At a Glance
| Factor | WooCommerce | Medusa JS | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low–Medium | Higher | Low |
| Monthly cost | Hosting only (~€10–50) | Hosting only (~€10) | €29–299+/month |
| Transaction fees | Payment gateway only | Payment gateway only | 0–2% + gateway |
| Performance | Slow–Medium | Very fast | Fast |
| Security | Requires maintenance | Modern architecture | Managed |
| Customisation | High (with plugins) | Unlimited | Limited |
| Code ownership | Yes | Yes | No |
3-Year Cost Comparison
Here's what you'll actually pay over three years for a typical small e-commerce store:
| Cost | WooCommerce | Medusa JS | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial build | €1,500–3,000 | €3,000–4,000 | €500–2,000 |
| Monthly hosting | €30 × 36 = €1,080 | €10 × 36 = €360 | Included |
| Platform fees | €0 | €0 | €79 × 36 = €2,844 |
| Essential apps/plugins | €500 | €0 (built-in) | €100 × 36 = €3,600 |
| Security/maintenance | €50 × 36 = €1,800 | €40 × 36 = €1,440 | Included |
| 3-Year Total | €4,880–6,380 | €4,800–5,800 | €6,944–8,444 |
Key insight: Medusa has the lowest 3-year cost, and you own the asset outright. After year 3, ongoing costs are just ~€50/month. With Shopify, you keep paying €180+/month forever.
Our Recommendations
Choose WooCommerce if:
- Your shop is secondary to your content (blog, magazine)
- You have a very limited budget (<€2,000)
- You already have a WordPress site and want to add a small shop
Choose Shopify if:
- You want zero technical involvement
- You're testing a market and might pivot
- You're comfortable with €100–300/month in ongoing platform + app costs
- You need to launch in days, not weeks
Choose Medusa JS (custom build) if:
- E-commerce is your core business
- You want to own your store outright
- Performance and speed matter to you
- You plan to operate for 3+ years
- You want to avoid ongoing platform fees
- You need custom features that apps can't provide
The bottom line: We build Medusa stores because they offer Shopify-level performance without the Shopify-level ongoing costs. The upfront investment is higher, but you end up with a faster, more secure store that you actually own.
Want the full breakdown?
Read Part 2: The Deep Dive for detailed pros, cons, and honest takes on each platform.
Ready to Talk?
If you're considering a new e-commerce store or thinking about migrating from your current platform, we're happy to discuss your options — even if that means recommending Shopify or WooCommerce for your specific situation.
Book a free consultation and let's figure out what's right for your business.