Small Biz Software UK

Automattic

WooCommerce

Free tier Online Store & E-commerce Inventory Management

Overview

WooCommerce is a free, open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that turns any WordPress site into an online shop. It suits UK small businesses that already run (or are happy to run) a WordPress site and want full control over design and functionality, from cafés selling gift boxes online to garden centres taking click-and-collect orders.

Key Features

WooCommerce covers product listings, stock tracking, order management, and UK-friendly checkout options via WooPayments or third-party gateways such as Stripe and PayPal. Because it is open source, thousands of extensions add features like local delivery zones, subscriptions, and click-and-collect — useful for hospitality and retail businesses managing both counter and online sales. Store data lives on your own WordPress database, giving you full ownership and export control.

Pricing

The core WooCommerce plugin is free, with no monthly subscription. Running a store still costs money, though: WordPress hosting typically runs from around £20 to £280 per month depending on traffic and provider, and premium extensions generally cost £25–£240 per year each. Card payment processing fees apply on top, similar to other UK payment gateways.

Ease of Use

WooCommerce is more hands-on than an all-in-one platform — you (or a developer) manage hosting, updates, and security patches yourself, which suits business owners comfortable with WordPress or willing to hire help. A companion mobile app for iOS and Android lets you manage orders and check sales on the move once the store is set up.

Verdict

WooCommerce is a strong fit for UK small businesses that want maximum flexibility and no platform lock-in, and are willing to trade a bit of setup complexity for lower long-term platform costs. It pairs well with Xero or FreeAgent for Making Tax Digital-compliant bookkeeping, but businesses wanting a fully managed, no-maintenance option may prefer Shopify or BigCommerce instead.

Pros

  • ✓Core plugin is completely free to use
  • ✓Full ownership of store data and design
  • ✓Huge extension library for UK-specific needs
  • ✓No forced platform fees or revenue share
  • ✓Works with Stripe, PayPal and other UK gateways
  • ✓Free order-management app for iOS and Android

Cons

  • ✗You manage hosting, updates and security yourself
  • ✗Total cost varies widely by hosting and extensions
  • ✗Steeper learning curve than hosted platforms
  • ✗Support depends on your hosting provider, not Woo

Pricing Plans

Pricing requires manual verification — we couldn't reliably extract published tiers from the vendor's pricing page. Check current pricing on Automattic's site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WooCommerce really free for a UK small business? ▼

The WooCommerce plugin itself is free with no monthly subscription. However, you will still pay for WordPress hosting (roughly £20–£280 a month depending on the provider and traffic) and any premium extensions you add, so budget for those running costs.

Does WooCommerce support UK payment methods and VAT? ▼

Yes. WooCommerce works with WooPayments, Stripe, PayPal and other UK-friendly gateways, and free extensions handle UK VAT calculation. For Making Tax Digital compliance, pair it with accounting software such as Xero or FreeAgent.

Do I need technical skills to run a WooCommerce store? ▼

Basic setup is achievable for non-developers using managed WooCommerce hosting and a pre-built theme, but ongoing maintenance — updates, security and troubleshooting — is easier with some WordPress familiarity or a developer on hand.