The UK Context Matters
Most WooCommerce vs Shopify comparisons are written for a US audience. In the UK, there are some important differences: VAT handling requirements, preferred payment processors (Stripe, SagePay, PayPal), and the fact that many UK businesses run on established hosting infrastructure they'd prefer to keep. These factors influence the recommendation.
Total Cost of Ownership
Shopify starts at around £25/month but real-world costs are higher. Transaction fees apply unless you use Shopify Payments. Essential apps for reviews, subscriptions, and advanced filtering typically add £50–£150/month. A properly configured Shopify store for a mid-size UK retailer often costs £200–£400/month in platform fees alone. WooCommerce hosting starts at £15–£30/month, with most premium extensions as one-time purchases.
UK Payment Gateways
Both platforms support Stripe and PayPal natively. For SagePay (Opayo) — still widely used by UK businesses — WooCommerce has better native support and more flexible custom integration options. If your business requires SagePay or a bespoke payment flow, WooCommerce is the more practical choice.
VAT & Tax Handling
WooCommerce handles UK VAT well with the right setup, including Making Tax Digital compliance via third-party plugins. Shopify's tax handling has improved significantly and works for most straightforward UK stores, but complex VAT scenarios (EU digital goods, mixed-rate products) are easier to handle in WooCommerce where you have direct control.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Shopify if you want a managed, simple solution and your store is reasonably straightforward. Choose WooCommerce if you need custom integrations, complex pricing rules, UK-specific payment gateways, or if you already have WordPress infrastructure. For most UK small businesses starting out, either works well — the decision comes down to how much customisation you anticipate needing.