Comparing Magento and WooCommerce

Magento and WooCommerce are two open-source software programs designed for online merchants. There are plenty of similarities as well as differences between the two. Anyone who’s interested in putting up an online store and contemplating on using either software should take time to understand the pros and cons of these online commerce platforms.

Magento and WooCommerce Similarities

These two platforms are free to use although the Magento enterprise edition comes with a charge. Both platforms are also easy to set up making them ideal for online merchants who don’t have any clue about building a website.

Another key similarity is that both WooCommerce and Magento are open source platforms. When we say open source, it means that the original source can be modified by web developers. It also benefits the online merchant as he or she can build a website that sufficiently addresses his/her concerns.

Since these are open source platforms, Magento and WooComerce come with many free and premium themes.  This is also beneficial to online merchants because they can set up their sites quickly by choosing themes.

Magento and WooCommerce Differences

One of the major differences between the two is that WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin. On the other hand, Magento is a standalone ecommerce platform.

Since it is a WordPress plugin, WooCommerce is more often used by people who have working knowledge of the WordPress platform. The interface of WooCommerce is also bereft of fancy design elements, which makes it more user-friendly for most people.

Magento requires more technical know-how.  Users must be able to fine-tune every aspect of the platform to get optimal results. It may be a bit hard to master for novice users but it is ideal for business owners who desire complete control over the functionalities and features of their websites.

Magento and WooCommerce: Which is more suited for whom?

There’s no such thing as the better e-commerce platform between Magento and WooCommerce. It’s really up to the business requirements of the merchant. For novice users with limited budgets, WooCommerce is the better option because it is cheaper to develop and relatively easy to use.
But for larger firms who want more customization and a more robust framework, then Magento is the clear choice.