Shopify vs WooCommerce in Australia: What It Really Costs (2026)

So which one should you pick?

Here's the thing. Both work really well for Aussie stores. The real question is: do you want to pay with money or with time?

Shopify is like renting a shop in a shopping centre. It's clean, it works, and someone else fixes the lights. But you pay rent every month.

WooCommerce is like owning your own little shop. It's cheaper over time and you can change anything. But when something breaks, that's on you.

I ran my own store on WooCommerce, so I've felt both the savings and the late-night "why is checkout broken" moments.

How much does Shopify cost in Australia?

Shopify charges a monthly plan fee. The Basic plan is roughly A$56 a month if you pay monthly, and a bit less if you pay for the year. Check Shopify's site for today's price, as it does change.

On top of that, you'll likely pay for:

• Apps for things like reviews, upsells or email pop-ups. These are often A$10–A$40 each per month.
• A paid theme if you don't want a free one. Usually a one-off A$250–A$550.
• Payment fees on every sale. With Shopify Payments, Aussie cards are roughly 1.75% + 30c on the Basic plan.

The sneaky one is apps. I've seen people start at A$56 a month and end up at A$150 without noticing.

How much does WooCommerce cost in Australia?

WooCommerce itself is free. It's a plugin that turns a WordPress website into a shop.

But you still need to pay for:

• Hosting, which is where your website lives. A small store can start at around A$10–A$20 a month.
• A domain name, like yourstore.com.au. About A$20–A$30 a year.
• Paid plugins if you need extras like better shipping rules. Many are A$50–A$150 a year each.
• Payment fees through Stripe, Square or PayPal. Roughly 1.75% + 30c for Aussie cards, but check each provider.

Want help picking hosting? I wrote a whole guide on the best hosting for a small WooCommerce store.

Year-one costs side by side

These are rough estimates for a small store in AUD. Your numbers will be different.

Fees on sales aren't in the total because they depend on how much you sell. You can plug your own numbers into the profit calculator to see what's left after fees.

When is Shopify the better choice?

Shopify makes sense when:

• You want to launch this week, not next month.
• You're not a "tech person" and don't want to be.
• You want to sell on Instagram, Facebook and at markets with one stock list.
• You'd rather pay a bit more than spend Sunday fixing plugins.

When is WooCommerce the better choice?

WooCommerce makes sense when:

• You already have a WordPress site or a blog.
• You care a lot about SEO and want full control of your pages.
• Your margins are thin and every monthly dollar matters.
• You're happy to learn a bit, or you know someone who can help.

Honestly, if you're selling low-priced items, the monthly savings with WooCommerce can be the difference between a profit and a loss.

What about SEO on each one?

Both can rank well on Google. Shopify handles the basics for you. WooCommerce gives you more control, especially if you write lots of guides or blog posts like this one.

For a product-only store, the difference is small. For a store that relies on content to get found, I lean WooCommerce.

Can I switch later?

Yes, but it's a pain. You'll need to move products, customers, orders and set up redirects so Google doesn't lose your pages. It's doable, just not fun. So it's worth picking carefully now.

Frequently asked questions

Is Shopify or WooCommerce cheaper in Australia?

WooCommerce is usually cheaper to run, often by A$500 or more in year one. Shopify costs more but saves you time on setup and upkeep.

Does Shopify charge GST in Australia?

Yes. Shopify adds 10% GST to its plan fees for Australian customers. If you're registered for GST, you can usually claim that back. Check with your accountant.

Is WooCommerce really free?

The plugin is free. You still pay for hosting, a domain, and any paid plugins you need, so it's not zero.

Which is better for a beginner?

Shopify. It's simpler to set up and you won't need to worry about updates, security or backups.

Can I use Afterpay with both?

Yes, both Shopify and WooCommerce can offer Afterpay and other buy now, pay later options. Fees for these are higher than normal card fees, so factor them in.

Which one is better for SEO?

Both can rank well. WooCommerce gives you more control, which helps if you plan to write a lot of content.

Prices are rough estimates and change often. Always check with the provider. This is general info, not financial advice.