WooCommerce powers over 36% of all online stores worldwide, making it the most widely used eCommerce platform as of 2026. If you are evaluating options for your online store, one question likely tops your list: Is WooCommerce free? The straightforward answer is yes, the core plugin costs nothing to download and install. But the real cost of running a WooCommerce store goes well beyond that initial download.
This updated guide for 2026 breaks down every cost you should expect, reveals hidden expenses most beginners overlook, and provides a detailed comparison between the free and premium WooCommerce experience. Whether you are launching your first store or migrating from another platform, this article will help you budget accurately.
WooCommerce is a free, open-source eCommerce plugin built for WordPress. It transforms any WordPress website into a fully functional online store with product listings, payment processing, inventory management, and shipping configuration. Originally developed by WooThemes and acquired by Automattic in 2015, the plugin has grown into a comprehensive commerce platform trusted by millions of merchants.
Since WooCommerce is open source and released under the GPL license, anyone can download, install, modify, and redistribute it at no cost. This open nature is what makes WooCommerce genuinely free at its core. However, building a production-ready store typically requires additional investments that many store owners do not anticipate.
WooCommerce Core Features You Get for Free
The free WooCommerce plugin includes a robust set of features that can handle a basic to mid-range online store without requiring any premium add-ons.
Product Management
- Create unlimited physical and digital products with no listing caps.
- Organize products into categories and tags for structured navigation.
- Set product attributes (size, color, material) and create variable products with multiple SKUs.
- Upload product galleries with multiple images per product.
Payment Processing
- Built-in support for PayPal Standard and Stripe through the free WooCommerce Payments gateway.
- Accept credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers without purchasing additional gateway plugins.
- Support for cash on delivery and check/bank transfer methods.
Shipping Configuration
- Configure flat-rate, free, and location-based shipping zones.
- Create shipping classes for different product types (fragile, oversized, digital).
- Set up local pickup options for in-store collection.
Order and Tax Management
- Full order tracking dashboard with status updates, refund processing, and customer communication.
- Built-in sales reports covering revenue, orders, and customer activity.
- Automatic tax calculation based on customer location with configurable tax rates per region.
Customer Experience
- Guest checkout and registered account checkout options.
- Customer account pages with order history, saved addresses, and profile management.
- Built-in coupon system for discounts and promotional campaigns.
According to BuiltWith, WooCommerce is used by over 6.5 million live websites globally as of early 2026, making it the single most popular eCommerce solution on the web.
While the core WooCommerce plugin is free, running a real store involves several costs that are easy to overlook during the planning phase. Here is a breakdown of expenses that catch many new store owners by surprise.
1. Web Hosting ($3 to $300+ per Month)
WordPress requires web hosting, and WooCommerce stores need reliable hosting that can handle product databases, checkout processes, and traffic spikes. Shared hosting plans start around $3 to $15 per month but often struggle under load. Managed WooCommerce hosting from providers like Cloudways, Kinsta, or WP Engine costs $25 to $300+ per month depending on traffic and storage needs. For stores processing more than 100 orders daily, expect to spend $100 or more on hosting alone.
2. Domain Name ($10 to $15 per Year)
A custom domain is essential for any professional store. Domains typically cost $10 to $15 per year for standard TLDs like .com or .store. Premium domains with high commercial value can cost significantly more.
3. SSL Certificate ($0 to $200 per Year)
Every eCommerce store requires an SSL certificate for secure checkout. Many hosting providers include free SSL through Let’s Encrypt. However, extended validation (EV) certificates that display your business name in the browser address bar cost $100 to $200 per year.
4. Premium Theme ($0 to $100 One-Time)
While WooCommerce works with the free Storefront theme, most store owners prefer a professionally designed theme for their online shop. Premium WooCommerce themes from ThemeForest or independent developers typically cost $49 to $100. Some themes require annual renewal for continued support and updates.
5. Payment Processing Fees (2.9% + $0.30 per Transaction)
This is the hidden cost that directly scales with your revenue. Every payment processor takes a cut from each sale. Stripe and PayPal both charge approximately 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction in the US (rates vary by country). On $10,000 in monthly sales, that translates to roughly $320 in processing fees alone. WooCommerce Payments (powered by Stripe) offers the same rate structure.
6. Premium Extensions ($49 to $299 per Year Each)
This is where costs can escalate quickly. While WooCommerce’s free features cover the basics, most growing stores need specialized functionality through paid extensions. We cover the full pricing breakdown in the next section.
7. Security and Maintenance ($0 to $300+ per Year)
Keeping your store secure requires regular updates, backups, and security monitoring. Free plugins like Wordfence offer basic protection, but premium security solutions cost $99 to $300 per year. If you hire a developer for maintenance, expect to pay $50 to $150 per hour. Consider investing in a WordPress maintenance plan or plugin bundle to reduce ongoing costs.
