Shopify vs WordPress.com: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Shopify and WordPress.com side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Shopify
Launch and grow your online store with ease
Best for you if:
- • You want easy to use
WordPress.com
Managed WordPress hosting without the server headaches
Best for you if:
- • You want hosted WordPress
| At a Glance | Shopify | WordPress.com |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $39/mo flat, billed monthly Basic plan | Free plan, paid from $4/mo, billed monthly Personal plan |
Category | E-commerce Platforms Website Builders | Website Builders CMS |
Rating | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 11,858 reviews | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.4 17,713 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Third-party payment surcharge: using PayPal, Stripe, or any non-Shopify payment processor triggers a 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow), or 0.6% (Advanced) surcharge ON TOP of the processor's own fees. | Free sites show WordPress.com ads to visitors until you pay. |
Choose Shopify or WordPress.com?
Choose Shopify if
- You want easy to use
- You want all-in-one solution
- You work in e-commerce platforms, not website builders
Choose WordPress.com if
- You want hosted WordPress
- You want easy setup
- You work in website builders, not e-commerce platforms
In-Depth Analysis
Shopify
Launch and grow your online store with ease
Shopify's $39/mo Basic plan looks affordable until you add payment processing fees, apps, and themes.
Watch out
Third-party payment surcharge: using PayPal, Stripe, or any non-Shopify payment processor triggers a 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow), or 0.6% (Advanced) surcharge ON TOP of the processor's own fees.
Strengths
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: All-in-one solution
- Pro: Great app ecosystem
- Pro: Good for scaling
Weaknesses
- Con: Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
- Con: Monthly costs add up
- Con: Limited customization on lower plans
Key features
WordPress.com
Managed WordPress hosting without the server headaches
WordPress.com has a real free plan, then paid plans start at $4/mo billed annually or $2.75/mo billed every 3 years.
Watch out
Free sites show WordPress.com ads to visitors until you pay.
Strengths
- Pro: Hosted WordPress
- Pro: Easy setup
- Pro: Good for blogs
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Good support
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited customization
- Con: Expensive for features
- Con: Plugin restrictions
- Con: Better alternatives exist
- Con: Feature limitations
Key features
Plans and prices: Shopify vs WordPress.com
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify |
| shopify.com/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| WordPress.com |
| wordpress.com/pricing read Oct 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Shopify pricing and WordPress.com pricing.
Key Takeaways
Shopify
- Choose if you want launch and grow your online store with ease
WordPress.com
- Choose if you want managed WordPress hosting without the server headaches
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 11,858 reviews for Shopify, 4.5/5 from 17,713 reviews for WordPress.com).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Shopify $39/mo flat, billed monthly; WordPress.com $4/mo, billed monthly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Shopify and WordPress.com compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 11,858 reviews for Shopify, 4.5/5 from 17,713 reviews for WordPress.com). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Shopify $39/mo flat, billed monthly; WordPress.com $4/mo, billed monthly. Both have a free plan.
What are Shopify and WordPress.com used for?
Shopify: Launch and grow your online store with ease. WordPress.com: Managed WordPress hosting without the server headaches.
What does Shopify cost vs WordPress.com?
Shopify's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $39/mo flat, billed monthly. WordPress.com's cheapest paid plan is Personal at $4/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Shopify and WordPress.com?
Shopify's main strength: easy to use. WordPress.com's main strength: hosted WordPress.