This article is for you if you:
- Need to choose a platform for a new webshop and want an honest basis for comparison.
- Currently run a WooCommerce webshop and are considering migrating to Shopify.
- Have heard the arguments for both and want a data-driven answer rather than preferences.
- Work in an e-commerce team and need to present a platform recommendation to management.
- Want to understand the true costs of Shopify and WooCommerce, including hidden costs.
Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform that handles all technical aspects: hosting, security, updates, payment gateway, and server operation. You pay a monthly subscription fee, and in return, you never have to worry about downtime, SSL certificates, or database updates. Shopify was founded in 2006 and currently powers over 4.5 million webshops globally. It is the platform chosen by most growth-oriented D2C brands in Denmark, and the one with which Meta, TikTok, and Google have the strongest native integration.
WooCommerce is a free open-source plugin for WordPress. It is not a platform in itself. It is an add-on for a CMS that was not built for e-commerce. This means you are responsible for:
- Hosting (servers, speed optimization, scaling)
- Security (SSL, firewall, backups, updates)
- Plugins and integrations (paid separately and require maintenance)
- Technical support when something goes wrong
WooCommerce is used by over 6 million online stores, primarily because it's free to install and offers complete technical freedom. However, that freedom comes at a price.
This is where many brands miscalculate. WooCommerce appears cheap because the plugin itself is free. But the full cost calculation looks different.
WooCommerce's actual costs
- Hosting: 100 to 1,500+ DKK/month depending on traffic
- Premium plugins: 1,000 to 5,000+ DKK/year for checkout, SEO, security, email, etc.
- Developer hours for setup: 10,000 to 80,000+ DKK
- Ongoing maintenance and updates: 2 to 10 hours/month
- Downtime and security issues: A time cost that is difficult to predict
Shopify's actual costs
- Basic: ~250 DKK/month
- Shopify (standard): ~680 DKK/month
- Advanced: ~2,600 DKK/month.
- Shopify Plus: From ~18,000 DKK/month.
- Transaction fee: 0% when using Shopify Payments, 0.5 to 2% with third-party gateway
- Apps: Typically 500 to 3,000 DKK/month for a mature setup
For most growth brands, Shopify is cheaper in practice because you don't pay developer hours to keep the store running.
WooCommerce isn't the wrong choice for everyone. There are specific situations where it makes sense:
- You have an existing WordPress site with complex content and want to add e-commerce as a secondary function
- You have a dedicated development team that is already familiar with the WordPress infrastructure
- You have very specific technical requirements that no Shopify app can solve
- You don't primarily sell through paid social channels and have no ambitions for Shopify Payments
For everyone else, Shopify is usually the right choice.
When should you migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify?
We often see brands that started on WooCommerce and are now hitting a growth ceiling. The signs are clear:
- You spend more time maintaining your store than growing it
- Your Meta and TikTok integrations aren't working optimally and are delivering incorrect data
- Your checkout converts poorly, and you can't A/B test it
- Your development team is the only one that can make changes
- You want Shopify Payments and the frictionless checkout
Migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify is a project that typically takes 4 to 12 weeks, depending on complexity. It's done right once, and the gains in conversion rate, integrations, and saved development time usually pay for themselves quickly.
1. Shopify or WooCommerce: Which is best for a new online store in Denmark?
For most new e-commerce brands, Shopify is the best choice. It's quicker to get started with, requires less technical knowledge, and has stronger native integrations with Meta, TikTok, and Google. WooCommerce offers more technical freedom but requires a team that can maintain it.
2. Is WooCommerce really free?
The WooCommerce plugin is free to install, but the total operating costs include hosting, premium plugins, security maintenance, and developer hours. For many brands, WooCommerce is more expensive than Shopify when all costs are factored in.
3. Can I migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify?
Yes. Migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify is a well-defined project that typically takes 4 to 12 weeks. Products, customers, and order history can be migrated. It's a one-time project, and the gains in conversion rate and saved maintenance time typically pay for themselves quickly.
4. How much does Shopify cost per month?
Shopify Basic costs ~250 DKK/month, Shopify Standard ~680 DKK/month, and Advanced ~2,600 DKK/month. Shopify Plus starts from ~18,000 DKK/month and is aimed at high-revenue brands needing advanced features.
5. Does DVISIONMEDIA use WooCommerce?
No. DVISIONMEDIA works exclusively with Shopify and has been an official Shopify Partner since 2021.





































