infrastructure make it excellent for brands targeting international markets.
You need fast launch speed — If you need a product store live in 5 days with minimal customisation, Shopify’s templates get you there faster than a custom WordPress build.
✅ Choose WordPress (WooCommerce) If…
SEO is a priority — If you want to rank on Google for your products, services, or industry keywords, WordPress gives you exponentially more SEO control and content marketing capability.
You run a service-based or hybrid business — Restaurants, salons, travel agencies, real estate firms, consultants, hospitals, law firms — any business that offers services (not just products) is far better served by WordPress.
You want to avoid monthly platform fees — WordPress is free. For Indian SMBs, saving ₹25,000–₹80,000 per year in Shopify subscription and transaction fees is significant capital that can go into marketing or stock.
You need complete design freedom — With Elementor, Divi, or custom development, WordPress lets you build literally any design or user experience — with no platform-level template restrictions.
You use Indian payment gateways — WooCommerce integrates with Razorpay, PayU, and Cashfree natively with no additional platform transaction fees — a significant cost saving for high-volume Indian sellers.
You plan to run a blog or content strategy — WordPress is the world’s leading blogging and content management platform. Shopify’s blog is rudimentary by comparison — limited categories, no advanced tagging, no content workflows.
🛒 We Build Both — And We’ll Tell You Honestly Which One You Need
No bias. No upsell agenda. Our recommendation is always based on what’s right for your business goals, budget, and growth plan.
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Shopify vs WordPress: Ease of Use & Learning Curve
| Task | 🛍️ Shopify | 🌐 WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very easy — guided wizard | ⭐⭐⭐ Requires hosting + installation |
| Adding Products | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Intuitive dashboard | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ WooCommerce is easy with training |
| Updating Content | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gutenberg / Elementor drag & drop |
| Installing Apps / Plugins | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shopify App Store | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ WordPress Plugin Library (60,000+) |
| Managing Orders | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customising Design | ⭐⭐⭐ Limited to theme sections | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unlimited with page builders |
| Managing Blog / Content | ⭐⭐ Very limited | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best-in-class |
| Technical Maintenance | ✅ None (Shopify handles it) | ⚠️ Updates + security (agency handles it) |
The reality for most Indian business owners: both platforms are equally manageable with a good agency to set them up and provide training. The “Shopify is easier” argument is most relevant if you’re setting up the store yourself with zero technical support — which is rarely the case when working with a professional agency like Shivah Web Tech.
Design & Themes: Shopify vs WordPress
Shopify Themes
Shopify has a curated theme marketplace with free and premium themes (typically $150–$380 one-time). All themes are mobile-optimised and maintain a consistent, professional look. However, customisation beyond the theme’s built-in sections requires Liquid code knowledge — Shopify’s proprietary templating language. Deep customisation without developer knowledge is limited.
WordPress Themes & Page Builders
WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes (₹2,000–₹10,000 one-time) plus powerful page builders like Elementor, Divi, and Beaver Builder. These drag-and-drop tools let non-technical users build highly custom, pixel-perfect designs without writing code. For businesses that want a truly unique brand identity — WordPress with Elementor is unmatched.
Our web design services include custom WordPress theme development for businesses that want a design that’s genuinely differentiated in their market.
Performance & Security: Shopify vs WordPress
| Factor | 🛍️ Shopify | 🌐 WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Infrastructure | Global CDN, fully managed | Depends on hosting provider — choose wisely |
| Page Speed | Fast by default | Fast with good hosting + optimization plugins |
| SSL Certificate | ✅ Included free | ✅ Free via Let’s Encrypt or hosting |
| Security Updates | ✅ Automatic (Shopify manages) | ✅ Manual — agency or plugin manages |
| Backup | ✅ Shopify manages | ✅ UpdraftPlus / hosting backup |
| Hacking Risk | Lower (closed system) | Moderate — but well-managed with Wordfence/security plugins |
| DDoS Protection | ✅ Enterprise-grade | ✅ Cloudflare integration |
| Verdict | Slight edge for non-technical users | Equally secure with professional management |
Every WordPress site we build at Shivah Web Tech includes security hardening with Wordfence or iThemes Security, SSL setup, automated backups, and Core Web Vitals optimization — so the “WordPress is less secure” concern is effectively eliminated when working with a professional agency.
