Ecommerce Website Cost in India: Shopify vs WooCommerce (2026)
Every "ecommerce cost in India" article eventually says "it depends." True but useless. Here are the actual numbers for the two platforms that dominate Indian D2C in 2026 — what you'll pay to launch, what you'll pay every month after, and which one fits which business.
Build costs (2026, ₹)
| Store type | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Starter (≤50 products, template design) | ₹25,000–₹70,000 | ₹20,000–₹60,000 |
| Professional (custom design, integrations) | ₹60,000–₹2,00,000 | ₹50,000–₹1,80,000 |
| Large catalog / custom features | ₹1,50,000+ | ₹1,50,000+ (apps/Plus territory) |
Running costs — where the platforms really differ
| Item (annual) | WooCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | ₹0 | ₹23,928 (Basic, ₹1,994/mo) |
| Hosting | ₹5,000–₹40,000 | Included |
| Maintenance/updates | ₹12,000–₹60,000 (or DIY) | Mostly included |
| Plugins/apps | ₹5,000–₹30,000 | ₹10,000–₹50,000 (apps add up fast) |
| Payment gateway | ~2% + GST per transaction | ~2% + GST + Shopify's 0.5–2% cut |
Estimates at 2026 published pricing. GST applies on most fees; factor it when comparing.
Which one, honestly
- Choose Shopify if: you want to manage the store yourself with minimal technical involvement, you value uptime and support over customization, and a predictable monthly bill suits you. It's the "it just works" tax, and for many founders it's worth every rupee.
- Choose WooCommerce if: you want full ownership and control, lower running costs at scale, deep customization (GST invoicing flows, regional shipping logic, B2B pricing), or your site already lives on WordPress. The trade: someone must maintain it — you or a studio.
- The tiebreaker question: who handles trouble at 11pm during a sale? If the answer is "nobody", Shopify. If it's "my developer/studio", WooCommerce's economics win over time.
India-specific line items people forget
- Shipping integration: Shiprocket, Delhivery or similar aggregators — setup is straightforward on both platforms; budget for COD (cash on delivery) handling, still a large share of Indian orders, with its RTO (return-to-origin) cost risk.
- GST-compliant invoicing: plugins/apps handle it, but confirm your build includes it — retrofitting invoice compliance is annoying.
- Speed on real phones: your customers are on mid-range Androids on inconsistent networks. Demand a build tested on exactly that, not on the developer's laptop.
- Abandoned-cart recovery: WhatsApp-based recovery flows dramatically outperform email in India — plan it at build time.
The decision in one paragraph
Under ~200 orders/month and non-technical: Shopify. Growing, margin-sensitive, or feature-hungry: WooCommerce with a maintenance arrangement. Either way, apply the same vendor vetting as any web project — live portfolio stores, ownership of all accounts, written scope (the checklist). We build both platforms — tell us your catalog size and margins and we'll recommend honestly, including when the answer is "stay on Shopify, don't pay us".
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper in India — Shopify or WooCommerce?
To launch: WooCommerce is usually cheaper (no monthly platform fee; hosting from ₹5,000–₹15,000/year). Over three years the gap narrows: WooCommerce needs maintenance and occasional developer help, while Shopify's ₹1,994/month basic plan includes hosting, security and updates. WooCommerce optimizes for control and lower running costs; Shopify for predictability and less technical worry.
What do payment gateways cost for Indian ecommerce?
Razorpay, PayU and Cashfree typically charge around 2% + GST per domestic transaction (UPI sometimes lower or promotional). Shopify additionally takes a transaction fee (0.5–2%) unless you use compatible gateway setups. On thin margins, gateway percentage differences matter more than any platform fee — negotiate once you have volume.
Can I start selling without a website, just on WhatsApp and Instagram?
Yes, and many Indian D2C brands validate exactly that way. But a store site adds discoverability (Google), trust (customers check before larger payments), and automation (inventory, GST invoices, abandoned-cart recovery). The common path: validate on social commerce, invest in a proper store once monthly orders justify it.