WooCommerce vs Shopify vs Salla vs Zid vs custom.

How do the platforms compare side by side?

A summary of the trade-offs. Platform plans and features change, so check current details before deciding.

When should you choose WooCommerce?

When you want to own the store and its data, keep running costs predictable, and customise the design and checkout freely. It needs good hosting and maintenance; our Store Portal makes daily management simple for non-technical teams.

When should you choose Shopify?

When you'd rather the platform handle hosting, security and updates, your catalogue and checkout are fairly standard, and you're comfortable with monthly plan and app fees. Check whether your preferred local gateway integrates well and whether an extra transaction fee applies.

When do Salla or Zid make sense?

Salla and Zid are Saudi e-commerce platforms built around the local market, in Arabic, with local payment and shipping options. They're a quick way to start selling in the Kingdom. Brands often move off them when they need a distinctive design, deeper customisation or full ownership of the store, and we migrate stores from Salla and Zid to WooCommerce, Shopify or custom builds.

When is a custom or headless build worth it?

When the business logic doesn't fit a standard platform: complex pricing, B2B ordering, marketplaces, deep ERP integration, or very high traffic where performance is critical. It costs more upfront, so it should be justified by revenue or a genuine requirement, not by preference.

How do you avoid choosing the wrong platform?

• Write down who will run the store every day and what they need to do.
• Cost the platform over three years: plan, apps, transaction fees, hosting and maintenance.
• Check that your gateway, courier and accounting system integrate properly.
• Make sure you can export your products, customers and orders if you ever move.