When you’re ready to launch your online business, one of the first big decisions you’ll face is where to build your store.
And if you’ve done any research, you’ve probably come across two popular options: Shopify and WordPress.
Both can help you sell products online, but they take very different approaches—especially when it comes to cost, flexibility, and control.
At LaunchLite.us, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs and organizations start businesses using open-source or free software to keep recurring costs low. So in this post, we’re going to break down exactly how Shopify’s pricing structure compares to a self-hosted WordPress setup—and which one is the smarter long-term move for your business.
💡 Quick Summary: Shopify vs. WordPress at a Glance
| Feature | Shopify | Self-Hosted WordPress (WooCommerce) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Type | Proprietary / Closed Platform | Open Source |
| Monthly Cost | $39–$399+ (plus add-ons) | $0 (open source) |
| Hosting | Included | $5–$20/month (self-hosted) |
| Transaction Fees | 2% (or more, unless using Shopify Payments) | 0% (except payment processor fees) |
| Design Control | Limited (themes & Shopify templates) | Full customization |
| App Costs | Add-ons average $10–$100/month | Most plugins free or one-time cost |
| Ownership | Shopify owns your site infrastructure | You own everything |
| Scalability | Easy but pricey | Scalable and cost-efficient |
💰 The Hidden Costs of Shopify
Shopify markets itself as the all-in-one solution for entrepreneurs—and for good reason. It’s easy to set up, beginner-friendly, and offers great templates out of the box.
But what most business owners discover after launch is that Shopify’s simplicity comes with a steep price tag over time.
1.
Monthly Fees That Add Up
Shopify’s base plans start at:
- Basic: $39/month
- Shopify: $105/month
- Advanced: $399/month
And those prices don’t include:
- Third-party apps
- Theme upgrades
- Transaction fees
- Email marketing add-ons
That “$39/month” site can easily become $150–$300/month once you start adding features like custom invoices, email marketing, abandoned cart recovery, or product reviews.
Over a year, that’s $1,800–$3,600+—just to operate your store.
2.
App Dependency
Shopify’s “app store” sounds great until you realize most useful apps come with monthly fees of their own.
Want a countdown timer? $10/month.
SEO optimizer? $20/month.
Advanced shipping calculator? $30/month.
Email automation? $15/month.
Add it up, and your “simple store” becomes an expensive ecosystem of subscriptions you can’t live without.
3.
Transaction Fees
Unless you use Shopify Payments, you’ll pay an extra 2% per sale in transaction fees.
That’s $20 on every $1,000 you earn—money that could go toward growing your business instead.
⚙️ The Self-Hosted WordPress Alternative
Now let’s look at the other side: WordPress + WooCommerce, the open-source combo that powers over 40% of all online stores.
What Does “Self-Hosted” Mean?
Self-hosting simply means you install WordPress on your own web server (usually through a hosting provider). This gives you:
- Full control of your website and data
- No monthly platform fees
- The ability to use free or open-source tools
You can host a professional store for as little as $5–$10/month, and WordPress itself is 100% free.
Add WooCommerce (Also Free)
WooCommerce is the open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress. It lets you:
- List unlimited products
- Accept payments (via PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
- Manage orders, inventory, and shipping
- Customize everything freely
No percentage-of-sale fees. No feature restrictions. No locked-down code.
📊 Cost Comparison: Shopify vs. WordPress (1 Year)
| Category | Shopify (Basic Plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Subscription | $39/month = $468/year | $0 |
| Hosting | Included | $10/month = $120/year |
| Domain | $20/year | $20/year |
| Apps & Plugins | $50–$150/month | $0–$50 one-time |
| Payment Fees | 2% (unless Shopify Payments) | Stripe or PayPal only (no platform cut) |
| Total (Year 1) | $800–$2,400+ | $150–$300 |
Result: A self-hosted WordPress site typically costs 80–90% less per year—and you own every piece of it.
🔒 Ownership & Control: The Hidden Advantage
One major difference that many entrepreneurs overlook is who really owns your business infrastructure.
Shopify
When you build on Shopify, you’re essentially renting space on their platform. If you cancel your plan, your store disappears. Shopify controls your hosting, security, and software—and they can change terms or pricing whenever they like.
WordPress
When you host your own WordPress site, you own everything:
- Your files
- Your content
- Your customer data
You’re never locked in, and you can move to any host or developer at any time.
For long-term stability, that’s priceless.
🚀 Why Launch Lite Recommends the WordPress Route
At LaunchLite.us, we’re big believers in ownership, freedom, and financial sustainability.
That’s why our team helps entrepreneurs, creators, and nonprofits launch websites and stores using open-source technology that eliminates unnecessary subscriptions.
Here’s why we favor a WordPress + WooCommerce setup:
- No Recurring Platform Fees — once you’re set up, your only ongoing cost is hosting.
- Full Customization — design and function exactly how you want.
- Data Privacy — your business data stays with you, not on someone else’s servers.
- Scalability — grow your store at your own pace without upgrading plans.
- Integrations — connect free, open-source tools for CRM, invoicing, email, and more.
Whether you want to DIY or have it handled for you, we can help set up a professional, self-hosted website that costs less and does more.
🧮 Example: Real-World Savings
Let’s say you’re a small handmade candle business selling online.
You use Shopify’s basic plan ($39/month) plus 3 essential apps ($60/month).
That’s $99/month = $1,188/year.
With WordPress + WooCommerce + free plugins:
- Hosting: $120/year
- Domain: $20/year
- Premium theme (optional): $60 (one-time)
That’s $200 total — saving nearly $1,000 a year.
Now imagine reinvesting that money into marketing, inventory, or design instead of recurring fees.
That’s how you grow faster and smarter.
⚡ But Isn’t WordPress More Complicated?
It used to be—but not anymore.
Thanks to one-click installers, drag-and-drop builders, and pre-configured templates, setting up WordPress is easier than ever.
And with Launch Lite’s DIY course, you can learn everything step-by-step.
Or, if you’d rather not deal with the tech side at all, our Full-Service Launch Plan takes care of everything—from domain setup to plugin configuration and security hardening.
👉 Book a Free Discovery Call (Button Placeholder)
We’ll help you choose the best setup for your business goals and budget.
💬 The Verdict: Shopify or WordPress?
| Verdict | Summary |
|---|---|
| Shopify | Great for beginners who want convenience and don’t mind paying for it. Quick setup, but long-term costs add up fast. |
| WordPress (Self-Hosted) | Ideal for entrepreneurs who want full control, long-term savings, and flexibility. Slightly more setup work, but massive savings over time. |
At Launch Lite, we don’t just help you choose—we help you launch with the right foundation, so you can focus on growth, not monthly bills.
📞 Ready to Launch Without Monthly Fees?
If you’re ready to build your online business the smart way—without getting trapped in recurring costs—we’re here to help.
Our team can guide you through every step, from hosting setup to store launch.
Let’s find the best open-source tools for your business and start building a foundation that saves money every single month.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Shopify is convenient—but convenience costs.
With WordPress and open-source tools, you’re not just launching a website.
You’re building an independent, cost-efficient, and scalable digital foundation that belongs entirely to you.
At LaunchLite.us, that’s our mission:
To help you launch lighter, smarter, and stronger—without subscriptions weighing you down.
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