ShopsWired vs WooCommerce
WooCommerce is free, open-source and endlessly flexible, but you host it, update it and pay for the extensions that turn it into a full store. ShopsWired gives you the same programmability with none of the server work, and the core features already built in.
| WooCommerce | ShopsWired | |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Free WordPress plugin | Fully managed platform, from $29/mo |
| Hosting | Yours to choose and pay for, e.g. WordPress.com Commerce at $70/mo billed monthly ($45 billed yearly), or a managed WordPress host | Included, with global edge caching and SSL |
| Core, plugin & security updates | Yours, or a paid care plan | Handled for you. Marketplace updates are one click, with rollback |
| Platform transaction fees | None from WooCommerce | None (0%) |
| Subscriptions | WooCommerce Subscriptions extension, $279/year | Built in on every plan |
| B2B / wholesale pricing | Paid extensions | Built in on Pro+ |
| Custom code | Full PHP access on your own server | ShopScript plugins: hooks, records, routes and jobs, hosted for you (Pro+) |
| Local development | Your own setup | CLI with live preview against your real store |
| Scaling for a sale or launch | Depends on your host | Handled by the platform, with higher tiers for peak traffic |
Why WooCommerce stores move to ShopsWired
No more update roulette
There's no core, PHP or plugin update that can break checkout overnight. We run the platform, and marketplace plugins switch back to a previous version if one misbehaves.
Fewer paid extensions
Subscriptions, wholesale price levels, digital downloads, local pickup and a customer inbox are part of the platform, so there are no yearly extension renewals to track.
Still fully programmable
Hook into orders, carts, checkout and emails in JavaScript, define your own records, and run scheduled jobs. Developers keep the control without having to run a server.
Where WooCommerce is the better fit
- You want to own the server. WooCommerce runs anywhere you can host WordPress, with your data in your own database. ShopsWired is a managed platform.
- Unrestricted code. With WooCommerce you can change anything in PHP. ShopsWired extends through plugins and themes, which is powerful, but it's an API rather than the source code.
- The WordPress plugin ecosystem. If you depend on a specific WordPress plugin, check for an equivalent first.
- Multiple languages and currencies. WooCommerce has plugins for both. Each ShopsWired store sells in one currency, with no built-in translation tools yet.
- A publishing-first site. If your site is mainly a large blog with an editorial team, WordPress was built for that.
Keep the flexibility. Drop the upkeep.
Starter or Pro is $1/mo for your first 3 months.
- WordPress.com pricing: Business and Commerce plans (checked November 2026)
- WooCommerce Subscriptions: $279 per year (checked November 2026)