Stores. and WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free, open-source store plugin for WordPress. Here is how running it compares with a hosted store on Stores.
Where WooCommerce shines
- The core plugin is free and open source.
- Very flexible if you (or a developer) want to customise everything.
- Hundreds of extensions and payment gateways.
Side by side
| Topic | Stores. | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| What you need to run it | Nothing: sign up and your store is hosted for you. | WordPress with PHP and a MySQL / MariaDB database on WordPress hosting you provide.[1] |
| Cost | One plan price in rupees, with hosting, updates and security included. | The core plugin is free; it offers paid commercial upgrades and extensions, and you pay for your own hosting.[1] |
| Updates, backups and security | Handled by us. | Self-hosted: you (or your host) keep WordPress, plugins and backups up to date. |
| Cash on delivery tools | WhatsApp order confirmation, risk rules, blocklists and return tracking built in. | Cash on delivery is supported; confirmation and risk tools come from extensions.[1] |
| Pakistani couriers | Booking, airway bills and tracking built into orders (see availability on our features page). | Carrier integrations come from extensions; availability for Pakistani couriers varies.[1] |
Sources (checked 9 October 2026)
Products change. If something here is out of date, tell us on the Contact page and we’ll correct it.