Quick Summary
- Core Concept: The best ecommerce platform depends on your specific needs: control (WooCommerce), convenience (Shopify), or local focus (EasyStore).
- Key Stat: WordPress powers over 43% of all websites, making WooCommerce a dominant, flexible choice for scalable businesses.
- Recommendation: Choose WooCommerce for long-term flexibility and SEO, Shopify for quick setup with monthly fees, or EasyStore for simple local integration.
Are you looking for the best eCommerce platform in Malaysia to advertise your products?
Choosing the perfect eCommerce platform is crucial for your online store’s success. With the eCommerce market continuing to grow globally, it’s never been more important to select the best platform to meet your business needs.
In this ultimate showdown, we’ll dive deep into the features, pricing, and performance of three eCommerce giants - Shopify, WooCommerce, and EasyStore. Will Shopify’s all-in-one solution win the day, or will the flexibility of WooCommerce or the simplicity of EasyStore come out on top?
Before thoroughly comparing Malaysia’s three top eCommerce platforms, it’s crucial to understand the basics and discover what sets them apart.
Introducing WooCommerce
WooCommerce, with the quote “The ecommerce platform that grows with you”, is a versatile, open-source eCommerce plugin designed for WordPress. It enables you to harness the might of the world’s most versatile and popular content management system (CMS) to operate an online store.
According to data from W3Techs, WordPress is responsible for powering over 43% of all websites. Surprisingly, to some, WooCommerce is the most popular eCommerce platform (yes, even more so than Shopify).
Introducing Shopify
Shopify is an all-inclusive eCommerce platform that simplifies creating an online store, processing payments, and managing your inventory from one platform.
Launched in 2006, Shopify provides an all-in-one solution to help entrepreneurs create, manage, and grow their online stores with ease.
Introducing EasyStore
EasyStore is a cloud-based eCommerce platform that allows users to easily create an online store without requiring technical knowledge or experience. The platform offers a range of features, including website design templates, payment processing, inventory management, and marketing tools.
Key Factors to Consider in Your eCommerce Platform
Several essential aspects must be remembered when embarking on your online store journey.
- ☐ Budget: Initial and ongoing monthly costs
- ☐ User-friendliness: Learning curve for beginners
- ☐ Payment Methods: Local gateway support (FPX, DuitNow)
- ☐ Integrations: Availability of third-party tools
- ☐ Scalability: Ability to grow with your business
Pricing
For eCommerce website owners, cost is often the most critical factor. It’s essential to assess the initial costs while considering the variable expenses for add-on services and software.
How much You Have to Pay to Use WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is an eCommerce plugin designed for WordPress.org. As an open-source solution, it is available as a free eCommerce platform.
To launch a WooCommerce store, however, you’ll need a domain name and a hosting account. Generally, a domain name costs $14.99 (RM65), and web hosting is approximately $7.99 (RM40/mo) per month.
Comparatively, the cost of initiating a basic WooCommerce store is considerably less than Shopify. Additionally, WooCommerce does not charge a percentage fee on transactions, which is a substantial advantage.
How much You Have to Pay to Use Shopify?
Shopify simplifies the process of launching your online store. Their Basic plan starts at around $19-$29 USD per month. These plans include an SSL certificate, web hosting, and a Shopify-branded subdomain.
However, this pricing does not cover third-party tools and add-ons necessary to elevate your Shopify store. As your business expands, these costs accumulate. Payment processing is another cost factor, often charging transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
How much You Have to Pay to Use EasyStore?
EasyStore offers a variety of pricing plans, typically starting from around RM59/mo for their Lite plan. All plans include unlimited products, bandwidth, and storage.
However, the pricing does not cover the cost of payment processing fees or any third-party apps and add-ons. Payment gateway’s processing fees range from 2.5% to 4% per transaction.
Winner: WooCommerce. Considering the numerous free themes and add-ons available for WooCommerce, it undoubtedly takes the lead in terms of cost.
Ease of Use
Most people launching an online store are neither web designers nor developers. Even those with a basic understanding of these concepts require a platform that is simple to navigate.
Is WooCommerce easy to use?
WooCommerce operates as a self-hosted solution. You are responsible for installing the plugin, managing updates, and backups. However, thousands of plugins exist to streamline this. It offers remarkable adaptability but has a steeper learning curve than hosted solutions.
Is Shopify easy to use?
Shopify eliminates the need to install or manage software. As a fully hosted platform, you don’t worry about security or backups. It boasts an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The drawback is limitation on control—you’re restricted to Shopify’s tools.
Is EasyStore easy to use?
EasyStore is designed to be user-friendly, with a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to customise your store’s design. It offers integrations with popular Malaysia payment gateways, making it a convenient solution for locals.
Winner: Shopify. For pure ease of use and getting started quickly without technical headaches, Shopify leads the pack.
Conclusion
Choosing between WooCommerce, Shopify, and EasyStore depends on your specific needs.
- Choose WooCommerce if: You want full control, lower long-term costs, and are comfortable with some technical management (or hiring someone). It’s the best for SEO and customization.
- Choose Shopify if: You want a hassle-free, all-in-one solution and don’t mind paying monthly fees and transaction fees for the convenience.
- Choose EasyStore if: You are a Malaysian business looking for a simple solution with great local payment and shipping integrations out of the box.
Final Verdict
For most serious businesses looking to scale and own their platform, WooCommerce remains the most flexible and powerful choice in 2025.
Written by
Lamanify Team
Azri is a seasoned digital marketer with over 10 years of experience in brand development and marketing strategies. Graduated with a 2nd Class Upper for Master's in Engineering (MEng.) from Sheffield, UK, Azri began his digital marketing journey during his studies, honing his skills in design, copywriting, and crafting impactful digital experiences. Today, he helps clients build professional and highly visible online presences, ensuring their brands thrive in a competitive digital landscape.