Best e-commerce platform in NZ: Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce (2026)
Which platform should a New Zealand online shop run on? What each one does well, where it stops, what you can change at checkout, what it costs to run in NZD, and which NZ payment, courier and accounting tools work with it.
For most small New Zealand shops, Shopify is the best e-commerce platform: it’s the quickest to get running, Shopify looks after the hosting and security for you, and Xero’s own Shopify connection is free. Choose WooCommerce when you already have a WordPress site, or want a shop you fully own and can change any way you like. Choose BigCommerce when you need a delivery date or gift message box at checkout, or personalised products, without paying for Shopify’s top plan.
This guide compares the plans small NZ shops actually use. It leaves out Shopify Plus, which starts at US$2,300 a month on a three-year contract (about NZ$4,100), and BigCommerce’s top plan, from US$1,499 a month. When you see “Plus only” below, read it as “not realistic for a small shop”.
Prices were checked on 13 and 14 October 2026 and exclude GST. Shopify and BigCommerce charge in US dollars; we’ve converted at NZ$1.79 per US$1, the European Central Bank rate on 12 October.
- 26,806 live NZ shops on Shopify StoreLeads, Oct 2026
- 12,460 live NZ shops on WooCommerce StoreLeads, Oct 2026
- 368 live NZ shops on BigCommerce StoreLeads, Oct 2026
Which e-commerce platform should you choose?
Start here. The rest of the guide is the reasoning behind these three lists.
Choose Shopify when you…
- want the shop live quickly and don’t want to look after hosting, security or updates;
- want Xero, subscriptions and selling overseas without paying for extra apps;
- sell to trade customers who need their own prices or payment terms.
Choose WooCommerce when you…
- already have a WordPress site, or your articles and guides are what sell your products;
- want to own the shop outright, with no monthly platform fee;
- need a checkout that does something unusual, without paying for Shopify Plus.
WooCommerce needs good hosting and someone keeping it updated. Budget for both.
Choose BigCommerce when you…
- want a delivery date or gift message box at checkout without add-ons or Shopify Plus;
- sell personalised products, where customers type engraving text or upload a file;
- want a platform that runs itself like Shopify, with more of those extras built in.
| Choose | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| A few products, want it live this month | Shopify | Least to set up and look after. Hosting, security and updates are Shopify’s job. |
| Already have a WordPress site | WooCommerce | The shop goes into the site you already have: one login, one place for content. |
| Need a delivery date or gift message at checkout | BigCommerce or WooCommerce | Built in on BigCommerce; a small add-on on WooCommerce. On Shopify it needs Plus. |
| Personalised products (engraving, uploads) | BigCommerce | Built in, and each option can change the price. |
| Trade customers with their own prices | Shopify | Trade pricing on every plan since April 2026, at no extra cost. |
| Sell on Trade Me too | Shopify or WooCommerce | Both have a tool that keeps Trade Me listings and stock in sync. |
| Run your stock in Unleashed | Shopify or WooCommerce | Unleashed builds and supports both connections itself. |
| Want Xero without another subscription | Shopify | Xero’s own Shopify connection is free on every Xero plan. |
| Want to own everything, no platform fee | WooCommerce | Free to use. You pay for hosting and upkeep, not a platform. |
Shopify: the easy default
You pay Shopify a monthly fee and it runs everything underneath: hosting, security, updates and the checkout. That’s why most NZ shops are on it.
What it does well:
- Looks after itself. There’s nothing to update, and Shopify handles card security for every store.
- Payments. Shopify Payments works in New Zealand, and so does Afterpay.
- Xero. Xero builds the Shopify connection itself, free on all Xero plans.
- Extras on every plan. Selling overseas in local currencies, a free subscriptions app, and, since April 2026, trade pricing and payment terms for business customers.
Where it stops:
- The checkout is mostly fixed. You can add your logo, colours and fonts, but you can’t add your own boxes, such as a delivery date or gift message. That’s Plus only (from US$2,300 a month).
- No eftpos at the counter. Shopify’s in-store card readers take Visa, Mastercard and Amex, but Shopify lists eftpos as Australia only.
- Other payment providers cost extra. Use Windcave or another provider instead of Shopify Payments and Shopify adds 2% on Basic, on top of the provider’s own fees.
What it costs: Basic is US$29 a month billed yearly, or US$39 monthly, about NZ$52–70. Grow and Advanced start at US$79 and US$299. Card payments cost 2.65% + NZ$0.30 on Basic. Shopify adds 15% GST to its bill unless you give it your GST number.
Pick it if you want to spend your time selling, not running a website.
WooCommerce: the one you own
WooCommerce is a free add-on that turns a WordPress site into a shop. Nobody can raise your platform fee or switch you off, and a developer can change anything about it. In return, looking after it is your job.
