Before you build an online store, the most expensive decision isn't the colour or the theme. It's the platform. Choosing between Shopify, WooCommerce and a custom build decides how much you pay every month, who actually owns the store, and how easily you can grow. Here's a clear comparison, with numbers and no marketing spin.
What's the core difference between the three?
In short: Shopify is hosted (SaaS) — you rent ready-made infrastructure. WooCommerce is open-source on top of WordPress — you control the hosting and the code. A custom build is created from scratch to fit you exactly. Each suits a different size and goal.
- Shopify: fast to launch, monthly subscription, less control, and potential per-transaction fees if you don't use its own payment system.
- WooCommerce: full ownership, no mandatory platform fees on your sales, but it needs hosting and maintenance.
- Custom: maximum freedom and speed, higher upfront cost, ideal for unusual flows or a large catalogue.
What does each platform really cost?
Third-party pricing changes often, so as of 2026 these are approximate figures — always confirm them on the official price page before you decide.
- Shopify (approximate, as of 2026): entry plans start roughly around €25-35/month, plus a possible transaction fee if you don't use Shopify Payments, plus paid apps. The monthly cost adds up over time.
- WooCommerce: the plugin itself is free; you pay for hosting, a domain and any premium add-ons. There's no mandatory platform fee on your sales.
- Custom: higher upfront development cost, but no third-party cut on your sales.
At Foivi AI we build e-shops on WooCommerce at fixed prices: E-shop €990 (entry) or €1,490 Pro. Delivery in 5-7 days and — most importantly — you fully own the domain, the code and the content. See the detailed e-shop guide and our e-shop solutions.
Who owns the store?
This is the criterion nobody mentions in the ad. On a hosted SaaS, your store lives inside the provider's ecosystem: stop the subscription and you lose access. With WooCommerce or custom, the store is yours — you can switch hosting provider or partner whenever you want. At Foivi AI the client fully owns the domain, code and content, with no lock-in.
Which platform ranks more easily on Google?
All three can do solid SEO. The difference is control: with WooCommerce and custom you can reach every detail — URL structure, product schema, speed, technical meta. On a closed SaaS you work within the limits the platform sets. For a store with a large catalogue and serious organic-traffic ambitions, full control matters.
When does each one fit?
- Choose Shopify if you want to launch immediately, your catalogue is small, and you don't mind the monthly cost and reduced control.
- Choose WooCommerce if you want ownership, flexibility, local Greek payment and shipping methods, and a stable cost with no platform fees. It's what we recommend to most clients.
- Choose custom if you have unusual flows, a large product volume, or need a unique buying experience.
Our approach
Foivi AI is a Greek web agency in Loutraki, working remotely across Greece and the Greek diaspora. We build bilingual EL+EN stores, fully GDPR-compliant. We can also add an AI chatbot (€39/month) that answers customers around the clock, or run your social media (from €149/month). All articles are written by Aris Danesis.
Want to work out which platform fits your store? Talk to us or see all our pricing.
Comparison at a glance
| Criterion | Shopify | WooCommerce | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly platform fee | Yes (subscription) | No (hosting only) | No |
| Per-transaction fees | Possible | None | None |
| Full ownership | No | Yes | Yes |
| SEO control | Limited | Full | Full |
| No lock-in | No | Yes | Yes |
| Foivi AI price | — | €990 / €1,490 Pro | On request |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Shopify or WooCommerce?
It depends on your priorities. Shopify is faster to launch but has a monthly subscription and possible per-transaction fees. WooCommerce gives you full ownership and flexibility with no mandatory platform fees. At Foivi AI we recommend WooCommerce to most Greek merchants.
How much does an e-shop cost at Foivi AI?
We build e-shops on WooCommerce at fixed prices: €990 for the entry package and €1,490 for the Pro package. Delivery takes 5-7 days, and you fully own the domain, code and content.
Who owns the store if I choose Shopify?
On a hosted SaaS like Shopify, your store lives inside the provider's ecosystem, and if you stop the subscription you lose access. With WooCommerce or a custom build, the store is yours and you can switch provider whenever you want.
Which platform is better for SEO?
All three can perform well. The difference is control: with WooCommerce and custom you manage URL structure, product schema, speed and technical meta. For a large catalogue with serious organic-traffic ambitions, full control matters.