When it comes to setting up an online store using WordPress, two popular options are SureCart and WooCommerce. Both are eCommerce plugins that offer a range of features to help you create and manage an online store.
I personally much preferred SureCart while I was testing these plugins. WooCommerce is just too complicated although it does have more integrations(mainly because it has been around longer).
SureCart
SureCart is a headless eCommerce platform that allows you to create an online store without slowing down or bloating your website. It’s designed to be lightweight and fast, and it offers a range of features to help you sell products and manage your store.
Some of the key features of SureCart include:
- Headless architecture
- Fast and lightweight
- Customizable storefront
- Product management tools
- Payment gateway integrations
- Shipping and tax management
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a popular eCommerce plugin for WordPress that offers a range of features to help you create and manage an online store. It’s designed to be user-friendly and customizable, and it offers a range of extensions and plugins to help you add new features to your store.
Some of the key features of WooCommerce include:
- User-friendly interface
- Customizable storefront
- Product management tools
- Payment gateway integrations
- Shipping and tax management
- Extensions and plugins
Key Features Comparison
When it comes to choosing between SureCart and WooCommerce, it’s important to consider the key features of each platform. Here’s a comparison of some of the most important features to help you make an informed decision:
Cart
Both platforms offer a shopping cart feature that allows customers to add products to their cart as they shop. However, SureCart’s cart is headless, meaning it won’t slow down or bloat your website. WooCommerce’s cart is self-hosted, which can slow down your website if you have a lot of products.
Online Store
Both platforms offer a robust online store feature that allows you to showcase your products and manage your inventory. However, SureCart offers more customization options for your online store, including the ability to create custom product pages and shop archives.
Security
Both platforms take security seriously and offer SSL certificates to protect your customers’ data. However, SureCart also offers fraud protection and chargeback protection to help keep your business safe.
Shipping
Both platforms offer a variety of shipping options, including real-time shipping rates and the ability to print shipping labels. However, SureCart also offers a built-in shipping calculator and the ability to set up custom shipping rules.
Inventory
Both platforms offer inventory management features that allow you to track your stock levels and receive notifications when you’re running low on a particular product. However, SureCart’s inventory management is more robust, with the ability to set up multiple warehouses and track inventory across multiple locations.
Integration
Both platforms offer a wide variety of integrations with third-party services, including email marketing tools, accounting software, and more. However, SureCart offers more native integrations than WooCommerce, including integrations with Facebook and Instagram.
Checkout
Both platforms offer a checkout feature that allows customers to complete their purchase. However, SureCart’s checkout is more customizable, with the ability to add custom fields to your checkout forms and customize your checkout page.
Digital Products
Both platforms offer the ability to sell digital products, such as ebooks and software. However, SureCart’s digital product management is more robust, with the ability to set up automatic file delivery and track download links.
Product Pages
Both platforms offer the ability to create product pages that showcase your products. However, SureCart’s product pages are more customizable, with the ability to add custom fields and create custom layouts.
Subscriptions
Both platforms offer the ability to set up subscription products, such as monthly boxes or software licenses. However, SureCart’s subscription management is more robust, with the ability to set up multiple subscription levels and offer trial periods.
Customization
Both platforms offer a high degree of customization, allowing you to create a unique online store that reflects your brand. However, SureCart offers more customization options out of the box, including the ability to customize your shop page and cart page.
Product Variations
Both platforms offer the ability to create product variations, such as different sizes or colors. However, SureCart’s product variation management is more robust, with the ability to set up custom pricing and inventory levels for each variation.
Extensions/Addons
Both platforms offer a variety of extensions and add-ons that allow you to add new features to your online store. However, WooCommerce offers a wider variety of extensions and add-ons than SureCart.
Checkout Form
Both platforms offer a checkout form that allows customers to enter their shipping and billing information. However, SureCart’s checkout form is more customizable, with the ability to add custom fields and create custom layouts.
Checkout Page
Both platforms offer a checkout page that displays the customer’s order summary and allows them to complete their purchase. However, SureCart’s checkout page is more customizable, with the ability to add custom content and create custom layouts.
Shop Archive
Both platforms offer a shop archive that displays all of your products. However, SureCart’s shop archive is more customizable, with the ability to add custom content and create custom layouts.
Product Name/Description
Both platforms allow you to add product names and descriptions. However, SureCart’s product name and description fields are more customizable, with the ability to add custom fields and create custom layouts.
Pricing Structure
When it comes to pricing, SureCart and WooCommerce have different approaches.WooCommerce is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, domain registration, and any additional plugins or themes you may want to use. On the other hand, SureCart charges a monthly fee but includes hosting and all the necessary features to run an online store.
WooCommerce’s pricing details can vary depending on your needs. You’ll need to pay for hosting, which can range from a few dollars a month to hundreds of dollars depending on the hosting provider and plan you choose. In addition, you may need to pay for a domain name, SSL certificate, and any premium plugins or themes you want to use.