What it does well:
- Products and content together. Product pages, guides and landing pages all live in one WordPress site you can edit yourself.
- Changes anything. The checkout, product options and pricing rules can all be changed, with an add-on or a developer.
- No platform fee. You pay for hosting, not a monthly subscription to a platform.
- NZ tools. Unleashed builds its own WooCommerce connection, and Trade Runner keeps Trade Me listings in sync.
Where it stops:
- You look after it. Updates, backups and security are yours or your developer’s. WooCommerce says plainly that card security compliance “is ultimately the responsibility of the store owner”.
- Extras add up. What Shopify includes, WooCommerce sells as yearly add-ons in US dollars: Xero US$109, subscriptions US$279, bookings US$249.
What it costs: the add-on is free. Managed WordPress hosting from NZ-owned WPhost runs NZ$29–119 + GST a month; our own managed hosting starts at $39 + GST a month, with updates and backups included. Stripe charges 2.65% + NZ$0.30 per NZ card payment.
Pick it if you want a shop you fully own and you have someone to look after it.
BigCommerce: more built in
BigCommerce runs itself like Shopify, but it builds in several things Shopify keeps for Plus or leaves to apps. It’s rare in New Zealand, with 368 live shops, but it has a clear niche.
What it does well:
- Checkout boxes. You can add your own boxes to the checkout, such as a delivery date or a note.
- Personalised products. Options for text, dates and file uploads come built in, and each can change the price.
- Gift wrapping, with a gift message, is built into the cart.
- Moving in is free. Its migration app brings products, customers and orders across from Shopify or WooCommerce.
Where it stops:
- Sales limits. Core covers up to US$30,000 of sales a year (about NZ$53,600) and Growth up to US$100,000. Sell more and you’re moved up a plan.
- A new fee on some payment providers. From June 2026, payments through providers BigCommerce doesn’t partner with cost an extra 2% on Core. Stripe, PayPal and Afterpay are partners. Windcave isn’t.
- Fewer NZ connections. There’s no official Xero connection (third-party ones start at US$36.99 a month), and we couldn’t find a Trade Me connector.
What it costs: the same as Shopify. Core is US$29 a month billed yearly, or US$39 monthly; Growth and Scale start at US$79 and US$299.
Pick it if your checkout or your products need more than Shopify gives below Plus, and you don’t want to look after hosting.
Can you change the checkout?
The checkout is where most shops eventually want something changed: a delivery date, a gift message, or a payment option hidden for certain orders. This is where the three differ most.
| Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your logo and colours | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| A delivery date or gift message box | Plus only (from US$2,300/mo) | Yes: US$49/yr add-on or a developer | Yes, built in |
| Personalised products | A developer or an app | US$79/yr add-on | Built in |
| Hide a payment or delivery option for some orders | Yes, with an app | US$109/yr add-on | Needs a developer |
| A completely custom checkout | No, not even on Plus | Yes, with a developer | Yes, with a developer |
On Shopify below Plus, a delivery date or gift message can still be collected, but in the cart, before checkout starts, not in the checkout itself.
Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce, side by side
| Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who looks after it | Shopify | You or your developer | BigCommerce |
| Monthly plan | US$29–299 billed yearly | None; hosting about NZ$29–119 | US$29–299 billed yearly |
| Trade pricing | Every plan | Paid add-on | From Growth |
| Selling overseas | Every plan | Add-on or plugin | Every plan |
| In-store sales | Shopify POS (no eftpos) | POS in the Woo app | Partner POS, e.g. Lightspeed |
| Subscriptions | Free app | US$279/yr add-on | App |
| Bookings | App | US$249/yr add-on | App |
| Trade Me | Omnivore app | Trade Runner | None found |
| Xero | Free, built by Xero | US$109/yr add-on | Third-party, from US$36.99/mo |
| Unleashed | Built by Unleashed | Built by Unleashed | Third-party |
| Live NZ shops | 26,806 | 12,460 | 368 |
What does each platform cost to run in NZ?
For a shop selling NZ$5,000 a month, about NZ$2,400 a year on Shopify, NZ$2,400–3,100 on WooCommerce and NZ$4,200 on BigCommerce. Card fees are the biggest cost, and they’re the same on all three if you use Shopify Payments or Stripe.
The example assumes NZ$60,000 of sales a year at NZ Post’s average online order of $120, about 500 orders, all paid by NZ cards, with Xero connected and plans billed yearly.
| Shopify Basic | WooCommerce | BigCommerce Growth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform plan | $621 | None | $1,693 |
| Hosting | Included | $468–$1,188 | Included |
| Card fees | $1,740 | $1,740 (Stripe) | $1,740 (Stripe) |
| Xero connection | Free | $195 | $793 |
| Year total | About $2,360 | About $2,400–$3,120 | About $4,230 |
- BigCommerce’s cheapest plan doesn’t fit. NZ$60,000 a year is about US$33,600, over Core’s US$30,000 limit, so this shop pays for Growth.