WooCommerce’s official extension marketplace has undergone pricing restructuring since 2024. Here are the current prices for the most commonly needed extensions as of February 2026.
| Extension | Annual Price (2026) | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce Subscriptions | $239/year | Sell recurring subscription products and services |
| WooCommerce Bookings | $249/year | Allow customers to book appointments or reserve dates |
| Product Add-Ons | $59/year | Custom fields for gift messages, engraving, personalization |
| WooCommerce Memberships | $199/year | Restrict content and products to members only |
| Advanced Shipping (UPS/FedEx/DHL) | $99 to $149/year each | Real-time carrier shipping rates at checkout |
| WooCommerce Product Bundles | $79/year | Create product bundles and kit-building flows |
| Table Rate Shipping | $99/year | Complex shipping rules based on weight, destination, item count |
| Checkout Field Editor | $59/year | Customize checkout form fields |
| WooCommerce Points and Rewards | $149/year | Loyalty points system for repeat customers |
| AutomateWoo | $149/year | Marketing automation: abandoned cart emails, follow-ups, win-backs |
A typical mid-range store running subscriptions, advanced shipping, and marketing automation could spend $500 to $800 per year on extensions alone. Store owners looking to compare WooCommerce subscription plugin options should evaluate both official and third-party alternatives to find the best fit for their budget.
This comparison table shows exactly what you get with the free WooCommerce plugin versus what requires paid extensions, themes, or services.
| Feature | Free WooCommerce | Premium / Paid Add-On |
|---|---|---|
| Product listings (unlimited) | Included | – |
| Simple and variable products | Included | – |
| PayPal and Stripe payments | Included | – |
| Flat-rate and free shipping | Included | – |
| Tax calculation | Included | – |
| Coupon codes | Included | – |
| Order management | Included | – |
| Customer accounts | Included | – |
| Basic reporting | Included | – |
| REST API access | Included | – |
| Subscription products | Not available | $239/year (WooCommerce Subscriptions) |
| Appointment/booking system | Not available | $249/year (WooCommerce Bookings) |
| Real-time carrier shipping rates | Not available | $99-$149/year per carrier |
| Product bundles | Not available | $79/year |
| Membership/content restriction | Not available | $199/year |
| Advanced reporting and analytics | Basic only | $99-$199/year |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Not available | $99-$149/year |
| Loyalty/rewards program | Not available | $149/year |
| Marketing automation | Not available | $149/year (AutomateWoo) |
| Multi-currency support | Not available | $79-$129/year |
| Premium store theme | Storefront (free) | $49-$100 one-time |
| Priority support from Woo | Community forums only | Included with paid extensions |
The key takeaway: WooCommerce’s free version is genuinely capable for simple stores selling physical or digital products with standard payment and shipping needs. The moment you need subscriptions, bookings, real-time shipping rates, or marketing automation, paid extensions become necessary. For businesses managing cart abandonment through WooCommerce plugins, the investment typically pays for itself through recovered sales.
The total cost of running a WooCommerce store varies dramatically based on your business model and requirements. Here are realistic annual cost estimates for three common store types in 2026.
Starter Store (Under 50 Products)
- Hosting: $60 to $180/year (shared hosting)
- Domain: $12/year
- SSL: $0 (included with hosting)
- Theme: $0 (Storefront free theme)
- Extensions: $0 (using only free plugins)
- Total: $72 to $192 per year
Growing Store (100 to 500 Products)
- Hosting: $300 to $600/year (managed WordPress hosting)
- Domain: $12/year
- SSL: $0 to $100/year
- Theme: $60 to $100 (one-time)
- Extensions: $300 to $600/year (3 to 5 paid extensions)
- Security plugin: $99/year
- Total: $771 to $1,511 per year
Enterprise Store (1,000+ Products)
- Hosting: $1,200 to $3,600/year (dedicated or high-performance managed hosting)
- Domain: $12/year
- SSL: $100 to $200/year (EV certificate)
- Theme: $100+ (custom theme or heavily customized premium theme)
- Extensions: $800 to $2,000/year (8 to 15 paid extensions)
- Developer maintenance: $2,400 to $6,000/year
- Security and backups: $200 to $400/year
- Total: $4,812 to $12,312 per year
Understanding how WooCommerce costs compare to alternative platforms helps you make an informed choice. Here is how the major eCommerce platforms stack up as of 2026.
Shopify
Shopify is a fully hosted platform, so hosting and SSL are included. However, the Basic plan starts at $39 per month ($468/year), the Shopify plan costs $105 per month, and the Advanced plan runs $399 per month. On top of that, Shopify charges transaction fees of 2% to 0.5% unless you use Shopify Payments. Installing third-party apps often adds $20 to $100 or more per month to your bill. Shopify’s simplicity comes at a premium compared to WooCommerce’s flexibility.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce plans start at $39 per month for the Standard plan, with the Plus plan at $105 per month and the Pro plan at $399 per month. BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any plan, which is an advantage over Shopify. It also includes more built-in features than Shopify’s base plans, but customization is more limited than WooCommerce.