SureCart‘s pricing details are straightforward and transparent. They offer three plans: Startup, Business, and Pro. The Startup plan starts at $99 per year and includes all the essential features to run an online store. The Business plan starts at $199 per year and includes additional features such as abandoned cart recovery and priority email support. The Pro plan costs $399 per year and is for larger businesses and offers advanced features such as multi-store support and an affiliate platform.
SureCart and WooCommerce both offer a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and more. However, SureCart offers more payment options than WooCommerce out of the box, including Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
If you’re on a tight budget, WooCommerce may be the better option as it doesn’t have any upfront costs. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for hosting and other expenses down the line. SureCart’s pricing structure may be more suitable for those who want a more all-in-one solution and don’t mind paying a monthly fee.
Businesses and E-Commerce
When it comes to running a business, having an e-commerce platform is essential. With the rise of online shopping, having an online store can greatly increase your reach and revenue. SureCart and WooCommerce are two popular options for businesses looking to create an e-commerce website.
Both platforms allow businesses to sell digital and physical products, and offer a shopping cart and product catalog. WooCommerce is a self-hosted platform, meaning that businesses will need to have their own hosting and domain name, while SureCart is a headless platform that does not require hosting.
One advantage of SureCart is that it is designed to be fast and lightweight, which can be beneficial for businesses that want to ensure their website loads quickly and doesn’t slow down due to the ecommerce plugin. SureCart also offers unlimited products, which can be useful for businesses with large product catalogs.
On the other hand, WooCommerce is a more customizable platform that allows businesses to create a unique look and feel for their online store. WooCommerce also has a larger user community, which can be helpful for businesses that need support or want to connect with other users.
Integration with Other Platforms
Both SureCart and WooCommerce offer a wide range of options when it comes to integrating with other platforms.
WooCommerce has a large number of integrations available through its extensive plugin library. This includes popular platforms like Shopify, Twitter, and more. Some integrations may require additional setup and configuration, which can be time-consuming.
On the other hand, SureCart offers a range of integrations through its various products, including SureTriggers, SureMembers, and SureCrafted. These products are designed to work seamlessly with SureCart, allowing for quick and easy integration with a range of platforms. SureCart also offers integration with Zapier, which can be used to connect with over 5,000 apps and streamline workflows.
SEO and Marketing Capabilities
When it comes to SEO and marketing capabilities, both SureCart and WooCommerce offer a range of features to help you optimize your online store.
SEO
Both platforms provide basic SEO functionality, such as customizable URLs, meta descriptions, and title tags. However, WooCommerce offers more advanced SEO features, including:
- Built-in schema markup
- Automatic XML sitemap generation
- Integration with popular SEO plugins like Yoast SEO
Marketing
When it comes to marketing capabilities, both platforms offer a range of tools to help you promote your products and drive sales. Here are some of the key features to consider:
- Email marketing: Both platforms allow you to send targeted email campaigns to your customers.
- Social media integration: Both platforms make it easy to share your products on social media and track your social media metrics.
- Sales page optimization: Both platforms offer tools to help you optimize your sales pages for maximum conversions.
WooCommerce offers more advanced marketing features, including:
- Abandoned cart recovery: WooCommerce allows you to send automated emails to customers who abandon their carts, encouraging them to complete their purchases.
- Affiliate marketing: WooCommerce offers built-in support for affiliate marketing, making it easy to set up and manage an affiliate program for your store.
Support and Documentation
Having good support and documentation is crucial when running a digital store. Luckily, both SureCart and WooCommerce offer different levels of support and documentation to their users.
WooCommerce has a larger user community online that can be helpful when you’re having trouble. There are many online forums and communities where users can ask questions and get help from other users. WooCommerce also offers extensive documentation on its website, including step-by-step guides, tutorials, and FAQs. They also have a dedicated support team that can help you with any issues you may encounter.
SureCart, on the other hand, offers 24/7 customer support via email and phone. They also have a dedicated support team that is available to help you with any issues you may encounter. SureCart’s documentation is not as extensive as WooCommerce’s, but they do offer a knowledge base with articles and tutorials on how to use their platform.
In terms of GitHub activity, WooCommerce has a larger community of developers contributing to the platform. This means that there are more updates and improvements being made to the platform on a regular basis. SureCart is a newer platform and does not have as large of a community of developers contributing to the platform.
Final Verdict
Both Surecart and Woocommerce are great options for users who want to create an online store.
In my opinion, Woocommerce can be unnecessarily complicated and many people say that it is bloated. Go with Surecart
If you’re still undecided, you can check out this video below for a comprehensive review of both platforms:
Surecart is a new plugin that offers a range of features and expert support, while Woocommerce is a well-established plugin that is highly customizable and has a large community of developers.