Migrating from Shopify to WordPress (or Vice Versa)
Switching platforms is very common — especially as Indian businesses grow and start feeling the cost of Shopify’s monthly fees and transaction charges.
Shopify → WordPress (WooCommerce) Migration
This is the more common migration direction for Indian businesses. The process involves:
- Exporting product CSV, customer data, and order history from Shopify
- Setting up a new WooCommerce environment (hosting, WordPress, WooCommerce plugin)
- Importing products, categories, and customer records
- Recreating design, navigation, and pages
- Setting up Razorpay/PayU payment gateway
- Implementing 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones (critical for SEO preservation)
- Testing checkout flow, inventory, and email notifications
WordPress → Shopify Migration
Less common, but sometimes done by businesses planning aggressive international D2C expansion. The process is similar — export, import, design rebuild, and redirect mapping.
Shivah Web Tech handles complete platform migrations with zero data loss and full SEO continuity. Contact us at +91-8580892163 to discuss your migration requirements.
🔄 Planning a Platform Migration?
We handle Shopify ↔ WordPress migrations with full data preservation, SEO redirects, and zero downtime.
Shopify vs WordPress: The India-Specific Reality
Most global comparisons ignore the India-specific factors that matter most for Indian business owners. Here’s what’s actually relevant for you:
| India-Specific Factor | 🛍️ Shopify | 🌐 WordPress | Winner for India |
|---|---|---|---|
| Razorpay Integration | Via plugin — extra transaction fee | Native plugin — no extra fee | 🌐 WordPress |
| PayU / Cashfree Integration | Via plugin — extra fee | Native — no extra fee | 🌐 WordPress |
| UPI / QR Code Payments | Via Razorpay (+ 2% Shopify fee) | Via Razorpay (gateway fee only) | 🌐 WordPress |
| Indian Shipping (Shiprocket, Delhivery) | Via app | Direct plugin | Tie |
| GST / Tax Invoice | App required (Avada Tax) | WooCommerce + Razorpay handles natively | 🌐 WordPress |
| Hindi / Regional Language Support | Limited | ✅ WPML / Polylang — full multilingual | 🌐 WordPress |
| Indian Developer Availability | Moderate (Liquid developers) | Abundant (lakhs of WP developers) | 🌐 WordPress |
| Local SEO for Indian Cities | Limited | ✅ Full local SEO toolset | 🌐 WordPress |
| Pricing in INR | Billed in USD (forex fluctuation risk) | Hosting in INR — no forex exposure | 🌐 WordPress |
When you factor in the India-specific context — payment gateways, transaction fees, local SEO, Indian developer ecosystems, and INR pricing — WordPress is the stronger platform for the vast majority of Indian businesses.
Trusted External Resources
- 📘 WordPress.org — About WordPress — Official source on the world’s most popular CMS
- 🛍️ Shopify India — Official Shopify India pricing and platform overview
- 💳 Razorpay Payment Gateway Docs — Understanding Indian payment gateway integration
- 📊 W3Techs CMS Market Share — Real-time data on CMS usage across the web
- 🔍 Google SEO Starter Guide — Why SEO flexibility matters when choosing a platform
Frequently Asked Questions: Shopify vs WordPress in India
1. Is Shopify or WordPress better for ecommerce in India?
For most Indian businesses, WordPress with WooCommerce is better — it has no monthly platform fee, integrates natively with Razorpay and PayU without extra transaction charges, and gives full SEO and design control. Shopify is better if you want zero technical involvement and exclusively sell products internationally.
2. Which is cheaper — Shopify or WordPress?
WordPress is cheaper — especially over 2–3 years. WordPress is free; you only pay for hosting (₹3,000–₹10,000/year) and a domain. Shopify charges ₹2,100–₹6,600/month plus 0.5%–2% transaction fees on every order. Over 3 years, WordPress typically saves Indian businesses ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 in platform costs.
3. Is WordPress better than Shopify for SEO?
Yes — significantly. WordPress with Yoast/RankMath gives complete control over URL structure, schema markup, content strategy, and technical SEO. Shopify has restricted URLs and limited schema options. For businesses investing in SEO services, WordPress is always the recommended platform.