Squarespace
Squarespace offers eCommerce on its Business plan at $33 per month (with a 3% transaction fee) or the Basic Commerce plan at $36 per month (no transaction fees). While more affordable than Shopify, Squarespace lacks the depth of product management, shipping configuration, and extension ecosystem that WooCommerce provides.
| Platform | Starting Monthly Cost | Transaction Fees | Hosting Included | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | $0 (plugin) + $3-$25 hosting | Payment processor only (2.9% + $0.30) | No (self-hosted) | Unlimited (open source) |
| Shopify | $39/month | 2% unless using Shopify Payments | Yes | Limited by Liquid templates |
| BigCommerce | $39/month | None | Yes | Moderate |
| Squarespace | $33-$36/month | 3% on Business plan | Yes | Limited |
WooCommerce remains the most cost-effective option for technical users and businesses that need full control over their store. The evolving eCommerce landscape in 2026 continues to favor open platforms that can adapt quickly to market changes.
If you want to keep your WooCommerce expenses low without sacrificing functionality, follow these practical strategies.
- Start with free alternatives. Before purchasing any premium extension, search the WordPress plugin repository for free alternatives. Many popular features have community-developed free plugins that work well for smaller stores.
- Choose hosting wisely. Do not overpay for managed hosting when shared hosting handles your traffic. Scale up only when your store actually needs it. Monitor your site performance and upgrade when response times consistently exceed 2 seconds.
- Use the Storefront theme. The official Storefront theme is free, well-maintained, and designed specifically for WooCommerce. It performs better with WooCommerce than most third-party themes.
- Buy extensions only when needed. Do not pre-purchase extensions you might use someday. Wait until you have a concrete business need, then invest in the specific extension that solves it.
- Leverage WooCommerce Payments. The free WooCommerce Payments gateway eliminates the need for separate payment plugins. It uses Stripe under the hood but integrates directly into your WooCommerce dashboard.
- Optimize your store’s speed. Use a WordPress speed optimization plugin and image compression to reduce hosting resource usage. Faster stores also convert better, offsetting costs through higher revenue.
Is WooCommerce really 100% free?
The WooCommerce core plugin is 100% free to download, install, and use. There are no license fees, subscription charges, or hidden activation costs. However, running a live store requires paying for web hosting, a domain name, and potentially premium extensions depending on your feature requirements. The plugin itself will always remain free under its open-source GPL license.
What is the minimum cost to launch a WooCommerce store?
The absolute minimum cost to launch a WooCommerce store is approximately $50 to $70 for the first year. This covers basic shared hosting ($3 to $5/month) and a domain name ($10 to $15/year). Using the free Storefront theme, free payment gateways (PayPal/Stripe), and free plugins, you can build a functional store without any additional investment.
Does WooCommerce charge transaction fees?
WooCommerce itself does not charge any transaction fees. Unlike Shopify, which adds its own fees on top of payment processor charges, WooCommerce only passes through the fees from your chosen payment gateway. If you use Stripe or PayPal, you pay their standard processing rates (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction in the US) and nothing extra to WooCommerce.
Is WooCommerce cheaper than Shopify in 2026?
For most small to medium stores, yes. A WooCommerce store with basic hosting and a few free plugins costs $72 to $200 per year. Shopify’s cheapest plan costs $468 per year before apps. However, for enterprise stores that need many premium extensions and managed hosting, the cost gap narrows. The break-even point typically occurs around $2,000 to $3,000 in annual spending, where Shopify’s all-inclusive nature may offer better value for non-technical users.
Can I migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce to save money?
Yes, many store owners migrate to WooCommerce to reduce ongoing costs. WooCommerce supports importing products, customers, and orders from Shopify through free migration plugins. The migration process typically takes a few hours for small stores and a few days for larger catalogs. Factor in the one-time migration effort against the long-term savings on monthly platform fees.
How much does WooCommerce cost per month on average?
Based on industry surveys from 2025 and 2026, the average WooCommerce store owner spends between $30 and $100 per month. This includes hosting ($10 to $50), premium extensions amortized monthly ($10 to $30), and payment processing fees (variable). Stores with heavy traffic, many extensions, or developer support can spend $200 to $500+ per month.
WooCommerce is free in the same way WordPress is free: the software costs nothing, but running it in production requires investment. For budget-conscious entrepreneurs, WooCommerce offers the lowest barrier to entry of any serious eCommerce platform. A fully functional store can launch for under $100 in the first year, which no hosted platform can match.
For growing businesses, the cost scales with your needs rather than being dictated by rigid pricing tiers. You pay for what you use, when you need it. This modular pricing model gives WooCommerce a structural advantage over platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce, where you pay the same monthly fee whether you use all features or not.
The trade-off is clear: WooCommerce requires more technical involvement than hosted solutions. You manage your own hosting, security, updates, and backups. If you value control and cost efficiency, WooCommerce is the strongest choice. If you prefer a hands-off experience and are willing to pay for convenience, a hosted platform may serve you better.
Either way, the data shows that WooCommerce remains the most flexible and cost-effective path to selling online in 2026. Start free, add what you need, and grow at your own pace.
