Shopify vs WooCommerce for Online Shops in Kenya
Short answer: for most Kenyan shops where M-Pesa is the main payment method, WooCommerce is usually the better fit: you own the site, M-Pesa STK Push can be built in directly and there are no platform fees on each sale. Shopify suits shops that want a fully hosted platform with minimal maintenance, especially those selling mainly abroad.
Both platforms run successful shops. The right choice depends on how your customers pay, how much control you want and what you’re comfortable paying every month. We covered Shopify’s payment setup in Shopify in Kenya: payment options with M-Pesa and the real costs.
| Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hosted platform you subscribe to | Free plugin on your own WordPress site |
| M-Pesa | Through third-party apps or gateways | Direct STK Push integration possible |
| Running costs | Monthly plan in USD, apps, transaction fees | Hosting from KES 10,000 a year, optional care plan |
| Ownership | You rent the platform | You own the site and data |
| Flexibility | Limited to what apps allow | Almost anything can be customised |
| Maintenance | Handled by Shopify | Updates needed (or a care plan) |
| Content and SEO | Good | Excellent, with WordPress blogging built in |
Payments and M-Pesa
This is usually the deciding factor in Kenya. With WooCommerce, we connect M-Pesa directly so the customer gets a payment prompt on their phone, enters their PIN and the order is confirmed automatically. See how M-Pesa works on WooCommerce. With Shopify, you rely on a third-party payment app, and Shopify adds its own fee when you don’t use Shopify Payments.
Costs over three years
Shopify’s monthly plan, paid apps and transaction fees add up, all in US dollars. WooCommerce costs more upfront to build properly but less to run: hosting, an optional care plan and any premium plugins. Our online shops start from KES 150,000 (USD 1,400). Read e-commerce website costs in Kenya.
Ownership and control
With WooCommerce the site, the data and the customer list are yours, on hosting you control. With Shopify, if you stop paying, the shop goes offline.
Flexibility
WooCommerce lets you build custom delivery zones by estate, pickup points, wholesale prices, product bundles and integrations with KRA eTIMS, bulk SMS or your POS. On Shopify these depend on available apps.
Maintenance and security
Shopify handles updates and hosting. WooCommerce needs regular updates and security monitoring. Our WordPress maintenance care plan covers this for KES 60,000 (USD 600) a year.
Our recommendation
- Choose WooCommerce if you sell mainly in Kenya, want M-Pesa built in, want to own the shop and may need custom features.
- Choose Shopify if you sell mainly abroad, want the simplest hosted option and accept the monthly USD costs.
See a real example in our case study: online store with M-Pesa for a Nairobi retailer, or our WooCommerce M-Pesa integration service.
We’ve built online shops since 2012, with 1,200+ projects and a 5.0 rating on Google.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify or WooCommerce better in Kenya?
For shops that rely on M-Pesa and want ownership and flexibility, usually WooCommerce. For hosted simplicity and selling abroad, Shopify.
Can WooCommerce accept M-Pesa?
Yes. M-Pesa STK Push can be integrated directly so customers pay with a prompt on their phone.
Which is cheaper to run?
WooCommerce usually costs less to run over time because there are no platform subscriptions or extra transaction fees.
Is WooCommerce hard to manage?
Not once it’s set up and you’ve had training. Day-to-day tasks like adding products and processing orders are straightforward.
Can I switch platforms later?
Yes. Products, customers and orders can be migrated, with redirects to protect your rankings.
Still deciding between Shopify and WooCommerce?
Tell us what you sell, how many products you have and how customers pay. We’ll give you a straight recommendation. During working hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm EAT) we reply within minutes on phone or WhatsApp at +254 705 828 000.
Prefer it in writing? Request a quote.
Written by Vincent Ochieng, founder of Butterfly Prime Solutions (since 2012). Last updated: 31 October 2026.