4. Can I sell products on WordPress?
Yes. WordPress uses WooCommerce to add full ecommerce functionality — unlimited products, Razorpay/PayU integration, inventory management, shipping rules, coupon codes, and more. WooCommerce is the world’s most installed ecommerce platform.
5. Does Shopify work in India?
Yes, Shopify operates in India. However, Shopify Payments is not available for Indian merchants, meaning you must use third-party payment gateways (Razorpay, PayU) which trigger Shopify’s additional transaction fee of 0.5%–2% per order — a significant ongoing cost for Indian businesses.
6. Which platform is easier to use — Shopify or WordPress?
Shopify has a slightly lower learning curve for complete beginners. However, WordPress with Elementor is equally easy to manage after a short training session — which any good agency provides post-launch. For businesses working with an agency, ease of use is a non-issue on either platform.
7. Can I migrate from Shopify to WordPress?
Yes. Shopify to WooCommerce migration is a common service we provide — including product data, customer records, order history, and 301 SEO redirect mapping to preserve your search rankings. Contact Shivah Web Tech for a migration assessment.
8. Which is better for a service business — Shopify or WordPress?
WordPress is significantly better for service businesses — salons, law firms, clinics, consultants, agencies, restaurants, and travel businesses. Shopify is built purely for product selling; its architecture is not suited to services, local SEO, or content marketing.
9. Does Shopify charge transaction fees in India?
Yes — all Indian Shopify merchants pay transaction fees of 2% (Basic), 1% (Shopify plan), or 0.5% (Advanced) per order when using third-party payment gateways. On top of the gateway’s own processing fee (~2%), this makes selling on Shopify in India meaningfully more expensive per transaction than WooCommerce.
10. Which platform is better for blogging — Shopify or WordPress?
WordPress is the world’s leading blogging platform — it was originally built for this purpose. Shopify’s blog has very limited features — no native comment system, no custom post types, no advanced categories. For any business using content marketing as an SEO strategy, WordPress is the only logical choice.
11. How much does it cost to build a Shopify store in India?
A Shopify store in India costs ₹25,000–₹1,50,000 for agency setup and customization, plus Shopify’s monthly subscription. Year 1 total typically ranges from ₹60,000 to ₹2,00,000+ depending on scope and the plan chosen.
12. How much does it cost to build a WooCommerce store in India?
A WooCommerce store in India costs ₹30,000–₹1,50,000 for development, plus ₹6,000–₹15,000/year for hosting and domain — with no monthly platform fee. Over 3 years, WooCommerce saves most Indian businesses ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 compared to Shopify.
Final Verdict: Shopify vs WordPress for Indian Businesses (2025)
Let’s cut straight to the point:
| Your Business Type | Recommended Platform | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Service business (salon, clinic, agency, restaurant) | 🌐 WordPress | SEO, content, local visibility, design freedom |
| Small ecommerce store (Indian market) | 🌐 WooCommerce | No platform fee, Indian gateway native support |
| Large product catalogue, D2C brand | 🛍️ Shopify | Structured product management, global ready |
| Blog + ecommerce hybrid | 🌐 WordPress | Superior blogging + WooCommerce combined |
| Budget-conscious SMB | 🌐 WordPress | No monthly fees, lower 3-year TCO |
| International D2C / dropshipping | 🛍️ Shopify | Global CDN, multi-currency, easy scaling |
| Content marketing / SEO-first business | 🌐 WordPress | Unmatched SEO + content tools |
| Non-technical, solo entrepreneur | 🛍️ Shopify | Easier self-management without an agency |
For 80% of Indian businesses — especially service providers, SMBs, local businesses, and content-driven ecommerce stores — WordPress (WooCommerce) is the smarter, more cost-effective, and more powerful long-term choice.
Shopify is an excellent platform for specific use cases — particularly non-technical entrepreneurs and global D2C brands. But for Indian SMBs trying to build sustainable organic traffic, avoid monthly platform costs, and use Indian payment gateways without penalty fees — WordPress wins.
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Shivah Web Tech Editorial Team
Shivah Web Tech Private Limited is a full-service web development and digital marketing agency based in Mohali, Punjab. We’ve built 100+ websites on both Shopify and WordPress for Indian businesses — and we always recommend the platform that fits your goals, not our convenience.
WordPress Development | Shopify Development | +91-8580892163
