For founders deciding how to launch an online store: what a WooCommerce build costs versus a Shopify build, the platform fees you pay every month, and which one suits your stage.
Quick answer: An online store in India has two costs: the build and the running fees. TechyXen launches a lean WooCommerce store from about ₹30,000, and a premium Shopify store for ₹60,000–₹80,000. Shopify plans add a monthly fee (Basic is ₹1,499/month billed yearly); WooCommerce instead needs hosting, a domain and maintenance.
WooCommerce and Shopify can both run a serious Indian online store. The difference is where the money goes. WooCommerce is free software that runs on hosting you pay for, so the build is usually leaner. Shopify is a subscription platform that includes hosting, so you pay a monthly plan fee. This guide compares both.
Ecommerce store price ranges
| Option | What’s included | TechyXen build range |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce lean launch | WordPress + WooCommerce store, product catalogue setup, payment gateway, shipping and tax settings, mobile-friendly design | ~₹30,000 |
| Shopify premium store | Shopify store design and setup, theme customisation, apps, payments, product and collection setup | ₹60,000–₹80,000 |
| Custom commerce / marketplace portal | Multi-vendor, custom pricing logic, B2B portals | ₹3,00,000–₹6,00,000+ |
Shopify’s monthly fees in India
As of 14 Oct 2026, the Shopify India pricing page lists:
| Shopify plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly | 3rd-party payment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₹1,499/mo | ₹1,994/mo | 2% |
| Grow | ₹5,599/mo | ₹7,447/mo | 1% |
| Advanced | ₹22,680/mo | ₹30,164/mo | 0.6% |
| Plus | Starts at ₹1,75,000/mo | — | 0.2% |
Shopify says plans include hosting and a free SSL certificate, and that third-party transaction fees apply when you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments.
What drives the cost of an online store
- Number of products and variants to load
- Design: theme tweaks versus a fully custom look
- Payments, shipping and GST setup
- Apps and integrations such as reviews, WhatsApp updates, ERP or inventory sync
Hidden and recurring costs
- Domain renewal: a domain is registered for a set term and must be renewed. The ICANN registrant guide to renewals explains that once it expires, services like your website and email may be disabled.
- Hosting: shared hosting is a recurring cost. As of 14 Oct 2026, the Hostinger India web hosting page lists the Single plan at ₹69/month on a 48-month term (renews at ₹289/month) and Premium at ₹149/month (renews at ₹449/month). Intro prices are paid upfront, so check the renewal price, not just the first-term price.
- Shopify plan fees and app subscriptions (Shopify route)
- Payment gateway charges on every order
- Maintenance of plugins, theme and backups (WooCommerce route)
- Ads to drive first sales
Third-party prices were checked on 14 October 2026 and change often. Always confirm on the provider’s own page before you budget.
WooCommerce or Shopify: how to choose
- Choose WooCommerce for a lean launch, full ownership of your site and lower monthly platform fees
- Choose Shopify if you want hosting, checkout and security handled by the platform and are happy to pay a monthly plan
- Either way, keep the domain and accounts in your own name
“Compare the build fee plus 12 months of running costs, not the build fee alone.”
Frequently asked questions
How much does a WooCommerce store cost in India?
TechyXen launches a lean WooCommerce store from about ₹30,000. Add hosting, domain and maintenance as recurring costs.
How much does a Shopify store cost in India?
TechyXen builds premium Shopify stores for ₹60,000–₹80,000, plus Shopify’s plan fee. Shopify India lists Basic at ₹1,499/month billed yearly.
Does Shopify charge transaction fees in India?
Shopify says third-party transaction fees apply when you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments: 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, 0.6% on Advanced.
Is WooCommerce free?
The WooCommerce plugin is free, but you pay for hosting, a domain, any paid extensions and upkeep.
Can I move from WooCommerce to Shopify later?
Yes, products, customers and orders can be migrated. Plan redirects so you keep your search rankings.
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