Shopify is the "all-in-one" option: hosting, security, payment gateway and updates all managed by them. You pay a fixed monthly fee and forget about most of the technical headaches, in exchange for slightly less control if you need something very specific that its app ecosystem doesn't cover.
WooCommerce, on the other hand, is a plugin that turns WordPress into a store. Being open source, customisation is much greater and there's no mandatory platform fee, though you do need to pay for hosting and, if needed, extra plugins. It makes a lot of sense if you already have (or want) a WordPress site with more content than just the store.
The difference that shows most over time
Shopify updates itself. WooCommerce requires keeping WordPress, the plugin, and every add-on you use up to date, which without discipline can lead to security issues or incompatibilities that show up suddenly, months after installing something.
And the price?
In the short term, Shopify is more predictable. In the medium-to-long term, with high sales volume, WooCommerce can work out cheaper because there's no platform commission on each sale (depending on the Shopify plan you're on).
Our honest recommendation
If you want to launch quickly, without complications and with direct support, Shopify is a safe bet. If you already have content on WordPress, want full control, or your project is going to grow with specific needs, WooCommerce is worth the extra maintenance.
Does SEO change between the two?
Both allow good technical SEO, but WordPress/WooCommerce usually gives a bit more flexibility to structure content (blog, custom category pages) that helps attract organic traffic beyond just product pages. Shopify has improved a lot on this front in recent years, but it still has some structural URL limitations that can't be fully changed.
Migrating from one to the other: is it painful?
It can be done, but it's worth planning carefully: exporting products, customers and orders is relatively simple, but keeping old URLs redirected so you don't lose the rankings you've already earned takes dedicated technical work. It's not a decision to make lightly just because "the other platform is trendy."
Frequently asked questions
Which one is cheaper to start with?
Shopify has a more predictable upfront cost (fixed monthly fee). WooCommerce can be cheaper at first if you already have hosting, but the real costs depend on which paid plugins you need.
Can I sell in several countries with either one?
Yes, both support multi-currency and international taxes, though Shopify has it somewhat more simplified out of the box; WooCommerce usually needs an extra plugin.
Do I need to know how to code to use either one?
For the basics, no. Both have visual editors. For deeper customisation (custom themes, specific integrations) technical knowledge or professional help is needed with either one.