- Your payment provider matters more than the plan. Taking cards through Windcave on Shopify Basic adds Shopify’s 2% fee: another NZ$1,200 a year on these sales.
Having the shop designed and built comes on top. Our website cost guide covers that.
Which payment options work in NZ?
- Shopify Payments: NZ stores, 2.65% + NZ$0.30 per card on Basic.
- Stripe: 2.65% + NZ$0.30 per NZ card. Works on WooCommerce, and on BigCommerce with no extra fee.
- Windcave: the NZ provider works with all three, but costs extra on Shopify and BigCommerce (see above).
- Afterpay: works on Shopify and BigCommerce.
- Laybuy is now Klarna. Laybuy went into receivership in 2024, and laybuy.com now goes to Klarna. Any guide still listing Laybuy is out of date.
Couriers, stock and GST
- Couriers. Starshipit and Zappy work with all three. NZ Post and NZ Couriers name Shopify and WooCommerce.
- Stock. Unleashed builds its own Shopify and WooCommerce connections. Cin7 works with all three.
- GST. On all three you set up 15% GST on your sales yourself. None of them files your GST return.
Can you move platforms later?
Yes. Your products, customers and orders can come with you, and Shopify and BigCommerce both have free tools to bring them in. Your design doesn’t move, so budget for a redesign and keep your Google rankings by redirecting old pages to the new ones.
Not selling online? A WordPress site is usually enough
If customers book, call or ask for a quote rather than paying online, you don’t need an e-commerce platform. A WordPress site with a good enquiry form does the job for less, and you can add WooCommerce later without rebuilding. Our small business website guide covers what it should include, and our website builder vs web designer guide the cheapest ways to start.
What does it cost to have a shop built?
A shop we design and build sits in our Flagship tier: $4,000–$8,000 + GST. More pages and sections, e-commerce with an online shop and payments, and deep SEO keyword research. We build on Shopify, WooCommerce and BigCommerce, and we’ll recommend the one that fits how you sell. See what each tier includes. Once the shop is live, the next cost is getting it found on Google; our SEO cost guide covers that.
Still not sure?
For most small shops in New Zealand, start on Shopify Basic and spend your time on products and marketing. Move to WooCommerce or BigCommerce when you hit something Shopify can’t do below Plus, not before.
If you’re weighing it up for a real shop, tell us what you sell and how you sell it. We’ll recommend a platform as part of a free quote, and if Shopify Basic and a good theme are all you need, we’ll say so.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify Payments available in New Zealand?
Yes. NZ stores can take cards through Shopify Payments, from 2.65% + NZ$0.30 per online payment on Basic. Using another provider instead adds a Shopify fee of 0.6–2% depending on your plan.
Can Shopify POS take eftpos in NZ?
No. Shopify’s card readers take Visa, Mastercard and Amex in New Zealand, and Shopify lists eftpos as Australia only. Check this before you commit if many of your in-store customers pay by eftpos.
Does Shopify charge GST in NZ?
Yes, Shopify adds 15% GST to its own bill for NZ stores. If you’re GST-registered, add your GST number to your billing profile and later bills won’t include it.
Is WooCommerce free?
The add-on is free. A WooCommerce shop still costs money to run: hosting, card fees, any paid add-ons, and the time or the developer to keep it updated and secure.
Shopify or WooCommerce for a small NZ business?
Shopify, unless you already run WordPress, your content drives your sales, or you need a checkout Shopify only allows on Plus. They cost about the same to run; WooCommerce asks more of your time.
Sources
All prices checked on 13 and 14 October 2026, excluding GST. US dollars converted at NZ$1.79 per US$1 (European Central Bank, 12 October 2026).
- Shopify: NZ pricing, Plus pricing, Shopify Payments in NZ, GST on Shopify bills, checkout options, Checkout Blocks (Plus), cart fields, POS card payments, trade pricing on every plan, Subscriptions.
- WooCommerce: card security, add-ons: Xero, Subscriptions, Bookings, Product Add-Ons, Checkout Field Editor, Conditional Shipping and Payments.
- BigCommerce: pricing and sales limits, payment partners, checkout fields, product options, gift wrapping, migration app, Xero connector.
- Payments: Stripe NZ pricing, Windcave, Afterpay on Shopify, Laybuy receivership.
- Connections: Xero’s Shopify app, Unleashed, Cin7, Starshipit, Zappy, NZ Post, NZ Couriers, Omnivore, Trade Runner.
- Hosting: WPhost.
- Market: StoreLeads NZ store counts for Shopify, WooCommerce and BigCommerce (9 October 2026); NZ Post, online shopping report, July 2026.