When starting an online store, one of the first questions is: WooCommerce or Shopify? Both are excellent platforms, but for the Bulgarian market, the answer is almost always the same.
In short: WooCommerce wins long-term for stores with over 15,000 EUR annual turnover. Shopify is easier to start with, but gets expensive as you grow.
The Real Numbers
WooCommerce — Full 3-Year Cost
Development (custom design)1,800 EUR
Hosting (3 years × 150 EUR/year)450 EUR
Maintenance (3 years × 100 EUR/month)3,600 EUR
Transaction fees0 EUR
TOTAL5,850 EUR
Shopify Basic — Full 3-Year Cost (2,500 EUR/month turnover)
Subscription ($39/month × 36)~1,300 EUR
2% commission (2500×12×3 × 2%)1,800 EUR
Paid themes and apps~750 EUR
Econt integration (3rd party app)~300 EUR/year
TOTAL~4,750 EUR
💡 At higher turnover, WooCommerce wins decisively. At 10,000 EUR/month turnover, Shopify commissions become 2,400 EUR/year just from transactions.
Bulgarian Integrations — The Critical Difference
This is where WooCommerce wins without competition:
- Econt and Speedy — direct API integration, automatic shipping calculation
- ePay and myPOS — native support
- Cash on delivery — built into WooCommerce; requires expensive apps on Shopify
- Invoicing — integration with Bulgarian accounting systems
On Shopify, these integrations require 3rd party apps costing $15-50/month each.
When Shopify Is the Better Choice
- You sell primarily internationally (Stripe is easier)
- You have a small starting budget and want to test the idea
- You have no technical team and want a plug-and-play solution
Frequently Asked Questions
WooCommerce or Shopify for a beginner?
For a beginner without technical experience, Shopify is easier to start with. But if you plan to sell in Bulgaria with Econt/Speedy, WooCommerce is significantly better long-term.
Can I migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce?
Yes — products, customers and orders can be migrated. The process typically takes 1-2 weeks depending on data volume.
Does Shopify charge commissions in Bulgaria?
Yes — on the Basic plan it charges 2% on every sale if you don't use Shopify Payments (which is not available in Bulgaria). This makes WooCommerce significantly more cost-effective for Bulgarian stores.
Not Sure Which Platform to Choose?
Contact me for a free consultation and I'll recommend the best solution for your specific case.
Get a Free Consultation