E-commerceInteractive
Shopify vs. WooCommerce in Colombia (2026): Real Costs, Gateways and Which to Choose
Shopify vs. WooCommerce in Colombia: monthly costs, extra fees, local gateways, data ownership and the headless option.
By Keyner Trillos· Updated
In short
- Shopify is a subscription (from USD 39 a month) that includes hosting and maintenance, but charges an extra fee per sale if you use an external gateway.
- WooCommerce charges no subscription or platform fee; you need your own hosting and maintenance.
- Shopify suits fast validation without a technical team; WooCommerce or a custom store suits you when you want to maximize margin and control your data.
Shopify and WooCommerce are the most used store platforms. In Colombia the decision has an extra twist: local gateways and fees.
Comparison table
| Criteria | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed monthly cost | From USD 39 up to USD 399 | No platform subscription |
| Extra fee per sale | Between 0.6% and 2% with an external gateway, depending on the plan | 0% platform fee |
| Colombian gateways | Wompi, Bold, PayU, Mercado Pago | The same, plus direct PSE and Addi |
| Hosting and maintenance | Included | Your own hosting |
| Data ownership | On Shopify's servers | 100% yours |
| Checkout customization | Limited (except on higher plans) | Total |
When to choose Shopify
- You want to launch in days, without managing servers or backups.
- Your team isn't technical and values a very polished dashboard.
- Your initial volume is low and the subscription barely dents your margin.
When to choose WooCommerce
- You sell regularly and want to maximize net margin.
- You want native integration with Colombian gateways and DIAN invoicing.
- You care about owning your customers, your catalog and your history.
The headless option
You can manage inventory and orders in WooCommerce while the store the customer sees is a fast, custom-built site. You get the speed without losing a simple dashboard. Read what headless e-commerce is or see our headless WooCommerce service.
Frequently asked questions
Which gateways work with WooCommerce and Shopify in Colombia?
Both support Wompi, Bold, PayU and Mercado Pago. Shopify charges an extra percentage when you use an external gateway; WooCommerce charges no platform fee.
Which is cheaper in the long run?
Usually WooCommerce, because it has no mandatory monthly fees or platform commissions, although it needs hosting and maintenance.
What is headless WooCommerce?
A store where inventory and orders are managed in WooCommerce, but the storefront the customer sees is a fast, custom-built site.
Sources
Was this article helpful?
Shall we build it for you?
Tell us about your project and we'll send a proposal in your currency.
Get a quote →